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Once an Eagle: A Novel Paperback – March 12, 2013
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The phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller that captured the imagination of a generation
"A remarkable novel. . . utterly engrossing. . . . It is an astute study of the mind and character of a good general and a good man. And it is a brilliant inside view of the life of a career officer in peace and war." — New York Times
“Simply the best work of fiction on leadership in print.” —General Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Required reading for West Point and Marine Corps cadets, Once An Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington's corridors of power. Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War—Vietnam.
Now with a new foreword by acclaimed historian Carlo D'Este, here is an unforgettable story of a man who embodies the best in our nation—and in us all.
- Print length1312 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper Perennial Modern Classics
- Publication dateMarch 12, 2013
- Dimensions5.31 x 2.1 x 8 inches
- ISBN-100062221620
- ISBN-13978-0062221629
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Simply the best work of fiction on leadership in print. It challenges us to think about what motivates us. It reminds us of the great cost of conflict, of what is best in human nature, and of our potential vulnerabilities in leading America’s sons and daughters in battle. Our choice is not to be Sam Damon or Courtney Massengale but rather to realize that we must be ourselves. It is in this knowledge that our real commitment to our profession—and to leadership—begins.” — General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
“Beautifully written. . . . A masterpiece. . . . Myrer’s descriptions of firefights are by far the best I have read.” — George S. Patton - MG, U.S. Army
“An ambitious, magnificently vivid novel...compelling. The battle scenes are among the finest I have ever read.” — The Atlantic
“Myrer was an excellent storyteller...Once An Eagle is that very rare thing, a genuine ideological novel. When one of these becomes standard issue to the Corps of Cadets we would be remiss if we ignored it.” — New York Review of Books
“Remarkable . . . utterly engrossing. Myrer is a superb storyteller.” — New York Times
“I fully understand why Once An Eagle has become a classic novel of war and warriors. Sam Damon doesn’t preach, he lives his values and they are universal not only military.” — General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army Retired - Commander in Chief Desert Storm
“I would pick up Once An Eagle rather than Norman Mailer any day for a clue as to what is going on in Vietnam.” — Baltimore Sun
“A powerful, provocative and strongly-written novel...and an implied warning to the nation...One hopes that the Chiefs of Staff in Washington will read it with care.” — Cincinnati Enquirer
“A great generational story of our US military, warts and all.” — Senator John McCain
“Accurate and appealing. The most brilliant and moving description of men in battle I have read... Truly a great book.” — Hugh B. Hester - BG, U.S. Army
“At long last we have what critics have been saying was lost to modern novels—an honest-to-God hero...a natural.” — Harpers
“In ironic contrast, the story moves from jungle warfare to drawing rooms on the Potomac, and back again. . . . Goes to the heart of our century.” — Chicago Sun-Times
“Inspired me...the essence of being a good man, soldier, officer and leader...the standard, the pride, the motivation...We are all better men because of Anton Myrer.” — David L. Grange - BG, U.S. Army
“Magnificent...word pictures of combat superb...a remarkable book.” — R. Ernest Dupuy - COL, U.S. Army
“Never read anything that depicts army life and the battlefield with such deep appreciation...superb account.” — Eugene A. Salet - MG, U.S. Army
“Once An Eagle has been the literary moral compass for me and my family of soldiers for more than two generations. It’s ethical message is as fresh and relevant today as it was when Anton Myrer wrote it during the war in Vietnam.” — Robert H. Scales - MG, U.S. Army Commandant U.S. Army War College
“Once An Eagle is truly a classic. It caused us to reflect on core values...one of the key ingredients to the success we now enjoy. Sam Damon has been and will be a beacon of moral and physical courage for young American warriors.” — Henry H. Shelton - General, U.S. Army
“Once An Eagle may be America’s War and Peace and Anton Myrer a contemporary Tolstoy.” — Louisville Courier Journal
“Too overwhelming, too awe-inspiring to keep to yourself. . . magnificent,” — Philadelphia Bulletin
“A classic.” — Washington Post
“It is my firm opinion that Anton Myrer’s Once An Eagle deserves to rank with, or perhaps above, any one of those three truly great pieces of military fiction—Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage; Fix Bayonets! by Col. John W. Thomason, USMC; and What Price Glory, by Capt. Lawrence Stallings, USMC.” — Armed Forces Journal
“Reflects skillful research in military areas as well as technical mastery of the writing craft...Through the gentle but courageous character of Damon, Myrer graphically describes the criminal, dirty, wasteful, savage immorality of war...The Army career man will look on it as a monument.” — Denver Post
“Ranks with Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front as time-tested epics of war and warriors. . . . The spirit, the heart and yes, the soul of the officer corps is captured, as are the intangible ambiance and nuances that make up the life of the American soldier and his family. . . . A consummate anti-war book. . . . Once An Eagle is both a perceptive study of the profession of arms and a chilling overview of armed conflict.” — John W. Vessey, Jr., General, US Army (Ret.)
