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I Was a Hero Once
An ordinary life, forever altered by extraordinary circumstances.
In 1968, Peter P. Mahoney's world was turned upside down when he joined the Army, became an infantry lieutenant, and was deployed to Vietnam. Upon his return, he found himself embroiled in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) movement and indicted for conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1972 Republican Convention—the so-called Gainesville Eight case—where his friend surfaced as an FBI informer testifying against him.
In the early eighties, Mahoney played a pivotal role in establishing the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial and later joined a delegation of veterans to meet with Soviet counterparts from their Afghanistan War. He fell in love with a Russian woman, married her, and spent nine years raising a family in a world vastly different from the suburban middle-class life he had left behind.
Now, he shares the extraordinary stories from that finite period that forever changed the trajectory of his ordinary existence.
"I Was a Hero Once is an amazing book. Mahoney is a natural storyteller and his sensitivity elevates the impact of what he's been through. Mahoney has blessed America with an astonishing piece of literature. Let us celebrate his achievement!" - Lamont B. Steptoe, author and founder of Whirlwind Press
In 1968, Peter P. Mahoney's world was turned upside down when he joined the Army, became an infantry lieutenant, and was deployed to Vietnam. Upon his return, he found himself embroiled in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) movement and indicted for conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1972 Republican Convention—the so-called Gainesville Eight case—where his friend surfaced as an FBI informer testifying against him.
In the early eighties, Mahoney played a pivotal role in establishing the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial and later joined a delegation of veterans to meet with Soviet counterparts from their Afghanistan War. He fell in love with a Russian woman, married her, and spent nine years raising a family in a world vastly different from the suburban middle-class life he had left behind.
Now, he shares the extraordinary stories from that finite period that forever changed the trajectory of his ordinary existence.
"I Was a Hero Once is an amazing book. Mahoney is a natural storyteller and his sensitivity elevates the impact of what he's been through. Mahoney has blessed America with an astonishing piece of literature. Let us celebrate his achievement!" - Lamont B. Steptoe, author and founder of Whirlwind Press
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
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February 28, 2025
As Peter Mahoney makes clear in the author's note, his memoir I WAS A HERO ONCE differs from other narrative structures called the Hero's Journey. While typical memoirs of veterans focus on their time of service, his book's key element is the post-dispatch life. Peter P. Mahoney refutes the common practice - and adds outstanding warmth to his words. One may say there is no point in portraying an ordinary life with its ups and downs unless a person in question later becomes someone famous: a politician, a Hollywood star, or a celebrity in general. Yet, isn't every life precious? Arent's experiences of an individual unique? And if the abovementioned individual participated in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War movement, was indicted on charges of conspiracy, and met with Afgantsy in the Soviet Union? It sounds like an extraordinary post-dispatch life!
The book's main strength is its writing style, reminiscent of a casual conversation with one's grandfather. While evaluating his own experiences, Peter P. Mahoney often asks uncomfortable questions or questions with no definite answers while not forcefully imposing his worldview on the readers. Participation in the anti-war movement and a marriage to a Russian woman, who went through a strikingly different existence within the Soviet system, broadened the author's perspective on patriotism, the prejudices of the American legal system, and politics. The author's openness also allowed him to see the controversies of the boomers generation, people who wanted to revolutionize the world yet ended up as the respectable middle class, preoccupied with earning money.
The personal nature of the book is evident whatever the topic the author chooses to focus on. First and foremost, I WAS A HERO ONCE is a declaration of love toward his children who, I hope, discovered new sides of their father after reading the book: as a young adult ending up in Vietnam of all the places, as a warrior with a strong conviction in his ideas, and as a person, struggling to find the purpose of life. Isn't every Dad unique after all?
I received an advance review copy through Reedsy Discovery, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The book's main strength is its writing style, reminiscent of a casual conversation with one's grandfather. While evaluating his own experiences, Peter P. Mahoney often asks uncomfortable questions or questions with no definite answers while not forcefully imposing his worldview on the readers. Participation in the anti-war movement and a marriage to a Russian woman, who went through a strikingly different existence within the Soviet system, broadened the author's perspective on patriotism, the prejudices of the American legal system, and politics. The author's openness also allowed him to see the controversies of the boomers generation, people who wanted to revolutionize the world yet ended up as the respectable middle class, preoccupied with earning money.
The personal nature of the book is evident whatever the topic the author chooses to focus on. First and foremost, I WAS A HERO ONCE is a declaration of love toward his children who, I hope, discovered new sides of their father after reading the book: as a young adult ending up in Vietnam of all the places, as a warrior with a strong conviction in his ideas, and as a person, struggling to find the purpose of life. Isn't every Dad unique after all?
I received an advance review copy through Reedsy Discovery, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
February 11, 2025
Mahoney dismantles the mythology of heroism, war, and personal redemption in his compelling memoir. After joining the Army in 1968, he was sent to Vietnam. Upon his return, he became the leading voice in the VVAW. He was later indicted in the infamous Gainesville Eight conspiracy trial after a trusted ally turned out to be an FBI informant. During the 1980s, he helped establish the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While on a delegation to the Soviet Union to meet veterans of the USSR’s war in Afghanistan, he found love, married a Russian woman, and spent almost a decade raising a family in a world far removed from his suburban American roots.
Mahoney tells his story with raw honesty, weaving past and present in a narrative that mirrors his divided existence, one defined by action, the other by reflection. This nonlinear structure brings each version of the author to life; the restless young soldier, the radical activist, the middle-aged father contemplating the past. The concept of heroism eludes him. As a young man, he saw bravery and sacrifice as heroism, but as years went by, he began to question his belief. He insists that surviving Vietnam didn’t make him a hero. The real battles came afterward: fought at home not with weapons but with conviction. And yet, he never places himself on a pedestal.
Mahoney’s prose is crisp and unembellished as he lays bare the contradictions, the murky morality of both war and activism, the compromises of adulthood, and the choices that refuse to stay buried. Moments of dark humor provide levity against heavier themes, while the biting social commentary adds to the substance. This is a candid, deeply human account of what it means to have belief, to fight, to lose, and to live with the weight of it all.
