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Under Fire: An American Story - The Explosive Autobiography of Oliver North
In this candid book, Oliver North, the man who has been at the centre of the Iran-Contra controversy tells the story of his life. He reveals the inside story behind the headlines and stresses the importance of his family and his enduring faith, which have seen him through the toughest times.
Hardcover
,
446 pages
Published
October 24th 1991
by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
(first published October 1st 1991)
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Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
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467)
Dec 24, 2007
Hugh Henry
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Ollie
Shelves:
war-20th-century
This memoir is an excellent warts-and-all picture of a determined young man who went through two plebe years at Annapolis and served in a very hot battle in Vietnam. He sustained life-threatening wounds, but recovered to find his marriage in a shambles because of his workaholic mentality. He found faith in God, sought counseling, and managed to salvage his marriage, but his job in the Pentagon would make Oliver North a household name. The negotiations involving Israel-Iran-Lebanon-Contra connect
...more
Compelling. Funny. Heartfelt. Honest. Sobering. Loved this book from beginning to end. Could not put it down. This all happened when I was in 9th grade. I was old enough to understand what was going on but young enough that I didn't care. It was amazing to relive those years through someone else's eyes and see how the events of 1986-1991 really began to shape what was to come in 2001.
"...amazing" is a powerful word to use judging a literary work. But I do give this 5 stars. Having lived thru, watched, and questioned events and legislators I'm glad to see 'the other side of the story'. All history teachers need to read this rendition. I know. I'm 20 years late my 'to read' list.
Apr 19, 2015
Richard
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biographical
,
history
It's fair to say that no presidential administration is perfect. There were definitely some strengths and weaknesses during the Reagan administration, and that the Carter administration was rather incompetent with the hostage situation. I do believe, though, that the wrong people got fired over the Iran-contra scandal.
The Monroe Doctrine was (and is) entirely abandoned! I found it appalling over the fact how the Democrats were such hush-hush over the Soviet Union spreading Communism globally, an ...more
The Monroe Doctrine was (and is) entirely abandoned! I found it appalling over the fact how the Democrats were such hush-hush over the Soviet Union spreading Communism globally, an ...more
Finally got a chance to read this book. Oliver North fascinates me. Having read it and also after a few discussions with my boss, lieutenant North took the fall for something bigger than Iran- Contra scandal. Indicted for 16 felony counts some of which included aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry; lying to congress, destroying documents and funneling money through his organization and bank to the Contras. For all that he did, against the Boland Amendment at the time
...more
I found this book disorganized, tedious and long. Oliver North jumps around from the present to a few years ago to his childhood to two days ago to the early years of his marriage. It is just too hard to follow, and much of it is boring and not applicable to the Iran- Contra affair. I wanted to read this book to find out more about the affair which happened in my early childhood and instead was inundated with hundreds of names of people and not enough detail. I would've had a better idea of what
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One of the most well written books I've ever read. I was in Honduras during the fighting that took place in Nicaragua which was real close to where I lived. I came back to the States about the time Oliver North was being investigated and questioned by the Congressional Committee, and even though I was a young adult, when this book came out it was a priority on my Christmas wish list. My impression back in the 1980's was that he was a scapegoat and I still believe that. Great book!
Really uneven; very engrossing at times (the beginning and end were strongest) and off on random tangents at others. The book was also very preachy throughout. I realize this is a key part of North's identity, but the religious aspects are inserted at the most random points. From a historical perspective, the amount of detail included was very cool to see. I did really appreciate how candid and honest North was about himself though - that was very refreshing.
Although I didn't think this was very good at first, it ended up being a great read. I remember this time in our history, and it was great to get a front row seat, and a better understanding of the actual events.
Amazing story. Oliver North is an inspiration, a believer in doing the right thing. He is a true hero.
The first real political scandal I watched on the news as a young adult. I remember my dad saying how Oliver North was the scapegoat. I wanted to read it to see Oliver North's side and not just hear what the news media was saying. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in military history or political scandals. I have my opinion about the scapegoat, read this book and weigh all the evidence and decide for yourself.
Someone gave me this. I read it. It was...whatever. You would have to be weird or looking for something very specific to be looking at this at all. In that case, it could be just what you are looking for.
I was given a signed copy. It got spilled on. Signature is fine. Book jacket is gone. Bottom of book is stained. Spine is ok-ish.
I was given a signed copy. It got spilled on. Signature is fine. Book jacket is gone. Bottom of book is stained. Spine is ok-ish.
This is one of those true stories that reads like a novel- fast paced, gripping, and even though you know "how it all ends," hard to put down. For a reader who can put aside political pre-conceptions about the events and the people involved and just enjoy the story, this can be a real treat.
This book was TOTALLY fascinating to me. I would give it 4 stars, but I suspect most people would not be as riveted as I was by it. :)
Sam, if these titles are looking familiar to you, its because I am working my way through the pile of Brad's books that I bought at the YW Book Sale!!!
Sam, if these titles are looking familiar to you, its because I am working my way through the pile of Brad's books that I bought at the YW Book Sale!!!
I actually had to return the book to the library even though I renewed it once. It is definitely different being back at work. The reading priority shifts but the book was interesting and I did get almost 3/4 through. I can always get it again in a couple weeks and try to finish it.
After reading this book, I still wasn't sure about Oliver North's involvemnt in the Iran/Contra scandal -- whether or not he had committed a crime. If he is half the patriot and God fearing man he comes accross as in his book and in person, then he truly is a great human being.
This is an awesome book. I couldn't put it down! It's basically his whole life story included in the main topic of the Iran Contra trial. He's a man of God which sustains him in Vietnam as well as during his trial.
If you want to know what happened in the infamous Iran Contra scandal in the 1980's read Ollie's first hand account. It sheds some light on the whole thing and allows you to see it for what it was.
Recommend to hard-core Conservatives who love the military and history. Informative & emotional.
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very interesting to hear his side of the story. had already read Samosa's side
Great story of a man caught in the middle.
Could Oliver North be any more of a jackass?
An interessting view bhind the scenes of counter intellegence at the highest levels.
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