SOLDIER: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY First edition by GENERAL SIR MIKE JACKSON (2007) Hardcover

by Mike Jackson

Soldier. The Autobiography of General Sir Mike

Genres: Military Fiction, Biography, Nonfiction, Military History, History, Autobiography, War

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

General Sir Michael David Jackson was a British Army officer and one of its most high-profile generals since the Second World War. Originally commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in 1963, he transferred to the Parachute Regiment in 1970, with which he served two of his three tours of duty in Northern Ireland. On his first, he was present as an adjutant at the events of the Ballymurphy massacre (1971), where eleven unarmed civilians were shot dead by British troops, and then at Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing fourteen. On his second, he was a company commander in the aftermath of the Warrenpoint ambush (1979), when the IRA killed 18 soldiers with two roadside bombs, the British Army's heaviest single loss of life during the Troubles. He was assigned to a staff post at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1982 before assuming command of the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, in 1984. Jackson was posted to Northern Ireland for the third time, as a brigade commander, in the early 1990s.
In 1995–1996, Jackson served his first tour in the Balkans, where he commanded a multi-national division of the Implementation Force. Following a staff job in the UK, he was appointed commander of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) in 1997. He returned to the Balkans with the ARRC during the Kosovo War, during which he famously refused to obey an order from American General Wesley K. Clark, his immediate superior in the NATO chain of command, to block the runways of Pristina Airport and isolate the Russian contingent that was positioned there. He reportedly told Clark, "I'm not going to start the Third World War for you". The incident attracted controversy, particularly in the United States, and earned Jackson the nickname "Macho Jacko" in the British tabloid press. Jackson established a working relationship with the Russian general commanding the detachment at Pristina, giving him a bottle of whisky, of which Jackson was known to be fond, and providing the Russians with the protection of a squad of British soldiers, commanded by his son, Mark.
Upon his return to the UK, Jackson was promoted to full general and appointed Commander-in-Chief, Land Command, the second-most senior position in the British Army. After three years as Commander-in-Chief, Jackson was appointed Chief of the General Staff (CGS), the professional head of the British Army, in 2003. He took up the post a month before the start of the Iraq War, amid disputes over the legality of the invasion and claims that the Army was under-equipped. However, he dismissed suggestions that the Army was at "breaking point". The most controversial point of his tenure as CGS was the restructuring of the regiment system and amalgamation of many regiments into larger ones, leading to the loss of historic regiment names. He was succeeded as CGS by General Sir Richard Dannatt in 2006, and retired from the Army after serving for almost 45 years.

Reviews

[Thomas B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to understand the British army apparatus, and an exceptional view of the conflicts he served in. Sadly I always feel let down by most British generals autobiographies (with the exception of general Rupert smith): lots of narrative, little to learn from This is one of the better ones, lifted by his honesty and clear moral
Compass.

[Mark Smallwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. The best part, probably because it was the highlight of his career was Kosovo. Jackson explains the tensions and difficulties of that intervention and the subsequent nation building amidst colourful characters including war criminals, trigger happy Americans and Tony Blair.

Some insights to chew on as well. Jackson mentions three times an analogy of the rope, which has multiple strands, which individually may be weak, but together are strong; likewise in nation building, there must be a military, economic, political and a reconstruction strand (and more) in order for efforts not be in vain.

His commentary on the Iraq war was also interesting; he comments that the real problem was not that there was no plan for nation building there, but that those plans were ignored by Donald Rumsfeld and the Pentagon.

The first half of the book was less insightful but still enjoyable. It basically involved reading about him climbing the military ladder with some drama in Northern Ireland.

I gave it four stars just because the second half of the book was markedly better than the first.

[ErnstG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written by a very articulate man reflecting on military service from the Cold War to today's assymetric warfare. While polite he doesn't shy away from some controversial matters such as 'nation building'

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography from an allied General. Definitely gave an honest view of US operations, policy (or lack thereof) for GWOT as well as operations in Kosovo. It is eye opening to see from another's point of view. one can also see that leadership principles of the best are universal, if one wishes to follow them.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a enjoyable and interesting look into a life of a soldier from the start to the end of his career, he sure led a very ull and interesting career

[Geeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one that I intend to read again as the author portrays himself as "No One Special". Nothing could be farther from the truth but in this book he does pay great tribute to the rank and file, NCO's, SNCO's and WO's and makes it firmly understood that the Army cannot function without its NCO's - The backbone.

It is a well written read; funny, amusing, hard hitting and at times tragic but what really shines through is his absolute pride of the men that have served with him and for him. He does not come across in way as pompous, arrogant, egotistical or self serving.

A good read for would be army officers.

[Sue Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having seen Mike Jackson on the Television numerous times, I always thought what a normal person he seemed. This book reinforces it. He was one of the men, he had no barrier between himself and the soldiers under him. He connected with them. As I expected he did not suffer fools gladly either. He would not be pushed around by politicians and made his views known, which in some cases was saved international 'Incidents ' to put it mildly.

I have never read a Military Autobiography before, I did wonder if it would be heavy going but I skipped through the pages and was thoroughly enthralled by it. An excellent book about an outstanding soldier.

[Malcolm F. Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awfully interesting autobiography. On the one hand, covering Mike Jackson's career from cadet to head of the armed forces, this is treading familiar ground for me -- rising in command is a popular trope in Military Science Fiction I read -- but the real deal is something else entirely to behold, particularly when it's braided through with major events in modern European history.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couldn't put down read of Mike Jackson's Army career

[Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. Honest and open. A really amazing story from a cool guy.

[John Laws]

Exccelent