- ISBN13: 9780143116875
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
“One of the most thoughtful and honest accounts ever written by a young Army officer confronting all the tests of life.” -Bob Woodward
In this surprise bestseller, West Point grad, Rhodes scholar, Airborne Ranger, and U. S. Army Captain Craig Mullaney recounts his unparalleled education and the hard lessons that only war can teach. While stationed in Afghanistan, a deadly firefight with al-Qaeda leads to the loss of one of his soldiers. Years later,… More >>
The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education
Tags: Education, Minute, Soldier's, Unforgiving
#1 by Mew on April 12, 2010 - 7:46 pm
A civilian friend that knows nothing about war referred this book to me w/high praises, and as a person that can appreciate a good war story, this book wasn’t worth my time or cash. I kept reading it hoping it would get better and it didn’t. The title of the book should have been “Meena”. The book was whimsical, polite, clean, and boring…..war is none of those things. I thought I was getting a war story, this book doesn’t even come close. Too much whining in this book…poor me.
The one thing I did “get” out of this book is why so many NCO’s and enlisted make fun of the West Point grad and hate serving w/them. If they are all like this guy I can see why. There are some great West Point heroes out there, but I wonder how many of these guys ratio wise actually stay in the military and continue to serve after all the education? It seems more of a prestige thing than anything. Give me an NCO boot on the ground war story any day. They are the true Soldier.
I can respect the author made it through Ranger school and that is about it w/this book.
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by D. Cvengros on April 12, 2010 - 8:06 pm
I admire anyone who can right a book and get it published. No easy accomplishment. But not all books are worth reading and this is one of them. The NYT book review steered me wrong again.
I thought his take on West Point was cliche. Sure it was hard. Sure you never got laid. Sure you loved your country. So tell me something I didn’t expect or know. His take on Oxford came across as naive and dull. We argued, we laughed, we drank beer. So what. The best part of the book was Afghanistan. With that said, the death of O’Neal seemed more like a plot point for self analysis than true anguish. Finally, he’s pissed at his Dad for divorcing his Mom. Let see how he feels after he’s been married for 28 years. Marriage ain’t easy buddy. Even for a virgin. I wouldn’t even regift this book. Nothing new here.
Rating: 1 / 5
#3 by another reader on April 12, 2010 - 9:32 pm
Some readers may miss the brilliant prose of James Salter’s account of life at USMA in Burning the Days.
A book that might have made the author’s recommended reading list is
Leopard and the Cliff by Wallace Breem. This novel is based on operations during 1919 in the tribal area of what is now Pakistan. The book sheds light on the complex motivations of the Moslem soldier when his loyalties are strained, the difficulties of cross-cultural relations in a military context, and the problems of commanding para-military units in this region. Reminds one of the Army adage to always smile, be pleasant, and be ready to kill whatever indigeneous folks one may be working with.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by B. Jones on April 13, 2010 - 12:09 am
The author did nothing out of the ordinary. He had the same experience as any modern company grade infantry officer is seeing on deployment these days. The one disparity is he attended Oxford.
Rating: 2 / 5
#5 by John on April 13, 2010 - 12:20 am
I am a history buff and avid fan of Iraq and Afghan war books, but found this work sub par.
Self-involved and precious to a fault. Inferior to Generation Kill, The Gamble and others of the genre.
Though I salute Mr. Mullaney’s service, can’t say the same for his tale.
Rating: 2 / 5