This book is what our current life is really about in the Post 911 era. We visit two soldiers who live life together in Africa and then in Vietnam. It (at the end of the book) debunks our police frame work and the cover-ups of the Bush and Clinton Administrations. These two soldiers warn us of the impending Air Strikes against the Twin Towers years in advance. There can be no second guessing the correct warning they gave the NYPD,The FBI, and others. This book should be made into a film. Give this book a buy and pass it around to all you know and care for. And yes I was there on top of the towers in 1989 and felt the tremor of impending doom awaiting us in the future. Every American should be proud of these soldiers and applaud them.

this book chronicle's one man journey through the 20th century. His journey spans two devastating periods in America's history and is narrated through the eyes of the everyday man.

I had finished We Were Soldiers Once...and Young, and I was very interested in knowing more about Cyril 'Rick' Rescorla, one of the soldiers who had been in the Ia Drang valley. I googled his name and was thrilled that this book had been written about him. After everything he survived in Vietnam to die while making sure others got to safety on 9/11, I was stunned. I have read many books about Vietnam and this is by far the best. Wow what a story. I will keep this book forever, and when I need a refresher on humanity, I will reread this magnificent story. The book is a very riveting war story, so well written I couldn't put it down. Even my friends who aren't interested in wars of the past are reading it.

I just finished this book a few days ago and cannot believe he was a real person-he truly was a Kipling or Hemingway type of character. To be brave so many times in your life, and just trying to do the right thing is refresing to see, and we need to see more of it. His friendship with Dan is very close, and not always seen among men due to homophobia. What was most uncanny was how they knew 9/11 was coming and tried their best to prevent it. Unfortunatly it ends badly when Rick does one more heroic act, but he was a good example how to be a good, if somewhat flawed person. Needs to be made into a movie.

From childhood in the 1940s to 2001 two men's military experiences in colonial battles in Africa, Vietnam, and events leading to 9/11 provide a chronical of military temperment and commitment. This chronology includes their training, fears, heroics, loves , and being drawn into the mechanisms of terrorism before a terroristic event sets the stage for a final act of heroism demonstrated by one of these men.

Not since the story of Jonathan and David from the Bible has such a wonderful picture of male friendship been presented.
1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
In this day of sexual immorality and homophobia, men are afraid to be true friends and never experience the bonding and cameraderie that can develop from such a friendship. Bonds such as that are often only formed through war or intense danger.
I highly recommend this book to any man who lacks a true brother-in-arms.

Not since the story of Jonathan and David from the Bible has such a wonderful picture of male friendship been presented.
1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
In this day of sexual immorality and homophobia, men are afraid to be true friends and never experience the bonding and cameraderie that can develop from such a friendship. Bonds such as that are often only formed through war or intense danger.
I highly recommend this book to any man who lacks a true brother-in-arms.

A story of brave men. Some who warned of possible terrorist action and were ignored. Immigrants who spent their lives in service to the country. You will not forget this story.

I truly enjoy the writings of James Stewart. This has to be one of his best works. The book has everything and MUST BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!

It is as if his entire life was in preparation for that one moment on September 11. He is a hero and a great American. He saved 2,700 lives and has inspired thousands more. He certainly has inspired me. This book is extremely well written. Today, and always, I am proud to be an American.

It is as if his entire life was in preparation for that one moment on September 11. He is a hero and a great American. He saved 2,700 lives and has inspired thousands more. He certainly has inspired me. This book is extremely well written. Today, and always, I am proud to be an American.

What can I say. I have never read or listened to any of James Stewart's books, but this one made me a fan. I will have to go back to read everything he has written.

This book makes you appreciate all that our soldiers have done to defend this nation currently and in the past.

I have read every book Mr.Stewart has written. He is not a Pulitzer prize winner by accident, his writing is masterful and compelling, but I resisted reading Heart of a Soldier at first because I thought it was way out of Mr.Stewart's area of topics, and therefore it sat on my Amazon's wish list for quite some time. Finally, I decided to buy it and boy would I have missed out on one hell of a book if I had done otherwise. This is a book about extraordinary people and one in particular, Rick Riscolda. His life is depicted here without varnish or ornaments, none are needed.
With the help of Mr. Stewart Rick Riscolda has become one of those rare individuals whom the world should hear from, should learn and take comfort from. This is a wonderful life that beacons light, and light, lots of it is what we need in this world. To Mr. Riscolda, you have made another fellow american proud; to Mr. Stewart the merit of having enabled the rest of us, outside of his immediate circle, to meet this extraordinary human being.

