Real Men
Real Men: Ten Courageous Americans To Know and Admire
by R. Cort Kirkwood
In an age when manhood is attacked on every quarter, it is refreshing to have a book which extols the virtues of courage.
Especially gratifying to me was that the author’s first selection was Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion. Known as “The Swamp Fox,” he was the quintessential guerilla fighter. Bedeviling the British in South Carolina, he emerged from the swamps to attack, destroy and disappear. The film, “The Patriot” was loosely based upon his life and exploits.
I have heard of Marion since I was a boy. He was such a family favorite, that my grandmother’s two brothers were named respectively Francis and Marion. The patriot certainly deserves to be resurrected in the memory of boys today.
The book continues with men of both sports and military fame—Eddie Rickenbacker, Vince Lombardi, Lou Gehrig, Audie Murphy, David Crockett, Andrew Jackson, and capping the book off is a tribute to Robert Edward Lee.
The author introduces us to Rocky Versace, a hero of the War in Vietnam. He died as a prisoner of war in 1965, but was not awarded the Medal of Honor until 2002.
I didn’t agree with the inclusion of “Wild Bill” Hickok in the book. I think he shot too many men in the back to be considered courageous, but I wholeheartedly agree with the coverage of the other nine. Of course, it was expected that several were Southerners and two of the ten were Tennesseans!
The book may be purchased at Logo Bookstore in Green Hills. 615 297-5388.
(Reviewed April 2008)