An ordinary life, forever altered by extraordinary circumstances. In 1968, Peter P. Mahoney's world was turned upside down when he joined the Army, became an infantry lieutenant, and was deployed to Vietnam. Upon his return, he found himself embroiled in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) movement and indicted for conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1972 Republican Convention-the so-called Gainesville Eight case-where his friend surfaced as an FBI informer testifying against him. In the early eighties, Mahoney played a pivotal role in establishing the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial and later joined a delegation of veterans to meet with Soviet counterparts from their Afghanistan War. He fell in love with a Russian woman, married her, and spent nine years raising a family in a world vastly different from the suburban middle-class life he had left behind. Now, he shares the extraordinary stories from that finite period that forever changed the trajectory of his ordinary existence. " I Was a Hero Once is an amazing book. Mahoney is a natural storyteller and his sensitivity elevates the impact of what he's been through. Mahoney has blessed America with an astonishing piece of literature. Let us celebrate his achievement!" - Lamont B. Steptoe, author and founder of Whirlwind Press I Was a Hero Once by Peter P. Mahoney is a moving memoir that chronicles the extraordinary life of an ordinary man thrust into tumultuous and transformative circumstances. Mahoney's journey begins in 1968 when he leaves behind his suburban life to enlist in the army, ultimately becoming an infantry lieutenant deployed to Vietnam. This begins a series of events redefining his identity and purpose. Returning from the war, Mahoney becomes deeply involved in the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) movement, a critical chapter where he confronts the complexities of war, patriotism, and dissent. The narrative takes a dramatic turn with his indictment in the infamous Gainesville Eight case, charged with conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1972 Republican Convention. The betrayal by a friend-turned-informer adds layers of personal and political intrigue to Mahoney's story, highlighting the harsh realities faced by Vietnam veterans upon their return home. Peter P. Mahoney vividly tells the story of a historic time when the Vietnam War was ongoing and public disapproval grew. I Was a Hero Once is a testament to Mahoney's courage to confront adversity, his unwavering integrity, and his quest for truth. I cannot begin to find the words to explain the emotion and power of this book. Once you start reading, you will not want to put it down. Many pictures complement the text and bring it to life. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the human experience during war and social upheaval. It offers valuable insights into the complexities of personal identity, moral conviction, and the pursuit of justice. Mahoney's story is a powerful reminder that even in adversity, ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary resilience and find unexpected paths to redemption. Thank you for sharing the intimacies of what you experienced beyond what was reported in the mainstream media. This should be a part of the American history curriculum in high schools nationwide. Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite Mahoney, now in his 70s, reveals himself as someone who's honored his ideals throughout his life—whether they landed him in a war halfway around the world as a second lieutenant with Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), or in a Florida courtroom on trial for allegedly attempting to disrupt the 1972 Republican Convention as one of the "Gainesville Eight." ... The decorated veteran modestly frames this frank and highly readable memoir as a way for his children to better understand their father; however, he also succeeds at creating a work that may help some of his fellow Americans better understand their country... An exceptional remembrance that illuminates both its subject and his homeland. Kirkus Reviews A searing, deeply introspective memoir... Mahoney dismantles the mythology of heroism, war, and personal redemption in his compelling memoir... Mahoney tells his story with raw honesty, weaving past and present in a narrative that mirrors his divided existence, one defined by action, the other by reflection. This nonlinear structure brings each version of the author to life; the restless young soldier, the radical activist, the middle-aged father contemplating the past. The concept of heroism eludes him. As a young man, he saw bravery and sacrifice as heroism, but as years went by, he began to question his belief. He insists that surviving Vietnam didn't make him a hero. The real battles came afterward: fought at home not with weapons but with conviction. And yet, he never places himself on a pedestal. Mahoney's prose is crisp and unembellished as he lays bare the contradictions, the murky morality of both war and act