Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom

by William G. Boykin, Lynn Vincent (Contributor)

General Jerry Boykin is one of the original members of the Delta Force and has spent the majority of his career in Special Forces. His work in this area of the military placed him in many battles--some of them legendary. He was commander of the Delta Force team portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down.

These and other dramatic experiences make Boykin's life story read like the riveting fiction of Tom Clancy. He shares how his foundation of faith--while challenged and even broken--was restored and became the lifeblood that brought him through unimaginable circumstances to a rich and inspiring life.

In the end, the general realizes his life would have gone very differently, even tragically, without his faith.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Christian, Military History, History, Memoir

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2008

About the author

LTG (Ret.) William G. “Jerry” Boykin spent thirty-six years in the United
States Army, many of them as an original member of Delta Force, the world’s
premier Special Operations unit. His life reads like an action-adventure film;
Boykin helped capture Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, hunted
notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, and has served in Vietnam, Iran,
Mogadishu, Iraq, and Afghanistan, not to mention a tour with the CIA.
Today he is an ordained minister who is passionate about encouraging
Christians to become warriors in God’s kindgom. (Also see KingdomWarriors.net)

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Book

I thoroughly enjoyed “never surrender“. General Boykin shares openly about his experience as a soldier and a Christian.

What really impressed me was his overall openness with topics that were far from comfortable for him. In particular, the difficulty he had in some of his soldiering battles and how he was a victim of bias and prejudice by the left-wing press because he was a Christian.

This is not an easy read for some people, especially those who are Christian because of the attacks this man went through.

However, regardless of what side of the issue you stand, I think it’s important that everyone read this story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a honor to know that someone like Jerry Boykin is fighting to keep me free. It's very upsetting that so many people have blinders on their eyes.

I've been wondering why so many people who benefit from the freedoms only found in America 1) Feminists, 2) Homosexuals, 3) "Artists", 4) Atheists and 5) miscellaneous liberals, are so against the war. Truthfully many of the "freedoms" these people enjoy are more like slavery, but they can't enjoy them anywhere else in the world, so you would think they would fight hard to preserve them here.

I think the quotes by William Arkin, the man who lied about General Boykin and created the crazy media firestorm, tell the story.

"I'm all for everyone expressing their opinion, even those who wear the uniform of the United States Army. But, I also hope that military commanders took the soldiers aside after the story and explained to them why it wasn't for them to disapprove of the American people..."

Mr Arkin thinks that soldiers aren't citizens. He must think Civilian = Citizen, and Soldier = ??? Alien ??? This may be a premeditated attempt to change the vernacular and rewrite truth the way these people rewrite history, but I suspect it's just plain stupidity! It's frustrating that stupid people are allowed to hold down jobs, express opinions and pursue happiness, but Oh yeah that's the freedom we're fighting to preserve. Sometimes it just comes back to bite you!

His quotes are quite telling: "These soldiers should be grateful that the American public...(does) still offer their support to them...Through every Abu Ghraib and Haditha, through every rape and murder, the American public has indulged those in uniform, accepting that the incidents were the product of bad apples or even of some administration or command order..."

Lisa's thoughts: This guy stood on the street yelling "baby killer" at the returning Vietnam vets and now he's really irked that he's been put in his place!!! On a positive note, he seems almost able to grasp the concept of original sin. Maybe everyone does have sin inside them, the capacity to do what pleases them even if it causes harm. Maybe everything bad that happens in life isn't a big government conspiracy involving Dick Cheney.

More from Mr. Arkin: "So we pay the soldiers a decent wage, take care of their families, provide them with housing and medical care and vast social support systems and ship obscene amenities into the war zone for them, we support them in every way, and their attitude is that we should in addition roll over and play dead, defer to the military and the generals and let them fight their war, and give up our rights and resposibilities to speak up because they are above society?" ...an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary- oops sorry, volunteer- force that thinks it is doing the dirty work...America needs to ponder what it is we really owe those in uniform."

