Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Blaze of Light: The Inspiring True Story of Green Beret Medic Gary Beikirch, Medal of Honor Recipient

Top positive review

Not just a book...an inspiration in book form

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020

Thank you Sgt. Beikirch for your openness and honesty.
Marcus Brotherton is a master with words. He mines the depths of a person's soul, mind, heart, and spirit so that a reader can identify with the life of another. In this case the person is Sgt. Gary Beikirch. This book helped me understand the duty of soldiers and inevitably the duty of a man and eventually the duty of a Christian. I was struck with Sgt Beikirch's decision to a) join the army, b) choose the Green Berets, and c) become a medic so he could help people. (A course he eventually walked and continues to walk). You will be amazed at Sgt. Beikirch's journey through war, battle, hurt, darkness, healing, more darkness, more healing and victory. His devotion to his training and assignments is humbling and inspiring. You will cry, think, and maybe...be changed. Please read the Prologue and then the Notes. The Notes reveal what is involved for Marcus Brotherton to write this book AND many others.
On a side note...Deo deserves an equal honor and Janet will be rewarded in Heaven. And, who could live in a cave?

11 people found this helpful

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Joshua Collier

Started off great, ended as a disappointment

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020

Marcus Brotherton is a wonderful storyteller and I found this book an incredibly easy read. Part I was the story of Gary's involvement in the Vietnam War. I found his training path to deployment absolutely fascinating, and at times horrifying (the dogs!).

Unfortunately, as is all too common with post-war, Gary 'found Jesus' through seriously suspect events. Following Christ is not done by living in a cave. I don't mean to make light of the experiences that Gary went through, and the impact that they had on him, but the conversion he went through is not the way the Bible describes 'coming to Christ'. Gary very much believes in a false gospel (evangelicalism).

Read Part I, skip Part II.

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From the United States

JEB Stuart

Not just a book...an inspiration in book form

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020

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11 people found this helpful

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Karen Clark

There's So Much We Can Learn From Gary's Story!

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2020

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I finished this book a few days ago and I still catch myself thinking about Gary's story. I can say with confidence this well-written book will leave a lasting impression on me for quite some time.

The way the writer was able to weave Gary's quality of character into the beginning of his story and then carry it throughout the book was masterful. Gary's inner-resilience was obviously within him from the start and crucial to who he was as a soldier inside of the horrific events of the war. As I turned each page I became more and more absorbed into his story and forgot I was reading a book. What a great collaboration between Marcus Brotherton and Gary Beikirch!

The way the writer, Marcus Brotherton, intertwined the realities of the Vietnam War and the rawness of Gary's experiences was seamless. I cried. I laughed. I was encouraged to look at my own sense of endurance in powering through life's battles. My favorite quote from the book:

"With Lolly's help, Gary found the support , love, and guidance needed to enter the caves of his life, to explore, to hurt, to heal, and once again to live. The change didn't happen overnight, but it definitely did happen."

I highly recommend this book! It's important to read accounts of people who have this type of tenacity, perseverance and bravery and to honor these legacies they've endowed to the history of our country.

One last note: I often buy the audible book as well as the hardcover when reading a story like this. The audible book was amazing! The narrator read Gary's story so well that I felt I was in a movie watching the story come to life!

10 people found this helpful

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fletcherrg

The Journey

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2020

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American Professor of literature Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949) finds that all myths share similar structures and that the hero’s journey was a metaphor for the transformation that heroes in all times and places share- a journey that Campbell describes as follows:
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man”(24)

Gary Beikirch’s book is a prime example of the “Hero’s Journey.” From the very beginning, his name Gary - “Spear- loyal warrior” puts a prophetic legend in place (Brotherton 8). Indeed, many little “breadcrumbs” lead the reader on Beikirch’s spiritual journey in terms of events and people who come in and out of his life, carefully building this mythic structure leading to a climatic point. This point is not the battle at Dak Seang, the sacrificial lamb in this story. No, the religious epiphany circles back to the motto “To really live, you must almost die. To those who fight for it, life has a meaning the protected will never know (Brotherton 57). For those seeking a truly deep, complex book that examines the very essence of humanity and what a life with purpose means, this book will help guide them on the path to self-discovery. It is truly a journey of “light.”

Brotherton, Marcus. Blaze of Light: Courage for Battle, Faith for Crisis. Waterbrook, 2020.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton UP, 1968.

7 people found this helpful

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Joe

A Blaze of Light in the Dark World of War

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020

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Stories of Valor are particularly interesting to me...stories of those who overcame great odds to survive - before, during and after his war - Gary is an inspiration, and despite what he might say, it is the story of a True Hero. To me, his is a story of sheer determination, not just to survive, but to do what he intended to do...to accomplish his mission and save those he sought to protect. Viet Nam was such a scattered battlefield. Fighting in rice paddies, on rivers, mountains and triple canopy jungles, seldom holding the ground on which a battle was fought, only to come back and fight for it again. However, Special Forces held the ground they fought on and protected it and the people that lived there, with small groups of Americans and local forces...this was Gary's War. Living in the II Corps mountains and jungles was different - you were among the local population and made friends, became attached to these Montagnards who depended on Gary's skill as a Medic and looked to him for protection from diseases and injuries as well as from a determined enemy. Gary did all that he could do, and then went above that. Thank You Gary, not just for your Service, but for your dedication.

