The Unforgiving Minute:
A Soldier’s Education
Written by Craig M. Mullaney, published by Penguin Press

Craig Mullaney grew up in a blue-collar, Irish-Catholic family in Rhode Island.  A voracious reader, he was drawn to the rigor and symbolism of a West Point education.  He graduated from the Academy second in his class in 2000, and went on to become an Airborne Ranger and a Rhodes Scholar.  But for all of his training in and out of the classroom, one question lingered in his mind—when the moment came to lead his men into battle would he be ready?

In THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE: A Soldier’s Education Craig offers us a fascinating inside look at a rather singular education. He begins with an often comical plebe’s eye view of the West Point experience, which starts with an ignominious arrival that didn’t bode well for future success.  After some eye-opening and mortifying experiences, he manages to graduate 2nd in his class. From there, he goes on to endure a miserably character-building experience of sleep-deprivation and calorie-restriction in Ranger School, in which he tastes both excruciating failure and bittersweet success. Next stop: a two-year whirlwind of scintillating debate over champagne toasts and pub crawls as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.  The four years he spent at West Point readied him for a career in the Army, but his subsequent experience at Oxford conferred an unorthodox education that would be surprisingly relevant as a combat leader. 

From the parade grounds of West Point to the swamps and mountains of Ranger School to the hallowed halls of Oxford, Craig’s winding path to the battlegrounds of Afghanistan was a unique and remarkable one.  This is the extraordinary story of one soldier’s education, and his attempt to wrestle with the weight of his hard-earned knowledge.

Blend Radio Interviews
Craig Mullaney author of ‘The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education’ was a featured guest on Champagne Sundays online radio show which aired live on Sunday, March 29 from 11am-1pm PST. To meet the rest of the guests and listen to the entire show, please click here. To listen to Craig's interview, please double click on the Play Button below.

Craig Mullaney will return as featured guest on Champagne Sundays radio to take part in our roundtable discussion on our special Armed Forces feature. The show airs live from 11am PT, on May 17, 2009.    Click here to listen live!

About the Author: Craig Mullaney was born in Rhode Island in 1978, and received his nomination to the U.S. Military Academy from the late Senator John Chafee. He graduated West Point in 2000 and was commissioned in the United States Army. After completing Ranger School, Mullaney continued to the University of Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship. At Oxford, he completed two masters degrees.

In 2003, Mullaney led an infantry rifle platoon along the hostile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan with the10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. His platoon operated along the entire spectrum of military operations—from humanitarian assistance with the first Provincial Reconstruction Team established in Afghanistan to combat engagements against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Following his return to the United States, Craig joined the elite 3rd Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," in Arlington, Virginia, responsible for Arlington Ceremonial burials, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and defense of the National Capital Region. He served for three years as the Army Exchange Officer to the history faculty of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he focused on American foreign policy and directed the international scholarships program.

After leaving the military, Mullaney served as a national security adviser on Barack Obama's presidential campaign, led veterans outreach efforts in western Pennsylvania, and was the Chief of Staff for the President-elect's Department of Defense Review Team. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with "V" device, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge.