• The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces

  • American Warriors
  • By: Alan Hoe
  • Narrated by: David Gilmore
  • Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (250 ratings)

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The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces  By  cover art

The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces

By: Alan Hoe
Narrated by: David Gilmore
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Publisher's summary

Major Richard J. "Dick" Meadows is renowned in military circles as a key figure in the development of the U.S. Army Special Operations. A highly decorated war veteran of the engagements in Korea and Vietnam, Meadows was instrumental in the founding of the U.S. Delta Force and hostage rescue force. Although he officially retired in 1977, Meadows could never leave the army behind, and he went undercover in the clandestine operations to free American hostages from Iran in 1980.

The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces is the only biography of this exemplary soldier's life. Military historian Alan Hoe offers unique insight into Meadows, having served alongside him in 1960. The Quiet Professional is an insider's account that gives a human face to U.S. military strategy during the cold war.

Major Meadows often claimed that he never achieved anything significant; The Quiet Professional proves otherwise, showcasing one of the great military minds of 20th-century America.

©2012 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2013 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An important story, and few men loom as large... as Maj. Richard J. Meadows." ( Wall Street Journal)
"This is a well written biography of the extraordinary life of a complex man. It should be on the suggested reading list of the Chief of Staff of the Army for Army leaders at every level and should be found in every soldier's professional library." ( Army)
"A book about one of the greatest legends in the world of U.S. Army special forces, Major Richard Meadows" ( Military Heritage)

What listeners say about The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another possibly good book ruined by poor performance

I have read SOG and listened to the audio, so I’ve heard of Dick Meadows and I was excited to listen to his story. I haven’t finished listening to the book yet and am only about halfway through so I don’t want to give the book a bad rating. That being said I don’t understand how some of these readers get paid to do their job. When I’m listening to a good one I am able to listen and focus on the book as well as whatever else I’m doing, and don’t want to stop listening. This guy makes me feel like I’m being put to sleep or when I’m listening for a while I have no idea what I just heard for the last 20 minutes. I don’t get it, having a hard time finishing it honestly the reader is just too boring and monotone for me. Should’ve bought paperback version I guess.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Well covered SF personal history

An engaging narrative of the life experiences of a famous Special Forces icon. I was pleasantly surprised the author did a good job of covering the many, unusual experiences of Dick Meadows through his many challenging phase of both his military and security careers. Highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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OUTSTANDING HERO

U. S. Marine here. I wish I could have met him. To meet a warrior of his caliber would have been an Honor. I live fairly close to Crestview and I love to fish in some of the same places he fished in. who knows, we could have met in passing. Thank you Sir for your service.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Super Green Beret

I first heard of Meadows from reading other books about Vietnam. I waited years for his story to be told and was not disappointed. He was a fine example of a man and soldier.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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an amazing man

this man lead an incredible life. he showed the honor and commitment to duty that is the ideal of the military.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A humble hero

Excellent biography about a man from humble beginnings who rose to prominence as a ranger, special forces operator, halo jump master, and security company organizer and director in Peru. Inspiring story well read by one of his best friends.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Mr. Meadows an incredible human being.

I feel fortunate that I was able to listen to his book of his life. I thank Mr. Meadows and his family for his service. Our country in the world is a much better place because of him.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Amazing American

Although informative, it left a lot to be desired as far as information on Korea was sparse. A good story about a great American.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

One of the most enjoyable books. Wonderful insights to some behind the scenes situations

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Solid story of a Hero (a title he would not agree)

Dick Meadows is a patriot an unsung hero that only those in the know have heard of. This story is told by others along with himself not for self promotion or profit but to set the record straight. I came across this book after reading Col. Beckwith's bio on Delta. Read it (listen to it) and enjoy and stand in awe of a Man like no other. The performance of the narration was not the best but ok and did not take away from the story.

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