After reading "We Were Soldiers Once and Young" and going to the LZ-XRAY web site I found out about the soldier on the cover of we were soldiers once and young. His name was Rick Rescorla. A few more digs into the history behind the photo I learned that Rick had died in the world trade center on 09-11-01 helping to save 2,700 of his fellow employee's. This book is a very good read as to the life of Rick Rescorla and I simply could not put it down reading the entire book in the last 48 hours. A hero that survived the Ia drang valley in Vietnam in November 1965 and numerous other military battles lost his life as a hero on 09-11-01. Rick Rescorla was a true leader in military and should set an example for others to follow. It's a shame we have not heard of Rick or the things that he has done prior to his death. Dan Hill the long time friend of Rick is also another hero of this story. If you want a book that will grab you then by all means this is the one for you. Author James Stewart has outdone himself.

I nearly wept after reading the excerpt published in the New Yorker. ("The Real Heros are Dead", Feb 11 2003, which is still available free on their website.)

And this piece just a hint of the quality of the rest of the book. Heart of a Soldier is justifiably a welcome respite from the usual politicizing, sensationalizing and garment-rending post-9/11 books. It elevated the tragedy to a profoundly heroic, yet poignantly human level -- something I believe we're all in need of.

After all, the memory of 9/11 means more than the loss of the buildings and of nearly 3,000 souls. Because we rebuild. Life does go on. It's about the human experiences because that's what will be remembered for generations. They are true sources of inspiration. In the context of his experience, Richard Rescorla serves as a powerful reminder -- and an example -- of how one person, one life, anyone, can rise above when called upon to make a difference.

I bought this book a year ago and never read it. When I picked it up I assumed I was reading a story of 9/11. But a small portion of this book covers the 9/11 incident. In fact, for the first 50 pages, the book was rather boring and I couldn't understand where it was going. It starts in Africa where two soldiers meet and develop a bond. Then it jumps to a college student who is studying in Portugal and refuses to have an affair with a married man. Where is this book going?

But after this backfill, the book really supercharges. Over half of the book covers Rescorla and Hill's military career, from work in Africa to rejoining the Army in time for Vietnam. In Rescorla's case, he wasn't even an American. They are both exceptional heroes and reading of their battles is very inspiring. It's also interesting to watch their views of the war change as they view the carnage. Although I had read "They Were Soldiers Once...", I did not remember Rescorla's name so it was fascinating to revisit his involvement and performance.

When the book leaves the military section but prior to the 9/11 event, there is an interesting section where Hill and Rescorla struggle with their identity as veterans of Vietnam, Rescorla particularly. But possibly the most fascinating part of this book is Hill's prediction of the next wave of terrorist attacks and what they would target. Hill participated in the Muslim religion including trips to Afghanistan and presented the FBI with an interesting proposal about Osama Bin Laden prior to 9/11.

And that's what makes this book so compelling. These two men touched four continents but seemed to always be involved in fascinating history that concludes with 9/11. Prior to 9/11 the book details a fascinating love story which finally ties back the confusing start of the book.

I strongly recommend this book if you have interest in war stories, particularly the Vietnam War, patriotism or fascinating details of 9/11. But the real reason you should read this book is to learn of a sincere man who chose to become and American and lived a normal middle-aged life until he found the love of his life which sparked his existence and gave him the strength to deal with cancer.

I had read "We Were Soldiers" before, so I already knew the name of Rick Rescorla and was surprised when his name came up in TV discussions shortly after 9/11. His presence in the South Tower felt particularly personal. I had worked for Morgan Stanley myself, and had several friends in that building who got out thanks to Rescorla's efforts.

The book did not disappoint at all. His life was more fascinating than even I expected. While the ending was tragic, the life described in the book was one worth living and which should be inspiring to anybody who likes seeing the good side of humanity.

Rick Rescorla was a wonderful man. He seemed too large for this world. He lead a life only a few could handle.
But this book isn't about an immigrant, a war, or a tragedy. This book is about the complete life of a man. I thought James Stewart did a wonderful job, through the help of Dan Hill and Susan Rescorla, to capture the person Mr. Rescorla was. The book doesn't portray him as a hero, in a glorified sense. It serves a greater justice. Rescorla was a unique man, loved and respected by man. And this book put that in perspective without giving him any undue credit. In death, this book did exactly what happened in Rick's life: he got respect that he deserved but he never asked for. I salute a great man, who made his friends, his wife,his kids, and the men he served with better for knowing him.

Wow, Rick. It's hard to believe it's been over a year since you left us in your final act of selflessness. Reminds me of how I met you back in 1992. The tire on my '78 Bug exploded, and I was stranded on the side of the road during rush hour. Horns honking at me, no one willing to help out an old man, and here you come. Smiling and waving, and all set to change the spare and then follow me home to make sure I get there alright. Since then, there were visits to my home with meals, offers to do laundry, fix my roof, and so on. And of course you helped me through the loss of my wife, crying with me, laughing and looking through old photographs, listening for the 1000th time as I tell you about the birth of our only child (you became like my second child). I love you and miss you. As Jack said, "You make me want to be a better man."