With the Old Breed: An Epic Account of Combat and Survival During the Battle of Peleliu and Okinawa

Tom Haake: Tru events wewll witten

United States on Oct 04, 2023

whp48: War is an ugly business that sometimes must be undertaken with high cost for both the victor and the vanquished. However, our youth must learn this lesson if we ever hope to prevent war.

My unit, the Fifth Marines, played a critical role in many Pacific Island battles.

We must never forget the tremendous sacrifice in terms of life and treasure to secure our freedom and way of life.

Sgt. Pruett India 3/5 Vietnam 67-68 Tet

United States on Sep 30, 2023

Mr. B: A reminder that our grandfathers and fathers sacrificed their lives or youth fighting fascism and totalitarianism for us and we are forgetting the lesson, in my opinion. A good read.

United States on Sep 22, 2023

El Slimbo Magnifico: This book is a classic for a very good reason. Sledge has crafted a unique, first hand account of the intense hell that was the war in the pacific. This book is not an easy read. It is very well written and placed, but the frank descriptions of the reality of war are disturbing and often heartbreaking. The real power of this book is that it is not about battles, movements, equipment, generals, or "heroes". Instead, it is about humanity. It focuses on the loss of innocence, and an astute observance of individuals being shaped, sometimes into the best of what man can be, and sometimes falling into the most base, animal, and cruel parts of our nature. If you are looking for a greater insight into the war, and the experiences that shaped the people that came home to build our nation for the following decades, this is a must read.

United States on Aug 05, 2023

Blu: A harrowing personal account of a young man from Alabama who voluntarily enlists with the Marines; his metamorphosis in becoming a Marine at bootcamp; then, brutal frontline combat at Peleliu and Okinawa. [Minor proofing error on p. 93, line 5; rating 4.25 STARS.] In italics concerning battle grounds, the author, meticulously, describes the geography, terrain, and, positions to be assaulted/defended. Moreover, the author courageously shares his inexplicable experience with God during the Pelelui campaign: "... I heard a loud voice say clearly and distinctly, 'You will survive the war!'" (p. 91). Nonetheless, he continued to feel the suffocating fear which also afflicted his comrades. A conundrum -- his buddies who returned back to the USA wrote that they wanted to rejoin and return to the same Company K unit. The horrific primitive conditions characterizing war, yet, his old compatriots yearned to return. Although, the author bitterly complains about the miserable life at combat, he reminisces of "the finest New Year's Eve party I've ever attended" (p. 168). His 1st Marine Division was honored with two (2) Presidential Unit Citations for the campaigns of (1) Peleliu/Ngesebus, and,...

United States on Jul 21, 2023

Sergio: Gostei do profissionalismo da empresa. Considerando que é um livro importado, fatores diversos poderiam ter atrapalhado a entrega. No entanto, o livro foi entregue corretamente e pude acompanhar todo o trajeto do mesmo, desde a origem até o recebimento.

Brazil on Jul 21, 2023

Amazon Customer: An outstanding book on sacrificing for your country.

Canada on Mar 06, 2023

Cliente de Amazon: Si se desea tener una idea de lo que vivieron los verdaderos combatientes, a leer sin falta.
La experiencia de Sledge y sus cuestionamientos sobre la brutalidad de la guerra y sus consecuencias éticas y morales hacen esta obra indispensable para quien quiera entender lo que realmente vivieron en carne propia los combatientes. La brutalidad y la compasión de una situación como la guerra, como la búsqueda de piezas dentales de oro en los cuerpos de los enemigos muertos o el liderazgo indiscutible de un oficial como "Ak Ak". A leerla si te interesa algo más que las historias de generalotes arrogantes o políticos miserables en la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Mexico on Oct 29, 2022

Jer B: Such a great story. It's got grit, history and sensory experience. You can taste the dust and feel the scorching heat of Peleliu Island, experience the aggravation of mud and rain on Okinawa. A remarkable memoir of a generation stifled by a horrendous yet necessary war.

Canada on Jul 29, 2022

RGM: E. B. Sledge's book tells a story that will be familiar, at least in parts, to anyone who has watched "The Pacific" series, but it is a worthwhile read anyway. Mr. Sledge writes in a clear, uncluttered, and directly honest manner: he does not embellish, rationalize or gloss over anything, including his own reactions to his experiences in the U.S. Marines. As a result, he has managed to write a war book without obvious bias or exaggeration, that moves along at a good pace, never pulls its punches and never loses interest. At the same time, his book reveals an underlying, basic decency that resonates despite the years since those terrible days, and perhaps restores a bit of faith in the ordinary citizens who went to war in WWII. It is a remarkable achievement for a man who was (I gather) not a professional writer. I highly recommend it.

Canada on Aug 14, 2020