About Face

by David H. Hackworth and Julie Sherman

Book Overview

He joined the army at 15 and is today America's most decorated living soldier. In one of the most extraordinary military memoirs of our time, About Face chronicles the wars of David H. Hackworth--from World War II to his opposition to U.S. tactics and goals in Vietnam. Photographs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671526928
• ISBN13: 9780671526924
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 875 Pages
• Weight: 2.57 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A warrior's story...a remarkable journey

The best first-hand military account I've ever read...personal details and anecdotes seldom found covering the tumultuous period of immediate post WWII until post Viet Nam...remarkable depth and insight into incidents, issues, and personalities that will significantly broaden the reader's understanding of military history described with clear-eyed objectivity, humour, and sensitivity...an absolutely enjoyable must-read (and re-read)

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As a soldier, Hack is my hero

Hack told it like it is. We had a batallion commander like him a couple of years ago. If you read the Book "Heavy Metal" Then you would know who it is. In this book hack always had the soldiers by his side. Something officers in todays army dont have. He always knew how to work the system for the benefit of his men. Something today few officers or nco's are willing to do. As a soldier this is my leadership handbook. If civilians want to know how the army works today read this book. Eventhough this book is based on the 50', 60' and 70's I still find officers and nco's today doing what they did 30 to 40 years ago. Once you read this book your outlook on the Army will change. RIP Hack!

Tough as Nails; Writes Well, Too.

Hackworth's blood and guts account of his many years in the US Army begins with one of the most dramatic personal battle narratives ever recorded, his day of destiny in Korea where he survived all manner of trouble and emerged a decorated hero. He won a battlefield commission in Korea, remained in the peacetime Army, served in the Berlin crisis of 1961 and then rose to Colonel as an army commander in Vietnam. His was a rich and crowded career, and makes for terrific reading. Among the many highlights are his squad's fateful attack on a hill in Korea, taken at appalling cost, his struggle to remain sane and productive during the stultefying peacetime year; a fascinating stint accompanying Gen. S.L.A. Marshall on an observation tour throughout the entire Vietnam theater and a subsequent command (and transformation) of a potentially mutinous unit of soldiers in Dinh Tuong Province. Few soldiers who have such a fascinating life history, and in the Vietnam context, only Neil Sheehan's biography of John Paul Vann rivals this epic.

U.S. Military Reality; it is what is taught and what is not.

Mr. Hackworth, like so many before him, learned and through his book has tried to teach the most valuable lessons a military member can possess; LEADERSHIP and ORGANIZATIONAL REALITY. The Army is like an alcoholic trying to teach his/her child no to drink; all the while holding a beer in his/her hand. Many lessons for life can be found reading this work. The politicians are unfortunately finding their way into every sector of our lives and in Hackworth's account, this unfortunate reality has only resulted in the deaths and ruin of many fine soldiers. I commend both the book and the man; a must read for anyone interested in joining or learning about the military.

should be required reading for all seving military leaders

I first came to hear of ABOUT FACE from a friend and fellow NCO in Korea. He said I might think it was good, Was that an understatement. I read About Face in one fourteen hour plane ride back to Korea. I've read it three more times so far and recommend it to all my friends deserving the title Non-Commisioned Officer. I truly believe that all military leaders should read this and take from it; Hack's wisdom and experiance dealing with the military, Integrity and soldiering.

One of the greatest leaders of the 20th century

I first heard of Colonel Hackworth when I was a cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he came and gave a guest lecture during my sophomore year. After hearing him talk, I had to go out and get his book. "About Face" is, quite simply, the best book I've ever read...again and again. Colonel Hackworth's no-nonsense approach to leadership is tried-and-true, and what makes each point hit home is that he has learned everything through real life experience. The stories that he tells in this book are not just entertaining. They tell a lot about the life of a soldier; they tell a lot about a military hierarchy and how it should work (as opposed to how it works now); they tell us what really happened in Vietnam and how the U.S. Government "black balled" Colonel Hackworth in order to quell public disatisfaction with the war in Vietnam. He doesn't just make this book a bitch session....he offers his expert opinion as a soldier and a leader about how to correct what is happening to our fighting forces. He offers comparisons to leaders of the past and insight into the leaders of the future...and the future of our military leaders looks bleak. Lastly, this book isn't just about being a military leader and telling war stories. This book is a must read for anybody that is in charge of anything or anyone. Many of the points he makes in his book apply "across the board". Being a leader is a skill as well as a science. Learn from the best, because "those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it".