Lisa's thoughts: Oh so much to say...I'll make a list!
1) I totally agree with the last sentence! America does need to ponder what it is we really owe those in uniform!!!! Mr Arkin needs to ponder this quite a bit more himself!
2) I want more information on these "Obscene Amenities" that we ship into the war zone. He can't mean the silk sheets, gourmet entrees, homemade frozen custard, TiVo, Jacuzzi tubs, expensive body lotions, Cuban cigars, Arabian princesses and veil lap dancing in air conditioned night clubs. ...because I'm definitely willing to pay a few more tax dollars for those necessities. Maybe he means Kevlar vests, helmets, ammunition, armored vehicles, MRE's, porta-potties and wet wipes.
3) We support them in every way??? Really Billy??? ...cause it doesn't seem that way to me.
4) They want us to roll over and play dead? I think they're over their so we don't have to roll over and play dead. Hey I got an idea Billy, you're a journalist, perhaps you could be embedded with the troops and practice rolling over and "playing" dead.
5) They want us to give up our rights and responsibilities? I thought they were fighting to preserve our rights! In fact I think many of them feel it's their responsibility to do so! We the citizens...er, I mean the civilians also have responsibilities, and yes those include caring for the people fighting on our behalves and their families.

Anyway, sorry Jerry that I spent my review critiquing the bottom dweller who recently belittled your existence. (line from "You've got mail") GREAT BOOK!!!!

[Jared Maekawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of the United States Army for thirty-six years, LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin an original member of Delta Force, the most highly trained elite force in the US military, risks his life and reputation to accomplish high level operations. With chapter, Boykin and his team fight for what they believe in, put their lives on the line, free the oppressed, and shape American history. Overall, this book is an influential read, as it teaches the most important life lesson, to never surrender.

Never Surrender was published on July 29, 2008 by LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin who tells his story becoming the Commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces and the founding member of Delta Force. In his service, Boykin earned the title of Lieutenant General as well as many badges and U.S. military decorations: the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Special Forces Tab and many more. Throughout his story, Boykin changes the perspectives to give the readers a different view. With these different actions and thoughts, intense action scenes are often created where the readers are able to relive the experiences of the characters from different angles.

Never Surrender follows LTG (Ret.) William G. Boykin as he becomes founding member of Delta Force. Once being a part of America’s most secretive Special Forces group, Boykin journeys into some of the most dangerous operations risking his life for what he believes in. Never Surrender touches on many recent and historical missions which created the society and culture we know today.

The readers get to know each character Boykin brings in with small pieces of information: their name, backstory, and description. Throughout his journey in Delta Force, Boykin writes the experiences in the Battle of Mogadishu where the remaining soldier go race to find their brothers who had been taken hostage. Many did not make it back. Those who did, left with horrific injuries lasting for the rest of their lives. Telling the battle from many perspectives shows the readers the sacrifice and selfless actions these soldiers made to save each other. Although the readers may not relate to the soldiers’ experiences, they can relate with each friendship formed, the ability to work as a team, helping others when they need it.

As the readers embark on their journey with William G. Boykin, they will experience unpredictable twists and turns of events with each suspenseful chapter. During the biography, there is no plot of other than the readers learning about Boykins operations while being in Delta Force. The actions and situations create intense action scenes leaving reader feeling they are thrown into a different world making it almost impossible to put this book down.

