About Face

De: Colonel David H. Hackworth US Army Ret., Julie Sherman

Narrado por: John Pruden

Called "everything a 20th-century war memoir could possibly be" by the New York Times, this national best seller by Colonel David H. Hackworth presents a vivid and powerful portrait of a life of patriotism.

From age 15 to 40, David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam. With About Face, he has written what many Vietnam veterans have called the most important book of their generation.

From Korea to Berlin, from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam, Hackworth's story is that of an exemplary patriot, played out against the backdrop of the changing fortunes of America and the American military. It is also a stunning indictment of the Pentagon's fundamental misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and of the bureaucracy of self-interest that fueled the war.

New York Times best seller. A Military Book Club Main Selection. A number-one Amazon.com best seller in Korean War Personal Narratives.

©2019 Colonel David H. Hackworth (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very long, but worth it!

About face can be an expression that means to take the opposite opinion. Very true with this book. Recommended by Jocko, approved by thousands of happy listeners. Many lessons, war stories, and critiques throughout the book.

Simply the Best

This book was one of the first few I listened to after joining audible. Initially I was a bit skeptical about how far I'd get into a 40 hour long audiobook before moving on. I soon found myself unable to listen to anything else until I had finished it, and I am about to listen to it again! For almost a month, every commute and any other time I'd normally listen to music or an audio book I chose to listen to About Face exclusively. I just couldn't stop! Once you get past the introductions it is a nonstop barrage of visceral storytelling, heroism, brotherhood, life lessons, and leadership.

This book is like no other I have found since. The scope and depth of this great man's experiences are unrivaled, on war or otherwise. David Hackworth was a maverick and pioneer that made a lasting impact on the Army, the military, and on understanding leadership and brotherhood in its rawest form.

If you like war memoirs or are a leader or aspiring leader, this is a must read or listen. Or if you simply want to learn more about post WWII America and the Korean and Vietnam wars, this is a must listen. It will entertain, engage, instruct, and guide you all the way through. One of the best parts about it is that it is not meant to be a book on leadership, military tactics, or navigating bureaucracies, but it accomplishes all of that and more.

Jockos top pick

Definitely had my knowledge expanded about both the Korean War and the Vietnam war. This is a great book with a good narrator, I definitely would recommend getting it. And getting after it.

Great leadership reading

Another reading that can help become a better leader. This should be on a list of anyone in or going in military or civilian service from every country.

A long, but very great listen!

This is a great book on leadership and learning from our mistakes as a country and military. I would highly recommend it to everyone.

About Face

Excellent book. Hackworth was and is a shining example of honesty and integrity, standards that in many cases seem to be lacking in today’s military leaders.

Very relatable to 2024 Army

What happened during hacks time is happening now. Very relatable. Must read for soldiers today. Officers take notice

Notable Memoir of a Korea/Vietnam War Army Officer

I initially read and enjoyed this book in the early 1990’s, and greatly enjoyed listening to the colorful, often funny, and sometimes depressing stories again in this Audible version. The author is a great storyteller of wartime and peacetime events and Army culture.

This is a book that should be standard issue reading in every school, especially military ones.

This book is for everyone except those who like to receive participation trophies for other peoples efforts. Not to say they wouldn’t benefit from it, but they definitely wouldn’t like being called out so righteously. America will only be great if we can find a way to make more men like Hackworth.

A must listen for military fans out there!

This book should be on everyone’s reading list. I thought I was biting off more than I could chew at 40+ hrs., but it was very well written and kept me engaged throughout and now I wish there were a few more hours left.