Rating: 
Summary: American Hero
Review: Brinkley's text helps explain why every one of Kerry's crew members in Vietnam, regardless of party affiliation, are supporting him in his quest for the presidency. Brinkley's account describes an especially mature, serious, and thoughtful young man, trying to do what he feels is right for the country. Kerry's enormous courage, integrity, patriotism, and strength of character are on full display here. If you want to get a sense of what type of person John Kerry is, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: NO Virginia, this is not History
Review: There can be no question that this work is politically motivated. How else does one explain its convenient release during primary season? The author, who (surprise surprise)is a "liberal" historian and academic, had to know that Kerry was planning a run before beginning his research at least a year or more ago. This fact together with the entire tone of the work illustrate that, yes Virginia, it is a campaign book. Missing in action is the probable role that Kerry's privileged position as a friend of the Kennedy Klan played in his "war service" and"decorations" (PT-109 indeed). Also largely absent is a honest assessment of his subsequent efforts to undermind his country while it was at war (opposing a position was one thing during Viet Nam, actively supporting your country's enemies was something else entirely).What emerges here if one actually knows something about Kerry's life and career before starting, is a fairly masterful piece of propaganda, which is why I give it two stars. But let's remember that lots of men (including U.S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, and Oliver North) have been more geniunely war heroes than John Kerry, and most certainly would not or did not make a good president. This is especially true for a man, like Kerry, who has done everthing inside and outside of office he can to undercut his country's defense (except where absolutely politically necessary). The good news is that if you want to see the President defeated for re-election, you will find enough illusion here to assuage your conscious in voting for a shallow opportunist like Kerry. But don't fool yourself that this book has anything to do with historical truth.
Rating:
Summary: NO Virginia, this is not History
Review: There can be no question that this work is politically motivated. How else does one explain its convenient release during primary season? The author, who (surprise surprise)is a "liberal" historian and academic, had to know that Kerry was planning a run before beginning his research at least a year or more ago. This fact together with the entire tone of the work illustrate that, yes Virginia, it is a campaign book. Missing in action is the probable role that Kerry's privileged position as a friend of the Kennedy Klan played in his "war service" and"decorations" (PT-109 indeed). Also largely absent is a honest assessment of his subsequent efforts to undermind his country while it was at war (opposing a position was one thing during Viet Nam, actively supporting your country's enemies was something else entirely). What emerges here if one actually knows something about Kerry's life and career before starting, is a fairly masterful piece of propaganda, which is why I give it two stars. But let's remember that lots of men (including U.S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, and Adolf Hitler) have been more geniunely war heroes than John Kerry, and most certainly would not or did not made good presidents. This is especially true for a man, like Kerry, who has done everthing inside and outside of office he can to undercut his country's defense. The good news is that if you want to see the President defeated for re-election, you will find enough illusion here to assuage your conscious in voting for a shallow opportunist like Kerry. But don't fool yourself that this book has anything to do with historical truth.
Rating:
Summary: A great read form a true Hero!!!!
Review: This book was both exciting and educational, Kerry has some brilliant ideas, and the backgroud of service to back them up. An inspiration for anyone who loves America.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This is a thoughtful analysis of what it means to be a Vietnam vet. It is also an interesting look into a major politician's life and career. Kerry is a strange mixture. He was a war hero, a war protestor, a liberal northern politician who has been accused of being an "elephant in donkey's clothes", and now he's making an unprecedented comeback in the primaries. He's a series of interesting contradictions, and this book deals with many of them. The book is well-written, and the subject is fascinating. I advise everyone to read this book or buy it for that uncle who always reads war history.
Rating: 
Summary: The Will to Power
Review: John Kerry spent approximately four months in Vietnam. He spent approximately one year active in the leadership of the Vistnam Veterans Against the War. Janus-like he has spent the last thirty years exploiting these two different personas -- war hero/anti-war hero -- in his life-long quest for the presidency of the United Sates. Brinkley is only the latest in the long line of people, friends, family members and comrades, whom Kerry has used to exercise the will to power. Brinkley, in 2002, was given access to Kerry and his memoirs, personal letters, and previous half-heartred tries to write his own biography provided he, Brinkley, publish prior to the 2004 presidential campaign. As a result his fawning biograph totally lacks objectivity. What Brinkley passes off as a personal "War Odyssey" of John Kerry is nothing more that the "Walter Middy" adventures of a self-aggrandizing imitator of John Kennedy, his school boy hero. If Brinkley is considering a sequel to this work covering the thiry years since those fevered days of 1970, he might consider for a catchy title "I'm Just a Giggolo."
Rating:
Summary: Finally some good news about a real American hero
Review: Hopefully America has come to her senses and will restore honor and dignity to the White House. The current occupant is a disgrace to the flag, to the country, and everything Kerry bravely fought for.
Rating:
Summary: great book on a brave man
Review: This book is very well written and the subject is inspiring - a man who has the nerve and strength of character to tell the truth about the immoral and wrong war in Vietnam. I hope Kerry wins the Demo nomination and beats the Vietnam War avoider George W. Bush in November. Anyone who reads this book will appreciate Kerry's honesty - and will come away impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Release Date
Review: I am a Vietnam vet and former resident of Massachusetts who always supported John Kerry. The longest section of this book on Vietnam is excellent, based on Kerry's diaries. The second half does read like a campaign bio, with a uncritical look at Kerry's time w/ Vietnam Vets Against the War and Mass. politics. It was
difficult to read, with Kerry constantly in the news on the attack against Dean. No politican is at his best when attaching someone else time and time again; the contrast between the Kerry in the book and TV is too great.
Rating: 
Summary: Still waiting for the full story
Review: Brinkley's book contains many factual inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and fallacies; likely unintentional on his part. Several naval officers and enlisted who served with Kerry have submitted changes to Brinkley, often with supporting documentation. Most of Kerry's colleagues wonder if Kerry deserved any medal he received--as he proposed most of the awards for himself--so take any statement from Kerry about his three-month "tour of duty" with a grain of salt. Kerry clawed and scraped to get these awards, then called himself a war criminal on the Dick Cavett Show in 1971 and hurled the medals on the White House lawn. Now he wears the medals proudly. As a Bronze Star recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom, I'm embarrassed to see others receive undeserved wartime recognition. I suggest waiting for re-release before taking this book on gospel.
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