Rating: 
Summary: Leadership in action
Review: I listened to the writer at a recent conference (garage.com) and had to buy the book. I was up all night reading it. This person has lessons to teach in real people management, lessons I never learned in B-School. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring and Educational, yet Worrying
Review: Two main themes came out of "About Face" for me. The first is that it is an excellent "how-to" manual on practical leadership in the military. All of the lessons pounded into me as an Officer Cadet are shown here. Know you soldiers, care for them, lead by example, don't get them to do what you wouldn't..., the list goes on. In my opinion, this book, or at least large parts of it, should be required reading in every Officer training establishment that seeks to produce real commanders. As I read it, lights came on in my head as I began to understand some of the points I had missed in my training as a cadet. I believe it has been of some benefit to my performance as an Army Officer. For any cadets or junior officers out there, read this book.The second theme is the way in which he describes an Army sinking into the morass so common of militaries in peacetime. The most worrying thing for me was the parallels I could see happening in my own Army. An easing of standards in recruitment and basic training, decisions being made based on politics and finance, rather than on realities, increasing bureaucratisation and micromanagement, etc, etc, etc. Things seem to be the same all over. Unfortunately, neither Col Hackworth nor I can give any easy answers. Overall, an excellent book,that should provoke a few thoughts.
Rating:
Summary: Simply superb.
Review: This book is a "must read" for anyone who is interested in the military. The author tells an excellent story about his experiences and of those around him, but also reveals the hypocrisy of the brass in the Army and how it caused the trench warfare in Korea and the no win attitude in Vietnam.
Rating:
Summary: Patton wouldn't have made it in today's army
Review: Hackworth's hard earned lessons in leadership should be read by all students of the warrior profession. Sadly, the book rings true--many of the higher officers in the US Army are not warriors, but merely politicians with a uniform. In order to make it, one has to keep quiet and not make waves. This is the reason we lost Vietnam: our military leadership lacked the moral courage to do what they knew was right. Hackworth is a great warrior and his calls for military reform is what got him and other great leaders drummed out of the army.
Rating:
Summary: We Never Learn
Review: Everyone's seen images of dope-smoking troopers trudging around in the mud of Vietnam. You shake your head and just say "What a bunch of misfits. Glad I wasn't there." How does the professional leadership of an army allow morale to collapse like this? All the while knowing that the result of poor discipline and low morale is widespread death and misery. Many (most?) American military leaders would rather not have anyone read this book. Many (most?) American politicians, like their constituents, couldn't care less about the message of this book. This book is a warning. But you'll probably ignore the warning. Because it's human nature to take the easiest path, and to learn the most important lessons the hard way. Well, the author of this book already learned the hard way. Why don't we care enough to listen?
Rating:
Summary: An Unforgettable Account of An American Warrior!
Review: Colonel David H. Hackworth, retired, has lived a thousand lives, but none more compelling than the one he details in ABOUT FACE. I first met Hack in Cao Lanh in 1972, four years after returning from my first trip to Vietnam. He was a caring leader who looked after his men equally, regardless of rank, position, or service. Hackworth knows how, and has the courage, to TELL THE TRUTH! Even when the truth hurts. That's what makes ABOUT FACE such a pleasure to read. You know that what you are getting is a reliable account of the man, the war, the politicians, the generals, the sergeants, the enemy, the policy, the critics and the price of war, not only for the grunts, like Hackworth, who sacrificed their blood on the battlefield, but also for those who did not serve. ABOUT FACE has perspective, because the man who wrote it has a lot of experience. And, a lot of character. The ground combat scenes will capture your imagination. The non-combat kinds of things that war zones tolerate will make you laugh. The discussions about how to fight a war will make you think - for a long time. The political patter amoung the top brass and our elected officials about the efficacy of the war, will make you want to puke. Even though ABOUT FACE was written many years ago, it is timeless. It provides a reliable compass for anyone wary of what's happening today in the Balkens. ABOUT FACE will make you want to know why wars are fought and why, if they are, there's lots of senseless killing of innocent people, and mountains of destruction of their homes and their way of life. As a matter of fact, it's so good, I'm going to read it again. Thanks Hack!
Rating:
Summary: An amazing story from a ture American Hero.
Review: Col. David Hackworth provides the reader with an amazing and awe inspring account of his trials and tribulations in the US Army. The author relates how a young "boy" of 15 joined the Army at the end of WWII and eventually matured to become one of America's most decotrated soldiers. His tale proves that an individual can love his country but at the same time be critical of its leadership. The book is so enjoyable and interesting that you'll want to read it all in one sitting..
Rating:
Summary: A story of an American Warrior who fought through two wars.
Review: A extremely moving story of a man that fought his way through two wars. It reveals the huge problems that beset the United states army in the post world war two era. It also reveals the main reason for American failure in Veitnam, a must read for anyone interested in history
Rating:
Summary: A timeless classic.
Review: Every serving warrior must read this book. Many of the "new" ills plaguing today's military were there in the '40s, '50s, '60s, and '70s. For anyone who has served in the military, this book will strike at your heart with brutal honesty and familiarity. For anyone who hasn't served in the military, this book will give you invaluable insight into the lives of soldiers. Hack is a legend among warriors--past and present.
Rating:
Summary: I have read this book twice a year for the past 3 years
Review: "About face" is THE most amazing story I have ever read. The impact it has had on me and the way I think is unexplainable. There are so many themes running through this story. I watched as the scales fell from Hackworth's eyes and felt his confusion and sorrow as he tried to make sense of it. The physical courage and personal integrity of Hackworth and some of his colleagues is an inspiration. He is also a man who is not afraid to mention his weaknesses and his failures which makes him a more reliable witness in my view.
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