He set his star by a simple motto: duty, honor, country. Only rarely does history grant a single individual the ability, pers...
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reviews
Jun 11, 2011
Jimmie
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I first read this book in 1995. I have read it once since. "It Doesn’t Take a Hero" by H. Norman Schwarzkopf takes its title from a quote Schwarzkopf gave during an interview with Barbara Walters in 1991; "It Doesn’t Take a Hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."
First, I must admit I am a Schwarzkopf fan. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division as a colonel while I was serving as a 1LT in the 9th Divis More...
First, I must admit I am a Schwarzkopf fan. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division as a colonel while I was serving as a 1LT in the 9th Divis More...
Feb 27, 2009
Robert
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This book's second half gets a bit technical, but it was a good read if only to read about a war that I only remember from snippets on the news as a boy. Schwarzkopf used lessons he learned personally in Vietnam throughout his military career and seems like a commander who really cared.
A few passages in the book indicate that he had an inkling that another war would be fought for Mesopotamia, and it was written in 1992 after he retired from the Army. A good read for those who enjoy m More...
A few passages in the book indicate that he had an inkling that another war would be fought for Mesopotamia, and it was written in 1992 after he retired from the Army. A good read for those who enjoy m More...
Sep 17, 2008
Rae
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Bio of "Stormin' Norman" Schwarzkopf. I enjoyed this book immensely and came away with great respect for the man. Whether you agree with his politics is almost irrelevant here as he has had such an interesting military career that you want to keep reading about him.
"...I am convinced that had a decision been made to invade all of Iraq and capture Baghdad...the only forces that would have participated in those military actions would have been British and American. Even More...
"...I am convinced that had a decision been made to invade all of Iraq and capture Baghdad...the only forces that would have participated in those military actions would have been British and American. Even More...
May 25, 2010
Zohar - ManOfLaBook.com
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I liked this book much more than Collin Powell's book. It just seems more honest and less self serving, General Schwartzkopf admits mistakes, and positions he has taken for political reasons. It makes a very interesting read about decision making in the higher ranks of the military. If you've read Powell's book, you'd like this one, and if you haven't, read it after this as a great supplement.
Jan 18, 2012
Redparrot
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See also Colin Powell review.
Excellent autobiography. A military review of the First Gulf war. Much about leadership in this book as well as the path of Schwartzkopf - how his entire career lead im to the moment of the First Gulf War. Elements of his youth and military career made him uniquely qualified to lead the ground war.
Excellent autobiography. A military review of the First Gulf war. Much about leadership in this book as well as the path of Schwartzkopf - how his entire career lead im to the moment of the First Gulf War. Elements of his youth and military career made him uniquely qualified to lead the ground war.
Oct 30, 2011
Taepo
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An interesting look at the Gulf War I at the highest levels. You will also get to know about General Schwartzkopf and his family in this book and the surprising connection to the Lindbergh Baby's kidnapping. If you read this, you might want to also read General Franks' book, American Soldier.
May 05, 2009
Paul
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After reading General Schwarzkopf's book, I was left with the unfortunate feeling that I certainly am glad it doesn't take a hero. General Scwarzkopf came across as having simply worked the system to get to his position and it was simply his position that put him in Iraq.
Mar 09, 2010
Anne-marie
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The book that got me into biographies and a great insight into a curious time in history. No matter what you think of someone going into a biography, you just understand them more coming out of one, the same is true for Stormin Norman.
Jan 13, 2009
Teo
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this book was much better than I expected. Full of very good observations from behind the scenes military. He is one interesting and admirable person.
Jan 12, 2009
Biosyd
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His early life prepared him for the job of a lifetime. The technical parts(weapons) were hard for me to get through as a woman, but worth the read.
Apr 07, 2009
Jon
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Another biography worth reading. If anyone has ever questioned our involvement in Iraq in the early 1990s, they should definitely read this book.
Jul 20, 2010
Tom
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A tad self serving at times, but I guess General Schwarzkopf has earned it. The book was fascinating from page one all the way through Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Absolutely worth a read.
Aug 28, 2009
I'm reading this for a potential film idea and am enjoying it in many unsuspected ways. He spent a portion of his childhood in Iran while his father was there building up the Shah's forces and I was interested to read his descriptions of the experience.
Also, the connection between his mother's alcoholism and his need for the structure of the military he writes about is fascinating to me. It makes me want to read the biographies of more people in power whose politics/worldview I thin More...
Also, the connection between his mother's alcoholism and his need for the structure of the military he writes about is fascinating to me. It makes me want to read the biographies of more people in power whose politics/worldview I thin More...
Nov 07, 2008
Suzan
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I really liked this book, and I like "Stormin Norman".
He has had an interesting life. He spent some time in the Middle East as a boy...loved the story of him having to eat goat (or was it sheep?) eyeballs...a delicacy!
I admire and respect his patriotism, concern for his soldiers and their families, and his clear view of why we didn't capture Baghdad and invade all of Iraq.
He has had an interesting life. He spent some time in the Middle East as a boy...loved the story of him having to eat goat (or was it sheep?) eyeballs...a delicacy!
I admire and respect his patriotism, concern for his soldiers and their families, and his clear view of why we didn't capture Baghdad and invade all of Iraq.
Jul 30, 2008
Julie
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Great book!!! This one really brought to mind the hand of the Lord - in HIS time - to prepare individuals for their future destinies. I hope and pray my sons and grandsons NEVER have to go to war, but if they do I hope and pray it is with a commander such a General Norman Schwarzkoft. Take the time to read this one!
Jun 12, 2008
Em
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This was a great book. What an amazing man. I was very impressed with how concerned he was over the families of the troops he led. I also thought it was amazing how well he coordinated the Gulf War and his relationship with the Arab Nations who took part. Fascinating man. I really recommend it.
Sep 23, 2007
Troy
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Excellent autobiography of the man responsible for leading coalition forces during the first Gulf War. Very well written, not only from a military standpoint but from a human standpoint as well. Particularly interesting are the stories about his family.
Exceptional book.
Exceptional book.
Apr 11, 2008
Maria
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I read this book a long time ago. Reading Scwarzkopf's account of the different battles he was in was extremely exciting. It's also interesting to see how he became a general.
Jan 11, 2011
A look deep into the culture of the Army.
Norman is committed to "Duty, Honor, Country". I admire his dedication. But he validates my suspicians about the Army.
Norman is committed to "Duty, Honor, Country". I admire his dedication. But he validates my suspicians about the Army.
Apr 15, 2008
Charles
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Feel like stoking the patriotic fire? This book led me in the direction of public service and started my fascination with international diplomacy.
Jul 29, 2008
Jenn
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So far in the twenty pages I've read for my U.S. Military History class, not half bad :)
Dec 11, 2007
Zachary
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A bit boring since its a biography, but Schwartzkopf is a pretty cool dude.
