Once an Eagle

A Novel

By: Anton Myrer

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 41 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

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 his career 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.

A study in character and values, courage, nobility, honesty, and selflessness, here is an unforgettable story about a man who embodies the best in our nation - and in us all.

Anton Myrer (1922–1996) enlisted in the US Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for three years in the Pacific. Wounded on Guam, he returned to Harvard, graduated, and began an illustrious literary career, during which he wrote such memorable novels as The Big War, The Last Convertible, and A Green Desire.

©1968, 1996 Anton Myrer (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A remarkable novel…Utterly engrossing. Myrer is a superb storyteller, one of the few gifted novelists now writing who cares about the art of narration and is a master of it…A grim, exciting, and almost overwhelming account of twentiethcentury war. It is an astute study of the mind and character of a good general and a good man. And it is a brilliant inside views of the life of a career officer in peace and war.” ( New York Times)

One of the Most Compelling Books I Have Heard

What made the experience of listening to Once an Eagle the most enjoyable?

The character development and interaction in a realistic manner

What was one of the most memorable moments of Once an Eagle?

the unexpected ending -- very dramatic.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The sense that he was enjoyig the book as he read it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

sad at time, but strong feelings for the charactrs as they develioped/

Any additional comments?

None

Arguably the best military novel ever written.

Humanity vs. Ambition, service or self-promotion. Greed or selflessness. Fear and cowardice. The lives and choices of Sam Damon and Courtney Masingale illustrate the full arc of a man’s life, especially that of the military man.

A military and leadership masterpiece

This book could teach a person more about the right way to lead and the right way to serve in our armed services than much else could. A better life would be lived if we asked ourselves: “what would Sam Damon do?”

Best war/anti-war book ever

A total classic
Epic in scope
Intimate in detail
All the chaos of war, illuminating the bravery and honor of those who fight, with all the stupidity and arrogance of the “leaders” who direct the efforts, and the greed of those who profit.
An absorbing book covering a huge era, with great narration.
One you will have to sit and think about for a while when it ends

A Classic!

Truly outstanding! An absolutely inspirational book that should be read by both military and civilians alike. I cannot recommend a book more!

Great book

I read it twice and loved it both times.
I'm sure you will love it also.

Powerful War Time S!aga

Once an Eagle is a powerful and epic saga, following the life and career of Sam Damon, from his teen years, immediately prior to World War I, through a military career in WWI Europe, the Pacific theatre of WWII and into Viet Nam -- which seems to have been given a different name? Wonderful character development, that created three dimensional, real people, with real flaws, and real strengths. I was disappointed when the saga ended!

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

This book is amazing!!!

The reader is perfect at tell a story and engaging your imagination. The book with its details makes you feel like you can see and feel everything happening. Recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story about some hard charger we all want to be.

The Romantic Warrior

Sam Damon’s character is irresistible. Myrer uses him as a prism through which the great conflicts of the 20th century are refracted. Philosophy, relationships, morality are all addressed in a sweeping narrative.

Thank you Jack Carr

Your interview with Mike Rowe brought me here. Thank you sir. A great story well written and performed here. Inspirational and humbling to read of the fictional but very real experiences of Sad Sam Damon and his band of brothers over 50 years of war.