Once an Eagle

This book is worth every good word written about it. It reads well and spends time on its characters, developing them fully. This is a credible book on war and shows us how personal and terrible war really is and how political. I enjoyed reading this book and will look for other books by Anton Myrer.

The first hardback book I received was missing a few of the first pages. I returned it and received another that is complete. The book is a wonderful, but gut wrentching story about the military and military life seen through the life of Sam Damon and Courtney Massengale. Sam feels destined to be in the Army and "be somebody" who does some good; that the message of destiny never leaves the story. Massengale--I never refer to him by his first name--is only the Army for himself and his elevation above others at others expense and life.

The meaning of the names is interesting--"Samuel" means (Hebrew) God has heard. "Damon" (Greek)means gentle. "Courtney" means (old English) of the court. Sam is a gentle man who has heard the destiny of God in his life's calling. Courtney is truly "of the court" in his staff role and even when he finally is given command. He seek honor for himself--just as a King would. I wonder if Anton Myrer named his characters with the meaning of their name in mind? I think he did.

The book came in new condition, no plastic wrapping though. The story-line is one of the best in American literature and provides an interesting take on the concept of empathy through the leadership of a fictional war hero, Sam Damon.

A classic, the war stories are brilliant, but the insights into peacetime Army life between the World Wars is extraordinary. A must read for every cadet regardless of service. They must understand the committment to professionlism and careerism.

Myrer writes with a refreshing and incredible eloquence. Having served in the military himself, he brings valuable insight to the harsh and absurd realities of war. His novel is ultimately a treatise on human character and elucidates the strengths and weaknesses to be found in all of us. Spoiler, everybody dies. Such is war.

A wonderful book anyway, for anyone, it is indeed an exceptional book for military of all ranks and branches. I wish I'd had it when I was an Army lieutenant pre-Vietnam. I can see why it has joined Shahara's THE KILLER ANGELS as one of the most-read books by military people.

This book had been recommended to me countless times as a superb story on leadership. Don't be put-off by the page length or the even the apparently "slow" beginning chapters; the story carries you along further and further. I honestly couldn't stop reading sometimes.

Fantastic book. I have read the book once, before listening to the audio book. I liked the voice of the person who read it. I listened to the entire 33 disc set within a month of purchasing it. I will listen to it again. Thanks

My favorite book of the genre. Better than Sharra and Wouk. Sam crawled into my psyche and I could see the horrors and glories with his eyes. Do yourself a favor. Read this book and read it slow. Every paragraph is a gift.

This book highlights not only the brutality of war but also of man in his lust for power. We are often provided a choice between doing what is easy and what is right. Anton Myrer captures the complexity of this choice brilliantly! 5/5

This book walks you through the fictional life of Sam Damon as he moves from rural Nebraska to earing the Medal of Honor and a career that spans WWI to the early days of Vietnam. Damon epitomizes servant based leadership and living to a moral code.
It is a great inspiring read.