A review by gregoryscottdilcox
None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism by Michael Hirsh

4.0

I really wish we could do half stars instead of just full stars because this book was really a three and a half star, not a four but I liked it more than I disliked it so I decided to round up. I really hand little to no information on the PJs of the Airforce which is a shame and I'm glad my friend gave me this book so I could learn a little more. Hirsh was very detailed with the missions of the PJs in Operation Enduring Freedom, really laying out how amazing it is that there is a division in the military that has a single goal of saving people instead of destroying people. Their motto is "so others may live" and it get a sense through this book that from the top to the bottom every single one of the guys believe that with every fiber of their being. I read a couple reviews here on Goodreads that didn't like when Hirsh complained about the military higher ups and the calls they made, I don't agree with that. I like that Hirsh who lived on base in Pakistan was opinionated, and passionate about the job the Pararescuemen do. And honestly I agree with his assessments in the book. Where he loses me is that I feel that we didn't learn enough about the individuals themselves. Through details of the mission and lifestyle you get a real sense about the PJs as a whole, the type of person that would willingly jump into a landing zone next to a minefield to save attempt to save a life. But we only really get to know a couple of the guys, but that is understandable considering names were changed and there is a limit to what Hirsh could share due to the protection of these men and their mission. As much as I enjoyed the book I'd love to sit down with Hirsh and hear more of his first hand stories of the guys.