Similar to Black Hawk Down directed by Ridley Scott, both show the experiences in the Battle of Mogadishu. Much of the movie revolves around the crew of a downed Black Hawk as they struggle to survive reflecting the position of the crew from Never Surrender as they too had to survive in their downed Black Hawk until help arrives. With similar yet very unpredictable plots, the audience will be entertained and immersed into the story/movie. In the genre of military and war, a common theme and life lesson is anything is possible if you don’t give up and fight for what you believe in.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to go to the military. With many important lessons and violent action, I believe that this book is welcome to all teens and above. Additionally, Never Surrender is beneficial to all advanced students as they will not only learn about the experiences of William G. Boykin and his life lessons, but learn more about the conditions of places outside of America. Others don’t live where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are everyone’s right. Many times, those individuals struggle to survive on the daily. America is lucky to have people that fight for their country and it's freedom.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad.
I found this at my church library and bought it on the spot.
Turns out that Boykin has served in numerous influential positions, such as Delta Force commander during the "Black Hawk Down" incident (for some reason, Mark Bowden obscured that fact in Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Boykin isn't even mentioned in that book. Boykin played key roles in the Desert One/Eagle Claw mission in Iran, operations in Sudan, Grenada,and Panama. He also served as commander of Army Special Forces, chief of the special ops division at the Joint Chiefs, and as Rumsfeld's undersecretary of defense for intelligence.
This book is a lot thinner than what you would expect, but you have to keep in mind that this is a testament of Boykin's Christian faith, not self-glorifying "Look what I did and how cool I am" drivel like Eric Haney'sInside Delta Force: The Story Of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit.
Also, he keeps spelling "sights" as "sites"
Good book for Christians to read. Although I am a Christian myself, it seems to me that that Christians generally avoid books on war for fear of becoming too "uncomfortable", "confused", or too "focused on 'unimportant political issues' like war."

[Adam Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic look at the origins & operations of Delta, told from the perspective of one of Delta's founding members (& later commanding officer). Also included is Boykin's side of the story regarding NBC News' 2003 "Outing" of him, in which the network incorrectly painted the General as an intolerant bigot on a crusade to crush Islam in the name of Jesus. Jerry Boykin dazzles the reader with war stories while interspersing the text with details about how God was at work in his life through the various operations & trials he faced.

I found Never Surrender to be captivating & encouraging, with never a dull moment. It is a well-written book, having the feel of sitting across the table from General Boykin, listening to him sharing his wisdom & stories over a cup of coffee. Never did the narrative get bogged down in minutiae. I have no problem recommending Never Surrender as a fantastic & uplifting memoir. You will be encouraged & your faith will be strengthened by the reading of it.

Thank God for men like Jerry Boykin. They're getting harder to come by.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never Surrender By LTG. William G. Boykin

General Boykin came to public attention in the most unfair way; he was the target of a media hit piece. The General is a practicing Evangelical Christian. His faith and military service make him a desired target for the media. NBC news and the LA Times ran with stories that lacked honesty and fairness. He was trashed by the political classes and even by the President of the United States. His only defender was Donald Rumsfield, showing yet again that the Secretary of Defense is a man of his own.
The book is a recounting of the role that faith played in a soldier’s life and how because of that faith he became the target of the media. The book is a breezy read that will become popular with church groups and other Christian organizations. The book is also a reminder of how the press manipulates and distorts to shape their own agendas.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠]

Read this because we kinda-sorta-maybe met the general (actually my family just heard him speak at a homeschool conference convention thing), my dad bought the books and said I should read them, and so I did . . . but really don't remember being affected by them in any significant way.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “I’LL ONLY PROMISE YOU TWO THINGS… A MEDAL AND A BODY BAG!”
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This is the powerful life story of Lieutenant General (Retired) William G. “Jerry” Boykin. The General starts off sharing his families commitment to supporting the United States military, when he tells about his Father defying the author’s Grandmother, and lying about his age to join the Navy during World War II. His Father’s four brothers were already serving on active duty, so there were two reasons he didn’t have to enlist (and why his Grandmother didn’t want her fifth and youngest son to enlist.)… one… he wasn’t eighteen yet… and two… there was a law that would differ the last brother from service. With that type of family devotion to country firmly established, the General then tells of his childhood raised on a North Carolina tobacco farm, and the wonderful Father and son relationship he had with his Father. They hunted and fished together and also spent long hard days working in the fields. The author played all sports in high school and got a football scholarship to Virginia Tech. While growing up, he would go to church with his Mother, but his Father would stay home. When “Jerry” went to College, he had what could be described as a religious “epiphany”, which would change his life, and eventually create some major controversy later in his stalwart military career. Two of his football coaches were Christian “faith- forward firebrands. Both coaches inspired me.” As I said, during my teen years Dad stayed home from church. “Meanwhile, the men in our home church were, well, church men. It was almost as though the fact that I met them in church, and not out in the “real world”, cancelled their credibility in matters of real life. Meanwhile, my Dad was a Purple Heart winner, an outdoorsman, a hardworking husband, and a devoted Father, not a man of faith, but unarguably a good man. Coach Claiborne and Coach Royer were the first men in my life who demonstrated to me a man could be both.”

