When I Was a Young Man: A Memoir by Bob Kerrey

Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Memoir of Life in a Turbulent Time
Review: I must say that Kerrey's book is most impressive. I was expecting the usual political memoir that highlights the authors recognized accomplishments and exploited good deeds. However, Kerrey's memoir was much more. Very little was spent on Kerrey's political career, rather it was an honest recollection of his days as a young man growing up in a turbulent time.

The most impressive memories were those of his recovery from wounds suffered in Vietnam and the subsequent pain and guilt that accompanied him long after the war had ended. He recalls this bitter time with an almost eerie honesty. He discusses the guilt he felt for his role in the Vietnam war, and his disenchantment with the American political machine. This paradox between war hero and disillusioned citizen shows the complexities of war, and life.

Kerrey's book displays a human side of politicians that is rarely seen, either because these emotions taint their image, or in the case of many politicians it doesn't exist. It is a terrible shame that more men like Bob Kerrey refrain from entering politics. America would be a much better place.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting story, but not enough meat
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick, light read, and, as a Californian, it was my first introduction to Kerrey.

As the title implies, it is only the story of Kerrey's life as a young man. The story ends when he is discharged from the hospital after being injured in the Vietnam war. Kerrey's life, his perspectives on the war, his actions as a soldier, and his view of America are all interesting.

However, this is a book is a summary of his life events and travels on a very wide and well trodden road when it comes to expressing his thoughts and opinions. He breaks little new ground.

He clearly did not wish to offend or challenge his readership. If this was a 500 page book I would be more disappointed, but as short as it was, it was forgivable. Throught it all, however, Kerry emerges as a person that I would like to get to know better. I certainly hopes he writes a follow-up book, and decides to tell us what he REALLY thinks. He has certainly lived a fascinating life.

Rating:
Summary: I'm giving this five stars because . . . . .
Review: It is almost heartbreaking the way people on both the left and the right have torn apart this book in customer reviews. Although I think it merits probably 4 1/2 stars, I think Bob Kerrey has told an excellent story. Furthermore, he is honest, forthright, and writes in a readable workmanlike prose style. As one of the other favorable reviewers mentioned, Kerrey cannot win. But, as far as I can tell, isn't this the way we've always treated Vietnam veterans? From the "fever swamps" on the far left, we have outrageous charges of war crimes. If some of these folks had their way, all Vietnam veterans would be put to trial. The circumstances for Kerrey were so murky, frightening, and potentially deadly in his first fire-fight, that the outcome is not altogether surprising. On the right-wing, we have the criticisms about his current opposition to the war, even though he was a willing conscript in the late 1960s. As far as I can tell, if you do not believe in the politics of the right-wing these days, even if you are patriotic, love your country, and would fight to the death for it, your are labeled, more or less, a traitor. The middle ground, where good, centrist men and women are most likely to fall, is a vast swath of America, to which this book undoubtable appeals. I just wish more of them would write customer reviews. I graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1995, and am proud to be a fellow alumni with Mr. Kerrey.

Rating:
Summary: Exquisite memoir and metaphor for a troubled time
Review: Senator Bob Kerrey's memoir, "When I Was a Young Man", was written with a number of purposes in mind. At the time of the book's release, Senator Kerrey was entertaining presidential aspirations and, while Kerrey does not admit to this, "When I Was a Young Man" is another in a long line of political memoirs released to coincide with higher political ambitions. The greater purpose, though, stated by Kerrey and obvious from reading this book, is to bring perspective to the Vietnam War and, in particular, an incident where Kerrey is today being unjustly attacked as a war criminal.

Kerrey was, without a doubt, the accidental soldier and the accidental war hero. All Kerrey wished to do was live a simple life in Nebraska and work towards becoming a pharmacist. The Vietnam War and prospect of being drafted led Kerrey opting, instead to go to Navy Officer Candidate School and accepting an offer to join the Navy Seals. While not truly understanding the purpose of the war or the growing national resentment towards, Kerrey set out to perform his duty to the best of his abilities. This led to the two most significant moments in his life. The first is the one he is being skewered for today. During a mission that turned out to be an abject failure, Kerrey's squad got trapped in a firefight in a Vietnamese village in which numerous women and children were killed. Kerrey doesn't shy away from the burden of responsibility. He fully accepts it, but in reading his description of what happened, it becomes clear to the reader that the actions of modern-day revisionists to group Kerrey with people like Lieutenant William Calley is criminal.

The second significant moment is the one for which Kerrey was awarded the highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. By Kerrey's own admission, however, he is still not certain why he received it. His actions in another engagement, which cost him part of one leg, may have very well saved the lives of many of his men. Kerrey spends little time talking about the mission, itself. It leaves the reader confused as to what actually happened that got Kerrey the Medal of Honor. I feel that may be intentional because it seems that Kerrey, himself, is confused as to what actually happened that night, too. He does not personally feel worthy of the award, but is persuaded to accept, if only to honor those he served with.

The juxtaposition of war criminal with war hero is both fascinating and telling. Kerrey's own personal saga probably more than anything else encompasses the mess that was the Vietnam War. He is not that callous war criminal that some would make him out to be, nor does he feel that he is a hero that official record claims him as. He is somewhere in between. He is a flawed man who wanted nothing more than to do his duty and serve his country. The horror of this tragic war put in the most unenviable of situations. There is no greater metaphor for what the Vietnam War was than "When I Was a Young Man".

Rating:
Summary: Kerry was a Very Poor Leader
Review: Vistica's non-ficition book (The Education of Lt Kerrey)details how Navy SEAL Robert Kerrey panicked under pressure and ordered three children' throats to be cut when he had other options. He further discraced the Navy and all special operations men by panicking again and ordering more than 20 women and children murdered--to include a baby too young to walk. He claims the Vietnamese could have warned the enemy--yet--his gunfire was more of a warning than a crying baby. He received a VALOR award for the cold-blooded murders!!!

Kerrey also was awarded the Medal of Honor that generated from an up-graded Bronze Star for Valor (A mercy award for him loosing his foot during another bloched mission.) He actually claims his team climbed a 350 foot cliff BARED-FOOTED at night!!!
Also seven highly trained Navy SEALS took on seven SLEEPING VC. (A MOH fight?)

Kerrey's book is a pathetic attempt at justifying his poor leadership in combat by shifting the blame. He has used his phony MOH to hide behind for thirty-five years. It is time he fessed up to the truth.

He was the commander and he was responsible.

Donald E. Zlotnik Major (Ret)
Special Forces