Mahoney tells his story with raw honesty, weaving past and present in a narrative that mirrors his divided existence, one defined by action, the other by reflection. This nonlinear structure brings each version of the author to life; the restless young soldier, the radical activist, the middle-aged father contemplating the past. The concept of heroism eludes him. As a young man, he saw bravery and sacrifice as heroism, but as years went by, he began to question his belief. He insists that surviving Vietnam didn’t make him a hero. The real battles came afterward: fought at home not with weapons but with conviction. And yet, he never places himself on a pedestal.
Mahoney’s prose is crisp and unembellished as he lays bare the contradictions, the murky morality of both war and activism, the compromises of adulthood, and the choices that refuse to stay buried. Moments of dark humor provide levity against heavier themes, while the biting social commentary adds to the substance. This is a candid, deeply human account of what it means to have belief, to fight, to lose, and to live with the weight of it all.
December 3, 2024
Peter Mahoney’s memoir, I Was a Hero Once, offers a deep reflection on a life shaped by extraordinary experiences and the search for meaning. A Vietnam veteran and activist with Vietnam Veterans Against War (VVAW), Mahoney recounts his journey from an 18-year-old college dropout to an infantry lieutenant deployed to Vietnam. His military service was defined by duty and routine, but his return to the U.S. ignited a deeper battle for justice through activism.
The memoir delves into Mahoney’s later years, including his participation in a veterans’ delegation to meet Soviet soldiers, where he fell in love with and married a Russian woman. He spent nearly a decade raising a family in Russia, only to return to the suburban life he had once sought to escape. Mahoney weaves these extraordinary events with the “ordinary” moments that define his humanity, creating a rich narrative that balances adventure with introspection.
Mahoney recounts his adventures while reflecting on the ordinary moments that underpin them. His candid approach underscores a central theme: life is not solely defined by its extraordinary chapters but by the connections between them. While this narrative style enhances the memoir with depth and detail, some sections could benefit from more concise storytelling, as they occasionally lean toward repetition or feel loosely structured. Yet, Mahoney’s compelling voice and ability to ground the extraordinary in relatable human struggles ensure the reader remains engaged. The memoir resonates deeply because it captures the universality of Mahoney’s quest for purpose and morality amidst a life filled with rare experiences. His heartfelt prose offers a vivid window into both the external events and internal conflicts that have shaped him.
I Was a Hero Once is a powerful and introspective memoir that captures the complexity of a life filled with extraordinary moments and grounded in universal struggles. Mahoney's ability to intertwine his grand adventures with the quiet realities of everyday existence creates a narrative that is both engaging and human. This is a must-read for those interested in personal stories of resilience, transformation, and the quest for meaning.
The memoir delves into Mahoney’s later years, including his participation in a veterans’ delegation to meet Soviet soldiers, where he fell in love with and married a Russian woman. He spent nearly a decade raising a family in Russia, only to return to the suburban life he had once sought to escape. Mahoney weaves these extraordinary events with the “ordinary” moments that define his humanity, creating a rich narrative that balances adventure with introspection.
Mahoney recounts his adventures while reflecting on the ordinary moments that underpin them. His candid approach underscores a central theme: life is not solely defined by its extraordinary chapters but by the connections between them. While this narrative style enhances the memoir with depth and detail, some sections could benefit from more concise storytelling, as they occasionally lean toward repetition or feel loosely structured. Yet, Mahoney’s compelling voice and ability to ground the extraordinary in relatable human struggles ensure the reader remains engaged. The memoir resonates deeply because it captures the universality of Mahoney’s quest for purpose and morality amidst a life filled with rare experiences. His heartfelt prose offers a vivid window into both the external events and internal conflicts that have shaped him.
I Was a Hero Once is a powerful and introspective memoir that captures the complexity of a life filled with extraordinary moments and grounded in universal struggles. Mahoney's ability to intertwine his grand adventures with the quiet realities of everyday existence creates a narrative that is both engaging and human. This is a must-read for those interested in personal stories of resilience, transformation, and the quest for meaning.
March 28, 2025
I Was a Hero Once is the kind of book that lingers. Long after I turned the last page, Mahoney’s voice stayed with me—rough, honest, and so damn human. This isn’t just a war memoir or a tale of activism; it’s a story about the lies we tell ourselves to keep going.
Mahoney’s journey from gung-ho soldier to disillusioned vet to anti-war organizer is riveting, but it’s his introspection that guts me. He doesn’t shy away from his mistakes—like abandoning a girlfriend in New Orleans when he enlisted, or his later struggles with fatherhood. His admission that he chased medals not out of patriotism, but to prove his manhood? That’s the kind of painful self-awareness most memoirs lack.
And the writing! God, the writing. It’s conversational but poetic, especially when he describes the smell of Gauloises cigarettes as ""the smell of death,"" or the way he contrasts the adrenaline of war with the numbing routine of suburban life. His chapter on Veterans Day—where he wrestles with the hypocrisy of honoring soldiers while sending them to die for nothing—should be required reading.
But the most beautiful (and tragic) part? His relationship with his children. He wants them to know the man he was before he became their dad, but he also fears they’ll see him as a failure. That tension—between the hero he once was and the ordinary man he is now—is the soul of this book.
Mahoney’s journey from gung-ho soldier to disillusioned vet to anti-war organizer is riveting, but it’s his introspection that guts me. He doesn’t shy away from his mistakes—like abandoning a girlfriend in New Orleans when he enlisted, or his later struggles with fatherhood. His admission that he chased medals not out of patriotism, but to prove his manhood? That’s the kind of painful self-awareness most memoirs lack.
And the writing! God, the writing. It’s conversational but poetic, especially when he describes the smell of Gauloises cigarettes as ""the smell of death,"" or the way he contrasts the adrenaline of war with the numbing routine of suburban life. His chapter on Veterans Day—where he wrestles with the hypocrisy of honoring soldiers while sending them to die for nothing—should be required reading.
But the most beautiful (and tragic) part? His relationship with his children. He wants them to know the man he was before he became their dad, but he also fears they’ll see him as a failure. That tension—between the hero he once was and the ordinary man he is now—is the soul of this book.
March 26, 2025
Have you ever read a book that felt like sitting down with an old friend who’s seen the world, lived through history, and still carries the fire of youthful rebellion? That’s I Was a Hero Once. Mahoney’s life—spanning war, protest, exile, and reluctant suburban stability—isn’t just a personal memoir; it’s a mirror reflecting the struggles of an entire generation.
