31st out of 133 books
—
61 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “It Doesn't Take a Hero: The Autobiography of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf” as Want to Read:
It Doesn't Take a Hero: The Autobiography of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
He set his star by a simple motto: duty, honor,country. Only rarely does history grant a singleindividual the ability, personal charisma, moralforce, and intelligence to command the respect,admiration, and affection of an entire nation. But sucha man is General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commanderof the Allied Forces in the Gulf War. Now, in thisrefreshingly candid and typical
...more
Paperback
,
640 pages
Published
September 1st 1993
by Bantam
(first published 1992)
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
It Doesn't Take a Hero
,
please sign up
.
Be the first to ask a question about It Doesn't Take a Hero
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,873)
الكتاب يتحدث عن قائد قوات التحالف في حرب الخليج 1991، ضد عراق صدام حسين، لتحرير الكويت. يتحدث الكتاب عن دور نورمان شوارتزكوف (أثار البعض بأنه من يهود ألمانيا، علما أن الكتاب لم يتحدث عن ديانته بأي شيء) عن نشأته في ويست بوينت (المدرسة العسكرية للأمريكان، على غرار سانت هريست في بريطانيا) وكيف شارك في حرب الخليج، وكيف تعامل مع الأمير خالد بن سلطان، القائد السعودي للجيش..فقد كان في بعض الأوقات على خلاف معه.
الكتاب في رأيي تمت تشويه ترجمته عمدا والله أعلم. فخالد بن سلطان نفى في كتابه(مقاتل من الصحراء) ...more
الكتاب في رأيي تمت تشويه ترجمته عمدا والله أعلم. فخالد بن سلطان نفى في كتابه(مقاتل من الصحراء) ...more
I really enjoyed learning the history of one of the recent commanders in theater. Especially as it pertains to the Middle East. General Schwarzkopf was very simple in detailing his experience and progression through the army. He did not have, or appear to have, political alliances or military agendas he just had the desire to serve his country and serve his soldiers. He was a soldier's soldier. I marveled at the account of desert shield and the back and forth with Washington I executing that pla
...more
view 2 comments
Outstanding book
Outstanding book
I served with General Schwarzkopf in the 24th Infantry division and during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. This book left me with a better understanding of how we fought the war. A must read for all particular the military members. I retired in 1992 after 27 years as a Command Sergeants Major. It was a pleasure to have served under General Schwarzkopf.
Outstanding book
I served with General Schwarzkopf in the 24th Infantry division and during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. This book left me with a better understanding of how we fought the war. A must read for all particular the military members. I retired in 1992 after 27 years as a Command Sergeants Major. It was a pleasure to have served under General Schwarzkopf.
Bio of "Stormin' Norman" Schwarzkopf. I enjoyed this book immensely and came away with great respect for the man. Whether you agree with his politics is almost irrelevant here as he has had such an interesting military career that you want to keep reading about him.
"...I am convinced that had a decision been made to invade all of Iraq and capture Baghdad...the only forces that would have participated in those military actions would have been British and American. Even the French would have withd ...more
"...I am convinced that had a decision been made to invade all of Iraq and capture Baghdad...the only forces that would have participated in those military actions would have been British and American. Even the French would have withd ...more
If you want to read of a person with great leadership qualities, this is one definitely worth picking up.
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, a West Point graduate who experienced the lows of the Vietnam War and participated in the US military's transformation in the 1980s, just in time for the end of the Cold War, exemplified the qualities of integrity, sagacity, courage, and in-your-face assertiveness that would serve the world well.
Kuwait may have been extravagant and arrogant in its splurging of ...more
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, a West Point graduate who experienced the lows of the Vietnam War and participated in the US military's transformation in the 1980s, just in time for the end of the Cold War, exemplified the qualities of integrity, sagacity, courage, and in-your-face assertiveness that would serve the world well.
