It's not the writing that is short form; the thinking is short form. People don't ponder. They start with the conclusion, and then find dots to connect that will prove they're right. And to hell with all those other dots..
A recipe for madness and nihilism. Our century needs a social media break because it is turning up this dot connecting to warp speed. Thank you for taking this theme even further.
Once an Eagle is so good — and, Sam, I think you extrapolated it perfectly. These books you live in for days, weeks after you finish them — these, we need to hold closely.
Sam: this essay is strong. It hits hard, and the comments reinforce that. If given a choice I’ll “lose” with the other Damons; the modern day Massengales can have the clicks, likes, and glitter. Tim
Sam, they made the novel into a made for TV movie in 1976. Sam Elliot played Sam Damon and some other guy Massengale (did a great job of being sublimely evil!) It was must see TV! It lead to reading the book. It’s worth trying to find and view the movie, I think. It shaped me, my thinking about how I would lead my Marines when the day came and it did come. There were and you saw them as well Officers that were popinjays and always currying favor looking for the next rank. Two come to mind in the last 20 years, David Petraeus and Stanley McCrystal, perfect Massengales. I would also say in addition to reading good fiction that poetry isn’t a bad fix either. My favorite is TS Eliot’s “Four Quartets”My favorite of the four quartets is “Dry Salvages” I suspect if you read it you’ll see why I like it so much but the others are great and since starting to read them at age 15 the meanings and so forth have changed and grown with me, I learn something new even at age 69.5…ahhh yessss that’s what he meant!
Lastly your choice of photo of the epic Battle of Tarawa hits home. The Marines thought it a bad idea and it was, and further it gave rise to the use of underwater demolition teams, we needed recon of the beaches after the carnage on the low tide reefs. So Frogman, thus
came the SEAL’s and thank goodness for someone having the vision to create frogmen from tadpoles. We knuckle dragging 03’s know where our bread is buttered! Never cross a beach you know nothing about! Hmmm maybe a metaphor of life in that statement! Great post!
I need to dig into the Four Quartets, I have never heard of them. I could not agree more with your estimation of our senior leaders—we can add a few more names to that list as well. It is as if some of them read Once an Eagle like a tutorial on how to become Massengale. And the heritage is strong; I loved hydrographic reconnaissance in training, though actually doing that in war with 10,000 Japanese trying to kill me is quite different from war in the mountains and the only water in sight a shallow river. Thank you for leaving me some things to think about.
Again, outstanding Sam, it is the reasons you list that I have gotten into writing military fiction nine months ago. The first book should be out soon, samples are on my Substack page.
I am absolutely stoked to read it, Don. Fiction needs a resurgence, and the more vets like Myrer writing, the better our understanding of these fundamentally human themes.
Much like politics, it may be we only see the most radical people out there, but most are waiting for something real. I’m stoked to read it when you’re done.
Thank you for sharing your reaction to a gem you’ve read. The exploration of choosing the lesser’s of the evils requires a long form whether written or thoughts over days, weeks and many times returning to us.
It's not the writing that is short form; the thinking is short form. People don't ponder. They start with the conclusion, and then find dots to connect that will prove they're right. And to hell with all those other dots..
A recipe for madness and nihilism. Our century needs a social media break because it is turning up this dot connecting to warp speed. Thank you for taking this theme even further.
Once an Eagle is so good — and, Sam, I think you extrapolated it perfectly. These books you live in for days, weeks after you finish them — these, we need to hold closely.
It can be painful. The same thing happened to me with Musashi. It is gut wrenching in the best way. Thanks Lou.
Ordered and looking forward to slow reading.
Let’s go. I can’t put it into words. Literally a stunning work of art and soul. Let me know what you think, I’m genuinely curious.
Sam: this essay is strong. It hits hard, and the comments reinforce that. If given a choice I’ll “lose” with the other Damons; the modern day Massengales can have the clicks, likes, and glitter. Tim
I’m here for it. I’ll take a trench over a tent any day, a book over a social media platform.
Sam, they made the novel into a made for TV movie in 1976. Sam Elliot played Sam Damon and some other guy Massengale (did a great job of being sublimely evil!) It was must see TV! It lead to reading the book. It’s worth trying to find and view the movie, I think. It shaped me, my thinking about how I would lead my Marines when the day came and it did come. There were and you saw them as well Officers that were popinjays and always currying favor looking for the next rank. Two come to mind in the last 20 years, David Petraeus and Stanley McCrystal, perfect Massengales. I would also say in addition to reading good fiction that poetry isn’t a bad fix either. My favorite is TS Eliot’s “Four Quartets”My favorite of the four quartets is “Dry Salvages” I suspect if you read it you’ll see why I like it so much but the others are great and since starting to read them at age 15 the meanings and so forth have changed and grown with me, I learn something new even at age 69.5…ahhh yessss that’s what he meant!
Lastly your choice of photo of the epic Battle of Tarawa hits home. The Marines thought it a bad idea and it was, and further it gave rise to the use of underwater demolition teams, we needed recon of the beaches after the carnage on the low tide reefs. So Frogman, thus
came the SEAL’s and thank goodness for someone having the vision to create frogmen from tadpoles. We knuckle dragging 03’s know where our bread is buttered! Never cross a beach you know nothing about! Hmmm maybe a metaphor of life in that statement! Great post!
I need to dig into the Four Quartets, I have never heard of them. I could not agree more with your estimation of our senior leaders—we can add a few more names to that list as well. It is as if some of them read Once an Eagle like a tutorial on how to become Massengale. And the heritage is strong; I loved hydrographic reconnaissance in training, though actually doing that in war with 10,000 Japanese trying to kill me is quite different from war in the mountains and the only water in sight a shallow river. Thank you for leaving me some things to think about.
Again, outstanding Sam, it is the reasons you list that I have gotten into writing military fiction nine months ago. The first book should be out soon, samples are on my Substack page.
I am absolutely stoked to read it, Don. Fiction needs a resurgence, and the more vets like Myrer writing, the better our understanding of these fundamentally human themes.
As I sit here and work re-writes of a novel, reading this gives me energy.
Much like politics, it may be we only see the most radical people out there, but most are waiting for something real. I’m stoked to read it when you’re done.
As I sit here and work re-writes of a novel, reading this gives me energy.
Thank you for sharing your reaction to a gem you’ve read. The exploration of choosing the lesser’s of the evils requires a long form whether written or thoughts over days, weeks and many times returning to us.
I’m here for it Barry. The more time we take to think long term in 2025, the better everything after will be.