| BOOK REVIEW: 14 MAR 2005 A Ranger Born by Col. Robert W. Black, US Army (Retired) |
Vietnam, I must admit I was a bit intimidated by the man on the cover and author of the book, retired US Army Colonel Robert W. Black. I mean, this man is a battle-hardened warrior and I am an airman who has never fired a shot at an enemy in battle. I should not have worried because this was one of the best books I have ever read. Col. Black wrote one of the best autobiographies I have had the pleasure of reading. Col. Black relates his early life in Pennsylvannia, his training after enlisting in the US Army, his specialized training as a Ranger, and his tours of duty as a an enlisted man in Korea and as a field grade officer in Vietnam. He keeps you riveted to every word, every detail. He describes the hardships the soldier goes through in war. He relates how the military fought two wars where the political will was not to be victorious but "die-for-a-tie." I learned much from Col. Black. I learned of the 400 year history of the Rangers. I learned how the bond of fighting for your fellow soldiers (or airmen) is often more important than anything else. I learned that we could have been victorious if the politicians kept their grubby mitts off of what the military does. I learned that the mistakes that were made in Korea were repeated in Vietnam. I also know that the people who give a @#$% about soldiers are few and far between, and they are usually former service members or their families. Col. Black's autobiography reads like a novel, but it all really happened. Col. Black is a great historian. I look forward to reading more of his books. As I have said earlier, this is a @#$% good book. I think all service members would learn immensely from A Ranger Born. Many US armed service members have never fired a shot out in anger at an enemy. Col. Robert Black has, and his example is a proud one. I would like to meet him one day and thank him for all he has done for us, for the USA, and for freedom. |
| hrhsmith1 Rate from 1 to 11: 11 2011 Revised Rating From A to F: A+ |
| Reformatted 15 JAN 2011 Reviewed 23 MAR 2012 |
| BOOK: A Ranger Born CATEGORY: Autobiography AUTHOR: Col. Robert W. Black, US Army (Retired) PUBLISHER: Ballentine Books PUBLISHED: 2002 IN hrhsmith1'S LIBRARY: YES NOTE: None AUTHOR REACTION TO REVIEW: None READ: from 19 JUL 2004 to 23 JUL 2004 REVIEW WRITTEN: 2004 REVIEWER: Michael B. Smith |
