Never Surrender A Soldiers Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom
In 1978, Jerry Boykin joined what would become the world’s premier Special Operations unit, Delta Force. The only promise: “A medal and a body bag.” What followed was a .50 caliber round in the chest and a life spent with
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Great insight into the way the govt and media work.
This book was fascinating, as well as very informative. My admiration for the Delta Force has grown immensly. I never knew just how exceptional these men were. They have sacrificed so much for freedom.
This world needs more men like General Boykin. I highly recommend this for informative, as well as inspirational.
1 Star Nothing but a Christian apologetic
Don’t expect anything new on Delta Force that hasn’t already been written about much better and in fuller detail than in this warmed-over Christian apologetic. The only purpose for this book is to further evangelize and explain how god continually inserts himself in Gen. Boykin’s life to heal him, while failing to explain why so many others around him died. He questions his faith throughout, but gives no rationale for why he continues to believe (because there is no rational explanation). He expresses his unhappiness with his critics who question why he spoke at 28 prayer meetings in full uniform, and really only strengthens their case against the general that he was promoting the war on terror in religious terms as Christian vs. Muslim. No deep thought here. Even George Bush disavowed the general’s prayer meetings while in uniform. Delta’s exploits are much better told in Mike Bowden’s Blackhawk Down, Eric Haney’s Inside Delta Force, and Dalton Fury’s Kill Bin Laden.
5 Stars Prepare to be Surprised!
LTG(R) Jerry Boykin’s autobiography is not just an insider’s guide to Delta Force’s tactics, techniques, and procedures. Nor is it simply a contemporary chronicle of Delta’s exploits in the Global War on Terrorism. Instead, it is one man’s account of serving at the crossroads of faith and freedom… combat and Christianity. In his 36 years of service in the U.S. Army (15 of those with Delta), Boykin finds himself at the tip of the spear, facing off against sworn enemies of the United States during the 1980s and 90s.
But his battles do not end there.
Never Surrender is the inspirational story of General Boykin’s struggles not only against those enemies – all vicious, most dangerous, and a few even sociopathic – but also against those individuals found on our own soil who would condescend to question his motives. And those who would find fault with his faith.
Sadly, in the waning years of his career, Boykin fights to defend himself against accusations that he is a religious fanatic intent on characterizing America’s global war on terror as a holy war pitting Christians against Muslims. There were also those who believed (and who may still believe) that he was using his senior position in the Pentagon as a bully pulpit to proselytize and gain converts. A careful analysis of comments he made as a speaker in these religious gatherings easily refutes these allegations made by overzealous reporters typically representing left-leaning national news media. His words were clearly taken out of context. (Incidentally, Boykin was later exonerated by the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General.)
A fast-paced book co-written with Lynn Vincent, Never Surrender both entertains and edifies. Readers are treated to the character and uncommon valor of one of America’s most elite warriors. As one of the original 3 officers to complete the physically and mentally punishing Delta selection course in 1978, General Boykin embarks on a fascinating career in special operations that takes him to the four corners of the globe.
Strap in for the ride!
From the desert expanses of Iran (Operation ‘Eagle Claw’) to the powdery white beaches and turquoise waters of Grenada (’Urgent Fury’)… from the steamy, lush jungles of Panama (’Just Cause’) and Columbia to the Mad Max-esque badlands of Somalia (’Battle of the Black Sea’), we follow Boykin and the men of Delta as they take down one petty despot and bloodthirsty murderer after another. These men are fearless and strike like lightning with ruthless efficiency as they fulfill the vision Delta’s founder, Colonel Charlie Beckwith, set out for them – to be the world’s most effective direct action and counter-terrorism force. Page by page we learn new facts about how these missions went down without being inundated with operational details, many of which (thankfully) remain classified.
But there is much more to Never Surrender than mere war stories.
True to character, before each operation Boykin prays that he and his men are delivered through fire and horrific violence. His prayers are miraculously answered as time and again he wages war not against Evil, but against evil individuals. That this man should ask God for the strength to combat foes accused of murdering, torturing, and raping says a lot more about his compassion than it does about how he views the world. Asking God that both his men and America’s imprisoned hostages be spared is a far cry from asking God to destroy the enemy – Muslim or otherwise. As Boykin ably points out, those enemies who hide behind a cloak of religion while murdering and maiming should not be confused with peace-loving, religious zealots.
Boykin’s story is of a humble, God-fearing man who embodies Christian virtues and endeavors to live a Christ-like life. We even witness the author struggle with his faith as he loses good men on the battlefield and watches the national news media turn against him. Yet always he finds a way back to God while vowing again to never surrender.
This kind of faith is not controversial – it’s inspirational!
It says much about the times we live in that a man of LTG(R) Jerry Boykin’s stature and of whom we as a nation have asked so much should be second-guessed, even vilified. That his motives should be called into question, particularly during time of war, defies rational explanation. His term of service included enormous personal sacrifice: He was twice wounded and would eventually lose his marriage. Rather than doubt his motives, we should thank him. Is it not enough that this man for 36 years selflessly served his country and repeatedly risked his life while saving Americans and battling terrorists and criminals the world over?
General Jerry Boykin’s life can be summed up by the following Bible verse:
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (ISAIAH 6:8)
We are blessed to have such men who willingly go into harm’s way to serve the cause of freedom. We owe them a profound debt of gratitude… a debt that can never be repaid.
Thank you, Sir, for answering the call!
4 Stars Leftist character assassination
There have been many other books of this genre by many other authors that have preceded this book. Thus for many readers who are well read on military events since the Viet-Nam era, there is nothing new here. A mildly different twist is added given the authors reliance on faith. However for the secular reader, there is not the burdensome proselytizing that some evangelical authors put forth. What is very interesting, to which only a small part of the book is devoted, is the calumny, lies, and character assassination the left wing press will resort to when the have targeted one of their enemies. In the case of General Boykin, his only offense seems to be that he was devoted in equal measure to his country and to his God. It is sickening and appalling to what lengths the liberal media will go to get someone that they oppose. Factual differences of opinion count for nothing when they have the power to totally distort the truth, and create fiction out of whole cloth. The media’s Goebbels-esque tactics, the big lie told often enough and big enough becomes the truth, are so beyond the pale as to make one wonder if anyone is safe from the pen wielding and television bullies once they have the bit between the teeth. The authors’ experience brings to mind the Clarence Thomas lynching and the persecution of the Duke University La Crosse team. Thus for one who is unaware of some of the crisis events of the last 30 years, this book makes for an excellent overview, especially if that reader does not wish to be bogged down in details and minutiae.
5 Stars Good read
I just finished this book, i actually was expecting something more “Unit” like, but found this to be a story of struggle and prayer.
I was impressed to read how much he prayed and that he did it for his men that followed him into some of the worst places in the world under some of the worst cases. He description of the “BlackHawk Down” event was extremely touching.
I’m not a hard core religious person, but this was inspiring enough to send me to the chapel. later!
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