Do You like book If You Survive: From Normandy To The Battle Of The Bulge To The End Of World War II, One American Officer's Riveting True Story (1987)?
I'm giving this five stars for the impact it had on me personally. Even without that, it's a solid four-star book. The writing was matter-of-fact; interesting and conversational without wasting my time. The inevitable death, both the senseless and heroic casualties, was handled with due emotion. Unlike Catch 22 and Slaughter-house Five which handled the topic with a kind of numb cynicism, the attitude in this book toward the atrocities of war was 100% real. That being said, the gore-factor was kept to a minimum, and it was a genuinely inspiring read.This was by far the most powerful, informative, and moving book I've ever read about WWII.
—Danielle
Excellent read from a front line infantry officerA no hold honest story of an infantry officer who experienced an all expenses paid trip through bell. From Normandy through France and the Hurtgen Forrest it was a good read and hard to put down. If you like first hand accounts from soldiers who were there and saw the "elephant" then this book is for you. Being an infantry platoon leader is one of the biggest responsibility and it is given to the greenest and no amount of training can prepare someone for this.
—Rick Lee
This was a great, quick read. I was drawn to it because my father fought in the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the Fourth Infantry Division from D Day through V-E Day, and so the author's accounts of the battles had to be like those that my father endured. What brave men! My Dad once told me that his group had 350% casualties, and I certainly can understand how that happened now. I now know so much better what fighting was like in the Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge for these men. The author's personal account made it so meaningful, and some of his insights, particularly about infantry soldiers, were exactly what my father used to say. As I was reading, I thought that this would make a great account for CEO's to read also. I know that sounds odd, but the author's emphasis on the knowledge and common sense of the first line battle veterans could be applied to any large group. The author was very straightforward as well -- not sugarcoating anything, including the bad behavior of some GIs or the less than courageous behavior of some either. The writing style was as straightforward as the author's opinions. For me, anyway, the style suited the work.
—Margaret Elder
