 Fighting the Cold War
A Soldier's Memoir
John Galvin USA (Ret.)
Narrated by Tom Lennon
Available from Audible
Book published by University Press of Kentucky
When four-star general John Rogers Galvin retired from the US Army after forty-four years of distinguished service in 1992, the Washington Post hailed him as a man “without peer among living generals.” In Fighting the Cold War: A Soldier’s Memoir, the celebrated soldier, scholar, and statesman recounts his active participation in more than sixty years of international history—from the onset of World War II through the fall of the Berlin Wall and the post–Cold War era.
Galvin’s illustrious tenure included the rare opportunity to lead two different Department of Defense unified commands: United States Southern Command in Panama from 1985 to 1987 and United States European Command from 1987 to 1992. In his memoir, he recounts fascinating behind-the-scenes anecdotes about his interactions with world leaders, describing encounters such as his experience of watching President José Napoleón Duarte argue eloquently against US intervention in El Salvador; a private conversation with Pope John Paul II in which the pontiff spoke to him about what it means to be a man of peace; and his discussion with General William Westmoreland about soldiers’ conduct in the jungles of Vietnam and Cambodia. In addition, Galvin recalls his complex negotiations with a number of often difficult foreign heads of state, including Manuel Noriega, Augusto Pinochet, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Ratko Mladić.
As NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the tumultuous five years that ended the Cold War, Galvin played a key role in shaping a new era. Fighting the Cold War illuminates his leadership and service as one of America’s premier soldier-statesmen, revealing him to be not only a brilliant strategist and consummate diplomat but also a gifted historian and writer who taught and mentored generations of students.
John Galvin USA (Ret.) was dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and is the author of The Minute Men: The First Fight: Myths and Realities of the American Revolution; Air Assault: the Development of Airmobile Warfare; and Three Men of Boston: Leadership and Conflict at the Start of the American Revolution. He has received numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit and the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
REVIEWS:
“General Jack Galvin is one of the greatest soldiers this country ever had.”
—President George H.W. Bush “Galvin played a vital role in the Cold War, and his experiences spanned much of America's history from the 1960s to the 1990s—from Vietnam to Central America to Europe. In Fighting the Cold War he tells this important story with style and verve. ”
—Lawrence S. Kaplan, author of The Conversion of Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg: From Isolation to International Engagement “Widely respected as a soldier, scholar, and statesman — who stood out in his generation as a brilliant strategic thinker — General Jack Galvin was also a voracious reader with a wonderfully inquiring mind and a keen intellect. The joy he takes in observing, commenting, and writing—with a wry sense of humor — on an extraordinary range of experiences emerges wonderfully in the pages of this book. Fighting the Cold War thus is an exceptional commentary not only on General Galvin’s life and times, but also on timeless issues like leadership, strategic thinking, family, and relationships.”
— General David H. Petraeus, USA (Ret.), from the foreword “The Cold War could not have been won, nor ended so peacefully, without individuals like Jack Galvin manning the front lines. Fighting the Cold War is a thoughtful record of service by a distinguished leader in a tumultuous period. ”
—Henry Kissinger “During his more than forty-five years of service, during which he rose to become NATO Supreme Commander, General Jack Galvin was one of the brightest stars of his profession. Far more than just the memoir of one of the Army's finest, Fighting the Cold War is also the unusually candid, modest and insightful story of an exceptional teacher, scholar and diplomat whose dedication to the nation has made him a role model for us all. His book is a rare gem.”
—Carlo D‚ÄôEste, author of Patton: A Genius For War “General Jack Galvin's career spans a critical period in American history, from before the start of Vietnam through the end of the Cold War. His memoir provides a keen personal perspective on all of those events, and reminds us of what we owe to those who have served as he has.”
—Francis Fukuyama, author of Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy “General 'Jack' Galvin’s extraordinary service was marked by dedication, wisdom, and absolute integrity. In this appealing memoir he describes with modesty and candor the challenges he faced during eventful times for our Army and our nation. It is quite simply a very fine account by a very fine soldier.”
—General John W. Vessey Jr., Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (1982-1985) “I was a warrant officer helicopter pilot for General Galvin when he commanded a battalion in Vietnam. I worked decades in and for the Army and never served under or met another officer of his caliber. I would literally charge Hell with a bucket of ice water for him and am thrilled by this terrific book about soldiers and service and sacrifice.”
—Bruce James, Ghostrider 11 ‚ÄúZorba" “Gen. Jack Galvin was the kind of warrior intellectual the U.S. Army produces at its very best. This wonderful memoir distills what Galvin learned in his 44 years of service—building toward his role as Supreme Allied Commander when the Cold War ended. A moment that sums up this book is something Galvin says he told Henry Kissinger in 1988 about the darkest days of World War II. Watched young second lieutenants head off to their commands from the Anzio beachhead, an observer asked: “I wonder if they are well read?” Still the right question. Those who love the U.S. Army will want to add this volume to their shelves. ”
—David Ignatius, Columnist, The Washington Post “General Jack Galvin is a true Cold War hero. Few Americans combined the roles of soldier, scholar, and statesman during those decades, as ably as he. His leadership has been exemplary, and we are fortunate to have it reflected so clearly in this excellent memoir.”
—John Lewis Gaddis, Yale University “From his early days in the atomic army of the 1950s, through two tours in Vietnam, to top commands in Europe and Panama, General John Galvin witnessed nearly half-a-century of American military history. Honest, insightful, reflective, and entertaining, his memoir is a fascinating insider’s perspective of Cold War soldiering.”
—Brian McAllister Linn, author of The Army's Way of War “General Jack Galvin has given us an insightful, important analysis of one of history's mega events—the Cold War when the future of the planet was at stake. This soldier-statesman was an insider's insider and we should be very grateful for his service and wisdom.”
—Tom Brokaw “Intriguing ... A valuable read for anyone interested in the continuing evolvement of the American military.”
—Washington Times “This engaging memoir of a solider's service is an altogether superb work. He is candid, lucid, meticulous in research, and writes with verve on a wide canvas.”
—Richard Halloran, US Army War College Parameters “He has a unique perspective on many of the momentous events of the latter half of the twentieth century. It is not only his access, but also his perspicacity that gives this memoir its unique value. Young men and women considering military service will appreciate this book. Galvin recounts both the hardships and rewards that come with service.”
—Survival “Students of military history will find much in the book about the Vietnam War, as well as about the American Cold War presence in Europe and Latin America. ”
—Wakefield Observer “Superbly written memoir... Galvin is a gifted writer and writes in a highly conversant style that allows him to tell a story very succinctly. It is unquestionably one of the most readable soldier’s memoirs published in recent years.”
—On Point “Galvin’s memoir (introduced by an admiring Petraeus) is a characteristically modest, wry, and thoughtful account, not only of leadership but also of the rise, fall, and rise again of U.S. military power in the second half of the twentieth century. And it is, as well, a reminder that now and again, one comes across generals with the stuff of greatness in them.”
—Foreign Affairs “He provides a unique perspective that includes candid thoughts on his personal engagements with leaders such as Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Colin Powell. Superbly written, highly detailed and provides brilliant perspectives.”
—Military Review
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