Fortunate Son by Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

In the late 1960s, Puller, a young marine officer in Vietnam, stood alone facing seven enemy soldiers who opened fire on him. He returned fire until he gun locked. Then he ran until he triggered a booby trap. The explosion blew off both of his legs, fingers from each hand, and some of his torso.

This incredible autobiography, which won a Pulitzer Prize, is not so much about his wounding as his recovery, both physical (which involved over a year in the hospital and one dozen operations) and emotional (which included addiction to alcohol). The book ends on a high note, with one year's sobriety under his belt and a positive experience at the dedication of the Vietnam memorial. There is no hint that a few years after writing the book he would return to his addiction and then end his life, but knowing this before I read the book made a tragic story all the more so. And I didn't even mention that his father was famous: the most decorated man in the history of the Marines. A remarkable story; highly recommended.