I read the book while doing a tour of Iraq, after being advised to do so by my father and grandfather. Maybe its because of the situation I read the book under, but it was absolutly amazing and some what life changing. I haven't seen the mini series yet but I am trying to track it down. Just wondering if anyone who read the book has any other recomendations for similar books.
Cling to the book, which is a masterpiece, no matter where you are. Forget the mini-series, which is awful and deviates from the plot significantly and the subtlties totally.
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Monke80641--
I first read the book in the summer of 1970, when I was a 19 year-old college student. It was in the middle of Vietnam and, for me too, it was a "somewhat" life-changing experience. I've re-read it periodically ever since. I put it on the same shelf with the more-widely-recognized "great American novels" of World War II: THE CAINE MUTINY by Herman Wouk, and James Jones' trilogy about the army: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE THIN RED LINE, and WHISTLE. ONCE AN EAGLE is more romanticized than they are, but why don't you give them a try too?
I remember watching the TV series back in the late 1970s, which simplified the conflicts in the book and edited it down severely. It also was done on a low budget, so the battle scenes looked cheesy--I only wish someone had thought to do a film of ONCE AN EAGLE with the budget that was used for WINDTALKERS or, better yet, BAND OF BROTHERS.
Thanks for serving our great country in Iraq.
The comments about the book are great. Can someone please email me the Title of the of the book if it's not the same ?? Thanks George [email protected]
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I've read the other messages in this thread and while of course, the book is better than the movie, the movie (miniseries) is still great, simply because Sam Elliott absolutely embodies Sam Damon. It is some of the all time best casting. The supporting cast does a credible job, specifically Glenn Ford, Darleen Carr, and the guy who plays Ben Krisler. If you can get a copy, do it.
You'll understand just how perfect Sam elliott is.
"...the guy who plays Ben Krisler" is Robert Hogan, one of those actors who always does an outstanding job with any part, but never gets the lead role. Agree with you about Sam Elliott, and have always remembered how real he and Hogan made the friendship between Damon and Krisler.
Also agree that the mini-series might not have been perfect, but it's really worth the effort to see. I'm the opposite of other posters here - saw the miniseries, and I've always MEANT to read the book. Guess I can't put it off any longer.
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Once An Eagle tells an important story. Sam Damon, who I agree was well-played by Sam Elliot in the TV version, is the kind of leader that this nation needs: in peace, in war-time, in our government at all of its levels, and, definitely, in our topmost corporate managerial ranks.
Sam Damon, as you see in the book and the television series, never forgot who actually engaged in the day-to-day fighting and suffering: the so-called nobodies, "buck-ass, sad-sack privates" who were, of course, helped along by the "NCOs" (the senior enlisted men). Damon was mightily aware of the fact that all the generals,and the other officers with their splendid rank and glorious decorations, won neither the battles nor the wars. This view can, of course, encompass other aspects of our nation's collective life. If only our top political leaders and our biggest corporations' CEOs were men in the caliber of Sam Damon! We can only nurture our young people to be like him, not Courtney Massengale!
I also read it in Iraq. It was given to me by another officer and it was an excellent book. I never verified it, but according to my friend it is on the Warrent Officer recommended reading list, but not on the Officer one.
I recommend it to anyone interested in Leadership.
Live Free or Die
it is a great book..and while not life altering for all, it definitely makes you reevaluate things in life. i have read over 100 (fiction and nonfiction) in the past 10-12 years and this ranks as number one.
shareOnce an Eagle has been on the USMC Commandant's Required reading list for Gunnery Sergeant, First Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Chief Warrant Officer 4, Captain, since Al Grey was Commandant. I was lucky, I read it in 1969 or so. When I was going through the Fort Sill Artillery Officer's Basic Course in 1980, it was recommended to us by the school. The book is still in print.
shareIt is also on the Command and General Staff reading list at Fort Leavenworth. I both saw the mini-series, and read the book while in high school. I think it romanticized the military, but gave the best representation of both good and evil within the officer ranks. I became a "mustang" (enlisted man before becoming an officer), and revered Sam Damon. I now own both the book and the DVD. It is just as good as I remembered it. I ordered it off Amazon. Hope this helps many.
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