About Face (original 1989; edition 1989)

A serious autobiography and war(s) memoir. About Face is the defining book on Colonel David Hackworth. Coming in at just under 1000 pages, this tome surprisingly reads fast. I read "after" having read Steel My Soldiers' Hearts, and I can definitely say that it gives a much broader and more complete picture of this controversial man.

Hackworth makes it clear that he joined the military for the adventure. Joining the Army at 15 just as WWII concluded, Hack served in Italy in an occupation capacity, but with the TRUST troops, whose exacting standards would cement his views on soldiering for the rest of his life. Jump forward to the 1950s, see Hack serving in Korea. During this time, he begins to see develop his views on leadership and battlefield combat. Furthermore, he receives a battlefield commission during the war there as well. At many times, Hack viewed the Korean War in the same way he viewed the Vietnam War. As a war directed by the staff weenies who still dream of fighting WWII style battles in unsuitable terrain and against an enemy that doesn't play by their rules.

After Korea, Hack obviously had serious trouble transitioning into the peacetime military. Assigned to staff jobs and other positions he didn't want, Hack certainly was not a "by-the-book" kind of officer. As the Cold War started and the Army placed more emphasis on nuclear weapons, Hack saw the infantry constantly being given the short straw. By the time of Vietnam, Hack would serve with the famous 101st Airborne, do a tour with Army historian SLA Marshall, command the 4th infantry battalion, and finally serve as an advisor the ARVN troops.

As time went on, Hackworth slowly became more and more fed-up with the ticket-punchers and empire builders that he constantly saw running the military (and by extent, the Vietnam War). It all culminated in a national interview where he basically blew the whistle on Vietnam and the inadequate state of things in the Army at the time. Subsequently he was ostracized, hunted, and drummed out of the Army (graciously allowed to retire).

I can definitely sympathize with Hackworth's frustrations regarding bureaucracy. To a by-the-book man, Hackworth is a nightmare. Seemingly insubordinate, rebellious, and selfish, Hackworth marches to his own beat. However, what Hackworth definitely was, was a warrior. Plain and simple. Plus, he unmistakably cared for the welfare of the men under him. In many ways, Hackworth only wanted to be the best at what he did, he just wanted the freedom to do it his own way.

As I mentioned before in my review of "Steel", Hackworth is a man who pulls no punches when it comes to what he thinks. The only times I didn't enjoy what Hackworth had to say, was when he continually described his "scrounging efforts", done in order to get what he wanted. Stealing, bribing, "borrowing", and general subterfuge where not below this man. Other than his massive ego, that's the main trait of Hackworth that I don't agree with. Then again, the years that Hackworth spent in the peacetime Army training for useless missions and wars that would never come; along with the mountains of paperwork and the general tedium of the life at that time; one can definitely understand that.

Overall, my opinion of Hackworth hasn't changed drastically from reading About Face. He's still egotistical, he's still lacking in certain moral areas, but what Hackworth really was was a pure, dyed-in-the-wool soldier. A brave and decorated man who lived an incredible, if not crazy life. ( )

A truly wonderful read! This guy was the soldier's soldier. I can't recall a time in the book in which I got bored or wondered when this particular section would be over. I wish I could say the same for other biographies. As a former enlisted member of the military, I can say that I wished many times that we had officers of his caliber and perspective. He served in the days when the politics were confined to the upper echelons of the officer ranks for the most part.

The military today is full of "empire builders" that Hack would have gladly disposed of had they served under him. You might not agree with all he said or did post-Vietnam, but this man was a true patriot. I know specifically that Night Stalker Mike Durant of Somalia fame( see his book "In the Company of Heroes") was not too thrilled with Hack over some comments he made in regards to the video he made while being held hostage by the Somali's. I tend to agree with Durant's analysis as he did nothing akin to what Hanoi Jane did. Other than that, I was glad that Hack got a decent amount of air time as a commentator on the most recent conflicts. I think his perspective is one worth listening to. I recommend this book to ALL military members, current and former. Additionally, if you have a passing interest in military history or just want to read about an amazing life, pick this book up. You won't be sorry. ( )

great book. want to understand a soldier. read it. want to understand a real man. read it ( )

This is, by far, the absolute best military autobiography I've read. Hackworth should be required reading for every enlisted soldier and officer. There are real life lessons to be learned in this book. NCOs would be wise to heed them. ( )

DEN