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Defiant Patriot: The Life and Exploits of Lt. Colonel Oliver L. North
"I came to the National Security Council to work in the administration of a great president. I came to understand his goals and his desires. I admired his policies, his strength, and his ability to bring our country together. I observed the President to be a leader who cared deeply about people, and who believed that the interests of our country were advanced by recognising that ours is a nation at risk in a dangerous world and acting accordingly. He tried, and in my opinion succeeded, in advancing the cause of world peace by strengthening our country, by acting to restore and sustain democracy throughout the world, and by having the courage to take decisive action when needed."
He electrified the nation with his testimony before Congress. Now meet the man himself.
From his boyhood in upstate New York to his role in the Iran-contra affair, here is the inside story of the man President Reagan called "my favourite Marine".
He electrified the nation with his testimony before Congress. Now meet the man himself.
From his boyhood in upstate New York to his role in the Iran-contra affair, here is the inside story of the man President Reagan called "my favourite Marine".
287 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1987
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19 people want to read
About the author
Peter Meyer
82 books10 followersPeter Meyer is a former News Editor of Life magazine and the author of numerous nonfiction books, including the critically acclaimed The Yale Murder (Empire Books, 1982; Berkley Books, 1983) and Death of Innocence (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1985; Berkley Books, 1986).
Over the course of his three-decade journalism career Meyer, who holds a masters degree in history from the University of Chicago, has touched down in cities around the globe, from Bennington to Baghdad, and has written hundreds of stories, on subjects as varied as anti-terrorist training for American ambassadors to the history of the 1040 income tax form. His work has appeared in such publications as Harper's, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, New York, Life, Time and People.
Since 1991 Meyer has focused his attentions on education reform in the United States, an interest joined while writing a profile of education reformer E.D. Hirsch for Life. Meyer subsequently helped found a charter school, served on his local Board of Education (twice) and, for the last eight years, has been an editor at Education Next. His articles for the journal include “The Early Education of our Next President” (Fall 2008), “New York City’s Education Battles: The mayor, the schools, and the `rinky-dink candy store’” (Spring 2008), “Learning Separately: The case for single-sex schools” (Winter 2008), and “Can Catholic Schools Be Saved?” (Spring 2007).
Meyer also writes and edits, mostly on education, for the American Enterprise Institute, the Manhattan Institute, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, where he is a Senior Visiting Fellow.
Over the course of his three-decade journalism career Meyer, who holds a masters degree in history from the University of Chicago, has touched down in cities around the globe, from Bennington to Baghdad, and has written hundreds of stories, on subjects as varied as anti-terrorist training for American ambassadors to the history of the 1040 income tax form. His work has appeared in such publications as Harper's, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, New York, Life, Time and People.
Since 1991 Meyer has focused his attentions on education reform in the United States, an interest joined while writing a profile of education reformer E.D. Hirsch for Life. Meyer subsequently helped found a charter school, served on his local Board of Education (twice) and, for the last eight years, has been an editor at Education Next. His articles for the journal include “The Early Education of our Next President” (Fall 2008), “New York City’s Education Battles: The mayor, the schools, and the `rinky-dink candy store’” (Spring 2008), “Learning Separately: The case for single-sex schools” (Winter 2008), and “Can Catholic Schools Be Saved?” (Spring 2007).
Meyer also writes and edits, mostly on education, for the American Enterprise Institute, the Manhattan Institute, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, where he is a Senior Visiting Fellow.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 15, 2013
It's not often you encounter a page-turning biography, this is one such page turner.
The book opens with the confrontation on July 7, 1987 between Lt. Col. Oliver North and the Joint Committee on the Iran-Contra Investigation hearings. From here it skips back to North's childhood, military ambitions, Vietnam deployment, post-Vietnam work & then the climax of his career his assignment to the National Security Council where he hand designed the Iran-Contra scheme.
It's well written giving you a good insight into his character and motivations as well as inner code. For example, some accuse North of being a ladder climber, taking assignments/tasks solely to propel himself in rank, yet it's highlighted in the book that some of his actions, taken to defend fellow Marines, could have negatively impacted, or even ended, his career.
Prior to reading this book I only had a very vague understanding of the Iran-Contra affair, thankfully the book fills in the gaps for you without bogging down in politics and details, the pace isn't frantic but it's reasonably paced that it's an enjoyable read for entertainment as well as education.
Also includes appendixes with his Bronze & Silver Star citations as well as 1943-1987 chronology (from birth to the joint committees of congress hearings)
The book opens with the confrontation on July 7, 1987 between Lt. Col. Oliver North and the Joint Committee on the Iran-Contra Investigation hearings. From here it skips back to North's childhood, military ambitions, Vietnam deployment, post-Vietnam work & then the climax of his career his assignment to the National Security Council where he hand designed the Iran-Contra scheme.
It's well written giving you a good insight into his character and motivations as well as inner code. For example, some accuse North of being a ladder climber, taking assignments/tasks solely to propel himself in rank, yet it's highlighted in the book that some of his actions, taken to defend fellow Marines, could have negatively impacted, or even ended, his career.
Prior to reading this book I only had a very vague understanding of the Iran-Contra affair, thankfully the book fills in the gaps for you without bogging down in politics and details, the pace isn't frantic but it's reasonably paced that it's an enjoyable read for entertainment as well as education.
Also includes appendixes with his Bronze & Silver Star citations as well as 1943-1987 chronology (from birth to the joint committees of congress hearings)
May 22, 2020
An interesting biography of a controversial figure who is also a brave patriot. Contains useful historical insights into Democrat V Republican politics. Anything changed?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews