Rating: 
Summary: An Inspiration from Within
Review: "When I was a Young Man", a memoir of Bob Kerrey is a historical autobiography of an American veteran's life of how he was motivated to join the army for the Vietnam War. Kerrey's purpose of writing this story was to pay recognition to his Uncle John in World War II. However, during his researches on his Uncle, he realizes his own epiphany in life. Kerrey includes many remarkable and memorable events of his life in this autobiography. Now and then, he includes unnecessary details of no significance to his motivation to join the army, thus making the autobiography long and sparingly boring. For example, he writes of events and places he did for two or three days on his vacation. His details on such events were irrelevant to the central idea of his reasons for the army and its effect on his life after he came back from the Vietnam War. On the other hand, Kerrey's use of trouble-free vocabulary makes his book presentable to all ages. He also includes vivid imagery when trying to describe his discipline experience in the army. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in joining the army or need inspirational advices on life. Kerrey includes many of such events in his life for he himself went through them. It is an easy to read book and contains many pictures of his childhood life.
Rating: 
Summary: One brave soldier...
Review: Certainly a worthy read, if one wishes to understand the depths to which the "Vietnam Syndrome" can force a seemingly sound mind to descend. The fact--corroborated by independent witnesses--that Kerrey and his men murdered between 12 and two dozen innocent men, women and children at Thanh Phong is treated here as some sort of "nightmare" from which the murderer expects to awaken. "Young Man" is despicable and dishonest, as the stain from such guilt isn't likely to disappear until the principal fully acknowledges his contribution to the atrocity. And as for the prose: let's just say that as a writer, he makes a great baby-killer.
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: 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: Disappointing
Review: I picked us this book because I heard that Senator Kerrey was a presidential hopeful for the Democrats. Turns out that is Senator John Kerry from Mass, not Bob Kerrey from Nebraska. Regardless of the political future of the author, this book was a disappointment. Senator Kerry tells two stories, the first of his uncle who was killed in WWII. Second, his own story of growing up in Nebraska, joining the service, going to Viet Nam, being wounded and recovering. However, there is no analysis of the events past the obvious "Viet Nam was a mistake" and we were not fighting to win. He also stops and at the point where he gets out of the VA hospital and does not tell us how he went on to become a US Senator. I would not recommend this book.
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: An American Conscience
Review: So what can one glean from this autobiography? At the very least, one can learn about a young man growing up in midwest America, studying to be pharmacist, becoming a SEAL and then a veteran of Vietnam who triumphed against adversity. The author is amazingly modest about the history of America from WWII up to the 80's. From a distance, the picture of the front cover looks quite like Elvis in disguise and back cover bears the photo of Tom Brokaw. Check out the book from local library and take a closer look at the cue. In today's warping wind of political correctness, Bob Kerrey just can't win. Because "When I Was a Young Man", Bob Kerrey's autobiography, was so plain, so unpolished, and so unapologetic. In brief, it is a story of an ordinary American, who lives an extraordinary life in its own right. The undaunting title is penned by a living character, a patriot who serves his beloved country. And yet such a heroic character does not hesitate to be an outspoken conscience and sounding board on difficult issues. On one hand, the author's attitude toward Vietnam War was obviously pronounced, knowing only too well that "moral failure is a taboo" for the establishment. On the other hand, author has shown great pride in the military history, training and service---just count the number of pages devoted to the military matter.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: This book is slow to begin with as the author gives a personal history of his entire family. But the history is also from an interesting viewpoint. It's not textbook history, but told from a person who was alive when these things happened. I like the authors style of writing because he doesn't want to apologize or try to excuse the things that he did. He explains it as it happened.
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