Wiser in Battle CD: A Soldier's Story | 
| Creator: Ricardo S. Sanchez
Publisher: HarperAudio
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
Buy New: $4.20
You Save: $30.75 (88%)
New (30) Used (5) from $3.37
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 743183
Format: Abridged, Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Abridged
Number Of Items: 5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.1 x 5.2 x 0.7
ISBN: 0061662240
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.0092
EAN: 9780061662249
ASIN: 0061662240
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Amidst all of the criticisms of America's war in Iraq, one essential voice has remained silent . . . until now. In his groundbreaking new memoir, Wiser in Battle, LTG (Ret) Ricardo S. Sanchez, former Commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq, reports back from the front lines of the global War on Terror to provide a comprehensive and chilling exploration of America's historic military and foreign policy blunder. With unflinching candor, Sanchez describes the chaos on the Iraqi battlefield caused by the Bush Administration's misguided command of the military, as well as his own struggle to set the coalition on the path towards victory. Sanchez illuminates the fallout of the communication breakdown between the leadership on the battlefield and the politicians in Washington. The first book written by a former on-site commander in Iraq, Wiser in Battle is essential reading for all who wish to understand the current war and the American military's role in the new century.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Sanchez Serves His Country Again July 13, 2008
As someone deeply involved in activities for the promotion of the German-American Partnership, I had the good fortune to meet Ricardo and Maria Elena Sanchez here in Germany before Ric was sent to Iraq. I was very impressed by Ric's honesty, humility, devotion to duty and his willingness, despite his unbelievably crowded schedule, to devote quality time to helping us promote cross-cultural understanding. Since he was one of the few high-ranking people that I found really impressive, I followed his subsequent career with great interest. As the tragic events in Iraq unfolded, I knew there had to be more to the story. I am extremely grateful to Ric for having the courage to write this outstanding book. Generations after us will use it as primary source material to help understand how the combination of ignorance, incompetence and hubris exhibited by the Bush administration has so severely diminished America's image in the world and inflicted damage on the country's institutions that will take decades to repair. Ric Sanchez by emphasizing the importance of truth, honesty and self-criticism in overcoming the legacy of our failures has served his country once again in an exemplary fashion.
David T. Fisher
Former President of the German-American Steuben Schurz Society
Interesting personal memoir. June 28, 2008
All memoirs tend to be self serving and this one fits the usual template. General Sanchez seems never to have made a mistake in his career or his life. And the bureaucratic details with their endless abbreviations and acronyms are sometimes confusing. There are minor spelling mistakes but that's the copy editor's responsibility. All that aside, this is a pretty believable story about an Hispanic guy who came out of the wilderness and rose to command an army in Iraq. The good general doesn't clobber any of his army comrades, although he insinuates, and saves his carefully expressed displeasure for the civilian leadership. Not so much Bush, who comes off as usually sincere, sometimes loony, but for Rumsfeld and the Democrats in Congress, both of whom come out looking like either lying morons (Rumsfeld) or angry but uninformed (Congressional committees). One can question some of his claims but his description of the Marine's abortive battle for Falujah is supported by a recent documentary being shown on the Military Channel. Sanchez was forced to retire and was deprived of a star for political reasons, mostly having to do with Abu Ghraib. He claims to have done the best possible job at the prison and elsewhere in Iraq, given that he was usually 60% under strength. I believed him, but you can judge for yourself.
A Soldier's Conundrum June 28, 2008
"Wiser in Battle" made for interesting reading, but it also pointed up the soldier's dilema when faced with the conflicting objectives of politicians and the military.
Throughout the book, General Sanchez had nothing but positive things to say about results achieved under his command, but at a certain point, when it was abundantly clear that things had gone badly wrong, he finally laid the blame where it should have been in the first place: The President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of State, as well as Condi Rice.
For those interested in studying this phenomonem, it's worth reading. It is a pity, however, that honorable officers are put in the position he was, where he had a choice of speaking out or resigning.
If all the retired generals who are now criticizing the war had resigned en masse, perhaps we wouldn't be looking for a 100-year occupation, as the good Senator McCain suggests.
 Sour Grapes June 22, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
LTG Sanchez probably has a legitimate complaint as to how his retirement was handled.....but this book is a poor way to express it. He has taken great liberties with the facts and his view is not necessarily the correct one. He has written a puff piece about this poor Hispanic Texan who rose to three stars in the Army. As a minimum, he should have gotten people's names correct; among others it is "Rick" (not Ric) Brown, the CG at Ft Knox, who gave him considerable responsibility early in his career. Overall, a disappointing book. I blame the editors for allowing it to be published without some fact checking. Might have been a better book with just a little more work!
How things went wrong June 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Being a retired soldier myself I can now understand how things went so wrong in Iraq. LT GEN Sanchez has identified the poor planning of our national leadership and their lack of understanding in military matters. The military is not a business and can not be ran like one. Our old Texas A&I student has served his nation well. CSM, USA Retire William R. Notz
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