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Between these two book, one will get a full undestanding as to how brave a man Rick was in combat and civilian life.I will always honor the memory of my friend and classmate and highly recommend that you read this book. In civilian life, he took his job responsibilities just as seriously as he did in Vietnam and only hoped that he could keep his people safe from harm.To really get the full impact of Ricks life, one should also read the book "We Were Soldiers". I was an Officer Candidate (OCS) Classmate of Rick Rescorla, so it was not a surprise to me when I heard that Rick had given the supreme sacrifice on 9/11 to save the lives of others. The main objective in Vietnam for Rick Rescorla was to take care of his men and bring as many of them safely home as possible.
It is the "All quiet on the Western Front" of our age and the story cannot be beat. This story is almost to good to be true and the events during the first world trade center bombing and leading up to the second are poignant reminders that this disaster was possibly preventable.The core of the story is Rick Rescorla's relationship with a fellow soldier and their bonding thru the military.Every responsible US citizen should read this book. The non fiction biography Heart of a Soldier is an account of a man born in britain who became a US citizen via his involvement as an officer in Viet Nam and his later work as the head of security for Morgan Stanley. He was in charge before and during the 9/11 events.
Nonetheless, a very rewarding read. Rick Rescorla's life is a great and inspiring story. Stewart tells it well but the book is somewhat disorganized and padded with too much trivia.
Rick died the death he wanted to even though it left his wife heart broken.This is an OK read. Both were accomplished men. Rick the Cornwall man eventually marries and settles in New York where he eventually ends up working in the World Trade Center. Obviously, the last part of the book was most important and readable. Even though the story goes around like a Tolstoy novel, one eventually figures out what will happen. This story started off very slowly.
The story goes from Chicago, Cornwall, Northern Rhodesia, Vietnam back to the United States. Toward the end, the sorrow of the story can be felt. It is about the friendship and love of two men for each other. Obviously both men were brave in how they faced their personal crises. However, you need to plunge through the first part of the book in order to understand the last. Not romantic love, but a love that caused a friendship to last for a lifetime.
Bill eventually settles in Florida and converts to Islam.
Rescola did have the heart of a soldier. He was a true unsung hero.Stewart eloquently weaves the story of Rescorla's life into the story of 9-11. Rescorla played a critical role and arguably should have received a DSC (pictured on the book's jacket). This book brought tears to my eyes as I thought of his sacrifice. Sad for so valiant and great a warrior but not for the unassuming Rescorla.Beyond V-N, Rescorla continued to demonstrate the high standards of his Army career, leading to 9-11. Rick Rescola is the essence of a hero, a hero who virtually few will know.
To really understand Rescorla's contribution read Gen Hal Moore's book, "We were Soldiers Once, and Young". This is a man I wish I could have met, either in V-N or back in the world. Rescorla was a Cornishman who served in Africa with the UK, then joined the American Army in time for Viet-Nam. As M-S security chief Rescorla rescued many, ultimately sacrificing his own life, ironically after warning of the risks. We have too few like Rescorla and they are very unappreciated. Rescorla fought and was a leader at Ia Drang, a pivotal battle at the start of the War.
A further irony in lack of recognition is the movie combined Moore's character with Rescorla's; Rescorla was left out of the movie.
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