Title: Grey Feathers: Led by Love of Country
Author: Daniel Dewald
Publisher: ReadersMagnet, LLC
ISBN: 978-1958030141
Pages: 228
Genre: Asian History / Military History
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers
Pacific Book Review
One of the United States most prominent forces which has made the nation one of the most powerful in the world during the last two centuries has to be the military. From the formation of a powerful militia which became the first military of a new nation, to the emotional and bloody wars fought between brothers, to leading the charge in world wars and more, the United States military has become synonymous with the strength of the nation, whether you land on the side of peace or the side of war. As George Washington once said, “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for war.”
In author Daniel Dewald’s Grey Feathers: Led by Love of Country, the author takes readers into the depths of history to examine a piece of American military history. Exploring the actions and experiences of a combat platoon leader 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, the book takes readers back to the Vietnam War, between 1967 and 1970. Using an untold number of after-action reports, personal observations, personal experiences, interviews, and articles from the 4th division magazine, the book follows the unit in which each member is called a grey feather, as each man was battle tested and were known to be unselfish due to watching their fellow soldiers’ backs in war. The book examines the thought processes, decisions, and impact both physically and mentally which these events held.
The author did a phenomenal job of capturing the intensity and harrowing nature of war, especially the war in Vietnam. The heavy atmosphere and descriptive imagery the author used in his writing really brought the experiences and memories of these soldiers, and the hardships faced in these violent times, to a whole new light. The balance the author struck between memoir-style writing with heavy amounts of research and development through numerous interviews and documents was great to see unfold, as it made the reader feel truly connected to the era and the history surrounding this war.
This is the perfect book for those who enjoy non-fiction reads, especially those which enjoy a mixture of history, culture, and war driven memoirs and nonfiction narratives. As a fan of history and someone who is always interested in learning more about the events which have shaped our world, I thought the way the author not only included specific moments and experiences from the war itself, but some knowledge of the countryside, the customs and even the various belief systems occurring within the nation at the time, all playing into the climate and conflict that emerged as a result.
Thought provoking, captivating, and engaging, author Daniel Dewald’s Grey Feathers: Led by Love of Country is a must-read non-fiction book. The chilling accounts and harrowing details the author delved into made this story feel both haunting yet honest, and the way the author was able to capture the dedication and service of the soldiers while also showing the hardships and struggles made for a memorable and worthwhile read.