This book made me question everything: What does it mean to fight for something? What does it mean to lose that fight? And what happens when the world moves on without you? Mahoney’s raw, unfiltered honesty about his time in Vietnam, his battles as an activist with Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), and his struggle to find meaning after the idealism fades is gut-wrenching. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything—not his disappointments, not his regrets, not even his moments of cowardice. And that’s what makes it real.
Reading this book felt like being caught in a storm of nostalgia, rage, and quiet grief. It reminds me of the stories my grandfather used to tell about his war days—how courage and fear danced so closely together. Mahoney’s story isn’t just his story. It’s ours. It’s the story of all of us who have ever fought for something, lost, and had to find a way to live with that loss.
This book made me question everything: What does it mean to fight for something? What does it mean to lose that fight? And what happens when the world moves on without you? Mahoney’s raw, unfiltered honesty about his time in Vietnam, his battles as an activist with Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), and his struggle to find meaning after the idealism fades is gut-wrenching. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything—not his disappointments, not his regrets, not even his moments of cowardice. And that’s what makes it real.
Reading this book felt like being caught in a storm of nostalgia, rage, and quiet grief. It reminds me of the stories my grandfather used to tell about his war days—how courage and fear danced so closely together. Mahoney’s story isn’t just his story. It’s ours. It’s the story of all of us who have ever fought for something, lost, and had to find a way to live with that loss.
March 28, 2025
I Was a Hero Once by Peter P. Mahoney isn’t just a memoir—it’s a gut punch, a love letter, a scream into the void, and a whispered confession all at once. Mahoney’s voice is so raw, so unfiltered, that it feels like he’s sitting across from you at a dimly lit bar, spilling his soul over a drink.
From his rebellious youth fleeing suburbia to his harrowing experiences in Vietnam, and then his disillusioned return to a country that didn’t understand him, Mahoney’s story is one of relentless self-examination. The way he juxtaposes his past—filled with idealism, violence, and activism—with his present as a ""boring suburban dad"" is masterful. It’s heartbreaking to see him grapple with the weight of his choices, especially when he reflects on how his father, a WWII hero, chose ordinariness over glory. That generational tension? Chef’s kiss.
What destroys me the most is his honesty. He doesn’t glorify war or activism; he strips them bare, exposing the ugly, the futile, and the painfully human. His account of training South Vietnamese soldiers, only for them to defect to the Viet Cong, is haunting. And his later years, spent in international development, feeling like a cog in a broken machine? Relatable to anyone who’s ever questioned their life’s purpose.
From his rebellious youth fleeing suburbia to his harrowing experiences in Vietnam, and then his disillusioned return to a country that didn’t understand him, Mahoney’s story is one of relentless self-examination. The way he juxtaposes his past—filled with idealism, violence, and activism—with his present as a ""boring suburban dad"" is masterful. It’s heartbreaking to see him grapple with the weight of his choices, especially when he reflects on how his father, a WWII hero, chose ordinariness over glory. That generational tension? Chef’s kiss.
What destroys me the most is his honesty. He doesn’t glorify war or activism; he strips them bare, exposing the ugly, the futile, and the painfully human. His account of training South Vietnamese soldiers, only for them to defect to the Viet Cong, is haunting. And his later years, spent in international development, feeling like a cog in a broken machine? Relatable to anyone who’s ever questioned their life’s purpose.
March 28, 2025
Peter P. Mahoney’s I Was a Hero Once is like finding a dusty, dog-eared journal in an attic and realizing it holds the secrets of a life far more extraordinary than you imagined. This man—soldier, activist, husband, father—has lived a hundred lives in one, and he recounts them with such brutal vulnerability that I had to pause just to catch my breath.
The emotional core of this book is Mahoney’s relationship with his father, a WWII UDT (Navy SEAL precursor) hero who chose quiet domesticity over legacy. That tension—between greatness and mediocrity, between rebellion and conformity—echoes through every page. When Mahoney describes his own return to suburbia, mowing the lawn like his dad, the irony is almost too much to bear. We spend our lives running from our parents only to become them.
And then there’s Vietnam. His descriptions of the war are neither glorified nor overly grim—just achingly real. The moment he realizes the soldiers he trained have joined the enemy? Devastating. His later activism with VVAW, fighting against the very war he once fought in, is equally powerful. The way he captures the chaos of the anti-war movement—the infighting, the idealism, the FBI informants—feels ripped from today’s headlines.
The emotional core of this book is Mahoney’s relationship with his father, a WWII UDT (Navy SEAL precursor) hero who chose quiet domesticity over legacy. That tension—between greatness and mediocrity, between rebellion and conformity—echoes through every page. When Mahoney describes his own return to suburbia, mowing the lawn like his dad, the irony is almost too much to bear. We spend our lives running from our parents only to become them.
And then there’s Vietnam. His descriptions of the war are neither glorified nor overly grim—just achingly real. The moment he realizes the soldiers he trained have joined the enemy? Devastating. His later activism with VVAW, fighting against the very war he once fought in, is equally powerful. The way he captures the chaos of the anti-war movement—the infighting, the idealism, the FBI informants—feels ripped from today’s headlines.
March 28, 2025
I Was a Hero Once shattered me. Peter P. Mahoney writes with the kind of raw, unvarnished truth that makes you want to laugh, cry, and scream all at once. This isn’t just his story—it’s the story of every person who’s ever fought for something bigger than themselves, only to wonder if it mattered.
His descriptions of Vietnam are visceral—not just the violence, but the absurdity. The bureaucracy, the pointless missions, the way war strips away humanity. And his activism? Even more chaotic. The Gainesville Eight trial, the FBI informants, the betrayals—it’s like The Wire meets the anti-war movement.
But what destroys me is his family. His love for his wife and kids is so palpable it aches. When he talks about buying his wife a Mercedes on credit, or coaching his son’s basketball team, or watching his daughter give up her dance dreams—it’s clear that this is where his heart truly lies. Yet he can’t shake the guilt of ""selling out,"" of becoming the suburban dad he once fled.
This book is for the dreamers who woke up. For the rebels who got tired. For anyone who’s ever looked at their life and thought, Is this all there is? Mahoney doesn’t have answers, but his journey—so full of love, regret, and stubborn hope—will make you feel less alone.