Kuwait may have been extravagant and arrogant in its splurging of ...more
This is the second time I have read this book. Since the first time there have been many upheavals globally, including financial and corporate mismanagement on a far reaching scale. When you see how General S. managed a coalition comprising many cultures, his diplomacy and civility with world leaders and his concerns for the 'working man' under his command it makes you think about the integrity and leadership instilled in the military and how it could be best utilized across our government and c
...more
I read this book when I was a young Private stationed in 2ND MP, 2ND ID as a medic. I drew inspiration and character greatly from "It Doesn't Take a Hero". It is nearly 2 decades later. In fact, I just retired from the Army! I just want to say "Thank YOU" General "Stormin'" Norman Schwarzkopf. In so many circumstances, instances, and challenges, your words and spirit were always with me. Most recently, talking candidly with my Command Sergeant Major, I asked him if he felt like he was Gen Colin
...more
Jun 17, 2015
David Hill
added it
He set his star by a simple motto: duty, honor, country. Only rarely does history grant a single individual the ability, personal charisma, moral force, and intelligence to command the respect, admiration, and affection of an entire nation. But such a man is General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of the Allied Forces in the Gulf War. Now, in this refreshingly candid and typically outspoken autobiography, General Schwarzkopf reviews his remarkable life and career: the events, the adventures, an
...more
The book that made me realize I will never join the military.
This had everything for the military historian. It started with Iran during WWII, described West Point in the early 50's, and the change in Army culture from the mid 50's until 1991. In this vast sweep, General Schwarzkopf described most everything from garrison leadership following the Korean War, to the formation of TRADOC, to the post Soviet era when the US was adapting to being the world's last superpower. All of this, plus first person accounting from two tours in the Vietnamese jungles, th
...more
I first read this book in 1995. I have read it once since. "It Doesn’t Take a Hero" by H. Norman Schwarzkopf takes its title from a quote Schwarzkopf gave during an interview with Barbara Walters in 1991; "It Doesn’t Take a Hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."
First, I must admit I am a Schwarzkopf fan. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division as a colonel while I was serving as a 1LT in the 9th Division. His third child (son) was ...more
First, I must admit I am a Schwarzkopf fan. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division as a colonel while I was serving as a 1LT in the 9th Division. His third child (son) was ...more
The most interesting aspect of this work is that it is a primary source written in 1992 about Iraq. There is not a single mention of Al Qaeda or any other Islamic terrorist group in the entire book; the closest mention is the 1983 attack in Beirut, brought up only because Schwarzkopf was concerned about Iraq committing a similar attack on US forces in Saudi Arabia. The world has changed quite a bit since then and the events of this book played no small role in creating that change. Our role in t
...more
I liked this a lot. I know that a lot of people felt that the Gulf War had broke the curse of the "Vietnam Syndrome" and for that reason embraced Norman Schwarzkopf as a hero. Not his evaluation of himself though. The title comes from an interview he gave to Barbara Walters:
It Doesn’t Take a Hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.
I found it fascinating to hear his account of his career in the military. His experience in Vietnam and the lesson
...more
A good read
A good read
This is a well-written account of the Gulf War. When diplomacy fails, as it did after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the politicians must step aside and allow the military to do its job. This book is a good example of that process.
A good read
This is a well-written account of the Gulf War. When diplomacy fails, as it did after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the politicians must step aside and allow the military to do its job. This book is a good example of that process.
Jun 05, 2012
Tom
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Tom by:
Bill Cousins
Shelves:
military-history
,
biography
I gave this book 5 stars,not because it is a classic, but because I found General Schwarzkopf's life and military career particularly interesting, candid and not sugar-coated, and compelling. He vividly illustrates some powerful life lessons that are valuable to any young person in lending perspective on one's life work. One is the value of the "network" and the "small world" syndrome. Another is the value of locating and retaining good mentors. Yet another is the possibility for overcoming amon
...more
I have always admired this General. I liked this book very much. He has my total respect. He always put his country first and made decisions that were very difficult in the Middle East. He has been much admired by his soldiers.
Really enjoyed this insightful autobiography about an enigmatic patriot. It did fail to show any of his faults/mistakes, but the inner look at the bureaucracy of the Army was worth the publishing cost alone.
The whole book was really potraying Schwartzkopf as a hero. The book does speak to effective leadership styles. He speaks to the leadership styles of various commanding styles of his commanding officers as he came up the ranks. The best quote of the book came when as a four star general he lead Desert Storm. "I was absolutely dependent on the individual skills, temperaments, and justment of my generals...." "I could establish a framework and convey my intentions and the spirit in which I wanted
...more
Did you ever wonder if a spectacular military success was the result of leadership or simply an aligning of the stars?
The Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) was one of the most successful military operations (at 100 hours, its difficult to call it a campaign) of all time. How much was due to Schwarzkopf?
A student and a warrior and the master of numerous languages, "Stormin' Norman" was an anomaly in the military. A Vietnam combat veteran, he learned the hard lessons of war the hard way. All is r ...more
The Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) was one of the most successful military operations (at 100 hours, its difficult to call it a campaign) of all time. How much was due to Schwarzkopf?
A student and a warrior and the master of numerous languages, "Stormin' Norman" was an anomaly in the military. A Vietnam combat veteran, he learned the hard lessons of war the hard way. All is r ...more
left me in awe of the logistical goals reached by the planners to stage and implement Desert Storm
oh to be 9 years old growing up in Tehran as Norman did
oh to be 9 years old growing up in Tehran as Norman did
Great read, Gerneral Schwarzkopf gives great insight view of a soldier's life. second time i read this book with great interest
Jun 04, 2015
Robert Calkins
added it
I re-read this every three years or so. It's both entertaining and a reminder about how to lead.
An amazing autobiography written by one of the most inspiring military leaders of our times....
Aug 28, 2009
Sara
added it
I'm reading this for a potential film idea and am enjoying it in many unsuspected ways. He spent a portion of his childhood in Iran while his father was there building up the Shah's forces and I was interested to read his descriptions of the experience.
Also, the connection between his mother's alcoholism and his need for the structure of the military he writes about is fascinating to me. It makes me want to read the biographies of more people in power whose politics/worldview I think I disagree ...more
Also, the connection between his mother's alcoholism and his need for the structure of the military he writes about is fascinating to me. It makes me want to read the biographies of more people in power whose politics/worldview I think I disagree ...more
I am a sucker for a good autobiography. This one did not disappoint.
Good book overall.
Like a lot of books about famous people, it's more interesting to me in the beginning learning how they grew up and their earlier life and how it made them suited for the things we know about from history. He wrote it only a year after the 1991 Gulf War, so I didn't get any idea what else he did or thought about in retirement. Good first hand telling of how the Army of the 50's and 60's was pretty bad due to no one holding officers accountable for their unit's readiness for war ...more
Like a lot of books about famous people, it's more interesting to me in the beginning learning how they grew up and their earlier life and how it made them suited for the things we know about from history. He wrote it only a year after the 1991 Gulf War, so I didn't get any idea what else he did or thought about in retirement. Good first hand telling of how the Army of the 50's and 60's was pretty bad due to no one holding officers accountable for their unit's readiness for war ...more
This book's second half gets a bit technical, but it was a good read if only to read about a war that I only remember from snippets on the news as a boy. Schwarzkopf used lessons he learned personally in Vietnam throughout his military career and seems like a commander who really cared.
A few passages in the book indicate that he had an inkling that another war would be fought for Mesopotamia, and it was written in 1992 after he retired from the Army. A good read for those who enjoy military hist ...more
A few passages in the book indicate that he had an inkling that another war would be fought for Mesopotamia, and it was written in 1992 after he retired from the Army. A good read for those who enjoy military hist ...more
Fantastic book! I should have read this one years ago. A true American hero. His example of patriotism serves as an example to all of us.
Good source for the actual run-up and campaign for Desert Storm, but I would recommend balancing it with other accounts. Very good read for anyone interested in leadership development. I was in the same area in his Vietnam service (and possibly the same minefield at one time) and agree with his comments on the varied levels of leadership in the AO. As does Colin Powell, who overlapped in Americal Division.
I liked this book much more than Collin Powell's book. It just seems more honest and less self serving, General Schwartzkopf admits mistakes, and positions he has taken for political reasons. It makes a very interesting read about decision making in the higher ranks of the military. If you've read Powell's book, you'd like this one, and if you haven't, read it after this as a great supplement.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Schwarzkopf grew up in the United States and later in Iran. He was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1956. After a number of initial training programs, Schwarzkopf interrupted a stint as an academy teacher, and served in the Vietnam War first as an adviser to the South
...more
More about Norman Schwarzkopf...