As Jerry was nearing graduation, the Viet Nam war was raging. As a Viet Nam era veteran myself, I must say that a number of situations detailed in this book strike very close to my heart, and as I’ll point out later in this review, give striking validity to a number of personal experiences that have continued to fester within me to this day. In 1970 (I had already been to war and returned) during a campus war protest by dissidents, Jerry confronted two individuals that were about to burn our countries flag. I was raised to never even let the flag hit the ground… and if it did… you picked it up and kissed it. I also, like millions of other veterans, defended our flag with our lives. Jerry confronted the two lowlifes: “Hey! Where are going with that flag?” “They said: This war sucks! We’re gonna burn this flag!” “The flag my Father lost half his sight for. The flag my uncles and eight million others had rushed to defend. The flag thousands of young men died for in Viet Nam, and were dying for now, maybe at this minute. The hell you are, I said. I said very deliberately, if you try to burn that flag, I’m going to kick both your “butt’s”. Take your choice. They contemplated that scenario, then turned around and walked in the opposite direction, away from the fire. WISE DECISION, I THOUGHT.” General… from one Veteran to another… thank you!

When the author was stationed in Korea, he could not believe how much respect, dignity, and highly emotional thanks, all of Korea showered upon their soldiers on their way to Viet Nam and upon their return. The author with disgust points out how our soldiers were spit on upon their return. This really hit a nerve with me, because when I came back I was degraded with taunts such as “baby-killers”. No one ever thanked me for my service until twenty-five years later. Recently, in an unexpected and highly emotional moment… at an Oakland Raider football game, where I’ve had season tickets since they came back to Oakland in 1995… one year a game fell on VETERANS DAY… and as many fans have had the same tickets for years… we get to know each other… as the Blue Angels flew over the Coliseum, and the announcer thanked all of America’s veterans… the big burly guy who sits behind me… and was James Brown’s bodyguard… known as the “Snowman”… leaned over and hugged me… and thanked me for my service.

In 1978 Boykin was selected as one of the first members of the “ultra secretive and deadly Delta Force.” The highly selective and grueling physical and mental demands, that push a man to the limits of human capabilities and “beyond”, are described in painstaking detail. From that initial selection, Jerry would one day wind up being the commander of the unit, and later on command ALL of U.S. Army Special Forces. During my service I had been selected for one short classified “Black-Bag” mission… (nothing to compare to a lifelong career like the General’s) but what I found extremely interesting… and brought back in riveting detail to me… from a special hidden place deep within my soul… was one of the final questions they asked Boykin before he was selected… and that exact same question… was asked of me by a military psychologist before I was selected… “COULD YOU, IN A VERY CALCULATED WAY, KILL A PERSON WHO POSED NO THREAT TO YOU?”

The rest of the book is like riding a rocket on an insider’s look at almost every famous and controversial military action in the last thirty plus years. The reader will be taken from Viet Nam to the Iran hostage crisis… to the Sudan… to Grenada, which was much more violent than the general public might be aware of (including Jerry getting hit with a 50 caliber round and almost losing his arm, and openly stating the Lord would heal him.)… to helping break an American citizen out of a Panama jail in a daring rescue operation… and also capturing Noriega… to “assisting” in the apprehension of infamous Columbia drug lord Pablo Escobar… who in 1989 was rated by Forbes Magazine as the seventh wealthiest man in the world.. Who was moving an estimated *THIRTY-BILLION-DOLLARS-A-YEAR IN COCAINE… to behind the scenes “advising” in Waco?

