Once an Eagle cover art

Once an Eagle

A Novel

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Once an Eagle

By: Anton Myrer
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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About this listen

Once an Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self-interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances his career by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington’s corridors of power.

Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War II, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War.

A study in character and values, courage, nobility, honesty, and selflessness, here is an unforgettable story about a man who embodies the best in our nation - and in us all.

Anton Myrer (1922–1996) enlisted in the US Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for three years in the Pacific. Wounded on Guam, he returned to Harvard, graduated, and began an illustrious literary career, during which he wrote such memorable novels as The Big War, The Last Convertible, and A Green Desire.

©1968, 1996 Anton Myrer (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Protector War & Military Romance War

Critic Reviews

“A remarkable novel…Utterly engrossing. Myrer is a superb storyteller, one of the few gifted novelists now writing who cares about the art of narration and is a master of it…A grim, exciting, and almost overwhelming account of twentiethcentury war. It is an astute study of the mind and character of a good general and a good man. And it is a brilliant inside views of the life of a career officer in peace and war.” ( New York Times)
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Right from the first few chapters I knew I was in for a Good Ride. Without a doubt the best wartime Historical Fiction I ever read. A book not just about war but More the human side of war. Great adventure but also Heartache that will have you trying to hold back the tears. This book is Compulsory reading for US SPECIAL FORCES. As you progress through the book you will realize the books importance not just in the wars of the Early 1900's but very relevant even in today's events.
Yes it's a longish book but definitely not a struggle to listen to. ONE AN EAGLE by Anto Myrer. Absolutely recommend this book.
Jared Sutherton

BEST WARTIME HISTORICAL FICTION EVER

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I began this at school but never finished it. Listening to it now I find it is provides great human elements to the factual accounting of War in the 20th century.

IMO greatest war novel ever written

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Long but worth the effort. Examines war and the history of an earlier century through its central characters . Very evocative of that time.

More than a war story

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‘Once an Eagle’ apart from being a fantastic story, has so many lessons, especially for young men and soldiers.

A story that we can all learn something from

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.