Book Review: Heart of a Patriot (Max Cleland)

by: gradyw

Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 20:58:16 PM CST

Warning: This is not a book about a politician. This is not a book about military policy. This is a book about a son, a veteran, a neighbor, a friend who faces his demons, failures and regrets. This is about a person who shows his true courage in repair his shattered life more than any person should endure. This is a book that if you are human will tug at your heartstrings.

cross posted at The Progressive Electorate  

After being defeated by Chambliss, Max describes the darkest period in his life since Vietnam when he lost three of his limbs. Until going back to Walter Reed in 2004, Max discloses that he had never been properly treated for his PTSD. There were two moments in the book that I found particularly touching.

1. Max in his second stay at Walter Reed became "fast friends" (his words) with Tammy Duckworth who you might remember ran for Congress in Illinois for Henry Hyde's old seat in 2006. Tammy Duckworth, now an Assistant Secretary for the VA, lost her legs and had her right arm  mangled from her service in Iraq. Just like Max from Vietnam he says.

"That Afternoon, she told me that I had been her inspiration. I was blown away. Then she said she was a female Max Cleland . . . Tammy became my hero"

2. Max watched Obama's inaugural address at home in Georgia. Max discusses what this mean to him. Obama mentioned Khe Sanh - the battled that changed Max's life - and Max feels that for the first time this battle was equated with other famous battles. So many of our Vietnam Veterans felt like Max Cleland that they were the most ignored and mistreated group of Veterans in American history.

I will not give away any more of the book, I've offered enough teasers. I promise it is a page turner. This is a review not a report or synopsis. I hope you read this book because it will give you a new appreciation for not only Max Cleland, but our Veterans.