Colonel David H. Hackworth had a long and distinguished career as a soldier in the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served in a variety of roles, including commander of a withdrawal-by-airborne regiment. In About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, published in 1989 by Simon & Schuster, Hackworth tells the story of his service and his own personal journey from soldier to peacemaker.
The book begins with a historical overview of the United States military from WWII to the Vietnam War and follows Hackworth’s service from his grueling training at Fort Knox to his participation and leadership in a variety of battles around the world. Throughout, Hackworth gives a gripping account of the life of an American soldier, complete with triumphant victories and devastating losses and moments of courage, as well as moments of terror.
The heart of About Face is Hackworth’s own story—his struggles, both physical and emotional, as he seeks to do what he believes is right. In Vietnam, Hackworth is a thinking soldier and leader, and he uses his energy, conviction, and intelligence to challenge the war’s senselessness. He criticizes the government and military leaders for their hypocrisy in working to reduce the number of troops in Vietnam while continuing to send more troops.
At the same time, Hackworth is also drinking too much and developing an addiction to painkillers. Throughout the book, Hackworth brings his current struggles together with his memories from Korea and Vietnam to help readers understand the severity of the mental and physical price paid by soldiers in war.
The bulk of About Face consists of Hackworth's own reflections on his life and service. He explores the complexity of his existence, detailing the moments of pleasure, pain, and gratitude that come with soldiering and compels readers to confront the horrors of war. The book leaves readers painfully aware of the lengths to which people are pushed in wartime.
The book concludes with Hackworth’s return from Vietnam and his transition from soldier to peacemaker—becoming an advocate for his fellow soldiers and the cause of ending the Vietnam War. Written in the late 1980s, the book is remarkably prophetic, as many of the issues Hackworth raises resurfaced during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ultimately, About Face is a fascinating look into the life of an American warrior and a window into how soldiers cope with the realities of war. It is a thoughtful and moving exploration of the intense emotions and hard-won wisdom that accompany war and a timeless reminder of the courage of soldiers.