His descriptions of Vietnam are visceral—not just the violence, but the absurdity. The bureaucracy, the pointless missions, the way war strips away humanity. And his activism? Even more chaotic. The Gainesville Eight trial, the FBI informants, the betrayals—it’s like The Wire meets the anti-war movement.
But what destroys me is his family. His love for his wife and kids is so palpable it aches. When he talks about buying his wife a Mercedes on credit, or coaching his son’s basketball team, or watching his daughter give up her dance dreams—it’s clear that this is where his heart truly lies. Yet he can’t shake the guilt of ""selling out,"" of becoming the suburban dad he once fled.
This book is for the dreamers who woke up. For the rebels who got tired. For anyone who’s ever looked at their life and thought, Is this all there is? Mahoney doesn’t have answers, but his journey—so full of love, regret, and stubborn hope—will make you feel less alone.
March 28, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down—not because it was an action-packed thriller, but because it was the most human thing I’ve read in a long time. Mahoney masterfully weaves his past and present together, creating a stunning contrast between the soldier-turned-activist he once was and the suburban dad he became.
What hit me the hardest was his realization that the American Dream—something he never chased—was what he ended up with anyway. How often do we start out thinking we’ll change the world, only to wake up one day, mortgage in hand, wondering where it all went?
The way Mahoney describes his involvement in anti-war protests, his indictment during the Gainesville Eight case, and his eventual retreat into middle-class life feels like watching someone drown in slow motion. His disappointment in his generation, the Boomers, is palpable—he calls them out for their failures while acknowledging that he’s one of them. It’s the kind of brutal self-awareness we don’t see often in memoirs.
This book hurts in the best way possible. It makes you feel. It makes you think. And more than anything, it makes you ask yourself: What have I done with my ideals?
What hit me the hardest was his realization that the American Dream—something he never chased—was what he ended up with anyway. How often do we start out thinking we’ll change the world, only to wake up one day, mortgage in hand, wondering where it all went?
The way Mahoney describes his involvement in anti-war protests, his indictment during the Gainesville Eight case, and his eventual retreat into middle-class life feels like watching someone drown in slow motion. His disappointment in his generation, the Boomers, is palpable—he calls them out for their failures while acknowledging that he’s one of them. It’s the kind of brutal self-awareness we don’t see often in memoirs.
This book hurts in the best way possible. It makes you feel. It makes you think. And more than anything, it makes you ask yourself: What have I done with my ideals?
March 28, 2025
Peter P. Mahoney’s I Was a Hero Once is a memoir that refuses to tie things up neatly. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and all the more brilliant for it. This is a story about the cost of idealism, the weight of survival, and the quiet desperation of a life lived between extremes.
His time in Vietnam is rendered with stark clarity—no Hollywood heroics, just the grim reality of a war that made no sense. The scene where a young soldier he trained steps on a mine and dies in front of him? Harrowing. But what follows—his activism with VVAW—is just as gripping. The infighting, the paranoia (rightfully so, given the FBI informants), the desperate hope that they could actually change things… it’s a masterclass in capturing the chaos of a movement.
Yet the most poignant moments are the quiet ones. His return to suburbia, his struggles with fatherhood, his fear that he’s wasted his life. The way he writes about his wife, Natasha—how she anchors him even as he dreams of running away—is heartbreakingly tender. And his children? He wants them to be proud of him, but he’s terrified they’ll see through the façade.
His time in Vietnam is rendered with stark clarity—no Hollywood heroics, just the grim reality of a war that made no sense. The scene where a young soldier he trained steps on a mine and dies in front of him? Harrowing. But what follows—his activism with VVAW—is just as gripping. The infighting, the paranoia (rightfully so, given the FBI informants), the desperate hope that they could actually change things… it’s a masterclass in capturing the chaos of a movement.
Yet the most poignant moments are the quiet ones. His return to suburbia, his struggles with fatherhood, his fear that he’s wasted his life. The way he writes about his wife, Natasha—how she anchors him even as he dreams of running away—is heartbreakingly tender. And his children? He wants them to be proud of him, but he’s terrified they’ll see through the façade.
March 28, 2025
If Forrest Gump was about a simple man stumbling through history, I Was a Hero Once is the opposite—it’s about a man who knew he was part of history and tried his best to shape it. Peter Mahoney takes us through his life, jumping between past and present, showing us how his experiences in Vietnam, activism, and fatherhood all tie together.
I kept thinking about Forrest Gump as I read this, but while Gump just witnessed history, Mahoney fought to change it. And that’s what makes this book hit harder. He wanted to be a hero—not in a Hollywood way, but in a real, messy, human way. And like real life, things don’t always go as planned.
This book is raw. It’s honest. And it makes you think about how much we all just go along with life. Mahoney started as a dreamer, wanting to change the world, and somehow, he still ended up mowing the lawn in the suburbs like the rest of us. But even then, he never let go of that fire inside him. If you’ve ever looked around and thought, Is this all there is?—this book is for you.
I kept thinking about Forrest Gump as I read this, but while Gump just witnessed history, Mahoney fought to change it. And that’s what makes this book hit harder. He wanted to be a hero—not in a Hollywood way, but in a real, messy, human way. And like real life, things don’t always go as planned.
This book is raw. It’s honest. And it makes you think about how much we all just go along with life. Mahoney started as a dreamer, wanting to change the world, and somehow, he still ended up mowing the lawn in the suburbs like the rest of us. But even then, he never let go of that fire inside him. If you’ve ever looked around and thought, Is this all there is?—this book is for you.
April 4, 2025
I Was a Hero Once didn’t just move me—it shattered me. Peter P. Mahoney’s memoir is a raw, unfiltered look at war, activism, and the quiet suffocation of ""normal"" life. His journey—from an idealistic Brooklyn kid to a battle-hardened lieutenant to a suburban dad—is so painfully real, it felt like reading my own diary at times.
The Vietnam chapters are brutal, but it’s the aftermath that lingers. His failed attempt at hippie life (complete with a yellow Cadillac hearse) is darkly hilarious, but his fire truly burns in the VVAW years—protests, arrests, betrayals, all told with a mix of rage and exhaustion. Then comes the slow fade into ordinary life: ""Mow the yard. Wash the car. Fix the sink. Tend the garden."" The weight of it is crushing.
