David Hackworth

David Hackworth (1930-2005) was a highly decorated U.S. Army officer and military journalist who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He gained prominence both for his innovative military leadership and later for his outspoken criticism of military leadership and policy. During his military career, Hackworth became the youngest full colonel in Vietnam and earned numerous commendations including 8 Purple Hearts and 10 Silver Stars. He developed successful counterinsurgency tactics in Vietnam and was known for transforming troubled units into effective fighting forces. After retiring from the Army in 1971, he became a prominent military journalist and author, writing the bestselling memoir "About Face" and co-authoring other military-focused books. His investigative reporting exposed military problems and controversies, including a notable 1996 investigation into Admiral Mike Boorda's wearing of unauthorized combat ribbons. Hackworth continued writing military commentary and criticism until his death, maintaining an influential column called "Defending America" and advocating for military reform. His direct style and willingness to challenge military leadership earned him both strong supporters and critics within military circles.

Readers praise Hackworth's direct, no-nonsense writing style and firsthand combat experience. His memoir "About Face" receives particular attention for its detailed accounts of military leadership and tactical innovations. Readers frequently mention his credibility as both a decorated combat veteran and later military critic. What readers liked: - Raw honesty about military failures and bureaucracy - Practical combat tactics and leadership lessons - Detailed historical accounts from Korea and Vietnam - Clear writing that avoids military jargon What readers disliked: - Some find his tone too aggressive or self-promoting - Occasional repetition in longer works - Political views can overshadow military analysis Ratings across platforms: - "About Face" - 4.7/5 on Amazon (1,000+ reviews) - "Steel My Soldiers' Hearts" - 4.6/5 on Amazon (300+ reviews) - "Hazardous Duty" - 4.5/5 on Goodreads (500+ reviews) Reader quote: "Hackworth writes with the authority of someone who's been there and the clarity of a natural teacher." - Amazon reviewer

About Face (1989) Hackworth's autobiography detailing his military career from age 15 through Vietnam, including his criticism of military leadership and eventual speaking out against the war.

Brave Men (1993) A collection of stories about soldiers who demonstrated exceptional courage in combat across various American conflicts.

Hazardous Duty (1996) An investigative work examining problems within the modern military system, based on Hackworth's experiences as a military journalist and observer.

The Price of Honor (1999) A detailed examination of how political decisions affect soldiers on the ground, focusing on peacekeeping missions in the 1990s.

Steel My Soldiers' Hearts (2002) A first-hand account of how Hackworth transformed the 4/39th Infantry Battalion from an underperforming unit into an effective fighting force in Vietnam.

Steal This Book (2003) A handbook covering military tactics, leadership principles, and strategies based on Hackworth's combat experience and observations.

Harold G. Moore wrote about his Vietnam War experiences as a battalion commander, including the Battle of Ia Drang. His book "We Were Soldiers Once... and Young" provides detailed accounts of combat leadership and tactical decision-making from a commander's perspective.

Mark Bowden focuses on military operations and special forces missions through embedded reporting and extensive interviews. His works like "Black Hawk Down" examine modern combat operations with attention to both strategic planning and ground-level experiences.

Andrew Exum writes about his experiences as an Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan, combining combat narrative with policy analysis. His perspective bridges the gap between front-line combat and strategic military thinking.

Robert Mason served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and documents the air war experience through personal narrative. His book "Chickenhawk" presents combat aviation operations with technical detail and describes the psychological impact of warfare.

Karl Marlantes writes about Marine Corps service in Vietnam through both memoir and fiction. His works examine combat leadership and moral challenges in warfare while addressing the long-term effects of combat on veterans.