Gavin continued to be influential in civilian life. He became chairman of the board of Arthur D. Little Company, advisor to President John F. Kennedy, and United States ambassador to France under the Kennedy administration. The book highlights Gavin's early opposition to the Vietnam War. His criticism was not based on pacifism but rather on sound military judgment. He believed that victory in Vietnam would require massive escalation that would likely draw China into the conflict.
Paratrooper is well researched and written.
It provides the first full biography of this legendary soldier and combat leader. The strength of this book is the treatment of World War II airborne operations and Gavin's insights into European theater campaigns. Equally important, it is the story of a great American. I recommend Paratrooper to those interested in military history and the employment of airpower.