A gripping, fascinating story - A gripping fascinating story, enhanced by the fact that the story is real and provides a full account of Dr. Horton's experiences being thrown into heavy combat after just a few months of training. Recommended reading for all.Survival against all odds - in the trenches of Vietnam - I still can't believe they get out of there alive - couldn't put it down. This first person narrative of hand-to-hand combat in the trenches of Vietnam left me scared, glad to be alive and eternally grateful to those who died for my freedomCould not put it down - A friend had mentioned this book to me. Once I received it I could not put it down. Jerry Horton joined the army to simply be able to afford to go to college. 40 years later he has a PHD and multiple degrees but they were earned at a heavy price for this patriot. Jerry shares his experiences in Vietnam in an articulate, honest and direct assessment of his time in Vietnam, the men he served with and the horrors of war. Incredible story of leadership and survival.Shake N Bake Sergeant aka Instant NCO - Jerry Horton absolutely nailed the life of a "Shake 'n Bake" Sergeant when he tells the story of dedicated soldiers trained at Fort Benning, GA and then follows them to Vietnam. This book is not only absolutely dead on accurate but gives the reader every aspect of what it was like to experience the war as a Shake 'n Bake Sergeant. Instant NCO's were trained for only one reason - to lead United States soldiers into combat and they did it with heroic efficiency and effectiveness with limited resources. This book is not just a home run - it is a Grand Slam. Interesting, accurate, full of suspense and you can't put it down. This book should be required reading for everyone so they can understand that Freedom is not Free. There is a cost and sometimes that cost is heavy. Horton brings it all across in a nonstop action format. It is a great read!If you really want to know what it was like...This has to be the most realistic 'must read' book to come out of the VN war. If you ever read any book about this war - this is the one to read. You won't put it down and you won't ever forget it!From the book's review by the late COL(R) David Hackworth (most-decorated Vietnam veteran): "In 1968, the U.S. Army was running out of sergeants in Vietnam. Throughout military history, as least as far back as the Revolutionary War, sergeants were the backbone of the Army. This shortage of sergeants meant disaster in Vietnam. The NCO candidate school was created to solve this serious problem by doing one thing - train soldiers to lead men in combat. It was modeled after the Officer's candidate school but streamlined to meet this critical need for leaders in half the time. Graduates were known by most as "Shake 'n Bake Sergeants" or "Instant NCOs" since they got their rank fast from going to school.This book is the first time this important part of American history has ever been published. It is the first time anyone has given credit to Shake 'n Bake Sergeants - a credit that they so greatly deserved. At the time there were many who said they would fail. It seemed many did not respect them even though all were destined for front line positions. The book documents how they proved their worth over and over again as front line infantry leaders even though for thirty some years their sacrifices have been unknown."An unforgettable mixture of vivid realism, poignant sadness and unexpected humor. Once you begin reading The Shake 'n Bake Sergeant, you will find it hard to put it down. See www.shakenbakesergeant.com.
About the Author: Dr. Jerry Horton was born in Charleston, W.Va. September 6, 1947. He grew up in Charleston and entered the Army October 1967. While in service Dr. Horton served as an infantry squad leader in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He was wounded March 12, 1969 and spent six months assigned to Walter Reed Hospital. Dr. Horton received the Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered on March 12. He found out 30 years later during research for this book that he also received two Silver Star medals that he was never notified of 37 years ago. These medals were awarded to him in an official ceremony held at Ft. Carson in 2000. Dr. Horton holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Electrical Engineering, MBA and MSEE from University of Tennessee and BSEE from Louisiana State University. He has been a leader in his field in electrical engineering and for the last 16 years the President and Founder of Engineering Software Associates, a leader in Educational Classroom Software for colleges and universities. Dr. Horton now resides in Sarasota, Florida and is married. He has one son, one daughter, a step daughter and four grandchildren.