General Tommy Franks

Easton Press Tommy Franks books

American Soldier - signed first edition - 2004

 

General Tommy Franks biography

Tommy Ray Franks, born on June 17, 1945, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, was a distinguished American military officer who rose to prominence as a four-star general in the United States Army. His military career spanned over three decades and included key leadership roles in various conflicts, most notably the Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Franks attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Graduating in 1967, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery branch of the U.S. Army. Franks' early military career was marked by a steady ascent through the ranks, and he gained a reputation as a competent and capable officer.

His moment in the global spotlight came during the Gulf War in 1991, where Franks played a crucial role as the commander of the 7th Corps. His leadership and strategic acumen contributed significantly to the success of the coalition forces in liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. This success garnered him widespread recognition and set the stage for future advancements in his military career. In 2000, Tommy Franks was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). This position placed him at the forefront of military operations in the Middle East, and he became a key figure in the planning and execution of the U.S. response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Franks gained even greater prominence in 2003 when he led Operation Iraqi Freedom, the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. As the architect of the military campaign, he coordinated the rapid advance of coalition forces that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime. His leadership during this period, however, drew both praise and criticism, particularly in the aftermath of the invasion and the subsequent challenges in stabilizing the country.

In recognition of his service, President George W. Bush awarded Franks the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. After retiring from the military later that year, he authored an autobiography titled "American Soldier," providing insights into his military career and the challenges he faced on the battlefield. Post-retirement, Tommy Franks remained involved in public and military affairs, offering his perspectives on national security issues. His legacy is one of a dedicated and accomplished military leader who played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. military strategy during critical periods in contemporary history.
 

 

American Soldier

Few individuals have the chance to contribute so much of themselves to the American story as General Tommy Franks. In American Soldier, he captures it all.

The Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, General Tommy Franks made history leading American and Coalition forces to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq the decisive battles that launched the war on terrorism.

General Franks retraces his journey from a small-town boyhood through a lifetime of military service including his heroic tour as an Artillery officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded three times.

Drawing on military records declassified for this book, Franks offers the first true insider's account of the war on terrorism. He puts you in the Operations Center for the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom just weeks after 9/11, capturing its uncertain early days and the historic victory that followed.

When President Bush focused world attention on the threat of Iraq, Franks seized the moment to implement a bold new vision of joint warfare in planning Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rejecting Desert Storm-style massive troop deployment in favor of flexibility and speed, Franks was questioned by the defense establishment including Secretary of State Colin Powell. Yet his vision was proven on the ground: Within three weeks, Baghdad had fallen.

Franks describes the covert diplomacy that helped secure international cooperation for the war, and speaks frankly of intelligence shortcomings that endangered our troops, and of the credible WMD threats that influenced every planning decision. He offers an unvarnished portrait of the "disruptive and divisive" Washington bureaucracy, and a candid assessment of the war's aftermath. Yet in the end, as American Soldier demonstrates, the battles in Afghanistan and Iraq remain heroic victories wars of liberation won by troops whose valor was "unequalled," Franks writes, "by anything in the annals of war."

To America, he was a hero. To his troops, he was a soldier. Now hear his story. Each new era in American history has given rise to a military leader who defines the nation’s proudest traditions―of leadership and honor, of vision and commitment and courage in the face of any challenge. From Washington and U.S. Grant to Dwight D. Eisenhower and Norman Schwarzkopf, these men have captured the nation’s imagination, and entered the small pantheon of...

"When war comes, you look for certain special qualities in the people you'll be working with. General Tom Franks embodies those qualities: strength, experience, a keen mind, energy, honor, good humor, and a deep loyalty to his troops and to his country."