What makes this book unforgettable is Mahoney’s honesty. He doesn’t hide from his failures—his fear of commitment, his struggles as a father, the existential dread of retirement. When he gets a call from a son he never knew existed, I gasped. When he admits he still dreams of running away, I understood.
The Vietnam chapters are brutal, but it’s the aftermath that lingers. His failed attempt at hippie life (complete with a yellow Cadillac hearse) is darkly hilarious, but his fire truly burns in the VVAW years—protests, arrests, betrayals, all told with a mix of rage and exhaustion. Then comes the slow fade into ordinary life: ""Mow the yard. Wash the car. Fix the sink. Tend the garden."" The weight of it is crushing.
What makes this book unforgettable is Mahoney’s honesty. He doesn’t hide from his failures—his fear of commitment, his struggles as a father, the existential dread of retirement. When he gets a call from a son he never knew existed, I gasped. When he admits he still dreams of running away, I understood.
September 26, 2025
This memoir left me shaken in the best way. What surprised me most is
how little Mahoney tries to make himself look perfect. He doesn’t write like
a man who wants statues made of him; he writes like someone trying to tell
the truth before it disappears. The raw honesty about the war, the
confusion of coming home, and the messy chapters of protest and trial felt
real enough that I sometimes had to put the book down and breathe.
The Gainesville Eight trial chapters in particular had me on edge. I could
feel the paranoia, the weight of being watched, the friendships that turned
to betrayals. Yet Mahoney doesn’t drown in bitterness; he acknowledges
what happened, names the pain, and moves forward. That balance is what
makes this book powerful.
But it’s not all courtroom tension. There are tender stories about his
children, his father, and his second chance at love. That mixture of public
life and private intimacy makes this more than a “war book.” It’s a portrait of
a man still wrestling with meaning, and that wrestling is what makes the
story so memorable.
how little Mahoney tries to make himself look perfect. He doesn’t write like
a man who wants statues made of him; he writes like someone trying to tell
the truth before it disappears. The raw honesty about the war, the
confusion of coming home, and the messy chapters of protest and trial felt
real enough that I sometimes had to put the book down and breathe.
The Gainesville Eight trial chapters in particular had me on edge. I could
feel the paranoia, the weight of being watched, the friendships that turned
to betrayals. Yet Mahoney doesn’t drown in bitterness; he acknowledges
what happened, names the pain, and moves forward. That balance is what
makes this book powerful.
But it’s not all courtroom tension. There are tender stories about his
children, his father, and his second chance at love. That mixture of public
life and private intimacy makes this more than a “war book.” It’s a portrait of
a man still wrestling with meaning, and that wrestling is what makes the
story so memorable.
March 28, 2025
Breaking Bad is about a man who starts out ordinary and slowly transforms into someone he never thought he’d be. That’s exactly what happens in I Was a Hero Once, except instead of becoming a criminal mastermind, Mahoney becomes an anti-war activist, a fugitive, a father, and, eventually, just… another guy in the suburbs.
This book really got to me because it made me wonder—how do we end up where we are? One day, Mahoney was leading protests and getting arrested, and the next, he’s worried about mowing his lawn and keeping up with bills. That shift? That’s what hit me the most. We all think we’ll do something big, something different. And then life happens.
But unlike Breaking Bad, where Walter White loses his soul, Mahoney never does. He never stops questioning, never stops remembering. And that’s why his story is so powerful. It’s a reminder that even if we get caught in the daily grind, we should never forget who we once wanted to be.
This book really got to me because it made me wonder—how do we end up where we are? One day, Mahoney was leading protests and getting arrested, and the next, he’s worried about mowing his lawn and keeping up with bills. That shift? That’s what hit me the most. We all think we’ll do something big, something different. And then life happens.
But unlike Breaking Bad, where Walter White loses his soul, Mahoney never does. He never stops questioning, never stops remembering. And that’s why his story is so powerful. It’s a reminder that even if we get caught in the daily grind, we should never forget who we once wanted to be.
March 28, 2025
Mahoney’s memoir is a love letter—to his children, to his past self, and perhaps, most heartbreakingly, to a world that no longer exists. His journey from Vietnam to activism, from Russia to rural Vermont, is not just about survival—it’s about constantly searching for a purpose.
The chapter that broke me? A Letter to My Children. In it, he lays his soul bare, telling his kids who he was before he became their dad. It’s a powerful meditation on legacy, on what we leave behind. It reminded me so much of the quiet things my own father never said but that I know he felt.
There’s also this haunting realization that no matter how much you fight, no matter how much you sacrifice, the world keeps moving. Mahoney tried to change history, but in the end, history changed him. And yet, the fire never fully goes out—he still questions, still fights in his own way.
This book will stay with me forever.
The chapter that broke me? A Letter to My Children. In it, he lays his soul bare, telling his kids who he was before he became their dad. It’s a powerful meditation on legacy, on what we leave behind. It reminded me so much of the quiet things my own father never said but that I know he felt.
There’s also this haunting realization that no matter how much you fight, no matter how much you sacrifice, the world keeps moving. Mahoney tried to change history, but in the end, history changed him. And yet, the fire never fully goes out—he still questions, still fights in his own way.
This book will stay with me forever.
March 28, 2025
If you’ve read Into the Wild or watched the movie, you know it’s about a young man rejecting society and heading into the wilderness. I Was a Hero Once feels like that—except instead of running into the wild, Mahoney ran into war, activism, and, eventually, a life he never expected.
What struck me the most was how he started as a rebellious kid, hitchhiking across the country, much like Christopher McCandless. But where McCandless wanted to escape civilization, Mahoney wanted to change it. He believed in something bigger than himself. And just like McCandless, reality hit hard. The world isn’t easy to change. People don’t always want to listen.
This book makes you wonder—can you ever really escape the life set out for you? Mahoney tried. He fought, he protested, he ran away. And still, he ended up in the suburbs, wondering what happened. But unlike Into the Wild, where McCandless never gets the chance to reflect on his choices, Mahoney does. And that makes this book a must-read.