Perhaps one of the saddest and gut wrenching portions of the book is the Mogadishu, Somalia chapters. As the author lands in Mogadishu he says: “This has got to be the worst place I’ve ever been. I had seen poorer places. In El Salvador, I had watched ragged, legless beggars scoot around on carts; in Sudan, I had been with the Dinkas, a desperately poor people who raised scrawny cattle and owned nothing. And I had seen more decrepit places: trash heaped in the street of Honduras, the rubble that once was Beirut, and in Khartoum, a dead donkey burning. But I had never seen hopelessness like this.” This is the battle that was made famous in the book and movie “BLACKHAWK DOWN”, which the General has problems with. It is where the author opens the back of a vehicle and the blood of his brave men… stacked on top of each other like firewood… flows out like a waterfall. It is also where he made the statement to a captured Osman Atto: “YOU UNDERESTIMATED OUR G-D.” According to the author what he said was later misconstrued, and as you will have to read to find out… it seriously affected General Boykin’s military career.

This superbly written insider's narration continues to the Balkan’s and up through the General’s military retirement. There are no punches pulled discussing battle or the General’s relationship with the Lord. This book is a modern historical masterpiece!

[Steven Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It this book is not on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' reading listing, it should be.


This is subtitled A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom and tells the life story (so far) of LTG (Ret.) William G Boykin. From his depression era birth, his father going off to WWII and coming back legally blind, to almost losing his arm, this story reads quickly and one can only admire the growth in the General's military career but for his reliance on God to help him through the tough times. He did not always think God was there, or that God was looking after him but he realized on too many occasions that God was preparing him for something more, helping him in ways he could not have imagined, reinforcing his faith via contacts from friends which he would never have expected.

He was vilified by the left wing press (let's consider this just about all of the press in America) who reported things he said, out of context, said he was fighting a holy war when he was trying to protect America from terrorists and that he was unfit for service because he not only believed in God but told people that Americans needed to pray to God to save America from the path it is going down on. The press did not do its job of verifying the information it received. It did not very the source of the supposed information and did not take the time to speak to the General before publishing its false statements. Sound familiar?

The press smeared his name and his career with false statements, innuendos and out right lies but his faith helped him stay strong and let God handle exonerating him. He was exonerated despite the Inspector General's bias. He requested an Inspector General to investigate him to clear his name and it was obvious from the start of the investigation that was not the IG's intention. But, again, God knew the outcome and let it unfold.

[Danielle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal

I loved it, chose the book because it was about GEN Boykin & his Faith. It helps inspire others to be the Difference, not just part of the crowd.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful book about a man true to his faith and also his country. The chanllenges and triumphs came often at the same time. Inspirational.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a memoir written by Gen. Boykin telling about his life experiences while in the military. It mainly focused on his military career. I was intrigued enough to buy his book when I heard him speak on Christian radio especially since I live in a military town(Ft. Bragg) and he was a commander many years at Ft. Bragg. He also grew up in North Carolina. Boykin was a founding member of Delta force. He played an important role in many high profile missions over 30+ years in the military. It was fascinating to read about all of these military conflicts that took place. Most importantly, I loved how how he remained a man of faith while having honor to his country. I loved his boldness for Christ while he served, his courage, and his determination to Never Surrender. I recommend this book, especially if you are a military history lover.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy going read and quite thrilling in my opinion. I read it more for the military memoir that it is and less for the Christian testimonial but I was pleased with the balance and genuinely felt more inclined towards faith while pondering the predicaments in which General Boykin called on his God.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just heard him speak which motivated me to read the book. Such a great Christian faith in the midst of so many world conflicts and political turmoil. I value his leadership at home and abroad. Thank you for your service and sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedom we have.

[James E Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to win General

I was very touched by this book, and wonder who could or would have “never surrendered” and kept on fighting the way you did. With God’s strength and wisdom and your determination you never surrendered and overcame.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about recent military history and things that went on but most of all learned how one can keep their faith and serve their country. Powerful stories and interesting to read. I’d love to sit and have dinner with Boykin.

[susan nedved · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and Inspirational

I would recommend this book to everyone, not just military buffs, Americans or Christians. It is as informative as it is thought provoking. A pleasure to read, from the first to the last page.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Richard Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story of one of the founders and leaders of Delta Force, involved in many military operations in the 1970s through 2004. A hero, and a man of deep Christian faith.

