American Soldier

By: General Tommy R. Franks, Malcolm McConnell

Narrated by: Eric Conger

Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Few individuals have the chance to contribute so much of themselves to the American story as General Tommy Franks. In American Soldier, he captures it all.

The Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, General Tommy Franks made history leading American and Coalition forces to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq, the decisive battles that launched the war on terrorism.

General Franks retraces his journey from a small-town boyhood through a lifetime of military service, including his heroic tour as an Artillery officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded three times.

Drawing on military records declassified for this book, Franks offers the first true insider's account of the war on terrorism. He puts you in the Operations Center for the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom just weeks after 9/11, capturing its uncertain early days and the historic victory that followed.

When President Bush focused world attention on the threat of Iraq, Franks seized the moment to implement a bold new vision of joint warfare in planning Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rejecting Desert Storm-style massive troop deployment in favor of flexibility and speed, Franks was questioned by the defense establishment, including Secretary of State Colin Powell. Yet his vision was proven on the ground: Within three weeks, Baghdad had fallen.

Franks describes the covert diplomacy that helped secure international cooperation for the war, and speaks frankly of intelligence shortcomings that endangered our troops, and of the credible WMD threats that influenced every planning decision. He offers an unvarnished portrait of the "disruptive and divisive" Washington bureaucracy, and a candid assessment of the war's aftermath. Yet in the end, as American Soldier demonstrates, the battles in Afghanistan and Iraq remain heroic victories, wars of liberation won by troops whose valor was "unequalled by anything in the annals of war".

©2004 Tommy R. Franks (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent, but

General Franks gives a good account his own history, and an excellent account of the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and particularly Iraq. But as the title indicates, it is written from a dutiful soldier's perspective, with its pluses and minuses. Other than General Powell in his remarkable My American Journey, Franks offers too much technical detail, military speak and acronyms; and too little political context, reflection and criticism of his civilian colleagues and superiors (excluding Richard Clarke). Nevertheless a highly interesting, well written (and read) book which is good entertainment as well as a valuable source for research. I recommend to combine the book with Anne Garrels' Naked in Baghdad, to get the view from the ground. I got the impression that Mr Franks spoke at least parts of the book on tape - so it makes an excellent audiobook. Highly recommendable.

Charles E.

The war on terrorism without the media spin. A refreshing view from major player from his prespective. Valuable insight into the man, his career and his family support. A successful man and leader. The audio is nicely done and flows smothly to conclusion. Well done.

Great American Story

Simply a great story by an even greater American. I wish everyone of voting age could listen or read this book before the presidential election.

a

This has to be mandatory reading for all Americans, regardless of politics. It is an outstanding historical work, showing the evolution of modern military tactics and technology, from Viet Nam, the cold war, to Desert Storm in Kuwait, through the multiple mideastern crises, culminating in the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Tommy Franks demonstrates his aptitude and unrelenting positive attitude, putting together dual successes in Afghanistan and Iraq, against some rather formidable odds, both on the battlefield and on the polical homefront. It highlights the significance of military command, and tactics, combined with political and diplomatic finesse. It is a tremendous resourse of modern history and politics, revealing some inner secrets of the inter-action and relationships between the President, the "Sec Def", Secretary of State (Powell), and the President's Cabinet. It also reveals the "politics" inherent among the branches of the military. Tommy Franks will be one of the great motivational speakers of our time. His "road to success" story is a classic "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" and an inspiration in this time of media and public scruitny over Iraq.

Great Intro To Audio Books!

I enjoy reading, but find myself with less and less time for it. I found Audible.com and thought I would give it a try. I purchased American Soldier and it was wonderful. Very interesting and certainly very insightful. General Tommy Franks is a true patriot and American hero. I highly recommend this book for anyone following the war and politics today. Since I found Audible, I'm not sure if I will pick up a printed book again. Thanks Audible.

Half truth form a dutyful insider

A very comprehensive/consistent, though subjective/incomplete account slightly seasoned with military jargon and technical details for better credibility . The answers to complex questions of modern history good for a lieutenant locked in the Vietnam jungle sound primitive from a Commander in Chief developing victorious warfare innovations in the Middle East theatre. Readers interested in a more adequate/balanced picture of the reality are advised to read this book together with e. g. "Intelligence Matters" by Senator Bob Graham and Jeffrey Nussbaum.

Great Book.

I thought this was a really good book on GEN. Franks point of view of the war.

A True American Hero

My daughter attended General Tommy Frank's Four Star Academy and met this incredible American hero. He is an inspiration and his leadership continues today. I enjoyed this book very much. I wish all Americans would listen to this book to counter the misinformation we continue to hear more than a decade later. God Bless Tommy Franks.

Excellent

This is an excellent modern soldier's autobiography. Well written and well narrated. Franks' story is very interesting (and very different from what I expected) and gives you a glimpse behind the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. A better read than Powell or Schwarzkopf's works I think.

America salutes you General Franks

This is an incredible book about an incredible man. It is real life Tom Clancy and an unpartisan view inside our current administration. We should be proud of General Franks, our military and our current armed forces in harms way. I see more truth in this book words than the Hollywood propagandist and media mouthpieces. I highly recommend this book to you.