• Once an Eagle

  • A Novel
  • By: Anton Myrer
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 41 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,207 ratings)

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Once an Eagle  By  cover art

Once an Eagle

By: Anton Myrer
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

Once an Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances his career by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington’s corridors of power.

Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War.

A study in character and values, courage, nobility, honesty, and selflessness, here is an unforgettable story about a man who embodies the best in our nation - and in us all.

Anton Myrer (1922–1996) enlisted in the US Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for three years in the Pacific. Wounded on Guam, he returned to Harvard, graduated, and began an illustrious literary career, during which he wrote such memorable novels as The Big War, The Last Convertible, and A Green Desire.

©1968, 1996 Anton Myrer (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A remarkable novel…Utterly engrossing. Myrer is a superb storyteller, one of the few gifted novelists now writing who cares about the art of narration and is a master of it…A grim, exciting, and almost overwhelming account of twentiethcentury war. It is an astute study of the mind and character of a good general and a good man. And it is a brilliant inside views of the life of a career officer in peace and war.” ( New York Times)

What listeners say about Once an Eagle

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

Favorite Novel of all time

I read the print version a decade ago but decided to listen again. I had forgotten much about Sam Damon and his journey. Listening to it in Audio was much different and thoroughly wonderful. Already knowing how the story unfolds allowed me to listen more intently to the development of the character, understand their struggles, and feel the anguish of their circumstances. The audio performance was excellent. Every American, military or not, can learn a great deal from Myrer's characters. May the Damons of the world prosper and the Massingales falter.

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21 people found this helpful

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

Just a great story

I usually only listen to audiobooks while driving, but I found myself carrying a portable CD player around the house and patio so I could continue to listen to this story while doing projects around the house.

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20 people found this helpful

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

One of the Most Compelling Books I Have Heard

What made the experience of listening to Once an Eagle the most enjoyable?

The character development and interaction in a realistic manner

What was one of the most memorable moments of Once an Eagle?

the unexpected ending -- very dramatic.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The sense that he was enjoyig the book as he read it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?


sad at time, but strong feelings for the charactrs as they develioped/

Any additional comments?

None

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Read 3 times in 40 years

What made the experience of listening to Once an Eagle the most enjoyable?

Living the story through listening, as opposed to watching an abreviated version on screen. Unlike reading, I felt as if I was "in" the complete story as I listened. I was in the fire fights and I had tears fall on my cheeks along with Sam when he spoke to the newly formed 55th Division Salamanders"

What was one of the most memorable moments of Once an Eagle?

When Brandt gave all for General Damon. As a veteran, I knew of a Marine who survived the same action. It was a M26 frag that the VC threw back. Fortunately it was a dud. However the heroic action and thouhgts were the same. This Marine was awarded the Navy Cross, and I was proud to serve with him. Sam spoke twice; once when the 55th was originally formed and on Memorial Day after the war. Each time his feelings and expressions were honest and sincere and the Memorial Day speech caused me to ask myself the some of the same questions about the current situation in the Mid-East..

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I can recall

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

An ordinary mans' Honor and Courage.

Any additional comments?

I've read Once an Eagle several times, usually at critical moments in my life and it has always helped me find the Courage and Honor that at times has alluded me. I've never been able to measure up as much I'd like, but Sam Damon has always been able to "ground me" and help me get thru a crisis or mature in life as the need presented itself. It's been about twenty years since the last time I read the book and it continues to have a positive impact on my life. This is the first time I've listened to a reading of the book and I enjoyed it much more than the mini-series. Although Sam Elliot did a wonderful job, like all movies from a novel, a lot had to be left out. Not so with the audio version. I really felt the emotion and sensed the feelings of Sam and all of the characters.

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15 people found this helpful

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

A must read!

If you could sum up Once an Eagle in three words, what would they be?

One of the best military fiction stories out there. True tail of a hero who struggles to do the right thing rather than take the easy course.

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12 people found this helpful

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

Not just a great tale but a lesson for all!!!

What made the experience of listening to Once an Eagle the most enjoyable?

Important for our children and grandchildren ... and I say this as a recovering communist and pacifist.

What did you like best about this story?

The example of a HERO.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Grover has done so many non-fiction books that are fabulous but this reveals his ability to capture countless characters as they should be heard.

If you could take any character from Once an Eagle out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sam Damon because he is the archetype for us all.

Any additional comments?

No

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must read for every military officer!

Where does Once an Eagle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Number 1 and I never read fiction.

What other book might you compare Once an Eagle to and why?

Homer's Odyssey

Which scene was your favorite?

The interaction with the Chinese officer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I tried but it was 40 hours, but worth the hefty price.

Any additional comments?

None.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Any fan of war stories should read this book.

In the introduction we learn that this book at some time is by the bedside of virtually every military officer in the US. That should be motivation enough for any of us.

It vividly and painfully reveals leadership, good and bad. It is engaging and suspenseful.
It has a great hero and a complex, masterful villain. The battle scenes hold nothing back. The strategies and performance of men under fire are riveting.

I loved this book and plan to revisit it again.

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7 people found this helpful

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

Maybe the Best Military Fiction Novel

Where does Once an Eagle rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

This book provides a glimpse into the military life style. There is no wonder this book is so highly recommended for men and women considering a military career.

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6 people found this helpful

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

War, warriors, and the women who follow them.

I read this book when it first came out in the 70s. Revisiting it has been kind of a shock. There is so much detail about warfare. I am surprised that, as a young woman growing up in the Vietnam era, I would have been interested in this.

In revisiting this Charles Dickens-length novel, I am intrigued deeply by the relationships between career military men and the women they marry.

If you are interested in warfare, and the history of warfare, you will like this book. It is well written, with compelling characters that keep you wanting to know what happens next.

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5 people found this helpful