[Angel Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enlisted because of this book.

[Gabriel Thomas Malanchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Enjoyed this book!

[Sashank Mohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A founding member of Delta Force and a former Commander of the unit who played a critical role during Desert One (Iran), Op Urgent Fury (Grenada), the hunt for Manuel Noriega (Op Just Cause) in Panama, training the Search Bloc in Colombia and providing them assistance in hunting Pablo Escobar, providing assistance to FBI and ATF during the Branch Davidian standoff at Waco and the capture of war criminal Goran Jelisic in the Balkans by the Navy SEALs. The resume says it all...

The book is a riveting account of all of these battles while highlighting the sacrifices made by fellow operators. Narrated from a pleasantly philosophical standpoint, the book paints an amazing picture of the unit's operators and their psychology in the heat of battle.

People know Jerry Boykin primarily for being an evangelical Christian gutted by the press during the early stages of Op Iraqi Freedom, accusing him of making inflammatory religious comments at his Church speeches and waging a religious war from the Pentagon while some even wanted him court-martialed. The book addresses all those issues with an honest-to-the-core account of what his actual comments in those speeches at numerous gatherings were and how he managed to come out triumphant.

Despite having read better books by former Delta commanders, I would still recommend this for anybody interested in some of the most iconic and largely forgotten battles of the 80s and the 90s that defined the United States' approach towards counter-terrorism in the decades to follow.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEVER SURRENDER:A SOLDIER'S JOURNEY TO THE CROSSROADS OF FAITH AND FREEDOM by LTG (Ret) William G. Boykin with Lynn Vincent is an amazing inspirational biography of "LTG (Ret) William G. "Jerry" Boykin life and his struggles.He is "the former commander of U.S. Army Special Forces and Founding Member of Delta Force" and a military hero.It is well written with depth and details.What an amazing story of courage,faith, devotion to his country and his faith,how a soldier surrounded with war,history,danger,and circumstances continued on with his faith,family and friends.While LTG Boykin takes his readers on a journey through his struggles with recent events and the drama surrounding it,he also will touch your heart with his strong faith,believe in his country and his family.As he said in his book "America is a melting- pot society".Our "cause is just"."That's why we are the good guys and why we will never surrender". "Never Surrender" is an incredible story of an incredible soldier who while his faith may have faulted,restored and carried him through some of the toughest times of his life.This is a must read for any and all biography readers and also but anyone who enjoys a great military story full of actual events.A what great biography.This book was received for the purpose of review from Faith Works & Center Street Book Blogs and details can be found at Faith Works,a division of Hachette Book Group,Inc.and My Book Addiction Reviews.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Surrender: A Soldier’s Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom is a wonderful emotional story about one man…Lieutenant General William G. Boykin. Boykin shares every step of his journey with readers from the first moment that he decided to go into the military to the end with he retires from it. I do want to state that Never Surrender: A Soldier’s Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom has nothing to do with attacking republicans or democratics but instead shows readers things that the media doesn’t tell you about including the strong bond that is formed between friends and turns out becoming the strongest band of brothers you will ever meet.

The one thing I really found amazing about Lieutenant General William G. Boykin was his unwavering dedication to his faith in God. I thought this fact really made Boykin a man of honor, respect, and of great character. There are not many non fiction volumes that were so powerful in addition to leaving such a lasting memory as Never Surrender: A Soldier’s Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom. After reading this book you can’t help but feel proud to be an American. It’s people like Lieutenant General William G. Boykin who we have to give our thanks to for giving us our freedom to live out lives the way we want to and I have one comment to make and that is…We will Never Surrender!

[Trevor Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read and not too badly written. I had never heard of him even though he became "infamous" in 2003. Another book I was reading quoted Jerry Boykin and led me to Never Surrender.

It is and educational journey through the creation of Delta Force, including looks at many of the major military conflicts of the last thirty-five years in which Jerry Boykin played part. It is also refreshing to have a general openly discuss the importance of God in his life; the power of prayer; the need for faith.