What struck me the most was how he started as a rebellious kid, hitchhiking across the country, much like Christopher McCandless. But where McCandless wanted to escape civilization, Mahoney wanted to change it. He believed in something bigger than himself. And just like McCandless, reality hit hard. The world isn’t easy to change. People don’t always want to listen.
This book makes you wonder—can you ever really escape the life set out for you? Mahoney tried. He fought, he protested, he ran away. And still, he ended up in the suburbs, wondering what happened. But unlike Into the Wild, where McCandless never gets the chance to reflect on his choices, Mahoney does. And that makes this book a must-read.
March 28, 2025
Reading I Was a Hero Once reminded me of something my grandfather once said: ""The hardest thing in life isn't chasing your dreams. It's waking up one day and realizing you stopped.""
This book is a punch to the gut because it’s so real. We all think we’ll do something big. We all think we’ll be different. But then life catches up, and suddenly, we’re just another person going through the motions.
What makes this book special is that Mahoney knows this. He sees it happening in real-time. He watches himself go from a passionate activist to a man who just wants to take a nap. And yet, that fire inside him never fully goes out.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck, like you’ve lost that part of yourself that once believed in something—this book will shake you awake. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a challenge. A reminder. A warning. And most of all, it’s hope. Because if Mahoney can still remember, still fight in his own way, then maybe we can too.
This book is a punch to the gut because it’s so real. We all think we’ll do something big. We all think we’ll be different. But then life catches up, and suddenly, we’re just another person going through the motions.
What makes this book special is that Mahoney knows this. He sees it happening in real-time. He watches himself go from a passionate activist to a man who just wants to take a nap. And yet, that fire inside him never fully goes out.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck, like you’ve lost that part of yourself that once believed in something—this book will shake you awake. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a challenge. A reminder. A warning. And most of all, it’s hope. Because if Mahoney can still remember, still fight in his own way, then maybe we can too.
March 28, 2025
Man, this book hit me hard. Peter Mahoney doesn’t hold back—he tells his story with this raw honesty that makes you feel like you’re right there with him. From his days as a rebellious kid running away from home to fighting in Vietnam and then coming back to a country that didn’t care, every chapter pulls you deeper into his world.
What really got me was how he talks about his dad—this quiet, strong man who chose a simple life after the war. You can feel the weight of that legacy as Mahoney struggles with his own choices, wondering if he’s lived up to anything. And his time in Vietnam? No sugarcoating. Just the ugly, confusing reality of war.
But the part that stuck with me the most was his later years—trying to be a good dad while still feeling like he failed his younger, more idealistic self. It’s messy, real, and so relatable. If you’ve ever questioned your own path, this book will speak to you.
What really got me was how he talks about his dad—this quiet, strong man who chose a simple life after the war. You can feel the weight of that legacy as Mahoney struggles with his own choices, wondering if he’s lived up to anything. And his time in Vietnam? No sugarcoating. Just the ugly, confusing reality of war.
But the part that stuck with me the most was his later years—trying to be a good dad while still feeling like he failed his younger, more idealistic self. It’s messy, real, and so relatable. If you’ve ever questioned your own path, this book will speak to you.
September 20, 2025
For a life filled with serious moments, Mahoney brings a surprising amount of humor. The
hearse story and other youthful misadventures had me laughing out loud. That balance of light
and heavy is what makes this such an engaging read.
Mahoney speaks openly about the things most people would gloss over doubts, failures,
betrayals. That honesty makes the victories more meaningful. It’s rare to find a memoir this
transparent and this compelling.
Mahoney never seemed to fully fit into one box soldier, activist, suburban dad. That outsider
perspective makes his insights sharp and his observations invaluable. He’s seen the world from
angles most of us never will.
As a middle-aged man, I saw myself in Mahoney’s struggle to balance ambition, responsibility,
and self-discovery. His honesty about compromises and missed dreams hit hard. This memoir
reminds you that life’s value isn’t just in its highlights.
hearse story and other youthful misadventures had me laughing out loud. That balance of light
and heavy is what makes this such an engaging read.
Mahoney speaks openly about the things most people would gloss over doubts, failures,
betrayals. That honesty makes the victories more meaningful. It’s rare to find a memoir this
transparent and this compelling.
Mahoney never seemed to fully fit into one box soldier, activist, suburban dad. That outsider
perspective makes his insights sharp and his observations invaluable. He’s seen the world from
angles most of us never will.
As a middle-aged man, I saw myself in Mahoney’s struggle to balance ambition, responsibility,
and self-discovery. His honesty about compromises and missed dreams hit hard. This memoir
reminds you that life’s value isn’t just in its highlights.
September 26, 2025
I didn’t expect to laugh in a memoir about Vietnam and activism, but
Mahoney surprised me. The scenes with the yellow Cadillac hearse, the
youthful pranks, the absurdities of military life show that even in serious
times, young men still did ridiculous, human things. That levity made the
darker chapters hit harder.
The memoir doesn’t just swing between light and dark; it also shows how a
young man full of rebellion becomes a father trying to raise kids in the
suburbs. I found those passages relatable: the tug-of-war between old
ideals and daily responsibilities is universal, even if you’ve never been to
war.
What stood out most for me was how Mahoney refuses neat conclusions.
He doesn’t claim every protest changed the world. He doesn’t paint
activism as pure or family life as empty. Instead, he gives us a messier
truth: that a person can be brave and foolish, committed and distracted,
heroic and flawed.
Mahoney surprised me. The scenes with the yellow Cadillac hearse, the
youthful pranks, the absurdities of military life show that even in serious
times, young men still did ridiculous, human things. That levity made the
darker chapters hit harder.
The memoir doesn’t just swing between light and dark; it also shows how a
young man full of rebellion becomes a father trying to raise kids in the
suburbs. I found those passages relatable: the tug-of-war between old
ideals and daily responsibilities is universal, even if you’ve never been to
war.
What stood out most for me was how Mahoney refuses neat conclusions.
He doesn’t claim every protest changed the world. He doesn’t paint
activism as pure or family life as empty. Instead, he gives us a messier
truth: that a person can be brave and foolish, committed and distracted,
heroic and flawed.
September 26, 2025
This is the rare memoir that feels like history class and campfire storytelling
at once. Mahoney lived through chapters of history I’d only skimmed in
textbooks: Vietnam combat, the anti-war movement, political trials and yet
he tells it like you’re sitting with him in a kitchen late at night. The tone is
conversational, sometimes rambling, but always compelling.
