This book includes a series of questions that stimulate thought and reflection and, while a work of fiction, it is based on actual events in the life of a soldier as he transitions from Private to Lieutenant Colonel. Soldier Stories is about learning lessons about leadership, career management, risk-taking, ethics, dignity, respect, and a host of other values.

Such learning is enjoyable yet engaging listening.

These type lessons are best done through true-life stories from an experienced leader and master storyteller. Such is the case with Soldier Stories by 27-year Army veteran and 15-year IBM manager, Dave Merritt. You will be hooked from the start as a young soldier makes career and ethical decisions about something as simple as wearing a mustache. There is a story about how to exercise leadership by addressing harassment (and getting arrested) and when it is right, moral, and ethical to stick your neck out. He addresses the training of a new lieutenant by an experienced sergeant and how that training set positive career accomplishments in motion. Merritt points out how to use the chain of command to correct ethical and regulatory improprieties and how to intervene on behalf of a colleague. In once chapter he illustrates through example a potential court-martial experience that should have been avoided and how important human dignity is to everyone. The chapter entitled, “Integrious” provides a humorous story regarding a simple but important word.

After each chapter, there are questions, stimulating discussion points, and an opportunity to reflect on how you might handle a similar situation.

This is teaching at its best, a worthwhile read, and an ideal classroom resource for military and civilian leadership, management, and ethics classes wherever they are taught. Importantly, this is volume one of three from someone who rose from Private to Command of a huge battalion as an Army Lieutenant Colonel. Soldier Stories is captivating, educational, and funny, but it’s also an easy and enjoyable listen on a series of important topics. Once you start listening you will not want to put it down.