Hazardous Duty

America's Most Decorated Living Soldier Reports from the Front and Tells the Way It Is

By: David H. Hackworth

Narrated by: David H. Hackworth

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Colonel David H. Hackworth, the maverick military hero and war correspondent, has earned over 70 awards for heroism as well as eight purple hearts. More than any other military commentator, he has the trust and confidence of the millions of soldiers—from foreign armies as well as our own.

Hazardous Duty is a real-life, hard-hitting nonfiction thriller set in the ruins of Bosnia and the sands of Saudi Arabia, the deadly alleys of Mogadishu and the teeming streets of Port-au-Prince. Colonel Hackworth returns from these new American battlefields to report that the Pentagon is wasting hundred of billions of dollars gearing up to fight the wrong kind of wars, and offers a tough-love critique of American military leadership, interpreting the new post-Cold War conflicts.

©1997 David H. Hackworth (P)2009 Phoenix

Excellent

Hack calls it like it is. has definitely predicted the down fall of the industrial war complex ... very true but sad

Powerful

I listened to this non stop, this man knew what was up. The world needs more Hackworths and less perfume princes.

Good story odd audio

The story in general was pretty good. Great information and so on. The only problem was the audio. I’m sure it was recorded over several days and there were breaks during the days they were recording. It seemed like the levels were always adjusted. Hackworths voice volume would go up and down and the tone would change sometimes. This could be because he got tired as the days went on or whatever but I would find it distracting when it would happen. Like other books he’s written it’s still good and I’d still recommend it.

Great follow up to About Face

This book was heavy! I truly hope the suggestions are someday considered and hopefully implemented.

Sad that it was a summary or extract.

I enjoyed this very much and especially enjoyed the fact that Colonel Hackworth (Hack) read it himself.

His observations are spot on and were uncannily positioned to have helped us sort out the last 20 years, had anyone read the book during that time.

I was delighted to know that I already knew many of the things he said and possibly actually had picked them up from his journalistic writing, done sometime before he passed away. Or oddly from training I received early in my career. See below.

The thing that sets Hack aside as an author is his incredible amount of combat time and as a record of his combat, the number of decorations he held for valor. If you check his background you will find that even down to the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) level, perhaps, there is a bona fide V (For valor) device. Hack was the recipient of eight Purple Hearts and probably declined a Purple Heart or two for wounds he thought were less life-threatening. The man was a 50 year encyclopedia of war and every aspect burnished by his own personal experience.

Two Distinguished Service Crosses (our Army’s second highest decoration for valor), 10 Silver Stars and so forth.

From Wikipedia: “Hackworth earned over 90 U.S. and foreign military awards.”

Not unimportant is the fact that he had the opportunity to work alongside the famous historian Brigadier General SLA Marshall. That is another story and worthy of exploration in Hack’s book “About Face.” Suffice it to say he learned methods of interview, deliberation, analysis and writing from Marshall. Likely evident in his writing in each of his books and articles.

Some reviewers have said they were concerned about the way Hack read or other technical aspects, but to have the person read his own book is often a pleasure. Warts and all.

Perhaps at the time he read this, the Colonel may have been in a transitional phase, possibly already ill with the disease that would ultimately kill him. Although he does say something about his family trend of living into old age. He passed away in 2005 From a cancer that he believed came from the use of “Agent Blue,” a rice destroying chemical used to reduce rice crops in certain areas of Vietnam.

I missed a chance to meet him on an operation in Bosnia years ago and I always regretted that missed opportunity. The other day I spoke to a battalion commander I served under in the mid-70s. I had heard a story that this man had worked for Hack in Vietnam, but at the time, in the 70s there wasn’t the context. I had the opportunity to talk to this former commander last weekend. And he said yes, he did and working for Hackworth was one of the most exciting times in his life and he learned so much about warfare and life. And I thanked my former commander and said to him that I was delighted to find out that the way he also instructed me and my cohort on the same topics had come from such a man as Hack.

I now have to buy the hardcopy book, because the excerpt has left me wanting to read more.

I highly recommend this recording, but understand it is not the full book. An audible recording of his book “About Face” is available and is an incredible read. I highly recommend it is well.

An interesting look at what Eisenhower warned us

A quick listen of what is wrong with today's military from one of America's greatest military commanders.

What real military is happening during war

Would you listen to Hazardous Duty again? Why?

This was my second reading and will do it again in time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

David Hackworth is a American hero and gives the enlisted mans feeling a definate look.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hackworth's plans and ideas for the military future is as great today as it was ten years ago when he first suggested them

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

For this retired military man all Hackworth writings are a great read or in my case listen !

Another great one by Chesty

Apparently the book was composed of essays and articles written by colonel David c. Hackworth. I am trying to find them.

the book was very good and contained much information that is very relevant in our country today. it really stimulates a new way of thinking about the US military organizational structure. It is a perfectly logical question to ask whether or not we still need 4 branches of the armed forces ( at the time of this book ), now 5 with the creation of the Space Force.

I highly recommend this book and others written by colonel David ' Chesty' Hackworth.

Tells the truth that military members are thinking

Dated but an excellent perspective to keep our military leaders in check. Highlights the highs and lows of our modern military.

Important

As a man who grew up on 20th Century battlefields, Hackworth has a lot to say that we ought to listen to. This is an important read for any political bent. Wish Audible had the unabridged version.