The courtroom sections are nail-biting, but what hit me hardest was his
honesty about aging and parenting. There’s a whole chapter addressed to
his kids, where he admits to mistakes, regrets, and hopes. That level of
vulnerability makes the book worth reading even if you don’t care much
about military history.
I came away with a deeper understanding of what it costs to serve, to
resist, and to try to return to a “normal” life. It’s not just the battles overseas
that leave scars, but the constant tug between ideals and survival.
at once. Mahoney lived through chapters of history I’d only skimmed in
textbooks: Vietnam combat, the anti-war movement, political trials and yet
he tells it like you’re sitting with him in a kitchen late at night. The tone is
conversational, sometimes rambling, but always compelling.
The courtroom sections are nail-biting, but what hit me hardest was his
honesty about aging and parenting. There’s a whole chapter addressed to
his kids, where he admits to mistakes, regrets, and hopes. That level of
vulnerability makes the book worth reading even if you don’t care much
about military history.
I came away with a deeper understanding of what it costs to serve, to
resist, and to try to return to a “normal” life. It’s not just the battles overseas
that leave scars, but the constant tug between ideals and survival.
October 2, 2025
I didn’t expect to laugh in a memoir about Vietnam and activism, but Mahoney surprised me. The scenes with the yellow Cadillac hearse, the youthful pranks, the absurdities of military life show that even in serious times, young men still did ridiculous, human things. That levity made the darker chapters hit harder.
The memoir doesn’t just swing between light and dark; it also shows how a young man full of rebellion becomes a father trying to raise kids in the suburbs. I found those passages relatable: the tug-of-war between old ideals and daily responsibilities is universal, even if you’ve never been to war.
What stood out most for me was how Mahoney refuses neat conclusions. He doesn’t claim every protest changed the world. He doesn’t paint activism as pure or family life as empty. Instead, he gives us a messier truth: that a person can be brave and foolish, committed and distracted, heroic and flawed.
The memoir doesn’t just swing between light and dark; it also shows how a young man full of rebellion becomes a father trying to raise kids in the suburbs. I found those passages relatable: the tug-of-war between old ideals and daily responsibilities is universal, even if you’ve never been to war.
What stood out most for me was how Mahoney refuses neat conclusions. He doesn’t claim every protest changed the world. He doesn’t paint activism as pure or family life as empty. Instead, he gives us a messier truth: that a person can be brave and foolish, committed and distracted, heroic and flawed.
March 28, 2025
I’m going to be real: I Was a Hero Once is not just a memoir. It’s a warning. It’s a reckoning. It’s a plea.
Mahoney doesn’t just recount his past—he looks at the present and asks: What have we done? His reflections on America, war, capitalism, and generational failures are more relevant today than ever. He talks about the disillusionment of the 60s and 70s, but you can hear the echoes in our world today. We’re still fighting wars we don’t understand. We’re still being lied to. We’re still watching history repeat itself.
And yet, despite all his cynicism, there’s still a glimmer of hope. He writes to his children, urging them to find their own way, to fight in whatever way they can. That’s the part that stayed with me the most: the idea that no matter how much we fail, we keep trying.
This book isn’t just a story—it’s a challenge. And I dare you to read it and not feel changed.
Mahoney doesn’t just recount his past—he looks at the present and asks: What have we done? His reflections on America, war, capitalism, and generational failures are more relevant today than ever. He talks about the disillusionment of the 60s and 70s, but you can hear the echoes in our world today. We’re still fighting wars we don’t understand. We’re still being lied to. We’re still watching history repeat itself.
And yet, despite all his cynicism, there’s still a glimmer of hope. He writes to his children, urging them to find their own way, to fight in whatever way they can. That’s the part that stayed with me the most: the idea that no matter how much we fail, we keep trying.
This book isn’t just a story—it’s a challenge. And I dare you to read it and not feel changed.
March 28, 2025
There’s something about the way Mahoney writes that reminds me of Hemingway—simple but powerful, emotional without being dramatic. Hemingway wrote about men at war, about courage and regret, and Mahoney does the same, but through the lens of someone who came home and had to figure out what to do next.
This book isn’t just about Vietnam. It’s about after Vietnam. About how you come back from something so big and try to fit into a world that moved on without you. It’s about losing faith in the things you once believed in—your country, your leaders, even yourself. And then, somehow, finding a way to live with it.
There’s a quiet sadness to this book, the same way there is in Hemingway’s work. But there’s also a stubbornness, a refusal to let the past be erased. Mahoney’s words will stay with you long after you close the book.
This book isn’t just about Vietnam. It’s about after Vietnam. About how you come back from something so big and try to fit into a world that moved on without you. It’s about losing faith in the things you once believed in—your country, your leaders, even yourself. And then, somehow, finding a way to live with it.
There’s a quiet sadness to this book, the same way there is in Hemingway’s work. But there’s also a stubbornness, a refusal to let the past be erased. Mahoney’s words will stay with you long after you close the book.
March 28, 2025
Mahoney doesn’t paint himself as a perfect hero. If anything, he actively deconstructs the very idea of heroism. His story isn’t about being a fearless warrior or a flawless activist—it’s about being human.
One of the most powerful moments is when he talks about his betrayal by a close friend who turned out to be an FBI informant. Imagine dedicating your life to a cause only to realize the people closest to you might not be who you think they are. The emotional weight of that moment is staggering.
And then there’s his time in Russia—a whole other chapter of his life that feels like a novel in itself. His struggles to build a life, to carve out stability, to give his children something better—it’s the kind of universal story that transcends generations and nationalities.
Mahoney’s writing isn’t just compelling—it’s urgent. It demands to be read. It demands to be felt.
One of the most powerful moments is when he talks about his betrayal by a close friend who turned out to be an FBI informant. Imagine dedicating your life to a cause only to realize the people closest to you might not be who you think they are. The emotional weight of that moment is staggering.
And then there’s his time in Russia—a whole other chapter of his life that feels like a novel in itself. His struggles to build a life, to carve out stability, to give his children something better—it’s the kind of universal story that transcends generations and nationalities.
