What is your favorite military leader's biography (Viet Nam War or later)?

2018-07-19T20:24:02-04:00

Reading This Kind of War and want to read a good biography of a military leader next. Looking for recommendations.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 19 at 2018 8:31 PM

2018-07-19T20:31:29-04:00

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-07-19T20:36:19-04:00

CH (CPT)(P) Private RallyPoint Member "GRANT" by Ron Chernow. An amazing bio that provides in depth views of major players before, during and after the Civil War. The human side, as well as the professional. Clearly not in the time frame you requested, but I strongly recommend anyway.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 8:50 PM

2018-07-19T20:50:15-04:00

About Face by David Hackworth. CH (CPT)(P) Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 11:47 PM

2018-07-19T23:47:04-04:00

The Men, the Mission, and Me by Pete Blabber

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Jul 20 at 2018 11:02 AM

2018-07-20T11:02:01-04:00

"American Ceasar" by William Manchester, a great one of MacArthur, have read it three times. (sorry, did not read the caption fully, Mac was WW I and WW II and Korea)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 3:57 AM

2018-07-21T03:57:45-04:00

When We Were Soldiers and Young by the late LTG (retired) Harold Moore and Joe Galloway.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Jul 21 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-07-21T19:15:35-04:00

I would have to add Soldier by LTC Anthony Herbert. This book is likely not popular with the powers that be for reasons that will become apparent rather quickly. I believe the value of this book is in presenting the 'loyal opposition' aspect of the Army in Vietnam. Herbert is lavish in his praise for the enlisted man in general, but he is scathing in his criticisms of command policies and many of his fellow officers. I leave it to the reader to evaluate the strength of his observations and assertions. There are bits of humor scattered throughout that many veterans and active duty will appreciate, such as an IG investigation into O club fraud where barrel furniture is "air mailed" from the states costing $45k. Herbert's CSM asks if he can have the 'stamp' because he's never seen one that big...... All things considered, I still believe it's a worthwhile read.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Sep 12 at 2020 11:01 AM

2020-09-12T11:01:34-04:00

Maybe not necessarily a biography, but David Maraniss' They Marched Into Sunlight -- gives a thoughtful ying and yang during the Vietnam war.