An interesting memoir - but less about the 'Unforgiving Minute' than about his 'Soldier's Education'. Great detail about his West Point and Oxford days, his training at Ranger school, and his budding relationship with his future wife - followed by a cursory overview of his tour in Afghanistan, and rather obscure lessons learned. Mullaney shares his difficulty with losing two soldiers, but reveals little of the details of the engagements where they died, what went wrong, how he could have done anything differently, or why he tortures himself. Perhaps the details are still too personal, or maybe he wants us to experience the same fog of war that he did - but the hub of his life is the Unforgiving Minute, and in the book it passes meekly.

Ultimately he realizes the reality of the paucity of control any individual can impose on the chaos of combat and moves beyond his guilt, and we are glad to see him at peace. Thanks for a good read Captain, hope to hear more from you in the future. ( )

It's been a while since I enjoyed a book. I found it very inspiring and gratifying to read about the education of a man who was a West Point graduate, Rhodes Scholar, a Ranger and an Officer who led men into battle in Afghanistan.

For such a young man, so many accomplishments and experiences... ( )

The Price of a Salute

In this incredibly candid and open memoir, Craig M. Mullaney delivers an astonishingly honest account of a life in the military, in academia, and leading soldiers into the field of battle. What struck me the most about the book was Mullaney's openness about his emotions and his insecurities about his own limitations. Too often war memoirs read more like a military recruitment guide, instead, Mullaney gives us a glimpse of the moral dilemmas he faced and the psychological implications of being at war. Far from some simplistic "men follow orders or they die" bravado -- the Colonel Jessups stereotypes we often place on the people of the military -- soldiers are real people with feelings and anxieties who are afraid of the same things we all are. These are the people who are out there, vulnerable and human. We as a society often take for granted what we ask them to do, the price of a salute.

While most reviews I've read have been positive, there are some criticisms of the book which I won't deny. While reading the book, there are many things I probably would have done different myself, but the point is, that this is Mullaney's memoir. He did things the way he thought best. Instead of second-guessing his actions and judging him for his perceived failings, we should praise him for his honesty and his service. The book is free of the political ramifications of war, and rather focuses on the philosophical aspects of just war theory and the fog of war.

Overall, I highly recommend "The Unforgiving Minute" mostly because of Mullaney's openness. Rarely does a war memoir contain so much reflection into the actions on and off the battlefield. All the relationships contained also add a touch of humanity which serve to enrich the narrative. ( )

Ever wondered what it would be like to attend West Point? Ranger School? Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar?

Ever wondered what it would be like to lead men into combat? How you would gain their trust and respect? How you would react when the training ends and the fighting begins?

Ever wondered what it would be like to have mens lives rest on your instant decisions? How you would feel should men die under your leadership? How you would carry the guilt?

Ever wondered what constitutes the modern "warrior"?

If you have answered "YES" to any of those questions, then reading Craig Mullaney's memoir "The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education" should be mandatory. From West Point to Afghanistan, and back again, in the period immediately before and after 9/11, there are few soldier's memoirs so eloquently, honestly or thoughtfuly written.

This is not however, just a war memoir, it is also the personal journey of a young man looking for and finding love. Of an interfaith and interracial relationship. Of maintaining and nurturing a relationship in spite of distance and in spite of the experiences that, while forging bonds between men on the battlefield, place invisible and seemingly impenetrable barriers between soldiers and their loved ones at home.

Highest recommendation. ( )