An account from the man that was there, not politicians!!
342819
Finally, I think the real story is told. I certainly believe this man far more than some desk jockey, freeloading, politician that constantly runs for re-election by buying votes with federal "giveaways"! Our military folks are the real heroes in this country that serve and sacrifice. Maybe after 20 years of service, if he survives real life threating dangers, he can retire and draw 50% of his base pay whereas a senator after "ONE" term can retire and draw 100%. SEAL training and real military missions vs standing on the town square and giving away taxpayer money. Who is the "protector" of this country??
4389893
A really good first hand account from the other side
4886558
I know this man.  I served with him as a pastor.  He means every word and he lived every word.  Here is an authentic account.  Read it!
3094703
I saw this man speak and confronted him for retiring from the CIA instead of standing up back in the sixties due to the CIA and their horrific activities. He told the audience their are two CIAs and he wasn't aware of what the other CIA was doing! How sad all he has to do is stand up and take responsibility for his actions. Mr. McGovern could then apologize and pursue his second career without  hypocrisy making amends though good deeds with honesty. Some of us did take a stand.....and still do with a clear conscience. Jerry Philbrick
251195
I wish this had been read by the author, but I still enjoyed his perspective of his service to our country.  Enough detail to be interesting, but no secrets exposed....a very good listen.
4577710
All in all, a great book! There is simply nothing in this account that CAN be a lie -- most of it's events were on the pages of the Washington Post over the past year if you actually paid attention -- Wolff's taped interviews with Trump's aides are only adding some gossipy name calling and black humor to the mix. But this does help the causal reader reconcile why Trump's administration has been so disordered, senile, ADHD and ineffective -- that's the real Trump shining through.  This book is certainly not for people who want the comfort of strongman daddy-leader fairy tales, but it is a nice account of the ultimate humanity of a little tiny man with his little tiny hands.
2460714
using the journal of someone who was there and lived the story was interesting to me.  I appreciated the facts and not just a made up story.
3464900
Having just visited the Colmar Pocket, I found the book fascinating and Audie's account likewise. Previously, I had not appreciated his immense contributions as well as those of his fellow soldiers.
3172182
Despite the opinion of previous reviewers, the accounts detailed in this book are substantiated with physical evidence, objective opinion, and coorabertating witnesses, both on the Loyalist and Republican side.  I  wonder at those who would speculate on the exhumed corpses that Mr. Bruce  located, it trepidaciously hearkens to those who might deny the exhibits of  governmental genocide carried out by the Nazi's.  This is a fascinating  account, told with a naivet in narration that bespeaks its truthfulness.  Mr. Bruce is not an educated or particularly well read man, but his honesty  eclipses his prose for a dramatic account of unchecked power.
4560002
I have had the opportunity to hear this author in person and speak with him.  Unfortunately, he passed away in July of 2012.  His personal recount of his life as a child in the Hitler Youth to his service as a Tank Commander at the end of WWII was very telling.  The most important part was his recollection of what his parents were doing before, during and, his mother, after the war, was very important.  His life and the way he approached several milestones until he became aware of how manipulated he and a large portion of the German population had been before and during WWII.  The remainder of his days were spent  attempting to warn as many "good people" not get trapped in the massive lies that can be woven to influence a population looking for relief.  This is not an effort to justify what was done but make as many decent people understand how easy it is to be duped by a person/philosophy that promises much and delivers a lot of pain.  This is a very worhwhile read, in my opinion.
4382850
Can you picture this: the real heroes are trying to fight the enemy. Where is Kerry? He is loading up a 8mm camera to film all the action and his own personal typewriter so he could set up a written report. I bet he had fun getting that heavy 8mm camera and typewriter through the airports enroute to  his "reporting for duty." And I am sure that every Navyman brought his own 8mm camera to film the events of Vietnam and those heavy 1960's typewriters to lug around. Actually, Kerry did it so he could record his own exaggerated version of his war exploits and advance his political career. To wit, this film was shown at the DNC in July 2004.

I wonder if Kerry brought his papers indicating that the deferrment he applied for was denied too? And did he type an account of when he was in Cambodia (or was it Vietnam) when he talked to Pres. Nixon (or was it Pres. Johnson, or Abraham Lincoln or George Washington or maybe it was George Jefferson??)

Jeesh. What a guy! I mean what a liar!
2023728
The author is a personal friend.  I am honored to know he and his family.  Everyone needs to read this account of what a true hero lived through for his country.
2771448
I loved all Oliver Sacks' accounts (read all books & NYT articles), so anything speaking of Sacks' life would be readable.  Bill Hays is readable, but he's not an Oliver Sacks in being truly astonishing & amazing.  I did not mind his account of a homosexual relationship w/Dr. Sacks, who previously had been celibate for 35 years.  If such a subject would personally bother you, do not read this account of the much loved Sacks.  Of these accounts, Hayes restrains himself to the "acceptable," leaving aside anything "too intimate."  Although one might question the motives of this account, I was happy to see that Dr. Sacks received some thoughtful human affection in his last years.
1161875
I have friends and colleagues that had served on submarines, so this account of daily life of an enlisted man was interesting.  He intentionally cleaned up the language so it isn't full of foul language, which I greatly appreciated.

My respect continues to grow for those that volunteer to serve in a submerged metal tube!
1312406
An excellent account from someone with great creds and written in a logical, believable style.
385715
I wish more people in the world would read this book, specially those who have been so critical of his presidency, most of who, in my opinion, are grossly misinformed.
Mr. Bush makes an informative, honest and straight forward account of his 8 years in office and the years leading to it. He vividly describes what he went thru, at the personal level, when he had to make the most crucial decisions of his life. Decisions he knew would not be popular with many, but decisions that had to be made nonetheless. I call that Valor.
He suffered events during his tenure that no other president has suffered before him. The 911 attacks, Katrina, the economic meltdown;  he describes how he reacted to each of those events, as you would expect your president to react, with a firm decisive hand.
The war in Irak was not a popular one, (which war has ever been ?), but he managed to accomplish the noble objective of liberating a nation from tyranny. Very few historical figures have that little task on their resumes. But then again, there are some, with much less impressive credentials, who receive the Nobel Peace Prize without deserving it.
The "Mission Accomplished" sign comes to mind I know, which at the time was a laughing stock for the press. Well, after you read the book, you'll know what really happened and how Mr. Bush had nothing to do with it. How could he? Would the President of the United States really have the time to have a sign made and have it displayed like it was? Foolish to think so, but that was exactly what the press misconstrued and that's what many people still believe today.
The sign was placed there by the military personnel aboard that ship as a message to their Commander in Chief. A way to announce to him exactly what the sign said. They were given a mission and they have accomplished it with honor. See the difference?
History has not been fair to Mr. Bush so far, but that will change. In fact, it has already began to change. The killing of OBL probes beyond any doubt, that it was only made possible by the strict anti terrorist policies of one of the greatest presidents this country ever had.
1967054
A unique account of what it was actually like to work with diplomats on both sides.  This is written in a journal like reflection that gives an up close account of what an Afghan American experienced when he went back to help the diplomatic political process.  If you are a student of this campaign, then you should add this brief account to your background knowledge.  I was most struck by how little the US relied on this talented individual.  I served alongside the author for most of this time period and I can attest that his account is accurate.  He is very polite in describing the frustration that many talented people felt trying to help the new Afghan government and ISAF itself.  Rip Miles, USMC AFPAK Hand 2010-2011 Cohort 1