“Required reading...at the Army War College...a classic of military literature and a guide to honorable conduct in the profession of arms.” — Douglas V. Johnson I - LTC, U.S. Army
“The author’s description of the military mind and muscle at work in combat and out are quite realistic...reading this book will be a great experience for those who haven’t experienced what the author writes about so colorfully.” — David M. Shoup - General, USMC
“The most outstanding novel I have seen in long years. And it is far and away the best work of fiction with a military background I have ever read.” — Journal of the Armed Forces
From the Back Cover
Required reading for West Point and Marine Corps cadets, Once An Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington's corridors of power. Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War—Vietnam. Now reissued with a new foreword by acclaimed historian Carlo D'Este, here is an unforgettable story of a man who embodies the best in our nation—and in us all.
About the Author
While attending Harvard University, Anton Myrer (1922-1996) enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after the Pearl Harbor attacks. He served for three years during World War II until he was wounded in the Pacific. He is also the author of the novels The Big War, The Last Convertible, and A Green Desire.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (March 12, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 1312 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062221620
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062221629
- Item Weight : 2.01 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.31 x 2.1 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #26,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #480 in War Fiction (Books)
- #972 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #2,722 in Literary Fiction (Books)
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Once an Eagle reminds those of us who have chosen the military profession what a legacy we have to uphold, the one handed down by our forefathers and embodied in these words: duty, honor, country. One need merely observe Sam Damon, the protagonist in Once an Eagle, for an example of how one serves a cause greater than himself. Though a fictional character, Damon exhibits an All-American authenticity uniquely his own. The reader cannot help but feel a deep affinity for him and to believe unreservedly in his inherent goodness. He is someone who you, frankly, would love to meet and share a beer with. That he is the creation of a gifted novelist matters much less than the opportunity to learn from his abundant qualities as a soldier, as a leader, and as a man. He IS the ultimate leader, unparalleled in his ability to motivate soldiers to do what no human being wishes to do: assault an enemy fighting position.
Damon, a WW I battlefield commissionee and Congressional Medal of Honor winner, is every man's hero and every military officer's demigod. He is the epitome of professionalism. His dedication and selfless service to the nation in spite of the many hardships he experiences in far-off lands stands out as practically anachronistic - a throwback to the era of the Roman legionnaire. Although several times in the story it seems the Army has finished with him, Damon somehow receives yet another duty assignment, smartly salutes and moves out. He eventually achieves flag rank and another combat command. Through all he maintains his deep and abiding commitment to his profession. He lives his life stoically and by a higher set of ideals than many Americans of his era. His integrity is awe-inspiring.
Courtney Massengale, Damon's antagonist, by contrast epitomizes the careerism and self-centeredness that was an unfortunate feature of the Army during parts of the early and mid-20th Century. A West Point graduate, Massengale ascends the rungs of the career ladder effortlessly. What makes his behavior particularly odious is that it often results in soldiers being killed needlessly in combat. Equally disturbing, he relies on a Machiavellian approach to manipulating individuals and circumstances such that he is best positioned for promotion and highly coveted commands. Unlike Damon, his loyalties are not to his country, the Army or his soldiers... no, simply to himself. In spite of an unremarkable combat record, he ascends to flag rank by relying on intellect, a magnetic personality, and cunning.
Myrer's strength as a novelist is clearly in his ability to spin a mighty tale pitting good against evil. Once an Eagle, though quite lengthy at 1,200+ pages, reads so easily and grips the reader from start to finish. In addition to ensuring the book is historically accurate, the author does a brilliant job of capturing almost every nuance of serving as an officer in the U.S. Army (even though he was an enlisted Marine!). It's uncanny how accurate the story details are! The characters are so real and richly textured! And as the book wears on, they act even truer to form. We can even anticipate what they will do in the next situation. One is able to easily identify with the people who populate a Myrer novel. All of us have known a Courtney Massengale, but likely very few a Sam Damon.
