Every American should read this book.
The best book about combat I've ever read is "Black Hawk Down," the Mogadishu story. They made a movie of it, which ain't bad, but isn't in the league of the book. The movie solely depicts action, whereas the book also depicts thought, what was going through the minds of the soldiers engaged in battle. The chaos, the fear, you felt like you were right there.
The depiction of battle in "Alpha" is not quite as good, but that does not mean it's not fascinating, and riveting.
"Black Hawk Down" was constant action. Whereas "Alpha" is about SEALs in Iraq in the battle for Mosul and there are many battles, much action. And ultimately, most Americans don't care. Yes, Iraq has been written off. The entire Middle East. That was what we did back at the turn of the century. It didn't work out so well, so we've forgotten it. People died, their families will never be the same, but at least it didn't happen to me, or you.
And that was what Vietnam was all about, it could definitely happen to me or you, and therefore there was pushback. Was this a cause worth dying for? Many people didn't think so. Draft cards were burned, men moved to Canada, there were national protests. I'm thinking we may not see this kind of movement, this kind of change, until it's a life and death matter for half the public again. One could argue the issue of abortion rights affects all women, but it's somewhat murky, not black and white, you can still get the procedure done in some states, there are different rules everywhere, and we're not quite sure all the pro-choice people are excited and united.
That's the modern world. No one has a handle on what is going on.
Have you been following the news? It's all about the horse race, what is happening in election battles. Every day it's a new story, a new spin. A month ago abortion was the key issue, today they say it's the economy. A month ago the Democrats were on the rise, today outlets are saying the Republicans are on the cusp of victory, at least in the House. I don't believe a single word of it. I know what the issues are, but I do not know what the temperature of the country truly is, for that I'm waiting for the election results. And, of course, there are the issues of the right to vote and the counting of votes...but we're gonna have to wait until Election Day to see what goes on there.
What happened in America in the sixties and seventies is exactly what is happening in Russia right now. As long as someone else is fighting the war, you're not too upset. But if they want YOU to go... You leave the country and... Do you really want to be a pawn in Putin's game? The same way men felt they were pawns in Johnson and Nixon's game? Will Putin pay a price, we're just not sure. Changings of the guard happen overnight, like the failure of Lehman Brothers. Oh, there's a long run-up, but most people are not paying attention, and then a tipping point is reached and...
The "Washington Post" just published a story:
"Leaders of democracies increasingly echo Putin in authoritarian tilt - From Italy to Brazil to the United States, political leaders increasingly are echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin and one another by embracing far-right authoritarianism": wapo.st/3geDlkn
Want to be truly frightened? Read it, that's a free link. If you can make it to the end I applaud you, it's just too disillusioning, too disheartening.
And that's the essence of "Alpha."
WHAT?
Man, if you lived through the sixties it's hard to fathom all this veneration of the military, never mind law enforcement. They were the enemy. But most Americans alive today were not conscious in that era, they know little about Vietnam. We have a level of nationalism previously unknown in my lifetime. And once you get a gang going...
Yes, talk to people in other countries, America is seen as a bully, a gang.
So what you've got here is the Navy SEALs, the most lionized members of the military. Used to be pilots, but that's been superseded, especially since the SEALs killed Bin Laden.
You see it's damn hard to become a SEAL. Almost no one can pass the test. Read about it, you wouldn't even want to try. And the belief is those who make it through, who get their Trident pin, are the best and the brightest.
IS THIS TRUE? Just because someone is physically fit, does that make them intelligent, never mind a choir boy?
So the book starts off with training. A SEAL platoon before it ships overseas. And what every SEAL wants is action. That's what they're trained for, they don't want to be sent to some peace time territory. It's the opposite of the regular citizen. They don't only want to shoot, but kill. And...
There is very little supervision. The SEALs are the rock stars of the military. They don't have to wear uniforms. They make up their own game plans. They change course on the fly. Essentially, they're beholden to no one.
As long as...
As long as what?
As long as nobody speaks. It's a cult. Of loyalty. And loyalty is more important than truth.
That's America today. Not only in politics, but business. Pay fealty to the king and keep your mouth shut. Laws are broken? What difference does it make if no one talks. And if you're ultimately found out, you hire attorneys far superior to the ones employed by the government and you skate, or end up with a slap on the wrist.
So they get to Mosul and...
The head of the platoon, Eddie Gallagher, starts breaking the rules from day one.
This is the first half of the book. The combat. One thing is for sure, reading it you have no desire to be there.
So, are the SEALs self-motivated purveyors of excellence, or bad actor renegades?
I'll let you decide.
But in this particular case, two courts decided. Military and public opinion. The rule of law and Fox News.
I followed the Eddie Gallagher story, but I couldn't remember how it played out. There's so much to keep in your brain these days.
But if you want to know how the game works today, read how Eddie's wife raised money via the internet and President Trump was worried about his image and...
It all comes down to doing the right thing.
That's what they tell you, from kindergarten if not before. Do the right thing. Tell the truth. Be a man. Or a woman.
And then you get out in the world and that does not apply, whatsoever.
Be a whistleblower at your peril. Stick your neck out and watch all your friends, even the supportive ones disappear.
And the bad actor, whether it be a person or a corporation, has relationships, and data on you, after all no one is perfect, and if you stand up for the truth you could lose your gig, be haunted for the rest of your life.
Not wanting to tell the truth goes up the military ranks. No one wants the trouble. Everybody just wants the problem to be pushed under the rug, to go away. The enemy is the whistleblower, not the bad actor.
"Alpha" is one of the rare books where the courtroom drama is even better than the action that precedes it.
As for the action that precedes it, I'm gonna let you know right now, you're gonna be a bit confused. You see there are so many names. Of soldiers, of groups, of weapons. Reading on a Kindle I could search and remind myself what each was, but having said that, you could probably read the book without remembering and it wouldn't make a difference, you get the feel and know who the relevant players are as you get to the courtroom drama.
So I'd say the first half of the book is very interesting.
But about halfway through, it becomes RIVETING! You can't put it down. Yesterday I spent the afternoon finishing it. Sitting in a chair for four hours straight. I didn't even get up for lunch. I didn't want to break the spell. And sure, I wanted to know what happened, but "Alpha" is more than that. The moral issues, the practical issues, the political issues, the humanity and lack thereof, all these questions are swirling around your brain and even after you close the book they're still with you.
Is it hopeless?
Well, if everybody in America read "Alpha" maybe it wouldn't be.
Because "Alpha" is America. There's a hierarchy of power and you report to your superior. Of course there are exceptions, the artists, the super-rich, then again Bob Dylan said we all have to serve somebody.
And if you stick your neck out, you're gonna get blind-sided. And they don't prepare you for this, they don't want you to know they'd rather make an example of you, make you think doing the right thing is morally superior and truth wins in the end and then you get your head lopped off.
The book ends on a positive note.
And then you read the "Times" stories about Hell Week and you wonder if it's cultural, and nothing can change. You can be positive, but is it really a negative world?
Read "Alpha" and come to your own conclusion. It will make you think, but it's anything but boring.
It'll shake you up.
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