Once An Eagle: A Novel

The phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller that captured the imagination of a generation

"A remarkable novel. . . utterly engrossing. . . . It is an astute study of the mind and character of a good general and a good man. And it is a brilliant inside view of the life of a career officer in peace and war."  — New York Times

“Simply the best work of fiction on leadership in print.” —General Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Required reading for West Point and Marine Corps cadets, Once An Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington's corridors of power. Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War—Vietnam.

Now with a new foreword by acclaimed historian Carlo D'Este, here is an unforgettable story of a man who embodies the best in our nation—and in us all.

First published in 1968 at the height of the conflict in Vietnam, Once An Eagle captured the imagination and heart of a war-torn nation, reaching number one on the New York Times bestseller list twice and selling more than three million copies. Published in nineteen languages, Anton Myrer's novel was made into an acclaimed television miniseries.

Thirty years after its initial publication, Once An Eagle has become a touchstone for the military professionals who devise and carry out our nation's defense. According to the New York Times, "Once An Eagle has worked its way over a generation into the mindset and lexicon of the American military." Named to the Marine Commandant's Reading List, it is required reading for all marines, is assigned to West Point cadets, and is featured in the United States Army War College's annual leadership seminar. Soldiers emblazon the protagonist's name-Sam Damon-across their tanks, and military officers at every level make decisions by asking themselves, "What would Sam do?"

Once An Eagle compellingly recounts the making of one special soldier, Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a soldier's soldier, the consummate professional, decorated in both world wars for bravery under fire, who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, the consummate political animal who disdains the average grunt, brilliantly advances by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington's corridors of power.

Begun amid the carnage of the Argonne, the conflict between Damon and Massengale solidifies in the isolated garrison life between the wars, intensifies in the verdant and deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War-Vietnam.

A sweeping chronicle of American warfare in the twentieth century, this gripping story portrays as well the often overlooked and cruel difficulties of life in peacetime. Once An Eagle is more than a novel of battle; it is a study in character and the values we continue to cherish: courage, nobility, honesty, and selflessness. Powerful and unforgettable, it is ultimately the epic story of a man who serves as an inspiration not just for soldiers, but for us all.

“A powerful, provocative and strongly-written novel...and an implied warning to the nation...One hopes that the Chiefs of Staff in Washington will read it with care.” - Cincinnati Enquirer

“Accurate and appealing. The most brilliant and moving description of men in battle I have read... Truly a great book.” - Hugh B. Hester - BG, U.S. Army

“An ambitious, magnificently vivid novel...compelling. The battle scenes are among the finest I have ever read.” - The Atlantic

“At long last we have what critics have been saying was lost to modern novels—an honest-to-God hero...a natural.” - Harpers

“Once An Eagle is remarkable in its presentation of the characteristics and attributes of a leader of warriors and men. . . . One of the great lessons of the book is to see to your character and your reputation will take care of itself." - Jack Carr, New York Times Bestselling author of The Terminal List

“A classic.” - Washington Post

“A great generational story of our US military, warts and all.” - Senator John McCain

“Simply the best work of fiction on leadership in print. It challenges us to think about what motivates us. It reminds us of the great cost of conflict, of what is best in human nature, and of our potential vulnerabilities in leading America’s sons and daughters in battle. Our choice is not to be Sam Damon or Courtney Massengale but rather to realize that we must be ourselves. It is in this knowledge that our real commitment to our profession—and to leadership—begins.” - General Martin E. Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Reflects skillful research in military areas as well as technical mastery of the writing craft...Through the gentle but courageous character of Damon, Myrer graphically describes the criminal, dirty, wasteful, savage immorality of war...The Army career man will look on it as a monument.” - Denver Post

“Remarkable . . . utterly engrossing. Myrer is a superb storyteller.” - New York Times

“The most outstanding novel I have seen in long years. And it is far and away the best work of fiction with a military background I have ever read.” - Journal of the Armed Forces

“Ranks with Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front as time-tested epics of war and warriors. . . . The spirit, the heart and yes, the soul of the officer corps is captured, as are the intangible ambiance and nuances that make up the life of the American soldier and his family. . . . A consummate anti-war book. . . . Once An Eagle is both a perceptive study of the profession of arms and a chilling overview of armed conflict.” - John W. Vessey, Jr., General, US Army (Ret.)

“Too overwhelming, too awe-inspiring to keep to yourself. . . magnificent,” - Philadelphia Bulletin

“Myrer was an excellent storyteller...Once An Eagle is that very rare thing, a genuine ideological novel. When one of these becomes standard issue to the Corps of Cadets we would be remiss if we ignored it.” - New York Review of Books

“It is my firm opinion that Anton Myrer’s Once An Eagle deserves to rank with, or perhaps above, any one of those three truly great pieces of military fiction—Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage; Fix Bayonets! by Col. John W. Thomason, USMC; and What Price Glory, by Capt. Lawrence Stallings, USMC.” - Armed Forces Journal

“Magnificent...word pictures of combat superb...a remarkable book.” - R. Ernest Dupuy - COL, U.S. Army

“Never read anything that depicts army life and the battlefield with such deep appreciation...superb account.” - Eugene A. Salet - MG, U.S. Army

“Once An Eagle is truly a classic. It caused us to reflect on core values...one of the key ingredients to the success we now enjoy. Sam Damon has been and will be a beacon of moral and physical courage for young American warriors.” - Henry H. Shelton - General, U.S. Army

“Once An Eagle may be America’s War and Peace and Anton Myrer a contemporary Tolstoy.” - Louisville Courier Journal

“Beautifully written. . . . A masterpiece. . . . Myrer’s descriptions of firefights are by far the best I have read.” - George S. Patton - MG, U.S. Army

“I fully understand why Once An Eagle has become a classic novel of war and warriors. Sam Damon doesn’t preach, he lives his values and they are universal not only military.” - General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army Retired - Commander in Chief Desert Storm

“I would pick up Once An Eagle rather than Norman Mailer any day for a clue as to what is going on in Vietnam.” - Baltimore Sun

“In ironic contrast, the story moves from jungle warfare to drawing rooms on the Potomac, and back again. . . . Goes to the heart of our century.” - Chicago Sun-Times

“Inspired me...the essence of being a good man, soldier, officer and leader...the standard, the pride, the motivation...We are all better men because of Anton Myrer.” - David L. Grange - BG, U.S. Army