A book everyone should read if they are interested in Afghanistan, the Canadian Forces or Rick Hillier himself. He calls accurate shots on the UN, NATO, the Afghan Government and the bureaucrat-diplomats of the ministry of Foreign Affairs or whatever it calls itself now. This book is probably one of the most outspoken and accurate accounts of what Canadians are doing in Afghanistan. Clearly it is a chance for Canadian soldiers to shine as well as die. But they are all volunteers. Even those who disagree with the Canadian role in Afghanistan will rejoice that Canada has finally produced a good leader only to have him retire - and brave soldiers to match his excellent leadership. It is also heart-warming to see a leader who tells his political masters what is really required. He was all about getting the ordinary people of Canada behind the Forces, and hence the approval; of necessary funds to renew all the relevant arms

But one suspects that this Afghanistan experience is also about a meaningful role for the Canadian Forces after years of so-called "peacekeeping" where nothing happens unless it was agreeable to the Security Council members and the states involved (see also Romeo dÁllaire's story par example). Also, remember when Egypt ordered the UN out of their territory just before they got waxed in the 1967 war. Hillier is rightfully disdainful of the UN and NATO after the end of the Cold War

Average Rating:

Rating: - Tell it like it is/was
A book everyone should read if they are interested in Afghanistan, the Canadian Forces or Rick Hillier himself. He calls accurate shots on the UN, NATO, the Afghan Government and the bureaucrat-diplomats of the ministry of Foreign Affairs or whatever it calls itself now. This book is probably one of the most outspoken and accurate accounts of what Canadians are doing in Afghanistan. Clearly it is a chance for Canadian soldiers to shine as well as die. But they are all volunteers. Even those who disagree with the Canadian role in Afghanistan will rejoice that Canada has finally produced a good leader only to have him retire - and brave soldiers to match his excellent leadership. It is also heart-warming to see a leader who tells his political masters what is really required. He was all about getting the ordinary people of Canada behind the Forces, and hence the approval; of necessary funds to renew all the relevant arms

But one suspects that this Afghanistan experience is also about a meaningful role for the Canadian Forces after years of so-called "peacekeeping" where nothing happens unless it was agreeable to the Security Council members and the states involved (see also Romeo dÁllaire's story par example). Also, remember when Egypt ordered the UN out of their territory just before they got waxed in the 1967 war. Hillier is rightfully disdainful of the UN and NATO after the end of the Cold War

Rating: - excellent
Excellent, general Hillier did it again, Frank, Candid, give us a better understanding of the military

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Rating: - Friend
I have had the opportunity of having known General Rick Hillier when he was the Commanding Officer of The Royal Canadian Dragoons and I was the President of The Royal Canadian Dragoon Association (old guard). Although not being of the Commissioned Officer status when I served, I do know most of the people of whom he speaks of in his book.

His book cuts through all of the always suspected but not really understand beaurocracy hang-ups of Ottawa and its' many pitfalls to expose the underlying reasons for the myriad of problems endured by the Canadian Forces under previous governments and the power hungry civil servants who even todaty, attempt to thwart any change at any level just so they can maintain their privileged positions "at the trough".

It laid bare his true greatness as a Commander, both tactically, and as a caring, compassionate human being.

A great read, and I would highly recommend it.

Thomas Parr

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Rating: - Good bio
It was a good biography and an excellent overview of our former top military brass. I enjoyed the diffrent insight he gave about his operationnal experience and his opinion about the state of the CF in his first half of his career. Great spokeman for our Forces.

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