Unfit for Command

Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry

By: John O'Neill, Jerome R. Corsi Ph.D.

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

In their new book, Unfit for Command, John O'Neill and co-author Jerome Corsi bring together the words of more than 200 Navy veterans who served with Kerry and who feel it their duty to tell why John Kerry is unworthy of the presidency.

In 1971, John O'Neill, the officer who took over John Kerry's swift boat in Vietnam, returned home from Vietnam only to realize that the man he served with, John Kerry, had become a leader of the radical group Vietnam Veterans Against the War and was slandering his fellow veterans as war criminals. O'Neill debated John Kerry on The Dick Cavett Show in 1971, successfully demolishing Kerry's accusations against his fellow troops in Vietnam. Unfit for Command reveals a John Kerry you don't know, the true John Kerry whom his political image makers are trying to hide. But the veterans who served with him know better, and, in Unfit for Command, they tell their story.

©2004 John E. O'Neill and Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D. (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

An eye opener

I entered into reading this book with an open mind, I voted for G. Bush in 2000, and intend to do so again ( I just don't see JK as a warrior) Nevertheless, I found this book to be pure propaganda, and it did not convince me in any way. I am a Vietnam Vet, and know BS when I hear it, I have struggled to come to terms with my experience and what to say. This seems like more of the same denial and attempts to explain away the actions of those of us who did what we had to do.
From what I can discern, John Kerry did his duty in the way we all did, grey areas included. He seems a typical officer, occasionally brave, most often insincere, trying to appeal both to troops and to curry favor with the REMFS. On the other hand, where was GWB? It's easy to take potshots when you've avoided real commitment. I'm OK with him as president, but I believe personally that he is a coward. And I'm not certain that those who avoided service (by luck or design) are fit to comment.

Kerry doesn't act like any River sailors I knew

In my 2 tours with the Marine Corps with the 1st MAW on a mountain over Danang harbor we met a lot of river boat and coastal sailors. They were a very close knit group, straight up, and bravely aggressive when the chips were down. Many returning Nam vets protested the war and most of us understood why. It was a right they earned. But these protests were of the illegality of the war. That was a valid argument. However, slandering fellow comrades to gain political recognition was not. And then to become one of the political hacks that sent us there as a career appears strange. His political record resembles the saw/razor grass we dealt with over there. It blows in whatever direction the wind does but you still get cut up when coming in contact with it. We had our "politically minded" officers as well. They were a nuisance, a menace to combat troops, and were always concerned with their "fruit salad" array of ribbons for the cocktail parties in D.C. These guys are dead on the mark. The spin doctors who haven't a clue are pretty vocal about this. In this time of international terrorism, we need leadership not honored in pictures by our enemies in their own memorials. I never met any sailors from river, coastal, or ground security units that failed to support each other, Marines, or anyone in need. They were tough, loyal, and great people to hang with. But they, like anyone in our history, can get mighty riled up when some mediocre cowhand straps on a gunbelt and swaggers into Dodge City bragging about their last gunfight with Wild Bill Hickock or the Earps. It usually doesn't help when this cowhand is at the bar buying drinks while talking trash and Hickock and the Earps walk in through those saloon doors to clarify a few points of honor back on the trail. Even if one tosses out this whole Vietnam thing, let's look at Kerry's record as a politician during some fairly volatile events. Hmmm...I'm not too impressed.

5 stars content minus three for lousy production

First off, the content of this audiobook is extraordinary. Listening to it you get a feel for the depth of the misinformation from the Kerry machine and the feeling of betrayal by the vets who were stabbing in the back by Kerry's false war crimes accusations only to have him now promote himself as a war hero.

That said, the production quality of this audiobook is horrible! Though I agreed with it, it took a continuous decision on my part to continue listening. The reader is a droning monotone and the breaths, normally editted out of the program, are steady and persistent. I recognize that this production was probably rushed to get out as soon as possible in the hopes of persuading voters, but to compromise production standard to this degree is inexcusable.

I've worded with radio productions for the last six year and I have to wonder if the lack luster production might be indicative of the producer's and/or voice talent's true feelings. True the information is there, but the production couldn't have been worse if they tried - assuming they didn't.

An eye opening book.

I have listened to it twice now, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It's not written in an irresponisble manner, but written methodically and carefully.

The book has nice narrative flow. It really begins with the story of the last Swift Vet reunion, and the resentment towards Kerry which has been brewing for 30 years. It then travels back in time, and traces Kerry's carreer, both is 4 months in Vietnam, and his anti-war years afterward.

People complain about the content of the book, but 90% of it is Kerry contradicting himself. (He has given so many speeches, biographys and accounts of his service that many are diametric opposites. So I guess when Kerry calls this book a "Pack of Lies" he is refering to his own stories?) I did not find the piece to unfair, just critical.

Also, the narrator is great, with a military-tough voice.

I held myself to 4 stars, because it's not as quite long enough, and because it's not as good as "DaVinci Code" or "Atlas Shrugged"

Unfit For Command

OK book but not recommended unless you are an avid Anti-Kerry fan. After listening to the first few chapters I can't imagine why I need to listen to the remainder. It basically bashes Kerry and says how he lies and fabricates everything. You get the point after 4 chapters of this.

The Truth Will Set You Free

Very good book that tells the story of over 200 swift boat vets view on John Kerry's service in Vietnam. A must hear before you vote on November 2nd.

Unfit For Command

This is a great book. A must read before the 2004 election.

Thinking for myself

Whether or not you agree with their conclusions or motivations, the authors raise important questions about Kerry's four months in Vietnam. Amazingly these questions have been entirely ignored by the mainstream media. Was he a war hero or just a tireless self promoter? I've certainly drawn my own conclusions from this book and other sources. I do not understand the outrage, since this is not any more one-sided or illogical than what Michael Moore and others have put out in this election year.

Mostly very interesting.

I have always found the story of Kerry's 3 purple hearts to be suspicious. The first part of the book to creates a credible explanation for these wounds and closely examines Kerry's 4 month tour of duty in Vietnam. The remainder of the book was a bit tedious for me.
I strongly recommend the first half of this book.

I actually listened to it.

I see the extreme partison reviews up on this site. Did these people actually buy the book? I thought it was excellent. The reason, you ask. Facts. These guys actually lay out facts. If Kerry would list out why these 200 plus veterans are incorrect, I think he would be doing better in the polls.

For all of the Kerry supporters that are so upset about this book, tell him to stop talking about the war from 30 years ago and start talking about issues.