No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy: The Life of General James Mattis
By Jim Proser
3.5/5
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About this ebook
The first in-depth look at the marine hero who has become one of the most beloved and admired men in America today: Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
A devout student of history and erudite reader revered by rank and file soldiers, officers, academics, politicians, and ordinary citizens, General James Mattis is one of the most admired leaders serving America today. A man who has long used his position as a model for the soldiers he leads, Mattis in 2003 shared a "Message to All Hands" with the men and women under his command, outlining their responsibilities as soldiers of the corps. Emphasizing the importance of the mission and the goal to act with honor, Mattis ended with the motto he had adopted from another great figure, Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla: "Demonstrate to the world that there is ‘No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy’ than a US Marine."
The first Trump presidential cabinet nominee, Mattis, retired from activity military duty for only three years at the time, received a rare Congressional waiver to hold the civilian position of Secretary of Defense, and in the hyper-partisan political atmosphere of 2017, astonishingly received nearly unanimous, bipartisan support for his nomination. After months of headline-making chaos involving the White House, Mattis remains one of the few widely revered members of the Trump administration.
In this illuminating biography, Jim Proser looks beyond Mattis’ professional competence to focus on the driving element behind Mattis’ success: his unimpeachable character—a formidable personal integrity that fosters universal confidence. Proser carefully examines the events of Mattis’ life and career to reveal a man who leads with insight, humor, fighting courage, and fierce compassion—not only for his fellow Marines, but for the innocent victims of war. Chronicling how Mattis’ martial and personal values have elevated him to the highest levels of personal success and earned him the trust of a nation, Proser makes clear how America is stronger because of his service and his example.
Jim Proser
Jim Proser's first book, I’m Staying with My Boys: The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC, was awarded the United States Marine Corps Commandant’s Recommendation. Prosner wrote and directed, with Jerry Cutter, a documentary of the same name, and I’m Staying with My Boys was used as source material for HBO's critically acclaimed, award-winning miniseries, The Pacific.
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Reviews for No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy
12 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5This was touted as a biography of the great general and Secretary of Defense James Mattis. And it was, to an extant. What I found most disappointing about the book was it really was a reenactment and descriptive action of the many battles and campaigns of the wars in the Middle East. Proser touches very lightly on biographic material surrounding the general's upbringing and how he got to where he got. He spends and exorbitant about of writing on the minute detail of the many battles and strategies linked to them.Biographies generally delve into the very personal side and what makes these people tick. There is some of that here concerning General Mattis but it is mostly related to how he commands in the field. What is missing is what is going on away from the battle in how he conducted his life and his personal experiences. That is unfortunate because this man is certainly unique and deserving of the greatness bestowed upon him.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a brief history of a remarkable warrior. Given his experiences, it is certainly unusual that he made the move from battlefield leader to head of the defense establishment. Clearly, he has the topic of delegation firmly in hand. He sets an example that would not normally be expected of a leader with stars on his shoulders. Author Proser gives us a good history but the book lacks the sense that he has any real idea who James Mattis is. Certainly, Proser is quite confident that Mattis can fill the shoes of the position in which he is now employed.