Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat
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Product Description
Product Description
The story of a young man's indoctrination into combat as an infantry platoon leader in the famed 173d Airborne Brigade, is told with pace and style in what has become a classic in the literature of America's war in Vietnam. - Account of the U.S platoon taking part in the 'strategic hamlet' program - Focuses on the details, people and incidents that communicate an instinctive feel of command under fire.
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alien in every way to Southeast Asia. Undergraduate study in civil engineering at Brooklyn Polytechnic allowed me to live at home and commute to college. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
alien in every way to Southeast Asia. Undergraduate study in civil engineering at Brooklyn Polytechnic allowed me to live at home and commute to college. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can't forget the characters in this book: Killigan, Nail, Donne, McDonough himself, and all the others. The prose is sparse but muscular. The author's passion for integrity in leadership and for his troops drips from the pages like tears shed at the Wall in Washington, D.C. The center piece of this unforgettable tale is the tragic truth that America would never know what good and honest and selfless men served their country in the Nam. I will use this book in my high-school English classes to teach new generations about the war, about the men who served, and about the strength of character that once existed in America and that made this country great. My favorite line occurs toward the end when Lt. McDonough, attempting to save the life of one of his troops, writes "I would not let him die. I would rip the world off its axis first." It's a powerful read and one you will not easily forget.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Platoon Leader" does more than provide a reader /soldier with invaluable lessons about leadership and combat experience. As a cadet at West Point, I benefitted the most from COL McDonough's story from his candid exposure of his thoughts and fears, which gave me the most realistic glimpse of the many challenges in my future profession.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've read many Vietnam memoirs but this is the one I can't forget. If you only ever read one Vietnam memoir - read this. The humanity of James McDonough, his doubts, when good intentions lead to tragedy - unbelievable and unforgettable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An officer's account
I was interested in reading this book in part because of its high rating, but also because it was written by an officer. Read more
Published 20 days ago by M. Hamann
Platoon leader
Great book and well written. It's a shame I did not have this book to read some 27 years earlier when in Army training. It's a must for any young Lt. to be. Read more
Published 20 days ago by PAM999
A lesson in leadership
A really enjoyable and inspirational read! As a manager I was inspired and took a lot of his leadership philosophy on board, albeit not under a combat situation.
Published 9 months ago by Roch17
command in combat
excellent for the junoir officer and nco's. the wars and locations may change over time but the basics don't.history students and military librarians alike should read this memoir.
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by C. Watkins
An outstanding book about leadership!
This is a gripping and well written account of a platoon commander serving in Vietnam. It conveys the loneliness of command and the author succeeds brilliantly in taking the reader... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by Mark Time
Recommended
An excellent true story of leading a platoon in combat in Vietnam. Very moving and hard to put down. Highly recommended.
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by Mr. Jonathan R. Charlesworth
As it says on the cover page: "POWERFUL"
A brilliant, very personal, brilliantly written book about a leader's role. A very interesting look into a good leader's head and his thoughts, doubts, concerns. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2008 by Rafal Gruszczynski
Junior Officer material
A great read. Much in line with the other comments on this book, I believe it gives a superb insight in to the unspoken thoughts and (in)decisions faced by a junior officer -... Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2007 by JC Healy
You'll read this in one night.
If you enjoy first person military writing, this book will be superb. At about 200 pages, you'll have to finish this book in one night. You won't be able to put it down.
Published on 5 Sep 1999
Must-read for army lieutenants
This is the best first-hand war report I have ever read - a must for all platoon leaders.
Published on 28 Dec 1998
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