Mahoney’s writing isn’t just compelling—it’s urgent. It demands to be read. It demands to be felt.
March 28, 2025
I couldn’t put this down. Peter Mahoney’s life reads like a movie—hitchhiking across the country, fighting in Vietnam, getting arrested for protesting the war, and then trying to figure out how to be a dad. But what makes it special is how honest he is. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.
The parts about his dad really got to me. Here’s this WWII hero who just wanted a quiet life, and Mahoney spends years rebelling against that… only to end up in the same suburban grind. The irony isn’t lost on him, and he doesn’t try to make it poetic. It just is.
And his writing about war? No glorification, just the blunt reality. The scene where a soldier he trained dies in front of him is brutal, but it’s the little details—like the smell of French cigarettes—that make it unforgettable.
If you want a book that’s real, raw, and full of heart, this is it.
The parts about his dad really got to me. Here’s this WWII hero who just wanted a quiet life, and Mahoney spends years rebelling against that… only to end up in the same suburban grind. The irony isn’t lost on him, and he doesn’t try to make it poetic. It just is.
And his writing about war? No glorification, just the blunt reality. The scene where a soldier he trained dies in front of him is brutal, but it’s the little details—like the smell of French cigarettes—that make it unforgettable.
If you want a book that’s real, raw, and full of heart, this is it.
April 3, 2025
Peter P. Mahoney doesn’t just tell a story. He relives it. And in doing so, he makes you feel every ounce of it—the weight of a rifle in trembling hands, the stifling heat of the jungle, the silent prayers of boys who left home as heroes and returned as ghosts of themselves.
It’s raw. It’s honest. It doesn’t flinch, even when you want it to.
But what moved me most wasn’t just the war itself—it was the after. The silence, the questions, the grief that war leaves behind like an unpaid debt. The way the world moves on, but the soldiers, the families, the ones who carry the war inside them—they never do.
This book reminded me that heroism isn’t found in medals or headlines. It’s in the man who keeps going, despite it all. It’s in the voice that refuses to stay silent. Mahoney’s voice is one that demands to be heard, and trust me—you need to listen.
It’s raw. It’s honest. It doesn’t flinch, even when you want it to.
But what moved me most wasn’t just the war itself—it was the after. The silence, the questions, the grief that war leaves behind like an unpaid debt. The way the world moves on, but the soldiers, the families, the ones who carry the war inside them—they never do.
This book reminded me that heroism isn’t found in medals or headlines. It’s in the man who keeps going, despite it all. It’s in the voice that refuses to stay silent. Mahoney’s voice is one that demands to be heard, and trust me—you need to listen.
April 3, 2025
I don’t know how to explain what this book did to me. I sat with it, I walked with it, I carried it like a letter from the past that had somehow found its way into my hands.
Mahoney doesn’t just recount his story. He lets us into the spaces in between—the things that go unsaid, the quiet moments that hurt the most. He writes not just for himself, but for the ones who never got the chance to. For the boys frozen in time, forever young, forever waiting to come home.
There’s a mother in this book who still cooks for her son, even though he’s been gone for years. That image hasn’t left me. And maybe that’s the point—maybe war never really ends. Maybe it just finds new ways to exist, in grief, in silence, in the empty chair at the dinner table.
If you’ve ever wondered what war takes from a person, from a family, from a lifetime—this book will show you. And you won’t forget.
Mahoney doesn’t just recount his story. He lets us into the spaces in between—the things that go unsaid, the quiet moments that hurt the most. He writes not just for himself, but for the ones who never got the chance to. For the boys frozen in time, forever young, forever waiting to come home.
There’s a mother in this book who still cooks for her son, even though he’s been gone for years. That image hasn’t left me. And maybe that’s the point—maybe war never really ends. Maybe it just finds new ways to exist, in grief, in silence, in the empty chair at the dinner table.
If you’ve ever wondered what war takes from a person, from a family, from a lifetime—this book will show you. And you won’t forget.
April 14, 2025
I’ve read war books before, but none like this. I Was a Hero Once is not just about war—it’s about the weight it leaves behind. It’s about the way it lingers in the bones, in the breath, in the spaces between conversations where soldiers don’t talk about what they’ve seen.
Mahoney’s writing is like a scar—it tells a story, but it also holds pain beneath the surface. He lets us in, lets us see not just the battles fought with guns, but the ones fought in the quiet moments after—the battle to live, to remember, to make sense of something that will never truly make sense.
This book doesn’t glorify. It doesn’t romanticize. It reveals. And in doing so, it makes you feel the weight of it all—not just for Mahoney, but for every soldier who has ever looked back and wondered if they made it home in body, but not in soul.
Mahoney’s writing is like a scar—it tells a story, but it also holds pain beneath the surface. He lets us in, lets us see not just the battles fought with guns, but the ones fought in the quiet moments after—the battle to live, to remember, to make sense of something that will never truly make sense.
This book doesn’t glorify. It doesn’t romanticize. It reveals. And in doing so, it makes you feel the weight of it all—not just for Mahoney, but for every soldier who has ever looked back and wondered if they made it home in body, but not in soul.
April 22, 2025
Some books fill your mind with noise. This one fills it with silence. The kind that comes after a battle, the kind that stretches between a father and son who no longer know how to talk to each other. The kind that war leaves in its wake.
Mahoney doesn’t just tell us about war. He gives us war—not in action scenes or battlefield strategies, but in the things that stick. The ache of remembering. The guilt of surviving. The hollow feeling of knowing that the boy who left was not the man who returned.
There’s a moment in this book where a veteran from another war shares his own grief, and suddenly, the lines between wars blur. Different battles, same pain. Same loss. Same ghosts.
This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a mirror—one that forces us to see war for what it really is. Not numbers. Not history. But people.
And people, if nothing else, deserve to be remembered.
Mahoney doesn’t just tell us about war. He gives us war—not in action scenes or battlefield strategies, but in the things that stick. The ache of remembering. The guilt of surviving. The hollow feeling of knowing that the boy who left was not the man who returned.
There’s a moment in this book where a veteran from another war shares his own grief, and suddenly, the lines between wars blur. Different battles, same pain. Same loss. Same ghosts.
This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a mirror—one that forces us to see war for what it really is. Not numbers. Not history. But people.
And people, if nothing else, deserve to be remembered.
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