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Product Description
Product Description
In the summer of 2008, General Rick Hillier retired as Chief of the Defence staff of the Canadian Forces. You could almost hear the sigh of relief in Ottawa as Canada's most popular, and most controversial, military leader since the second World War left a role in which he'd been as frank, unpredictable and resolutely apolitical as any of his predecessors.
Born and raised in Newfoundland, Hillier joined the military as a young man and quickly climbed the ranks. He played a significant role in such domestic challenges as the ice storm that paralyzed much of eastern Ontario and Quebec in 1998, and quickly became a player on the international scene, commanding an American corps in Texas and a multinational NATO task force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But it was his role as General Rick Hillier, Canada's Chief of the Defence staff, that defined him as a Canadian icon.
In Afghanistan, Canada faced its first combat losses since the Korean War, with every casualty becoming front page news. A country formerly ambivalent, or even angry, about its role in the conflict suddenly became gripped by the drama unfolding not only in a war zone halfway around the world but in unfriendly conference rooms in Ottawa. There, as everywhere, Hillier pulled no punches, demanding more funding, more troops and more appreciation for the women and men fighting a war on foreign soil. This hard-hitting, honest account of Hillier's role -- told in his own words -- will be one of the most important books published in Canada this decade.
About the Author
General Rick Hillier, born in Newfoundland and Labrador, enlisted in the Canadian Forces in 1973 through the Regular Officer Training Plan program. He graduated from Memorial University in 1975 with a B.Sc. degree. In May 2003 Hillier was appointed Commander of the Army, and in October 2003 he was selected as the Commander of the NATO-led International security Assistance Force (IsAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan. General Hillier was promoted to Chief of the Defence staff in February 2005 and stepped down in the summer of 2008.
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Most helpful customer reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tell it like it is/was,
By
This review is from: A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War (Hardcover)
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
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to read and understand,
By albertacowpoke "albertacowpoke" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War (Hardcover)
This book moves from General Hillier's early life, his motivation for enrolling in the military and then outlines his military career, establishing his credential.
His depiction of the struggles among departments within the Federal Gouvernment, coupled with the ego of personalities was right on. His interface with three Ministers of National Defence and two Prime Ministers was well depicted. Finally his outline, description and decisions on the Afghan conflict will provide Canadians withe the reason we should support these efforts. He constantly reminds us that our sons and daughters are dying there. This book is required reading for all Canadians, even those that oppose the war in Afghanistan.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Friend,
By
This review is from: A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War (Hardcover)
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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