He published his autobiography in 1992

"It Doesn't Take a Hero", Norman Schwarzkopf's autobiography, was published in 1992, a year after his military retirement. The book quickly rose to the top of sales.

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf tells the tale of his extraordinary life and career in an open, highly awaited autobiography. This is the account of his childhood experiences during World War II and his extraordinary adolescence in the Middle East and Europe, which would later be crucial to his comprehension of the Gulf. This is a candid description of the West Point graduate's early dissatisfaction with the "real" Army, which almost led him to resign from the service. General Schwarzkopf discusses his two tours of duty in Vietnam in an open manner. He describes the "dark years" that followed and his contribution to the fight for military reform. For the first time ever, General Schwarzkopf offers his intimate, behind-the-scenes narrative of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, along with unvarnished photos of important individuals including Colin Powell, Richard Cheney, and President George W. Bush.

From the general's singular vantage point, we are able to see firsthand how difficult it was to plan the campaign in a nation where foreigners were viewed with great suspicion, to maintain strategic secrecy during America's first war that was broadcast worldwide, and to prevent a repeat of the Vietnam War. "It Doesn't Take a Hero" is a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel that paints an intimately intimate portrayal of American life. It is the inspiring story of a soldier who built his career on the principles of duty, honor, and nation.

The book received a great deal of attention for being an illuminating account of the recently concluded Gulf War. It would go on to sell millions of copies and is regarded as one of the key works on the war in the late 20th and 1990s.