I especially enjoyed the last chapter where he took an in depth look at how poorly the media handled their job, and how they ignored facts and testimonials as they sought for his head and nearly destroyed his career.

During my year of public humiliation, I reflected on the unfairness of it all. But then I thought about Bill Garrison, who has a homespun saying on fairness that reflects his Texas outlook on life: “If you think the world will treat you fairly because you’re a nice person, then you probably think a bull won’t charge you because you are a vegetarian.” - Jerry Boykin p.349

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Jerry Boykin gives an inside look into the incredible sacrifices and didication of the great men in the special forces end of the military. His firsthand insight into the missions to free the Iran hostages in the 80's, the Mogidishu mission that resulted in the Black Hawk Down movie/book,the invasion of Grenada, up until the present conflict shed new insight into the planning and successes of these missions. The deep Christian faith that supported his life through all of its difficulties and triumphs makes him a man to truly respect. The saddest thing for me as I read through the the tremendous sacrifices that he made for his country, was the way the media demonized him as a religious NUT and fanatic ... It is incredible that a country that was founded on Judeo Christian principles could allow a man of such courage and honor and dedication to be so unjustly smeared by a media out of control. I pray that there are more men like Jerry Boykin in our military ... his life is a shining example in the long line of American patriots that have made this country great !

[Angela Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads, and I thank you for it. What a great thing to come home to a free book in your mailbox. I am happy to be able to give it a good review. I had read Black Hawk Down a few years back and found it very interesting, so I thought I might enjoy this book, and I did. Since I am not ever up on current events and usually avoid the news, I hadn't heard of any of the hoopla that surrounded Jerry Boykin (him being accused of being a religious zealot). Reading about how the Delta Force came to be and reading about several of the high profile missions Boykin was involved with was something most of us don't ever get to hear about. I liked that the book was interesting, without being so detailed that it lost me. I found Boykin straighforward and likeable. I not only enjoyed this book; I feel I owe it to the brave men and women who serve or have served our country to read their stories. Thanks again I appreciate the good read.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Surrender was an exceptional book for me both in a physical and spiritual sense. General Boykin shares his history in the military not just by giving raw facts, but also by sharing his spiritual feelings and walk with God. As a military history buff it was interesting to read all the things General Boykin did "behind the scenes" to keep our nation safe from the capture of Noriega to the hunting down of Escobar. This book was a great reminder that there are men willing to risk their lives on Top Secret missions in defense of freedom. As a Christian, it was inspiring to read how General Boykin depended on God through all the danger he encountered not just to his body in remote areas of the world, but also to his reputation that was maliciously maligned here in America.

I give this book 5 stars without a moments hesitation and encourage everyone to read this book and let it touch your life as it did mine!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boykin's memoir covers some pivotal events in American special forces history that he was in the middle of - the invasion of Grenada, the ouster of Panamanian dictator Noriega, Somalia's "Black Hawk Down" episode, the capture of war criminals in the Balkans, and the fight against Columbian drug king Pablo Escobar. What makes this book truly unique, though, is the way General Boykin intersperses his musings on his evangelical Christian faith. In 2003 he was lambasted in the press as an anti-Muslim religious zealot who misused his position, but an IG investigation exonerated him of all charges. I suppose this book is his chance to set the record straight, and to make clear his true motivation and intentions. I was absolutely convinced of his sincerity, and wish we had more military leaders exactly like Jerry Boykin.

[Cliff Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those men who will die still relatively unknown, while the latest teeny bop with four million Twitter followers will be mourned for days. This is a shame, but an unfortunate byproduct of the free country that Gen. Boykin fought so hard to protect.

His descriptions of the last 30 years of world history are compelling and vivid, mainly because he was personally there for nearly all of it. If there is a hellhole on this earth, Boykin has been there, shooting the demons and comforting the afflicted.

You don't have to be a right wing nut to appreciate this man's story and his sacrifice, especially how he was treated by the press and supposed allies within the administration he served. Highly recommended, especially for men.