In one great novel we get an epic tale spanning the major 20th Century wars along with the all-too-human Army officers who fight them. Courage, selfless service, and honor are but a few of the qualities demonstrated in abundance in Once an Eagle. Most significant, we readers witness a consummate leader at the very pinnacle of his profession who is able to get there purely on merit. Lesson learned for those newly minted military officers out there: Sam Damon's success springs from an unshakable belief in placing duty first, serving honorably, and taking care of soldiers (or sailors, airmen, or Marines). He offers an extraordinary example of a fearless and committed warrior without an ounce of guile... only an uncommon character and an intense desire to accomplish the mission.
Sam Damon represents the very conscience of the U.S. Army Officer Corps!
Every reader connected to the military would do well to follow Damon's example.
For everyone else: If you are ever going to read a military novel, this is it!
Simply awesome!
Meet Sam Damon. At the outset, he's a dreamy, idealistic teenager in the small town of Walt Whitman, Nebraska. He's the night clerk in the local hotel and eatery. He's possessed with a first class intellect and a fiery ambition to "do something great with his life." He dreams of getting an appointment to West Point.
Sam applies for admission to the U.S, Military Academy, but gets impatient at the bureaucratic delays. He enlists in the Army, serves with General John J. Pershing in the 1916 "punitive expedition" to Mexico, and ends up in the trenches of France a year later, during the last year of World War I. It is there that Sam performs his greatest act of military heroism, an act that earns him a battlefield commission as a Second Lieutenant; the Medal of Honor; and the affectionate sobriquet "The Night Clerk." Throughout his tour of duty in France, Sam continues to distinguish himself not only with valorous deeds on the battlefield, but also with his no-nonsense leadership style, centered upon his passionate dedication the welfare of his men. He consistently sets a superb example of the highest ideals of personal behavior in his dealings with both his superiors and subordinates. It is here that he begins to understand the ultimate futility of war.
It is also here that he has his first encounter with his lifelong "bête noire," Courtney Massengale. Massengale is the complete antithesis of Sam Damon and everything he stands for. Like Damon, he's keenly intellectual and ambitious, but he seeks recognition and career advancement through being in the right place at the right time; currying favor with his superiors; and his incessant political maneuvering. His disdain for his subordinates is evident during his first encounter with Sam Damon shortly after Damon's unit comes "out of the line" in France.
Throughout their parallel careers in the Army, most of which occurs in the years between the two World Wars, Massengale, the unctuous West Point graduate, and Damon, the heroic "mustang" (a term of respect for officers with prior enlisted service) occasionally find themselves stationed together, and almost always on opposite sides of whatever issues confront them at any given moment. Their relationship comes to a head in the heat of battle against the Japanese the Philippines during World War II, and again, two decades later, in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
The Damon/Massengale relationship forms one of the central themes of this wonderful novel. For, in this relationship can be found a study in personal ethics as it applies to those not only in military life but also in the business sector as well. Through these two disparate characters, Myrer asks a fundamental question about human nature: why do people who rely on slipshod ethics and oleaginous double-talk so frequently successful at the expense of those whose moral compass is based on a well defines set of noble values and principles? It's a question that's plagued society from its inception, and such an important question that the U.S. Army War College includes a study of "Once An Eagle" as part of its curriculum in advanced leadership training for senior officers.
"Once An Eagle," originally published in 1968, was re-released in a beautifully bound hardcover edition in 2000. It's newly billed as "...a classic novel of soldiers and soldiering." It is indeed that, but it's also much more. For, at its heart, this beautifully crafted novel is one of the finest ANTI-war novels I've ever read. Anton Myrer, himself a veteran of some of the bloodiest fighting in the Pacific theater during World War II, pulls no punches in his condemnation of war. His battle scenes are consistently tough, gritty, highly descriptive accounts of men fighting against other men. He describes combat on the most human terms... from the perspectives of those who did the fighting and dying. Myrer takes the reader inside the minds of his characters, allowing the reader to understand the character's hopes, fears, anxieties, and physical torments...
"Once An Eagle" is a long book - over 1200 pages - but it's well worth reading. Anton Myrer's style is polished and highly literate. Despite its length, it's actually a fairly quick read. I finished it in about 10 days. The book always held my interest, and in places, actually proved difficult to put down. It is an eloquent condemnation of war and its effects on the human soul. Highly recommended.
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Bezüglich Zuverlässigkeit, Verantwortungsgefühl und Entschlossenheit kann auch der zivile Leser einen Mehrwert für seine Persönlichkeitsentwicklung aus diesem Buch ziehen. Der Leser sollte allerdings viel Zeit mitbringen, da es sich um 1.291 Seiten handelt.