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Soldier (Abridged): The Life of Colin Powell Audiobook
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(3.09) - 244 listener ratings
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Over the course of a lifetime of service to his country, Colin Powell became a national hero, a beacon of wise leadership and, according to polls, “the most trusted man in America.” From his humble origins as the son of Jamaican immigrants to the highest levels of government in four administrations, he helped guide the nation through some of its most heart-wrenching hours. Now, in the first full biography of one of the most admired men of our time, award-winning Washington Post journalist Karen DeYoung takes us from Powell’s Bronx childhood and meteoric rise through the military ranks to his formative roles in Washington’s corridors of power and his controversial tenure as secretary of state. With dramatic new information about the inner workings of an administration locked in ideological combat, DeYoung makes clearer than ever before the decision-making process that took the nation to war and addresses the still-unanswered questions about Powell’s departure from his post shortly after the 2004 election. Drawing on interviews with U.S. and foreign sources as well as with Powell himself, and with unprecedented access to his personal and professional papers, Soldier is a revelatory portrait of an American icon: a man at once heroic and all-too-humanly fallible.
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"Very, very good. I'm listening to the CD as I drive back and forth to work. This is the first time I've really understood Vietnam and what happened there, and other military interventions. He wasn't "political" but he definitely influenced politics and presidents. Did get a little long at the end but very much enjoyed this one."
— Summers (4 out of 5 stars)
Soldier Listener Reviews
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" Colin Powell is a great American, and this is a very good telling of his story. "
— Josh, 2/1/2014 -
" Inspiring book, underlying sheep mentality, nonetheless a great book. "
— Alen, 1/12/2014 -
" A good book about an interesting character. Looks not only into why Colin Powell acted the way he did in the lead up to the Iraq war, and how his reputation has been tarnished but also traces his entire career and offers tantalizing observations for his future redemption. "
— Kunwar, 1/5/2014 -
" A book that goes beyond the life of Colin Powell and examines the context for which he has lived and worked. "
— Kevin, 12/31/2013 -
" This book is just waaay too long. I found it interesting but started to get bored during the second half of the book. It became tedious. "
— Jennean, 12/21/2013 -
" I have great respect for what I consider one of the finest leaders in recent history. "
— Daniel, 12/18/2013 -
" Great book with a true rags to riches story!!! It tells how a young black man can overcome adversity throughout his distinguished military career and ultimately become more popular that the president. "
— Tim, 12/12/2013 -
" Makes you wish that Colin Powell wasn't the fall guy for the Iraq War, at least in the eyes of most people. "
— Robert, 12/6/2013 -
" reminded me of forest gump...everything happened for no particular reason... "
— Paula, 6/17/2013 -
" This book took some time read but I enjoyed learning more about Powell and the events that occurred while he was head of the State Department. You learn more about his view of the war and the role he took in the administration. "
— Penny, 4/9/2013 -
" Good book. Easy read for a interesting take on General Powell's life and philosophy I would suggest another book. "
— Torry, 11/8/2012 -
" I would have liked the author go into more detail. "
— Jim, 6/6/2012 -
" I listened to this one on our drive to pensacola. Really interesting. I have a lot more respect for the man. I have to admit that I slept through some parts, but over all very informative. Don't know if I could get through the entire things as a read though. "
— Beth, 3/30/2012 -
" Great authorized biography of Powell that ends with his departure from politics at the end of Bush's first term. Far more moderate than the republican party would have his fans believe! "
— Heather, 2/19/2012 -
" Enjoyed this a lot, especially Powell's early life. Good historical context while also being entertaining and easy to read. "
— Jaime, 11/22/2011 -
" A great book. I was surprised at the relationship General Powell and President Bush had, I thought it was much closer. You can see the divide between the State department and the VP. The General takes his shots at Cheney & Rumsfeld. Anyone interested in the Iraq was would find this book interesting. "
— Andy, 9/11/2011 -
" Great insight of a intelligent man! "
— Javatis, 5/30/2011 -
" stupid book about a man who lied about a fake war "
— Murugan, 5/19/2011 -
" Enjoyed this a lot, especially Powell's early life. Good historical context while also being entertaining and easy to read. "
— Jaime, 2/19/2011 -
" stupid book about a man who lied about a fake war "
— Murugan, 6/28/2010 -
" Great insight of a intelligent man! "
— Javatis, 6/18/2010 -
" Great authorized biography of Powell that ends with his departure from politics at the end of Bush's first term. Far more moderate than the republican party would have his fans believe! "
— Heather, 2/23/2010 -
" Great book with a true rags to riches story!!! It tells how a young black man can overcome adversity throughout his distinguished military career and ultimately become more popular that the president. "
— Tim, 2/4/2009 -
" Makes you wish that Colin Powell wasn't the fall guy for the Iraq War, at least in the eyes of most people. "
— Robert, 11/14/2008 -
" reminded me of forest gump...everything happened for no particular reason... "
— Paula, 10/24/2008 -
" This book took some time read but I enjoyed learning more about Powell and the events that occurred while he was head of the State Department. You learn more about his view of the war and the role he took in the administration. "
— Penny, 9/21/2008 -
" I listened to this one on our drive to pensacola. Really interesting. I have a lot more respect for the man. I have to admit that I slept through some parts, but over all very informative. Don't know if I could get through the entire things as a read though. "
— Beth, 7/9/2008 -
" Colin Powell is a great American, and this is a very good telling of his story. "
— Josh, 1/15/2008 -
" Inspiring book, underlying sheep mentality, nonetheless a great book. <br/> <br/> <br/> "
— Alen, 1/5/2008 -
" A good book about an interesting character. Looks not only into why Colin Powell acted the way he did in the lead up to the Iraq war, and how his reputation has been tarnished but also traces his entire career and offers tantalizing observations for his future redemption. "
— Kunwar, 8/15/2007
About Karen DeYoung
Karen DeYoung has worked at the Washington Post since 1975. She has held a number of positions, including her current slot as associate editor. She also has served as assistant managing editor for national news, national editor, London bureau chief, foreign editor, and Latin America bureau chief. She has won a number of awards, including the 2003 Edward Weintal Award for Diplomatic Reporting, Sigma Delta Chi awards for investigative reporting and foreign reporting, and a Pulitzer Prize she shared with several Washington Post colleagues for national coverage of the war on terrorism. She lives in the Washington, DC area, with her husband and two children.
About Roscoe Orman
Roscoe Orman is an actor and entertainer who for forty years played Gordon on Sesame Street.