4 people found this helpful

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John McKeon

To really live, you must almost die

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

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Most people who survive a near death experience develop a new perspective on life and their existence in the world. Blaze of Light is an inspiring story of a Green Beret Medic during the Vietnam War. Sgt. Gary Beikirch survives near fatal wounds in battle resulting in him receiving the Medal of Honor but upon physical recovery further challenges remain. This book chronicles Beikirchs's mental and spiritual struggles and eventual reconciliation as he finds his way in a hostile world. From descriptions of Beikirch's childhood to his wartime experiences and attempts to cope in an unwelcoming society , I found myself wondering how much can one man endure. This book is the story of one soldiers struggle, endurance and redemption as well as a history lesson. The author quotes G K Chesterton on pg. 105 and I believe this quote adequately describes
Sgt. Gary Beikirch and countless soldiers who served before and after him; "the true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what is behind him." This book is the story of that enduring, selfless love. Recommended.

2 people found this helpful

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pioneers79tkd

A soldier's struggle toward personal redemption.

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020

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What saves this book from being like so many Vietnam War biographies, besides Marcus Brotherton's strong writing that really evokes the time and place, is that the author, and his subject, don't slant the narrative in any political direction. Gary Beikirch's experience is like that of so many servicemen and -women who did a tour (or more) in Vietnam, experienced the beauty of the country and its people, the horror of the war they were fighting against insurgents and invaders, and then the uncertainty of life back home. Brotherton describe's Beikirch's struggle, as he grew to love the Montagnard people he worked with and cared for and fought to defend, and then his struggle to find himself when he returned home. I will give a copy of this book to my cousin, who is struggling against his own life-long demons and could surely use the inspiration Beikirch, through Brotherton, brings to us all.

3 people found this helpful

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Robert Goforth

Blaze of hope………

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2020

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Is a story of a medic in Vietnam during the war in the 70s. It takes you through his younger years to his current situation in the attack on his base in Vietnam, the aftermath of that attack on his life during, and after the war. The friends he lost, and those he gained during this time. As well as the pain and sorrow he experienced.

And through his stories and watching this amazing man go in and out of difficulties and overcome those adversities, gives you the reader a great deal of hope in these hards times we are experiencing. By this, we the reader, can gain hope in our difficulties and gain the faith that Gary Beikirch found.

Marcus Brotherton is one of the greatest writers of our life time. His books have brought us the stories of men and women who have experienced great hardships, and learned to adapt and overcome in their time, those lessons are priceless. Because of him, we can share in the lives of all those who have passed this way before.

This book, as well as his other books, will forever find a place on my bookshelf. I hope it will for you too, this is book for everyone. Blaze of Light shows us that there is hope in faith.

3 people found this helpful

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Cathy55

Awesome! A must read.

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020

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From the Battlefield of Dak Seang, Vietnam to the the spiritual battle back home in the United States, his story
will make you cry, rejoice and truly learn what it means " To live, one must die to self. For those who fought for it,
freedom has a meaning the protected will never know". Follow Gary as he struggles to find meaning of why he
lived while so many others died during the horrific Battle of Sak Seang, April 1, 1970. Read how God transformed Gary the Warrior, to a man of God. Witness the the transformation as God healed Gary both physically but most importantly spiritually. We have an awesome God. You will experience the high's and low's of Gary's battle, his ultimate victory over the demon's of war and an inspiration to many thousands today. A must read for everyone. Mike-USMC- Vietnam 1965-66

3 people found this helpful

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jeremy

Inspiring story!

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020

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Blaze of Light is a wonderful look into some of the realities of war and what soldiers like Green Beret Medic Gary Beikirch go through not just out in the field, but some of the real struggles that they deal with internally even after the war is over. The war that continues in the mind can often be stronger than even what goes on physically. As I read the book, I felt myself identifying with Gary along the way even though I've never been to war myself. The war that battles in the mind and heart between self-worth, one's calling, and what the world says about you is very real and I believe what Gary went through in this book can help many people understand they are not alone in their battle no matter what a person has gone through even if everything around you seems to be chaos and hardship. I highly recommend this book!

3 people found this helpful

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Mom of Korben and Oli

Blaze of Light is Hope...Faith and Love! A MUST read!

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2020

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The story of Gary Beikirch is one of Faith...Hope and Love. I initially listened to this book and was so moved by the words being spoken. The history of the Vietnam War and what he endured was nothing what I had expected. I then read the book, highlighting areas and Gary’s thoughts. I took time to meditate on those words and found a new way of thinking about the book itself. It gave me direction and purpose. I often go back to reread those highlighted areas. Gary and Lolly are a remarkable faith based couple. This is a love story and one I would highly recommend to anyone to read. This is a story of faith, taking chances, learning to love and forgive. I do intend to reread the full book again. I am sure I missed some parts and look forward to more enlightenment. Bravo to all involved in developing this wonderful story of a wonderful man, Gary Beikirch!

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