Platoon Leader

A Memoir of Command in Combat

By: James R. McDonough

Narrated by: Joel Rooks

A remarkable memoir of small-unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in Vietnam.

"Using a lean style and a sense of pacing drawn from the tautest of novels, McDonough has produced a gripping account of his first command, a U.S. platoon taking part in the 'strategic hamlet' program.... Rather than present a potpourri of combat yarns...McDonough has focused a seasoned storyteller's eye on the details, people, and incidents that best communicate a visceral feel of command under fire.... For the author's honesty and literary craftsmanship, Platoon Leader seems destined to be read for a long time by second lieutenants trying to prepare for the future, veterans trying to remember the past, and civilians trying to understand what the profession of arms is all about." ( Army Times)

©2003 James R. McDonough (P)2003 Random House Audio

Not the full book

Good book but less than two hours. This is not the entire book or even close to it but they charged the full price.

Well written

A glimpse into the reality of leadership during the Vietnam war. I chose to listen to this account to learn leadership skills and to have a deeper perspective on my fathers service in the same war.

Good, but not good enough

If you could sum up Platoon Leader in three words, what would they be?

Brief, Entertaining, Educational

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Smart ending with classy author

What about Joel Rooks’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the clarity of the read and the reader's voice inflection.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The battle scene about 60% of the way through was very entertaining and a great learning read for future leaders.

Any additional comments?

I was very disappointed about how many corners were cut in the creating of this audible audio. I was following along with a hard copy of the book and the reader skips whole paragraphs and even at times a whole chapter. Which the listener would never know unless he had the book with him but I see it as very disrespectful to the author McDonough. I just hope I am getting a good read of the book using the audible product.

Wow, a quick, but amazing story.

Absolutely worth a read! Amazing story, perhaps one of the most detailed, from the heart books ever written.

Great book

Great leadership book. Small incite into the Vietnam War. A view at the horrors of war.

An e excellent book on combat leadership

JOCKO doesn’t disappoint on books he uses for leadership lessons. This is no different a book leaders should read.

Honest account of leadership in combat

This was a gripping account of a young LT in combat who struggles between decisions learned from an academic environment to the realities of war. His honest and reflective story provides a window into the harrowing experiences and decisions he must have faced as a raw platoon leader.

Very easy to ready of how it was

Great short recount of Vietnam. I wanted to listen to this because I came into possession of a helmet from 173rd in Vietnam. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting more in person account of what it was like.

A really vivid account of what Vietnam vets were task with while deployed.

The retelling of McDonough journey was riveting and provided a peak into the harsh reality soliders faced in Vietnam. If your interested in a first hand telling I would recommend this audiobook, the narrator pulls you in and keeps you engaged as the journey unfolds.

Missing parts of the Book

I was reading the book and listening to it so that I could get through it faster when I did not have my paper copy on hand. Things did not line up because there are entire sections of the book missing from the narrated version