I hesitatingly bought this book. I spent over 13 yrs in Airborne units out of 21 yrs in the Army. I saw the author was a former Airborne NCO and was kind of expecting some “hoah-hoah” kind of book and felt it was a stretch to try and prove the impact of Airborne training and culture on the overall Army experience since 1940. Boy was I proven wrong. The author tackles the subject with authority and makes his points well. As much as I abhor the idea of air assault being in the same vein as Airborne, the author has forced me to change my mind – I still don’t have to like them though. This book is a short read at 10 hrs and an easy read as you want to keep reading it. The analysis of famous Airborne personalities, like Gavin, Ridgeway and others was interesting and necessary. I believe this book should be mandatory reading for Airborne junior officers and junior NCOs. Sadly, in the time I’ve been out of the Army, I feel like the Airborne legacy, through its traditions, culture, and “specialness” has faded. I highly recommend this book.
On a personal note: I joined for the reasons the author gives for many soldiers going to Airborne school and joining Airborne units – I wanted to live that life of risk and adventure and the Airborne soldiers of WW2 started it all and set the standard. They motivated me to join and go Airborne.