Once an Eagle

A Novel

By: Anton Myrer

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 41 hrs and 20 mins

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)

Inspiring and Humbling

A long listen but a worthy one. I recommend it to anyone interested in the philosophy behind the warfighter. Required for anyone joining the armed forces.

Good Story, Not So Good Narrator

The narrator made it difficult to get through. I thought it was a good story otherwise.

God bless men like Sam

Beautiful. Gripping. So grateful for men like Sam who protect our rights. May we never forget.

Who wants to say that word?

So many lessons in this novel. Written in graphic detail, at times you want it to stop. This story is true to form, thoughtful, engaging, sad, and frustrating. Not for all audiences, but it would be enlightening to those unfamiliar with the price of freedom.

Awesome

This was a great book. Very enjoyable read for the military, it is easy to identify with the characters and situations. Picked the book title out of a Jack Carr book and it exceed all expectations.

Wow

This might be the best book I’ve ever read. Insightful, dynamic and without a hint of post liberalism we see plaguing our historical texts today. A crucial work.

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

Arguably the best military novel ever written.

Humanity vs. Ambition, service or self-promotion. Greed or selflessness. Fear and cowardice. The lives and choices of Sam Damon and Courtney Masingale illustrate the full arc of a man’s life, especially that of the military man.

A military and leadership masterpiece

This book could teach a person more about the right way to lead and the right way to serve in our armed services than much else could. A better life would be lived if we asked ourselves: “what would Sam Damon do?”

Best war/anti-war book ever

A total classic
Epic in scope
Intimate in detail
All the chaos of war, illuminating the bravery and honor of those who fight, with all the stupidity and arrogance of the “leaders” who direct the efforts, and the greed of those who profit.
An absorbing book covering a huge era, with great narration.
One you will have to sit and think about for a while when it ends