Rating: 
Summary: Best book about PJs yet
Review: As a former PJ, I'd like to thank the author for writing this book. It tells about the PJ world like it is. He pulls no punches and describes everything extremely accurately, without embellishment. Great mission stories from Afghanistan -- makes me wish I was still in. Some parts were hilarious as he describes the PJ "mentality", such as the two PJs who volunteered to walk back to their base (hundreds of miles away through enemy territory) rather than fly on a broken helicopter. Or the guys who parachuted into a minefield to save an Australian SAS guy. Then there is the story of how they "appropriated" everything they'd need to build almost luxurious type quarters (compared to what everyone else had) at their forward base. If you are interested in PJs, CCT, Combat Search and Rescue, or special operations, this is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Best book about PJs yet
Review: As a former PJ, I'd like to thank the author for writing this book. It tells about the PJ world like it is. He pulls no punches and describes everything extremely accurately, without embellishment. Great mission stories from Afghanistan -- makes me wish I was still in. Some parts were hilarious as he describes the PJ "mentality", such as the two PJs who volunteered to walk back to their base (hundreds of miles away through enemy territory) rather than fly on a broken helicopter. Or the guys who parachuted into a minefield to save an Australian SAS guy. Then there is the story of how they "appropriated" everything they'd need to build almost luxurious type quarters (compared to what everyone else had) at their forward base. If you are interested in PJs, CCT, Combat Search and Rescue, or special operations, this is a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Stockholm Syndrome from an embed
Review: Every once in a while, it is good for a person that reads a lot of history to pick up a book that simply tells a story...it cleanses the palate. Michael Hirsh tells the story of some extremely brave US Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) that are prepared to give their all to save the lives of others. These men are unique, some of the best trained men in the world who save lives instead of taking them (but will fight to the death to defend their wounded). While this book does a good job of telling their story, MR Hirsh got Stockholm Syndrome while embedded with the PJs. PJs can do no wrong and every other branch should always listen to what the PJ has to say. Hirsh bad mouths the army, the navy, the marines, and even special operations forces when they make decisions that go against the PJs recommendations. My favorite instance is where he makes fun of an army Lieutenant Colonel by saying he has no combat experience but has a PhD in history, and then 7 pages later blasts planners for not studying the history of a certain valley. The PJs have done a great job in the war, but their story should have been told by some more impartial.
Rating:
Summary: Stockholm Syndrome from an embed
Review: Every once in a while, it is good for a person that reads a lot of history to pick up a book that simply tells a story...it cleanses the palate. Michael Hirsh tells the story of some extremely brave US Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) that are prepared to give their all to save the lives of others. These men are unique, some of the best trained men in the world who save lives instead of taking them (but will fight to the death to defend their wounded). While this book does a good job of telling their story, MR Hirsh got Stockholm Syndrome while embedded with the PJs. PJs can do no wrong and every other branch should always listen to what the PJ has to say. Hirsh bad mouths the army, the navy, the marines, and even special operations forces when they make decisions that go against the PJs recommendations. My favorite instance is where he makes fun of an army Lieutenant Colonel by saying he has no combat experience but has a PhD in history, and then 7 pages later blasts planners for not studying the history of a certain valley. The PJs have done a great job in the war, but their story should have been told by some more impartial.
Rating: 
Summary: PJ's are amazing.
Review: Great depiction of the life of a PJ. Recommended to anybody with a military interest.
Rating:
Summary: TOO CLOSE TO THE TRUTH
Review: Hirsch writes an action packed story that pulls no punches. He provides commentary from the front lines that has been missing since Viet Nam. Hirsch gives an opinion riddled view from the "bottom up." The entire rescue community is given due praise, while special operations leaders hide behind the code of "silent professional." The gut-wrenching playback of several Operation ENDURING FREEDOM missions shed light on the heroic actions of this war. There is a lesson to be learned when the planning and execution of rescue/recovery operations are left to those that lack experience almost as much as they lack the training specific to these missions. This book begs someone to ask question, will the United States Army ever understand the meaning of joint operations?
Rating:
Summary: That Others May Live!!
Review: I bought this book because I got an article to write about PJs.After I received this book, I kept reading it everyday. I just couldn`t stop... The author started from his visit to Afganistan and then led us all the way to PJs` live and missions down there. He described and analyzed those missions from a professional point of view and tried his best to interviewed as many people as he could. Through his stories you will know how difficult to become a PJ and why these heroes should be honored by us... If you wanna know more about SPEC-Ops in Afganistan or you just enjoy reading those heroes` stories.This is The Book you should have!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great to see a heroic book accentuating the positive!
