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About Face
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 40 hrs and 38 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Called "everything a 20th-century war memoir could possibly be" by the New York Times, this national best seller by Colonel David H. Hackworth presents a vivid and powerful portrait of a life of patriotism.
From age 15 to 40, David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam. With About Face, he has written what many Vietnam veterans have called the most important book of their generation.
From Korea to Berlin, from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam, Hackworth's story is that of an exemplary patriot, played out against the backdrop of the changing fortunes of America and the American military. It is also a stunning indictment of the Pentagon's fundamental misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and of the bureaucracy of self-interest that fueled the war.
New York Times best seller. A Military Book Club Main Selection. A number-one Amazon.com best seller in Korean War Personal Narratives.
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What listeners say about About Face
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- alexis
- 2020-04-13
Unbelievable!!
Captivating from beginning to end even as a long book. Honest, transparent, detailed. The men portrayed in the Koren and Vietnam wars are heroic titans of the likes the free world should recognize and idolize
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- Ryan
- 2022-06-07
Truly incredible account
Incredibly complete and honest account of stories and events surrounding the authors life. This is a must read for anyone interested in military history surrounding the Korean or Vietnam war and or leadership.
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- Robert Hoskins
- 2021-03-10
I had very mixed feelings about the book and auth
Some parts were informative. Some made me think. I felt at times Hackworth had a bit of an ego problem. Especially in the earlier part of the book. He seemed to mature as he progressed. The whole book is enough to make a person wonder.
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- David F. Wallace
- 2021-08-31
Extraordinary
This book, both in content, and in its execution as an unabridged audiobook is an absolute masterpiece. It is, without question, one of the finest examples of autobiographical-style personal and military histories ever to have been written. While not every piece of Col. Hackworth's character is commendable, nobody will disagree with his honesty. This book shows the bumps and all. The book is masterfully researched, and the preface goes into great detail on the exhaustive work done to verify some of the incredible events detailed throughout the book.
Some of the quotes that start each chapter (especially if you're a military buff) will tug on your emotional wires.
Regardless of if you are a history buff, captain of a sports team, a student, a military officer, a business owner, a professional or "regular person", you will find something in this book. It is packed full of very subtle yet clever tricks and tactics for exceptional leadership. It also shows a remarkable transformation of Hackworth as a person, from a naive young man, to hard-as-rocks infantry combat veteran, to leader, to pacifist (although his transition to peacetime, and his work as an award-winning journalist and his family life post-war is not detailed, which is a shame, because I'm sure it is equally as fascinating)
John Pruden, the narrator, is the perfect voice - his gravelly, expressive and rich voice makes this book an absolute pleasure to listen to.
You likely wont (and probably shouldn't, by hackworths own account) agree with every decision he made, but that is part of the allure of this book. Hackworth is full of bravado and brazeness, but is also equal part humble, and you can take a lot of lessons learned from his mistakes as well.
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone seriously considering taking on a leadership role.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2019-12-13
OUTSTANDING!!
This is one of the best books I've listened to so far. Since Col. Hackworth Rt. Left before he received his stars, allow me to give him 5. I must tell you that the narrator was also outstanding...he made the book come alive...a superb job of reading.
David
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1 person found this helpful
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- Dillon
- 2021-03-03
Outstanding!
Incredible book about Leadership, human nature, combat lessons and the life of the US Army from the war in Korea to Vietnam and Cambodia. So many life lessons. I can see why Jocko Willink loves this book so much.
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- daniel
- 2022-10-06
Makes me want to be a soldier
Book was very well put together and Hackworth is my new hero always do what is right even if you’re standing alone
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- Steven
- 2019-10-24
Must read For Leadership, and Discipline
This book will keep you hooked. From childhood deviant to trying to save the lives of all his men and the lives of all those who serve. His lessons on leadership, discipline, are extremely valuable and easy to listen to
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- Anthony Kerr
- 2021-08-27
Excellent book!
I came in expecting to get one thing from this book and ended up with something different, I feel that at the heart of his book it gives you a perspective of life and how to live free with integrity and being a good person to all that cross your path.
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- Robert
- 2021-06-04
Eye opening story
A perspective on the Korean and Vietnam wars that I’ve never heard before. A fantastic life story as well.
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