Thirteen Soldiers

Thirteen Soldiers presents thirteen individual stories of American service members, each representing a major conflict in U.S. military history from the Revolutionary War through Iraq. The book chronicles one soldier's experience per war, written by Senator John McCain and Mark Salter. The selected subjects span ranks from enlisted personnel to officers and represent diverse backgrounds including women, African Americans, and individuals from varied social classes. Their military roles range from combat positions to medical support, with each narrative focusing on their specific wartime experiences. This collection moves chronologically through American military history, examining how wars shaped both individual lives and the nation. Through personal accounts and historical context, McCain and Salter document the evolution of warfare and its impact on those who served. The book explores universal themes of duty, sacrifice, and courage while highlighting how ordinary Americans responded to extraordinary circumstances in service to their country. These individual stories combine to create a broader narrative about the American military experience across generations.

Readers appreciate the personal stories and individual perspectives of the 13 featured soldiers, with many noting the book humanizes military service across different eras. The focus on ordinary servicemembers rather than famous generals or commanders resonates with veterans and military families. Readers liked: - Clear writing style makes military history accessible - Balance of combat details and personal background - Coverage across multiple American conflicts - Inclusion of diverse servicemembers Readers disliked: - Some stories feel rushed or superficial - Limited coverage of each soldier's post-war life - Writing can be dry in historical context sections - Several factual errors noted by military historians Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Common review quote: "Puts a human face on American military service, though doesn't dig as deep as it could into each story."

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★ John McCain drew from his own extensive military background as a Navy aviator and POW in Vietnam, bringing personal insight to his portrayal of military service. ★ One of the featured soldiers is Joseph Plumb Martin, who joined the Continental Army at age 15 and later wrote one of the most detailed primary accounts of the Revolutionary War. ★ The book includes the story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who disguised herself as a man to serve as a Union soldier and spy during the Civil War under the alias "Franklin Thompson." ★ Two of the thirteen accounts come from the same conflict (World War II) but offer dramatically different perspectives: one from a Tuskegee Airman and another from a Marine in the Pacific theater. ★ The final chapter features Monica Lin Brown, who in 2007 became the second woman to receive the Silver Star Medal since World War II for her heroic actions as a combat medic in Afghanistan.