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Reluctant Warrior: A Marine's True Story of Duty and Heroism in Vietnam
"ONE OF THE BEST VIETNAM WAR STORIES I'VE EVER READ, one damn good, compelling read. It's almost something out of a Clancy novel, yet it's true. The best thing I can say about it is I didn't want it to end."
--Col. David Hackworth, New York Times bestselling author of About Face
By the spring of 1970, American troops were ordered to pull out of Vietnam. The Marines of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel "Wild Bill" Drumright, were assigned to cover the withdrawal of 1st Marine Division. The Marines of 1st RECON Bn operated in teams of six or seven men. Heavily armed, the teams fought a multitude of bitter engagements with a numerically superior and increasingly aggressive enemy.
Michael C. Hodgins served in Company C, 1st RECON Bn (Rein), as a platoon leader. In powerful, graphic prose, he chronicles his experience as a patrol leader in myriad combat situations--from hasty ambush to emergency extraction to prisoner snatch to combined-arms ambush. . . .
"THIS MEMOIR IS GRIPPING."
--American Way
--Col. David Hackworth, New York Times bestselling author of About Face
By the spring of 1970, American troops were ordered to pull out of Vietnam. The Marines of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel "Wild Bill" Drumright, were assigned to cover the withdrawal of 1st Marine Division. The Marines of 1st RECON Bn operated in teams of six or seven men. Heavily armed, the teams fought a multitude of bitter engagements with a numerically superior and increasingly aggressive enemy.
Michael C. Hodgins served in Company C, 1st RECON Bn (Rein), as a platoon leader. In powerful, graphic prose, he chronicles his experience as a patrol leader in myriad combat situations--from hasty ambush to emergency extraction to prisoner snatch to combined-arms ambush. . . .
"THIS MEMOIR IS GRIPPING."
--American Way
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 14, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 15, 2025
Reluctant Warrior by Michael C. Hodgins is a gripping, honest memoir of his time as a Marine in Vietnam. Readers love its real dialogue, vivid leadership lessons, and authentic storytelling. It’s an engaging read that brings recon missions to life, perfect for anyone into military history or true stories of duty. Highly recommended!
September 24, 2017
Descriptive and Real
Hodgins story does not contain a lot of action. The few confrontations with the enemy are short and sweet. Not graphic or suspenseful, not particularly unusual or heroic. Hodgins himself rarely if ever takes part in a fire fight or ambush....so you might wonder why I read the entire book and gave it a 4 star rating?
I found the dialogue to be excellent and extremely "real". Hodgins Ford's a great job of describing how you win over people in the absolute worst of circumstances. Although at times he does come across as arrogant, in truth he is doing whatever it takes at the time to get the men under him to give there attention and support. It was the dialogue and inner action between the character's that kept my attention . There is likely a good lesson to be learned by many young readers\leaders.
Hodgins story does not contain a lot of action. The few confrontations with the enemy are short and sweet. Not graphic or suspenseful, not particularly unusual or heroic. Hodgins himself rarely if ever takes part in a fire fight or ambush....so you might wonder why I read the entire book and gave it a 4 star rating?
I found the dialogue to be excellent and extremely "real". Hodgins Ford's a great job of describing how you win over people in the absolute worst of circumstances. Although at times he does come across as arrogant, in truth he is doing whatever it takes at the time to get the men under him to give there attention and support. It was the dialogue and inner action between the character's that kept my attention . There is likely a good lesson to be learned by many young readers\leaders.
July 24, 2018
This was like old home week for me. I was a battalion surgeon with the 5th Marines. Spent time in many of the places. The author gives a very true account. I always wondered what junior officers did. The good ones spent their time setting up and coordinating supporting fire (like artillery). Very well told book and most useful for a newly minted officer in war time. Good advice for leading enlisted men, and obtaining their respect. Un respected officers were not well liked, and never very effective.
March 17, 2025
More than a war story, it’s a lesson in small unit tactical leadership. It’s about relating to those in your charge at their level, standing up for and protecting them from bureaucracy which distracts from the mission, providing clear and concise intent, and verifying the mission essentials (fortified positions, weapons maintenance, health and safety) are being done especially at times when no one wants to and before it’s a problem.
