In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War

by Joshua Welle (Editor), John Ennis (Editor), Kate Kranz (Editor)

★  A Los Angeles Times Best Seller!  ★ They were walking to class on 9/11 when the World Trade Center and Pentagon were struck. These midshipmen were soon to graduate from the Naval Academy into a nation at war, the first officers to do so since Vietnam. The men and women of the Class of 2002 lost their youth to a decade of deployments and their innocence on battlefields in distant places. Each story provides a glimpse into the lives of modern day Navy or Marine Corps officers who were faced with unique challenges and sacrifices. Their stories poignantly explain the trials of war and reveal a world many don't understand. Refreshingly honest, their narratives take readers on a journey from Annapolis to the far corners of the world to experience the unique challenges of operations at sea, on the land, and in the skies. Themes of leadership and service are on display throughout. The editors spent three years inviting their classmates to open up their hearts to share what they endured on the frontlines. The end product is a superb collection of experiences that depict what Admiral Mike Mullen, USN (Ret.), 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, calls 'the next greatest generation.' Serving as a virtual podium for the voices of those unlikely to write about war, these first-person accounts of real-world operations are written with humility and respect for those they served with, bringing deserved recognition to all veterans of this so called 'Long War.' With a foreword by David Gergen.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, Leadership, Military History

264 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little bit biased, seeing that I'm part of the USNA class of 2002, but my story didn't make the print version of the book, so its OK.

Seriously, this is a great compilation of stories by my classmates. Our class was the first to graduate from the Naval Academy after 9/11, and the first to enter the Navy and Marine Corps during a time of war in our lifetime. The stories contained in this book include that of the last female F-14 pilot, an explosive ordinance disposal officer who lived The Hurt Locker, a Navy-turned-Army officer who had the responsibility of delivering the worst possible news, and the story of the first military member to legally marry after the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It includes stories written by the parents of four of our classmates who have lost their lives since we graduated, and of classmates who took their training and experience into the civilian world to do great things.

After getting through the book, I can't wait for the additional stories to show up on the books website in the next few weeks. I'm humbled and proud to be a part of this amazing group of people, and I highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in the military, military history, and / or an unbiased, nonpolitical collection of stories describing life in the military since 9/11.

[Anita Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you may know, our son, 2LT Andrew Torres, USMC, died of cancer in 2004, at the age of 23. Andrew’s story is one of 33 stories in In the Shadow of Greatness. The editors are all classmates from the Class of 2002. There is a forward by David Gergen, and comments by Gen. John Allen and Adm. Mullen.

You can read more at www.shadowofgreatness.com

There is a trailer at http://youtu.be/chQsTpu7UPY

[Tony Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a graduate of the Naval Academy class of 1964, and one who served for 23 years, I was keenly interested in reading this book about those from the class of 2002 and their experiences at the Academy and where their careers took them upon graduation. They were the first class to graduate after 9-11, so as expected, most of them served directly or indirectly in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of their vignettes reflect on how the impact of having been midshipmen at the Academy affected their professional lives in the service. The book's intent is to reflect the "Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War, " and they, the members of the class of 2002 have done a masterful job in pulling their stories together. I not only recommend this book to every graduate of the Naval Academy, whatever your class, but also to families and friends of those who have attended the Academy, as well as those young Americans in school or who have enlisted in the service who may be seriously considering attending the Naval Academy. Where else can you find a better educaton?

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder what I would write about if I were asked to contribute a chapter. What I that was so amazing is many of the stories were my story.

We often get so bogged down with the reputation of the task at hand, that we forget how amazing it is to be entrusted to drive a ship, start an engine, board foreign vessels, be sent as on OIC alone in countries, and lead sailors. It was nice to step back and think about the awesome opportunity/responsibility I have been given.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. The true accounts help to place you within their stories and share the hardships of the person, family and friends that make these sacrifices. A must read book for an insight into a single part of what our military does for our freedom.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories from the US Naval Academy's Class of 2002, the first class to graduate after 9/11. The stories were gathered from a large group, highlighting the diverse stories and opportunities to serve and fight in the war on terror.

Why I started this book: I was excited about the short story format, something that I could pick up and put down to fill in the spaces.

Why I finished it: Several of these stories moved me to tears, but overall the book felt uneven. Maybe because the US military is serving all over the world, in all environments and in very different circumstances? I would be interesting in reading a similar collection of the first class who knew that they would be serving their nation at war.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of personal experiences from the Naval Academy's class of 2002, the first class that graduated into a nation at war since the Vietnam era. There is quite a variety of writing as well as experiences here, some better than others. From combat in Iraq to search and rescue in the US, the range is quite broad. Sadly, some were written by parents of deceased. Perhaps the most emotional experience in my reading was that of the officer assigned to notify wives that their husbands had been killed; how could anyone do that?

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadow of Greatness provides an opportunity for readers to better understand the roles and diversity of the military. With only 1% of our country in uniform, this read shines light on why servicemen are prepared to lead in uniform and out. It’s an insightful read and all profits go to veteran charities.

[Ben Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Midshipman in the Class of 2014, this collection of stories was a good source of inspiration from those who have graduated and been fighting the wars that will define their generation. I was fortunate enough to attend a panel discussion in Annapolis with the editors last year and would like to thank them and their classmates for their honesty and transparency in publishing this book.

[Bob Van Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. Excellent look into the lives and thoughts of the first class of USNA to graduate into war since VietNam.

[Umberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and well written. Engaged and enjoyed

[Jan Cotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every American. Learn what it is really like to be on active duty for the military at this time in our history.

[Frank Burder · Rating 4 out of 5]

My granddaughter is. Graduate of the 2002 class of the academy and sent me this book. I found it very informative,especially the description of the Academy experience.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was ok. I enjoyed the reading and the recognition of some of the places I was at, but overall not the impact I wanted.

[Keith A. Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

full of stories of leadership and sacrifice, many of them very moving. a worthwhile read, it makes you appreciate what people like this have done.

[Adam Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for gaining perspective on a group of young people that had to go through a school year after 9/11 and their impact/ contribution to our country.

[Robert Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly a biased reader (as I know a lot of the people who submitted stories), yet there were a few really interesting stories in the collection.