Soldiers Made Me Look Good [Hardcover]

 

 

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In this follow up biographical journal, Major-General (Ret'd) Lewis MacKenzie fills us in on more of the story of his life and career as a soldier. The writing style is much the same as his previous book, combining an engaging journalistic style with a dry sense of humour. As with his previous volume, parts of this book can also be read as a series of lessons on leadership and command.

MacKenzie uses this book to show many of the small moments and memorable scenes that led a fairly typical young Canadian to be become first a soldier and then an outstanding leader in the profession of arms. The author always seems more interested in telling the story than making himself the hero of the story and while one must perforce be the protagonist of one's own story, the General consistently gives credit to others for many of his successes while possibly claiming more than his due share of blame for his failures, nor does he spare himself from responsibility when he tells us how on occasion he blundered when dealing with journalists.

MacKenzie also uses this book to answer some of the negative treatment he has received by the press and the vile slander that has been directed at him by various factions.

Never one to shy away from controversy, MacKenzie lays out the case for his side of his now famous difference of opinion with Lieutenant General (Ret'd) Romeo Dallaire in regard to the hierarchy of mission and soldiers in importance to a commander. MacKenzie illustrates the disagreement with a timeline of events in Rwanda on April 6, 1994, which MacKenzie uses to show that that Dallaire waited nearly an entire day to ask after the fate of troops under his command while having been essentially told by the UN to abandon Rwandans to their fate. MacKenzie hammers home that Dallaire was in a situation where it was clear there was no longer any peace to keep, the political and diplomatic basis for his mission gone and orders from New York contradicted the agreed rules of engagement. This is, to use MacKenzie's terms "one of those times, albeit rare" where a commander needs to put the question of soldiers versus mission to himself and MacKenzie would say put the soldiers first. MacKenzie is not implying that had Dallaire acted differently a different outcome would have happened either for the Belgians or the Rwandans, but MacKenzie is arguing that Dallaire did none of the things that might have given him the opportunity to rescue his men, and that by not consolidating his own military forces Dallaire also lost the chance to have any real effect on the horror that was unfolding.

MacKenzie's career features at least one moment of similar decision and so to that extent no matter which side of the issue a reader is on, they owe MacKenzie the chance to make his point. Personally I found MacKenzie's side of the debate convincing, but at the same time I am not sure how one trains generals how to know when to ignore orders. It is up to the reader to make up there own mind - but I would suggest for those trying to figure out who is right it would be well worth the time to read "Peacekeeper" and "Shake Hands with the Devil" and compare the careers and decision making of both men in their times of great crisis.

It seems to me that MacKenzie takes no pleasure in this disagreement with Dallaire, but he feels so strongly that Dallaire is sending the wrong message to the next generation of Canadian Generals that he cannot let the issue rest.

The book is rounded off with essay like chapters on leadership, Afghanistan, the mythology surrounding Canadian Peacekeeping, defence priorities and some of his post Sarajevo adventures.

Anyone who can read the chapter about ICROSS and the story of the late Coporal Mark "Izzy" Isfield, the tragic story of his family and keep a dry eye must be made of stone. For those who don't know the hand knitted "Izzy" dolls our soldiers and ICROSS hand out to children in regions of conflict and privation are a tribute to this genuine Canadian hero who died in the service not just of our country but of all humanity, removing land mines far from home.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in Canadian or UN military history and biography.

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