Review of Be the Weight Behind the Spear

[Lynne McClure]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Be the Weight Behind the Spear" by Josh McConkey.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Be the Weight Behind the Spear by Josh McConkey is an inspiring book about leadership, ethics, family, the human spirit, and what it takes to be a good American. The author is a medical doctor certified in emergency medicine who also served in the US Air Force during the Iraq War and carries the title of Colonel. The author, Dr. (Colonel) McConkey, has a plethora of leadership experience, having spent 20+ years as an emergency medical doctor and commander of 100+ warfighting medics during the Iraq war.

The meaning behind the book's title, Be the Weight Behind the Spear, is emphasized by the author's many stories demonstrating that without the weight of those standing by you and pushing you forward, all you have is a sharp tip. The book highlights the qualities of leadership: integrity, honesty, ethics, what it takes to be a good leader, and how to instill those qualities in your team.

I found this book to be very inspiring, patriotic, and a bit frightening all at the same time. I share beliefs and concerns similar to those of the author, and the stories recounted here were interesting and informative. I was particularly interested and somewhat dismayed by the unethical practices in the medical community during the worst of the opioid epidemic. On the other end of the spectrum, the author's dedication to the mentorship of his team was very inspiring.

The author's tendency to go too far and repeat himself when narrating his past is the one criticism I have of Be the Weight Behind the Spear. Additionally, the flow of the book tends to be a bit choppy, as the author jumps back and forth in its timeline, making it sometimes hard to follow. All in all, however, I think this is an excellent example of a study in leadership and patriotism and recommend it highly. My rating would be 4 out of 5 stars for Be the Weight Behind the Spear.

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Be the Weight Behind the Spear
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