Review: It is great to see a book about truly heroic people like the parachute rescure men, at the very front line of the war on terror. It is also good to see a book that accentuates the positive at a time when so much negative stuff is being written. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)
Rating: 
Summary: Good Military Journalism
Review: Michael Hirsch's "None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism" is an engaging work of military journalism. Hirsch, a Peabody Award winning documentary filmmaker and Vietnam veteran, has chosen an unusual subject for his study of combat in Afghanistan: the U.S. Air Force's Pararescue Jumpers, or PJs. Hirsch is already familiar with PJs from his previous book, "Pararescue: The Skill and Courage of the Elite 106th Rescue Wing." Most readers will be familiar with PJs from either reading or seeing "A Perfect Storm." The bravery and skill of the Search and Rescue crews of the 106th were prominently featured in both. Unlike the rest of the U.S. Military's Special Forces troopers, PJs find regular, hazardous employment in peacetime operations. Jumping out of a helicopter into treacherous stormy seas to rescue civilians from sinking ships is a not uncommon example of a non-combat Search and Rescue operation. Those volunteering to become PJs must pass a grueling 10-week indoctrination course where the failure rate regularly exceeds 85%. By comparison, the SEAL school's failure rate is 75%. Those who pass indoctrination go on to training in advanced combat medicine, HALO parachute jumping, SCUBA diving, mountaineering, special tactics and everything else a man with the primary mission of rescuing injured, downed pilots might need to be able to do to get the job done. The book provides an enlightening look at what may very well me the most dangerous combat mission of all: to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Whether it is fighting the grizzled veteran muhajadeen of the Taliban, parachuting into a minefield, or offering to hike off the peak of a 10,000-foot high mountain through enemy territory just to lighten the load on an overburdened helicopter, the seriousness with which these men take their mission is readily apparent. While no planes were shot down in Afghanistan, the PJs did find themselves entering enemy territory to rescue crews from crashes, and also going into combat situations where ordinary combat medics could not. Hirsch's retelling of the PJ missions is thrilling. "None Braver" also provides some insight into what was going on in the rear. Highly motivated and engaged in a dangerous profession, the PJs spared no effort to make their quarters in Pakistan and Uzbekistan as comfortable as possible. The accompanying tales of improving the facilities and "acquiring" creature comforts strike a light and amusing chord. Weighing heavier is Hirsch's attitude towards heavy military bureaucracy and incompetent leadership. His experience as a Vietnam veteran shows strongly in his contempt for bumbling, self-absorbed, careerist officers. It begins with a Colonel (but still just a petty bureaucrat) who spitefully torments Hirsch and his Air Force "minder" upon arrival in the theatre, merely because she had not been informed of their mission. From there, the matter escalates to his damning criticism of interservice rivalry that risks the lives of the men in the field, and to the incompetent planning and execution of Operation Anaconda. Hirsch shows the bitterness of a man who once wore the uniform and feels very poorly used by his superiors. Michael Hirsch has written an entertaining and informative book on Combat Search and Rescue. That it is drawn from recent events only makes it more thrilling, and hopefully educational.
Rating:
Summary: Good Military Journalism
Review: Michael Hirsch's "None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism" is an engaging work of military journalism. Hirsch, a Peabody Award winning documentary filmmaker and Vietnam veteran, has chosen an unusual subject for his study of combat in Afghanistan: the U.S. Air Force's Pararescue Jumpers, or PJs. Hirsch is already familiar with PJs from his previous book, "Pararescue: The Skill and Courage of the Elite 106th Rescue Wing." Most readers will be familiar with PJs from either reading or seeing "A Perfect Storm." The bravery and skill of the Search and Rescue crews of the 106th were prominently featured in both. Unlike the rest of the U.S. Military's Special Forces troopers, PJs find regular, hazardous employment in peacetime operations. Jumping out of a helicopter into treacherous stormy seas to rescue civilians from sinking ships is a not uncommon example of a non-combat Search and Rescue operation. Those volunteering to become PJs must pass a grueling 10-week indoctrination course where the failure rate regularly exceeds 85%. By comparison, the SEAL school's failure rate is 75%. Those who pass indoctrination go on to training in advanced combat medicine, HALO parachute jumping, SCUBA diving, mountaineering, special tactics and everything else a man with the primary mission of rescuing injured, downed pilots might need to be able to do to get the job done. The book provides an enlightening look at what may very well me the most dangerous combat mission of all: to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Whether it is fighting the grizzled veteran muhajadeen of the Taliban, parachuting into a minefield, or offering to hike off the peak of a 10,000-foot high mountain through enemy territory just to lighten the load on an overburdened helicopter, the seriousness with which these men take their mission is readily apparent. While no planes were shot down in Afghanistan, the PJs did find themselves entering enemy territory to rescue crews from crashes, and also going into combat situations where ordinary combat medics could not. Hirsch's retelling of the PJ missions is thrilling. "None Braver" also provides some insight into what was going on in the rear. Highly motivated and engaged in a dangerous profession, the PJs spared no effort to make their quarters in Pakistan and Uzbekistan as comfortable as possible. The accompanying tales of improving the facilities and "acquiring" creature comforts strike a light and amusing chord. Weighing heavier is Hirsch's attitude towards heavy military bureaucracy and incompetent leadership. His experience as a Vietnam veteran shows strongly in his contempt for bumbling, self-absorbed, careerist officers. It begins with a Colonel (but still just a petty bureaucrat) who spitefully torments Hirsch and his Air Force "minder" upon arrival in the theatre, merely because she had not been informed of their mission. From there, the matter escalates to his damning criticism of interservice rivalry that risks the lives of the men in the field, and to the incompetent planning and execution of Operation Anaconda. Hirsch shows the bitterness of a man who once wore the uniform and feels very poorly used by his superiors. Michael Hirsch has written an entertaining and informative book on Combat Search and Rescue. That it is drawn from recent events only makes it more thrilling, and hopefully educational.
|
