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| American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert Coram
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Category: Book
List Price: $15.99
Buy New: $9.14
You Save: $6.85 (43%)
Buy New/Used from $7.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  (19 reviews)
Sales Rank: 80919
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 0316067393
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9780316067393
ASIN: 0316067393
Publication Date: June 2, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
During the course of his military career, through World War II, Korean, and then Vietnam, Bud Day received every available combat medal, escaped death on no fewer than seven occasions, and spent sixty-seven months as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where his roommate was John McCain. Despite incredible torture, Day would not break. He became a hero to POWs everywhere--a man who fought without pause, a prisoner at war.
But Day's story didn't end when he returned home from Vietnam. In fact, in some ways, it was just beginning. He became a passionate advocate for veterans' rights, a hero to those who served their country so bravely and selflessly. And when theClinton Administration cut veterans' medical benefits, Bud Day knew that--however weary his bones, however aged his comrades--it was time to suit up for a new battle, this time against an opponent he had never expected to face: the United States government.
"Superb....[Coram] has researched thoroughly and written fluently and with sympathy for his subject, an authentic hero worthy of many books."--Booklist
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
No dusty history here: this is the stuff of legends. It's a great read. August 2, 2008
This is a great book that is bound to be of interest to many pilots.
It is the story of Misty 1, the leader of the Top Secret Squadron that flew some of the most dangerous missions of the Vietnam War, alone, solo, on the deck, with no wingman or back up. But it's more than that. Much more.
Most of our tales of American heros are old, from the Revolutionary War or perhaps World War II. This book starts there, but there is so much more.
It's a story that Americans should know about a deadbeat kid from the wrong side of the tracks who bettered himself and served his nation with honor. I got misty eyed in places.
And the end of the book -- when Colonel Day and his wife successfully fought Washington politics and self-serving revisionist history is the stuff of legends. When our own government sought to betray its veterans, Bud Day's small law firm sued in the Supreme Court and prevailed. The story of what really happened behind the scenes in the 2004 election was even more amazing. God bless Colonel Bud Day, and God Bless America.
Americans should read this book. It should be required reading for high school history classes. This story exemplifies the service, deeds and honor that made America great, not in the long-ago past, but today; not just in the past but also for the future. It's timely reading for the 2008 election. Bud Day was John McCain's roommate in the Hanoi Hilton prison camp, where they both suffered torture and inhumane treatment.
This is a story of honor and the American Dream, and Robert Coram tells it well, and in honor of the father he never understood.
Incredible Book!! July 12, 2008
A must read! Puts life into perspective. Traffic, bills, taxes seem trivial compared to the hardship he endured.
Where Do We Get Such Men? July 11, 2008
There are several excellent reviews of this book already posted, so I'll keep mine brief. Yesterday I was having a really lousy day, and wallowing in self-pity after work, my dear spouse took pity on me and said "I was saving this for your birthday, but let me give you something." She dug around in a hiding spot and handed me this book.
I read the entire book, cover to cover, over the next six hours. Couldn't put it down. I had never even heard of "Bud" Day until last night. Today, I have to tell you that I stand taller myself having read this book.
A young Marine in World War II, a pilot in Korea in Vietnam, and the holder of every decoration for bravery that this country can award. He never did it for the glory- he simply saw his duty and did it. His story is about a man who wanted to rise up from the wrong side of the tracks, better himself and make something of himself. Clearly, he succeeded. But so did Robert Coram, the author, who paints a realistic picture in following the life of George Day, his wife and children.
Robert Coram starts his preface as follows: "...Every time I was with Bud Day and the Mistys [the group he commanded] or the POWs, I recalled that line from James Michener when the admiral is standing on the bridge of an aircraft carrier watching his pilots take off against the terrible defenses at Toko-Ri and says to himself, 'Where do we get such men?'"
Get this book and read it. Get an extra copy or two and give as gifts to YOUR favorite patriot. And while you're at it, get a copy of his book about John Boyd. Both should be on your bookshelf.
American Patriot July 3, 2008
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I'm also glad folks like "Bud" Day stand up to our Govt. to right the wrongs that were done to fellow GI's like myself.
I would recommed this book highly!!!!!
should be required reading in schools May 23, 2008
A real page turner, I read this over the weekend while visiting family.
It's not only an amazing story about Bud, the history before and after Viet Nam are equally insightful. I think it's suitable for 8th graders and up and should be required reading for all students. The incredible journey of Bud is fascinating and I rate this as one of the best non fiction books I've ever read. For those who don't read 'war' books, this is the exception you must read.
Did you see the movie Forest Gump? About a man who just had one amazing life experience after another? There's no relation at all to the mens lives, but that's the way this book reads. Bud just seems to have one amazing experience (not easy ones!) after another. Learn about his journey and how he served under 3 separate armed forces divisions. He is one tough guy and the truly an AMERICAN PATRIOT.
2008 Political Note: John McCain and John Kerry are both mentioned in the book.
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