The Nightingale's Song | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert Timberg
Publisher: Free Press
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
Buy Used: $1.87
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New (39) Used (65) Collectible (4) from $1.87
Avg. Customer Rating:  66 reviews
Sales Rank: 20556
Media: Paperback
Edition: Touchstone ed
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.4
ISBN: 0684826739
Dewey Decimal Number: 327.73
EAN: 9780684826738
ASIN: 0684826739
Publication Date: September 11, 1996
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Condition: This book has writing and/or highlighting - in some cases a lot, sometimes just a few pages* If you can deal with the writing/markings, this is a great deal! * If this does not have writing and highlighting, it is probably a former library book * We carefully inspected this * Great customer service * Satisfaction Guaranteed!
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Product Description
Robert Timberg weaves together the lives of Annapolis graduates John McCain, James Webb, Oliver North, Robert McFarlane, and John Poindexter to reveal how the Vietnam War continues to haunt America. Casting all five men as metaphors for a legion of well-meaning if ill-starred warriors, Timberg probes the fault line between those who fought the war and those who used money, wit, and connections to avoid battle. A riveting tale that illuminates the flip side of the fabled Vietnam generation -- those who went.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 61 more reviews...
 Left, Left, Left, Right Left November 21, 2008
I would imagine if you took any 5 plebes at random one might find similar stories and experiences to one degree or another. Now, when you take these 5 who have made their mark, for better or worse, on the American Scene, things are bound to be somewhat jaded.
Coming from privileged backgrounds as a son of a congressman or of an admiral and grandson of another or from more humble roots, the story plays out pretty much the same.
The difference is in the slant.
Of the 5 main characters, only one would be considered a liberal. Jim Webb. Guess which of the 5 received the most favorable treatment, Jim Webb. To be fair, there were some passages where he is painted in a less than favorable light and his warts, insecurities and drama are exposed, for the most part, he gets a pass and some of his short comings are simply explained away.
While there are some sympathies offered the others, it was more in passing that an effort of parity. The author was kind enough to give his own, about three page review or so it seemed, on one of Webb's books. I am not sure if that was germane to the story.
While probably as factually accurate as any book of this kind, omission in favor of one character at the expense of others diminishes the value of this book.
Essentially, McCain is a flawed man who never grew up, Poindexter is a bookish introvert, McFarlane is a troubled individual and North is a sociopath mendacious loose-cannon. Then, there is St, Webb, A tortured, sensitive soul whose munificence knows no bounds.
Please.
A more ham-handed expose that treated all the same would have been far preferable to this thinly disguised paean to Jim Webb.
My other regret is that the time I spent reading this seemingly never-ending tome is time I will never get back.
 This is an important book June 12, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The "Nightingales's Song" is a remarkable story. I know three of the five characters, (McCain, McFarlane, and Webb), and truly admire them all. This book is a great piece of reporting, and is more relevant today than it was when it was first published. Admiral Jim Stavridis, still on the front lines of history, and a wonderful writer as well, said this book is a, "Greek tragedy," and is, "no more about Iran-Contra than 'Moby Dick' is about whaling." David Mamet who recommended this story to me and I both agree.
must read if you can remember watching the iran contra hearings on TV June 4, 2008
amazing must read book.
first the writing is simply beautiful, from the choice of words, to hidden humor and subtle points to the really big ideas that make a life ruined by reading well worthwhile.
second, i have no idea what genre this book falls into. it is unique.
it is the well researched story of 5 men's lives, those most effected by the iran contra hearings. from the day they entered the US Naval Academy to the time of the hearings.
the hearings are just a chapter or so at the very end. it is how they got to where they were and even more importantly --who they are and what they had learned during their time in government service that makes the books both a pleasure for the eye and for the mind. it is very good history with a high level analysis of what is good about these men and what is bad and how choosing each path is important, in these cases not only for the men involved but for the country they serviced.
thanks to the author for a very pleasant and rewarding day spent reading...
Still Interesting Today... May 2, 2008
This book was important when it was published and remains so today. It describes in detail key members of the Reagan administration and other prominent political figures. Some remain active today, e. g. John McCain, James Webb, Oliver North. Most interesting figure, in my opinion, was Admiral Poindexter. He was a brilliant man with a Ph. D. but commanded at sea and was apparently respected and liked by the sailors. In my opinion, it may be unusual for a CalTech PH. D. to be a down-to-earth commander of troops.
Lots of detail; well-researched; very interesting book.
 Nightengale Really Sings April 21, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book's insights into these prominent graduates of the U. S. Naval Academy. I gained in-depth information about the subjects which I never saw covered in any other publication.
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