May 21, 2017
Semper Fi
The best book on the history of men in Vietnam during the war I have ever read. Enter stage a "butter bar" and exit a skipper. When men call you skipper in the Corps there is no greater accolade and his men called him skipper even tough was only a first lieutenant. They trusted him as a brother!!
The best book on the history of men in Vietnam during the war I have ever read. Enter stage a "butter bar" and exit a skipper. When men call you skipper in the Corps there is no greater accolade and his men called him skipper even tough was only a first lieutenant. They trusted him as a brother!!
August 18, 2017
Well written account of Lt. Hodgins rise from enlisted man to 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. His reflection on his effort to build confident relationships with the troops
under his charge is told effectively. Anyway, I think this book is informative and well put together.
under his charge is told effectively. Anyway, I think this book is informative and well put together.
February 17, 2018
A different point of view
I gave this book four and a half stars. It was easy to see that a former grunt Lt was truly as concerned about the welfare of his troops as much as himself. A post on a hill defended instead of deserted and none of it s defenders with their names on the memorial wall. How great is that!
I gave this book four and a half stars. It was easy to see that a former grunt Lt was truly as concerned about the welfare of his troops as much as himself. A post on a hill defended instead of deserted and none of it s defenders with their names on the memorial wall. How great is that!
November 5, 2018
I don't see why this book is rated so highly. It's one of the least interesting and entertaining military accounts I have read. Nothing of any significance occurs in the first half. When engagement with the enemy finally does occur the author spends his time explaining to readers how his ideas were always better than everyone else's. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone....so what now Lieutenant?
May 16, 2017
Great Grunts
The story maintained a good narrative without drowning the uninitiated in jargon and "insider" talk. Could feel the heat, sweat, fear, and "on the fly" thinking. I enjoyed the book and joined in the frustrations of "going through channels."
The story maintained a good narrative without drowning the uninitiated in jargon and "insider" talk. Could feel the heat, sweat, fear, and "on the fly" thinking. I enjoyed the book and joined in the frustrations of "going through channels."
October 6, 2020
Really puts you in the middle of the action in Vietnam!
An awesome account of Marine experiences in Vietnam toward the end of the war. Real life story ... Makes you respect the cunning and bravery of America's finest fighters. I couldn't put it down!!!
An awesome account of Marine experiences in Vietnam toward the end of the war. Real life story ... Makes you respect the cunning and bravery of America's finest fighters. I couldn't put it down!!!
May 20, 2017
Able Leader
A great story, a true leader, and a well written book. Lt. Hodgins, professional as they come. I highly recommend this great story.
A great story, a true leader, and a well written book. Lt. Hodgins, professional as they come. I highly recommend this great story.
March 29, 2018
This was how it was.
Talk like, fight like Marines. Warfare explained in understandable terms. The last I heard these expressions was in 1968 .
Talk like, fight like Marines. Warfare explained in understandable terms. The last I heard these expressions was in 1968 .
May 19, 2018
Good read
Good subject information and powerful presentation
Thoughtful recounting of events and insight into the character and emotions of all the people described in the book
Good subject information and powerful presentation
Thoughtful recounting of events and insight into the character and emotions of all the people described in the book
February 22, 2021
This was a boring history
I read through the whole book constantly expecting to get to Combat But virtually no Combat ever came.I think it was fine as a very small unit history
I read through the whole book constantly expecting to get to Combat But virtually no Combat ever came.I think it was fine as a very small unit history
June 9, 2021
Really well written. A different perspective from other Vietnam war books that I have read.
April 9, 2013
A clunky read, but the detail is everything, and that is its strength. A contribution, without doubt. Compare and contrast with Nate Fick's one Bullet Away. Two great officers living up to the demands of a tough vocation. .
May 10, 2008
This is one of the few Vietnam era books I've read that was written by an officer.
October 20, 2014
One of the best memoirs I have read of combat in Vietnam.
January 16, 2018
A concise straight forward look into the life of mustang Marine 2cd lieutenant during the beginning of the end of the Vietnam War.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews