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All American: Two Young Men, the 2001 Army-Navy Game and the War They Fought in Iraq
A moving and fascinating dual profile of honor, duty, courage, and competition, All American is a thoughtful exploration of American character and values, embodied in the lives of two remarkable young men.
In December 2001, as fires still burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center, West Point cadet Chad Jenkins and Naval Academy midshipman Brian Stann faced off at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in what would become the most-watched college football game of the decade: the matchup between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.
At opposing stadiums throughout the season, the Army and Navy teams, used to jeers from their opponents' fans, had instead been greeted with standing ovations from respectful crowds who knew that these young players, military officers in training, were soon going to fight a war in the Middle East. On this day, before this momentous game, President George W. Bush—along with others such as General Norman Schwarzkopf and Senator John McCain—visited both locker rooms before watching the game from the sidelines.
When Stann, a Navy linebacker, first came into contact with Jenkins, the Army quarterback, his team was behind by thirteen points. Yet he managed to land the perfect tackle against Jenkins. Though these two players would not meet again for a decade, Stann and Jenkins shared the same path: both went to war. As first-class officers serving several tours of duty, they led soldiers and marines and participated in events they never imagined possible.
In December 2001, as fires still burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center, West Point cadet Chad Jenkins and Naval Academy midshipman Brian Stann faced off at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in what would become the most-watched college football game of the decade: the matchup between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.
At opposing stadiums throughout the season, the Army and Navy teams, used to jeers from their opponents' fans, had instead been greeted with standing ovations from respectful crowds who knew that these young players, military officers in training, were soon going to fight a war in the Middle East. On this day, before this momentous game, President George W. Bush—along with others such as General Norman Schwarzkopf and Senator John McCain—visited both locker rooms before watching the game from the sidelines.
When Stann, a Navy linebacker, first came into contact with Jenkins, the Army quarterback, his team was behind by thirteen points. Yet he managed to land the perfect tackle against Jenkins. Though these two players would not meet again for a decade, Stann and Jenkins shared the same path: both went to war. As first-class officers serving several tours of duty, they led soldiers and marines and participated in events they never imagined possible.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2013
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289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 14, 2015
Eubanks tracing the careers of two football players, Chad Jenkins, Army, and Brian Stann, Marine, who started their military education in a country at peace and graduated to a global war on terror. The book traces their earlier life, but really shines as it talks about their experiences on 9/11 and afterwards.
Why I started this book: Barnes and Noble and their Nook sales are the greatest thing... but my TBR pile is epic. (Good thing that digital books are so easy to store.)
Why I finished it: I struggled thru the football chapters, but I was hooked once it started talking about their deployments.
Why I started this book: Barnes and Noble and their Nook sales are the greatest thing... but my TBR pile is epic. (Good thing that digital books are so easy to store.)
Why I finished it: I struggled thru the football chapters, but I was hooked once it started talking about their deployments.
February 14, 2014
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. I expected it to be good, and interesting, and engaging. I expected to care. I didn't necessarily think it would be fun.
It's a wonderfully well-written dual biography/modern history. Crafted to turn 2 or 4 or 12 stories into 1 and done perfectly. If you're a military history buff, you'll probably be frustrated with the lack of depth. If you've never read military history, you'll probably appreciate how it's told through the human stories. And, I mean, football!
It's a wonderfully well-written dual biography/modern history. Crafted to turn 2 or 4 or 12 stories into 1 and done perfectly. If you're a military history buff, you'll probably be frustrated with the lack of depth. If you've never read military history, you'll probably appreciate how it's told through the human stories. And, I mean, football!
May 23, 2022
The moving and inspiring story about West Point cadet Chad Jenkins and Naval Academy midshipman Brian Stann, who faced off in the Army-Navy Game shortly after 9/11...The game was a stirring moment for the nation, but just imagine the emotions in these young men as they played their last collegiate game knowing what was to follow..."Duty, Honor, Country" perfectly describes both as they move through the academies, the collegiate losses in their seasons, their tours in the "Sand Box" and their lives outside of the services...Loved it!
October 6, 2015
In this book two football players, one on Navy’s team and the other on Army’s, play against each other in the annual Army Navy game. This game carried more meaning then a normal game between these two because this game was played just two months after the 9/11 attacks. Both players knew shortly after the season they would start training and be sent off to war. Chad meets a girl he went to high school with, Emily, and has to make the choice on whether he should propose before he leaves for war or when he returns. He finally decides to wait till he returns home. Chad immediately regrets that decision because as soon as he gets to Iraq he is sent to Faluja which was called the most dangerous city at the time. Chad witnessed all the terrors of war possible and when he returned home from his forth tour in 2006 he retired from the army and joined the FBI’s counterterrorism unit to help deal with PTSD. Now, Chad and his family relax in South Florida.
Brian had to wait to join the fight after his training was over because after a night out one of the Naval officers accused him of sexual harassment. This sent him to Mikes Company which is basically a place where soldiers who have been accused of a crime go to wait for their trial. Chad waited nine months for a one hour deliberation that ended in not guilty. Brian and his best friend from high school were begging to be sent over to Iraq, but soon after their arrival Brian watched his friend get shot and die in front of him. Brian got into UFC fighting to help him deal with his PTST. Now, Brian is a commentator for UCF.
This book is good for people who like a lot of action and suspense. It is also a very informative book on 9/11 and the war that followed. The book is separated into three sections: Players, Warriors, and Survivors. Players deal with Chad and Brian playing football. The author describes each play of the 2001 Army Navy in detail that makes you feel like your on the field. In the warriors section, the author leaves out no detail. It can be hard to read at times but each page leaves you wondering whats going to happen next. The final section, Survivors, is all about the families reuniting and the “where are they now?” pages.
This is easily the best book I have read. Even though I was alive during the 9/11 attacks and the events that followed it I was only 2 years old. This book not only told two crazy and unbelievable stories from two people involved in the war but also gave me more insight to that war. I never thought a book could really make me want to read but this book did just that. The only part of the book that I consider boring would be the pages that talked about UCF. I don’t really care for UCF mostly because I don’t get the point of it. All in all I would give this book 5 stars.
Brian had to wait to join the fight after his training was over because after a night out one of the Naval officers accused him of sexual harassment. This sent him to Mikes Company which is basically a place where soldiers who have been accused of a crime go to wait for their trial. Chad waited nine months for a one hour deliberation that ended in not guilty. Brian and his best friend from high school were begging to be sent over to Iraq, but soon after their arrival Brian watched his friend get shot and die in front of him. Brian got into UFC fighting to help him deal with his PTST. Now, Brian is a commentator for UCF.
This book is good for people who like a lot of action and suspense. It is also a very informative book on 9/11 and the war that followed. The book is separated into three sections: Players, Warriors, and Survivors. Players deal with Chad and Brian playing football. The author describes each play of the 2001 Army Navy in detail that makes you feel like your on the field. In the warriors section, the author leaves out no detail. It can be hard to read at times but each page leaves you wondering whats going to happen next. The final section, Survivors, is all about the families reuniting and the “where are they now?” pages.
This is easily the best book I have read. Even though I was alive during the 9/11 attacks and the events that followed it I was only 2 years old. This book not only told two crazy and unbelievable stories from two people involved in the war but also gave me more insight to that war. I never thought a book could really make me want to read but this book did just that. The only part of the book that I consider boring would be the pages that talked about UCF. I don’t really care for UCF mostly because I don’t get the point of it. All in all I would give this book 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2013
This book begins with a gradual indoctrination into the rivalry of the Army-Navy game by taking the reader through life at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy as experienced through the eyes of two football players. The Cadet Chad Jenkins and the Midshipmen Brian Stann stories are told as they approach playing in what would become the most watched Army-Navy game in history in the wake of 9/11.
To say that this story was a page turner is an understatement. Gradually you are taken through the years and months leading up to this game, and then continue to follow the lives of these two men as they do their tours of duty in Iraq.
The experiences of active military service unfold as you witness vicariously through the eyes of these two heroes their experiences in combat as they lead men into armed conflict.
While reading this story I experienced a mixture of emotions. At times I was awestruck, and at others I was filled with patriotism and respect for the Rangers and Marines. At other times I was outraged at how politics, bureaucracy and the media all interfere with these brave men doing a dangerous job and threaten their very survival though idiotic diplomacy.
