Mariner Media

More Than A Few Good Men tells the compelling story of Robert J. Driver’s life from childhood to his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. During his time in service, he witnessed and was part of extreme, and sometimes chilling, events. These actions come to life through Driver’s own letters home to his wife, encompassing the challenge of boot camp, Officer’s Candidate School, and his wartime experiences of the Vietnam War.

Driver collected declassified documents and information from many of the Marines he served with in Vietnam in order to provide the reader with this exceptionally detailed account. Driver’s letters home offer a day-by-day reckoning of the traumatic events of combat and the bravery experienced by his young Marines.

The book also features biographies of the many contributors. Driver’s admiration for the men he fought with is evident—they were More Than A Few Good Men.

“Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Driver, USMC (Ret) has written a compelling chronology of his life as a Marine. This anthology commences with a brief overview of his Shenandoah Valley of Virginia heritage, touches on his childhood days, rapidly progresses to his college exploits, proceeds to Quantico/Officers Candidate School, and then maneuvers the reader through his entire Marine Corps career. These recollections are fueled by his almost daily letters home to his wife, Edna. Many daily activities are simple ‘one line’ entries; however, others reflect different Marine Corps events that will be so very familiar to Marines serving in any time or place.

"The red meat of Driver's tale revolves around his two tours in Vietnam commanding rifle companies in 1/9 and 2/9—especially as Commanding Officer of Echo 2/9 during the January-April 1966 time frame. If the names Viem Dong, The Horseshoe, He Quang, or Nui Kim Shan jolt your memory cells, you will want to read this book. Marines who served with Bob 'in country' with the 'Hell in a Helmet' or 'The Walking Dead' battalions will be riveted by his retelling of their combat experiences. His accounts while serving as S-3 of 2/5 in the Arizona in 1969 and S-3 of 2/7 on Operation Pickens Forest in 1970 will bring back memories for those who served in those illustrious battalions.”

—Col. Richard Weede, USMC (Ret).

The Hard Corps is the first book that examines the Virginia Military Institute's leadership development program. It is also the first book in over 30 years to provide a history of its recent graduates—in combat around the world from Iraq and Afghanistan to the seas off Somalia. Husted's quantitative and qualitative approach includes stories of recent graduates who have served the Peace Corps, Teach America, and businesses around the globe. For history buffs, Husted also reminds us that VMI has played a key role in providing past leaders from George Marshall, military leader and statesman, to General Binford Peay III, CENTOM commander. In all, this book is rare glimpse of a treasured American icon.

"The essence of the Virginia Military Institute is you don't lie, cheat, nor steal. It is literally drummed into you. It is a way of life for the rest of your life. In 'The Hard Corps: 21st Century Leadership Development,' Professor Husted has caught the essence."

P. Wesley Foster, Chairman/CEO,
Long & Foster Companies

"Stewart Husted's book, 'The Hard Corps: 21st Century Leadership Development' touches all bases. It not only draws from VMI, but points out that leadership leads to success in business, education, and the military. It is a 'must read' for anyone in any profession."

Bobby Ross, Head Coach,
NCAA Co-National Championship team, Georgia Tech, and
Super Bowl team, San Diego Chargers

Best-selling author Coy Barefoot takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the life and letters of Thomas Jefferson in search of timeless principles of leadership. In Jefferson's view, leadership – personal, civic, and political – is the key ingredient to making a free society work. Barefoot demonstrates that there is much we can learn from Jefferson's successes as well as his failures. "Circumstances of history," Barefoot writes, "present every generation with new challenges that demand a reinvigorated commitment to the preservation of liberty and the cultivation of inspired individuals to lead the fight. Leadership is no academic exercise. Freedom is never a guarantee." This is a powerful and timely book that encourages each one of us to answer Thomas Jefferson's call to action: "Come forward then, and give us the aid of your talents and the weight of your character."