Pagan: The Cold Warrior's Tale. In his powerful debut, Manteuffel delivers a firsthand account of the U.S. military's turbulent state in the wake of the Vietnam War. Drawing on lived experience, he sheds light on a long-overlooked story-one marked by internal struggle, strained morale, and a dramatic decline in military readiness.

Manteuffel recounts his time from the late 1970s through the 1980s as a platoon leader in a battalion plagued by heroin trafficking and violence, where rogue soldiers colluded with terrorists to murder, kidnap, rape, steal, and engage in sexually harassment. Through unwavering leadership and personal example, Manteuffel, with his platoon sergeant, transformed his unit, ultimately earning recognition as the best tank platoon in USAREUR. Later, he would serve as an executive officer and then command the most improved company in Europe.

"Pagan, the first book in my series, both entertains and informs as I recount real events-some hard to believe, others surprisingly humorous," said Manteuffel, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, who graduated first in his class from the Virginia Military Institute, and Army veteran who tested five of the first seven M-1 tanks built. "My hope in writing this book is that current leaders in the U.S. Army can benefit from the lessons learned by the officers who rebuilt the hollow force after Vietnam."

"Pagan is an incredible read about a little-known time in the military," said Chris Schafer, CEO at Tactical 16 Publishing. "Robert's story, told with unapologetic honesty, showcases how a young officer navigated a less-than-ideal environment with honor, respect, and integrity. It's a powerful reminder that leadership can be a challenge, especially during times that test the fabric of those in charge-and this was such a time."

After serving in the Army both stateside and overseas, Manteuffel went on to attend Southern Methodist University and practice as a Texas trial lawyer for over 30 years.

Biographical sketch - Robert ManteuffelRobert Lee Manteuffel was born and raised on the high plains of western Kansas. His family provided officers to the armies of Europe for over seven centuries, amassing numerous awards, including the Pour le Mérite, and Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords, and diamonds. On May 15, 1977, he graduated first in his class from the Virginia Military Institute and was inducted into the Kappa Alpha Order. Commissioned as an armor lieutenant, he served in basic training battalions and, while attached to the Third ACR, tested five of the first seven M-1 tanks ever built. While waiting the requisite two years for law school, he was involuntarily transferred to USAREUR in 1979, when the Shah fell in Iran, and the Soviets massed on the Afghan border. In Germany, he served in a tank battalion, where he commanded a company as a first lieutenant. Upon his return, he attended the US Air Force Institute of Technology for a master's degree in Operations Research, Strategic and Tactical Sciences, to become the mirror image of a Soviet operations officer. After three years as a computer gamer using simulations for weapons engineering and force design, he was separated from the Army and went to law school at SMU as a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar. He practiced as a Texas trial lawyer for over thirty years with a modicum of success.