This is a contemporary story of our time. I can admit now that my reality on the Iraq conflict was only what I heard when I wanted to in the media. Upon completing this book my awareness and admiration for our soldiers has grown to new heights, and at the same time my contempt has grown for the politics and even the media that places these men in danger by simply interfering with their ability to do their job.
My understanding it now that this war would have been over years ago had the media were not created an atmosphere of encouragement for the insurgents to grandstand and our weak convoluted government bureaucracy over-regulating how these soldiers respond under fire, preventing them from simply fighting.
The lives of these two American heroes are told artfully and beautifully before, during and after their time in service in this well written book. The author paints the picture surrounding the sporting event of the Army-Navy game, and it resonates through your heart and soul as you read.
This is definitely one of the most fascinating, educational and amazing books I have read of late, and it opened my eyes to the respect our veterans deserve for having served their country. Take time to buy and read this one today. You will not regret it. This is an important book that can bring about a lot of positive change if others are encouraged to read it. Spread the word.
To say that this story was a page turner is an understatement. Gradually you are taken through the years and months leading up to this game, and then continue to follow the lives of these two men as they do their tours of duty in Iraq.
The experiences of active military service unfold as you witness vicariously through the eyes of these two heroes their experiences in combat as they lead men into armed conflict.
While reading this story I experienced a mixture of emotions. At times I was awestruck, and at others I was filled with patriotism and respect for the Rangers and Marines. At other times I was outraged at how politics, bureaucracy and the media all interfere with these brave men doing a dangerous job and threaten their very survival though idiotic diplomacy.
This is a contemporary story of our time. I can admit now that my reality on the Iraq conflict was only what I heard when I wanted to in the media. Upon completing this book my awareness and admiration for our soldiers has grown to new heights, and at the same time my contempt has grown for the politics and even the media that places these men in danger by simply interfering with their ability to do their job.
My understanding it now that this war would have been over years ago had the media were not created an atmosphere of encouragement for the insurgents to grandstand and our weak convoluted government bureaucracy over-regulating how these soldiers respond under fire, preventing them from simply fighting.
The lives of these two American heroes are told artfully and beautifully before, during and after their time in service in this well written book. The author paints the picture surrounding the sporting event of the Army-Navy game, and it resonates through your heart and soul as you read.
This is definitely one of the most fascinating, educational and amazing books I have read of late, and it opened my eyes to the respect our veterans deserve for having served their country. Take time to buy and read this one today. You will not regret it. This is an important book that can bring about a lot of positive change if others are encouraged to read it. Spread the word.
August 19, 2016
Steve Eubanks tells a moving and inspiring story about several young men as they transition from college athletes to young military officers. He tells the story of several West Point and Annapolis graduates, from their decisions to enter the military academies, join their respective football teams. In November, 2001, shortly after the 9/11 downing of the World Trade Towers, the men of Annapolis and West Point take the football field in the annual intra-service football rivalry. While competing against each other on the gridiron on that occasion, upon graduation, these men find themselves on the same team, fighting a common enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"All American" is a story of competition and rivalry in sports, leading to leadership and respect as young military officers. Eubanks describes the physical and academic hardships these men endure during their training, and how that translated to their success in their subsequent military and civilian careers. As a nation, we tend to overlook the sacrifice and burdens taken on by our young men and women in the service during the long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and this book reminds us that it's our best and brightest who bear the physical and emotional costs of those battles.
"All American" is a story of competition and rivalry in sports, leading to leadership and respect as young military officers. Eubanks describes the physical and academic hardships these men endure during their training, and how that translated to their success in their subsequent military and civilian careers. As a nation, we tend to overlook the sacrifice and burdens taken on by our young men and women in the service during the long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and this book reminds us that it's our best and brightest who bear the physical and emotional costs of those battles.
November 12, 2013
I won this book in one of the contests. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but it was a fascinating look at how two young men evolved from their academy days to warriors to civilian life. They are similar in their outlook at the beginning of the book-football and the Army-Navy game being so important and the desire to get in action. From there, they transition into the different types of training needed to make them into warriors- and it was really tough training. Their experiences of war were eerily similar and they both put their heart and soul into the experience- so much so that after seeing good friends killed and wounded and having some very close calls themselves, no to mention some really harrowing personal experiences on the home front- they both decided to leave the service when they were able and transition into very different civilian careers. I found the book fascinating and recommend it highly.
August 27, 2015
Story of two brave, ambitious football playing Academy athletes who played against each other in one game, and their different paths through Iraq to life after the military. Their paths do not cross after the game, and not even sure they were in contact with each other at any point during the game, so it comes across as biographical sketches of two rather randomly selected young football players who went on to serve this nation in brave and honorable ways. Well written with valuable insights and lessons and reasons to further admire the training and assets these military officers are in society. But still, not a "great" read as far as 'neat' story or satisfyingly unique. Certainly a good value in reading for someone considering an education at the military academies.
January 1, 2014
Army Navy is a great rivalry and while that is touched on, the emphasis is not specifically on the rivalry but two men, one from each service academy and team and their path through to commissioned officer and their deployments in Iraq. The stories are excellent, heart breaking and dramatic and they provide great insight into life on the ground as a Lieutenant in the Army and Marine Corps in Iraq. You might look at the title and book cover and think sports book, but it is much more.
January 13, 2014
4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this one. Being a former Army Captain I must admit I already had an affinity for the Army-Navy game. What I liked is that he takes a Cadet and a Midshipman who both entered their academies prior to 9-11, gives you their background, writes about their on filed and off field Academy experiences, their commissioning, combat experience and post military careers. Well done Steve Eubanks!
August 8, 2014
I really love that this book isn't focused on one single character in a single position. Instead it focuses on two men with different backgrounds from each other. It gives you their background, the experiences they both had, and shows how they have grown over the years. I looked at the book and thought for the longest time that I would hate it because it was football and the Army/Navy, so I put off reading it as long as I could. Now I'm really glad that I picked it up and started reading.
January 1, 2014
I LOVED THE BACK AND FORTH INTERACTION
A JOB WELL DONE....
A JOB WELL DONE....
October 21, 2014
Mostly about Army QB with Navy LB thrown in.
November 30, 2015
it was really good. I had to read it for a book report for my movement in science class. I got help translating some terms from a friend in the army currently, so that helped too.
July 25, 2022
This was a free read thanks to Goodreads Giveaways program.
I sadly left this sit on my "too read" shelf for far too long. So first the irony. I grew up very near West Point, I eventually moved and lived in the Scranton PA area, and I now live right down the road from the Quantico Marines Museum. So I had these ironic touch points with Brian Stann which caused me to become a fan of his MMA career. I opened this book, and look who is one of the biographical focal points!
This book was so excellently written. Compelling and engaging to say the least. The intensity that these two warriors possessed comes right through Mr. Eubanks words. Obviously somethings cannot be written/read, but you dont need to see that to appreciate the dedication and sacrifice these guys gave to their country. Brian Stann stood on his promise of getting the stories of his brothers in arms that gave the ultimate sacrifice out to the world, and I have been driven to learn as much as I can about them.
I always had an appreciation for the Army/Navy game every year, and now I have a totally new perspective.
Excellent Excellent read!
I sadly left this sit on my "too read" shelf for far too long. So first the irony. I grew up very near West Point, I eventually moved and lived in the Scranton PA area, and I now live right down the road from the Quantico Marines Museum. So I had these ironic touch points with Brian Stann which caused me to become a fan of his MMA career. I opened this book, and look who is one of the biographical focal points!
This book was so excellently written. Compelling and engaging to say the least. The intensity that these two warriors possessed comes right through Mr. Eubanks words. Obviously somethings cannot be written/read, but you dont need to see that to appreciate the dedication and sacrifice these guys gave to their country. Brian Stann stood on his promise of getting the stories of his brothers in arms that gave the ultimate sacrifice out to the world, and I have been driven to learn as much as I can about them.
I always had an appreciation for the Army/Navy game every year, and now I have a totally new perspective.
Excellent Excellent read!
February 15, 2025
What an interesting read that really displays Steve’s skills as a writer. Dual auto-biography where he really meshed both stories together perfectly. If you love war history and love football - this will be right up your alley. Felt like 12 Strong mixed with Friday Night Lights. Fun read.
July 31, 2022
Non-fiction with lots of details about football and war. Very thorough but still very interesting.
August 13, 2018
Excellent read. Story of prestigious West Point, football between Army and Navy, and the lives of a Navy midshipman and Army Cadet.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews