By Duty Bound: Survival and Redemption in a Time of War

by Ezell Ware Jr. and Joel Engel

Book Overview

The inspiring, true story of a top soldier who survived Jim Crow only to land in a struggle for survival beside his racist white captain after they were downed in VietnamRaised in the segregated South, Ezell Ware was determined to excel beyond the lines drawn by white power brokers. He became the top recruit in his Marine training class; having grown up without running water, electricity, or sufficient food, he wasn?t daunted by military life. He...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525948619
• ISBN13: 9780525948612
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Dutton
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.3" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A Real American Hero

A wonderful book and a wonderful man. He served honorably in Vietnam and went on to a long and honorable career ending up as a Brigidier General in the California National Guard. I got to know him when I worked for a member of congress in California. As an Air Force veteran from the same era, I greatly respected his service and accomplishments. His book tells a great story and shows that there is no place for bigotry in a foxhole or cockpit.

Spectacular

Thank You General Ware! - Sir! This book should be required reading for high school and, or college students. This is an amazing story of survival, and of the two men who had to over come enormous obstacles to save themselves. I don't want to say to much about the story. So, I'll just say Mr Ware (his title when he was shot down) and his pilot at the time they are forced down in the jungle and must find a way to survive for longer then I thought possible in that jungle. That being said, this is not just a war story. This is the story of a man who refused to be told he wouldn't be able to accomplish his long held goal/dream. And the opposition to his aspirations started very early in rural Mississippi. This much more then a war story this is lesson for all young people about how to reach those goals you have set for yourself. I can't recommend this book to highly. I found it hard to put down, but by the same token I hated to see it end. I will be reading again. General Ware has joined a small group of people I consider my heroes. 91B20 1967

A black man shot down with the biggest racist in Vietnam, story follows

Oh man! i just kind of happened on this book and real glad I bought it. He is a black officer, shot down in the jungles of Vietnam, with him is only one other person. That person HATES blacks. So they have to try to work together. Oh yeah, the racist is injured and can't walk by himself. Very good read.

MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING

When reading this book I thought that Gen. Ware and Joel have accomplished somthing that is unique in the writting art form. The two of them has brought alive two compelling intergrated story, in BY DUTY BOUND, to the readers of America. BY DUTY BOUND leaves the reader axiously awaiting to turn to the next page and yet sad to read of all the triumps Gen. Ware endured in not only his life, but in the military life as well. As reading his story I could feel and walk with Gen. Ware in his journey as he maneuver through the hardship of segregated Mississippi, his military service, and his order in the Vietnam jungle with his segregated captain. BY DUTY BOUND capture Gen. Wares determination to excel even during the time with racism and segregation. He has proven that you can succeed in anything you set your mind and goals to accomplish, inspite of the obstacles he had to endure. BY DUTY BOUND is a must read for all of America who desire to know how to 'KEEP ON GOING UNTIL YOU GET THERE, THEN KEEP ON GOING.' This is one of the most heart warming and inspiring books I have read in a long time. I enjoyed it because of his positive thinking, and it kept him focused and motivated to continue his dream and walks of life. I feel it is a must read book. Also recommended: Destined To Witness

Amazing story

I have no idea what this guy Boddy who reviewed the book is talking about. He says the air went out of the story after the two guys are rescued. Well, duh! The story ends after they're rescued. Idiot! Despite what he says, this is a remarkable story. The best true story I have ever read or heard about. It reminds me of a movie from the early 1960s starring Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis called "The Defiant Ones." The two guys, one black and one white, are chained together and have to learn how to overcome their hate so that they can survive. This story has the advantage of being true. A black man raised in Jim Crow Mississippi makes his dreams come true, and doesn't let anything get in his way. It is inspiring, uplifting, and insightful. I wish I could read it again for the first time, but I will remember it always.