by General George Lee Butler
With illustrations by Victor Guiza
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| General George Lee Butler |
General Butler’s
memoir portrays an incredibly expansive military life, but with an eye towards
how that life affected family and community, as well as a nation. A
one-of-a-kind glimpse into the inner workings of the military well beyond being
the defender of the peace.
Turns out, General Butler is a Don
Quixote. He doesn’t always choose his battles, he charges ahead with audacity
and hope, and, although he invariably creates change for the better, he has
often risked his own life and career. He's a true American hero.
Born to a military family in 1939
[auspiciously, the year Britain and France declared war on Germany] George Lee Butler
graduated the Air Force Academy, where he subsequently taught and where parts
of the memoir have been incorporated into the training manual. He also found
time to earn a PhD in Political Science and was an Olmstead Scholar in France,
where he earned a Master’s in International Affairs. A pilot who served in Viet
Nam [a war he ultimately challenged] he has logged in over 3000 hours flying
time in various places. And, beyond many other accolades and accomplishments,
was designated Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command from 1991 – 1994,
which means, if you don’t know, he had his finger on the nation’s nuclear
arsenal even though he argues for the elimination of reliance on nuclear
weapons.
By and large, the world wants to
move away from the nuclear era. The question is how fast and how far. In a
world of sovereign nation-states, I can't rationalize any number above zero. If
it's more than zero, you have to acknowledge every nation has the right to have
them.
Most impressively, this General is
a fine writer. As lengthy as the reading is – two volumes, over 800 pages – it’s
a page-turner. Almost impossible to imagine one life as rich and as deeply
embedded in 20th century American history as this one. However he will tell you
he absolutely owes it all to his wife, and honors all military spouses.
As
you will come to understand, she was as much in service to her country as was
I, making her mark in every assignment and on everyone privileged to be in her
company.
Volume I deals with the formative
years and Volume II with what he calls the transformative and I would call the
maturity. From the naiveté and perseverance of a young man to a dedication to the
better-articulated high ideals of the older and decidedly wiser.
General Butler said he spent ten
years writing the book, with numerous rewrites and readers. When I asked what,
if any overriding message he wanted to send, he answered, “the unique risks to
life and limb, the primacy of leadership and integrity, and the unrelenting
sacrifices demanded of members, their spouses and most especially, their
children.” And when I asked him to cite the most life-altering challenge or
experience, he replied, “Always do and say the right thing, no matter the
personal cost.”
In the interest of full disclosure, I met General Butler some years ago at an event for one of several non-profits he and his family support through their charitable foundation, and his lovely wife Dorene has been a supporter of my fiction. I can tell you in all truth they are quality people and this is a quality memoir.
Take the time to read these volumes.
Enjoy each of the many fascinating episodes. When you reach the last page,
you’ll be glad you know General George Lee Butler.
Available
in hardcover [a fabulous gift] or for Kindle [and Kindle Unlimited for free.]
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