Editorial Review

The Battle of Iwo Jima, fought in the winter of 1945 on a rocky island south of Japan, brought a ferocious slice of hell to earth: in a month's time, more than 22,000 Japanese soldiers would die defending a patch of ground a third the size of Manhattan, while nearly 26,000 Americans fell taking it from them. The battle was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, and it produced one of World War II's enduring images: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the flank of Mount Suribachi, the island's commanding high point.Read more

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - History    2. History    3. Marines    4. Military    5. Military - United States    6. Military - World War II    7. World War II    8. History / Military / World War II   

Reviews (14)

A Must Read
I had the honor and privilege of attending Captain Folsom's wedding and at this most wonderful event in his life none of us could have known how his life would change in a matter of hours. You see this was the weekend before September 11, 2001.
The Highway War by Major Seth Folsom
A most enjoyable read!This book brings the reader to the dust, dirt, sweat, sand, fatigue, and smells of diesel and ammunition.It will bring back memories, good and not so good, to those who have worn the uniform.To those who have not served and to those who shall at some future time, it provides great insight into the art of military science and the human emotion of the battlefield. This book is also a tribute to military families and spouses who also serve and share in the hardships and experiences of those in uniform.Thank you Seth and Ashley for your sacrifice.
Couldn'tput it down
I am not typically a reader of non-fiction war books, but "The Highway War" really held my interest throughout.I was hoping to get a little glimpse into what some of the soldiers endured in Iraq. This book did just that as it tugged on every emotion.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Personal narratives, American    10. Soldiers    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Military    13. Biography: general   

Reviews (20)

Unbelievable and Infuriating
The story of the Bataan survivors is at the same time unbelievable and infuriating.It blows my mind the cruelty these heros were subjected to on an hourly basis and at the same time I'm ashamed to say that part of me feels like Japan got off easy with two nukes dropped on them.That anybody lived at all is in itself no small feat.
Great personal account of the horrors of a POW in WWII
I really enjoyed this book.It was a very quick read and one that I could not put down. The book has the Bataan Death March in the title but there is so much more in this book.After the march he goes into his time in the POW camps in the Filapeens, his escape, his recapture, his boat trip to Japan and his work in the Japanese coal mines.He then talks in detail about his trip home after the war and what life was like after he got home.Just writing this review brings back memories of how much I enjoyed this book.
Lester Tenney is an amazing man
I have known Les Tenney for many, many years.I was previledged to read this book before it was published.Les is a man of courage, insight, grace, forgiveness and amazingly positive about life given what he endured.My best recommendation for this book is that I cried during the reading.I had many kin folk that fought in the Pacific theatre during WWII and I have not the slightest doubt that every word of Les' book is true.To read the book is to know the man and that is a very fine thing indeed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography / Military    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. History    4. History: World    5. Military    6. Military - World War II    7. Military History - World War II    8. Prisoners Of War    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history: Second World War    10. Biography    11. Biography: historical    12. Campaigns    13. Europe    14. European history: Second World War    15. Personal narratives, American    16. Philippines    17. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    18. Second World War, 1939-1945    19. Tenney, Lester I.   

Reviews (6)

excellent introduction
To echo the other reviewers:this crisp, easy-to-read biography is an excellent introduction to one of the most legendary commanders in all of military history.
GREAT SHORT OVERVIEW - WELL DONE - A GOOD READ
As other reviewers have pointed out, there are a number of excellent biographies out there covering the life of General Patton.This short work though, does a wonderful job of compacting a very large amount of informaton into a short, readable biography.The author is quite concise and the material very well organized.For those readers not wanting to delve into a 1000 plus page work, yet are interested in this great generals life, this quite fills the bill.The technical aspect of war is kept to a minimum, yet the author is able to convey the complexities of war quite well as well as the complexities of George S. Patton.I do hope the rest of the books in this series are as well done.Overall, recommend this one highly.

Good Start to a Book Series
For the first book in a series on generals they couldn't have picked a better place to start than Patton. Patton was arguably the first of the modern generals.
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Subjects:  1. (George Smith),    2. 1885-1945    3. Armies    4. Army    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Generals    8. History: American    9. Military    10. Military - United States    11. Military - World War II    12. Military Personnel    13. Military Science    14. Patton, George S.    15. Science/Mathematics    16. Technology    17. United States    18. United States - 20th Century    19. United States.    20. American history: First World War    21. Biography: historical    22. History / United States / 20th Century    23. Military life & institutions    24. USA   

Reviews (74)

"Do not take counsel from your fears"
In 1970 as a college student in Chicago, I saw the premier of "Patton" starring George C. Scott in a large theater. I remember that most of the audience were older guys, World War II types I guessed. After Patton (Scott) gave the opening speech about how "We're going to grease the treads of our tanks with their living guts", I was amazed when the older guys stood and cheered!!
The Real Terminator
A warrior, solider, actor and the original Terminator.My five stars are for the book not necessarily the man.Talk about not being politically correct, imagine Patton living in todays day and age.Talk shows would have a field day. I've seen the movie Patton several times and the movie is a fraction of what the man's life really was. Back to the book. I am not a military historian but I enjoyed the book. D'Este has a nice and easy writing style that makes for enjoyable reading. The research on D'Estes part must have been very challenging. I enjoyed the end of the book best starting with all Good Things Must Come to an End and ending with Pattons Legacy.Most of the public only knows Patton from the movie. I knew Patton died in a car accident but had no idea he lived but was paralyzed for a short period of time.His statue at West point, opposite of Eisenhower.Patton's southern family roots. His wife Beatrice's confrontation with Jean Gordon. Patton's views of people, D'Este does not shy away from that topic.This is a biograpy of the man's life both good and not so good.D'Este does a good job depicting the man's complicated life.

Unworthy biobgraphy
Although a pretty good biography (apart from undue repetitiousness of quotations and lapses of good syntax), the book is woefully lacking as a military history.For examples:Bradley's failure to follow up the break-through of the COBRA operation is inadequately discussed.Eisenhower's major failure to foresee the logistical problems inherent in eastward movement of the Allied forces, counting as it did on ports in western and NW France, is not targeted, nor is his inexplicable failure to
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Subjects:  1. (George Smith),    2. 1885-1945    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Generals    7. Historical - General    8. Military    9. Military - World War II    10. Patton, George S.    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (4)

Editing was very lax if not lacking completely
The stories were very vivid and put you in the situations. However,there was alot of repetition that this type of writting (individial stories) is prone to. Editing could have prevented those. Also there many mistakes, misspelled words and typos. This all took away from the validity of the stories.
Highly Recommended
This is a truly fantastic book.
The complete inside story of the WIld Weasels
This book gives the complete inside story - from the first F4 shot down by an SA-2 to the crash development program of equipment and tactics to their deployment on the battlefield. From the early days in Vietnam to the first Gulf War this book tells what it was like to joust with SAMS in the most dangerous mission in the Air Force! The "inside the cockpit" accounts by pilots who were there are truly hair-raising, and provide graphic testimony to the reason their unofficial motto was YGBSM! The only reason the book does not rate 5 stars is the first section regarding the crash development program is a bit tedious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Military    5. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

Individuality would not seem to be a highly prized virtue at West Point. After all, new cadets arriving at the military academy are not required to pack anything more than a toothbrush and some underwear since they will be issued everything else. But despite their uniformity and disciplined bearing, the cadets profiled in David Lipsky's Read more

Reviews (67)

Not Representative
While I enjoyed the read from a purely entertaining and pride perspective, I found the book fairly unrepresentative of the Corps as a whole.As a graduate, I know what life at West Point is like, and how the Corps thinks and acts.It is unfortunate that Mr. Lipsky chose such a narrow prism of cadets to portray as the whole.For those who truly want a sense of what life at USMA is like, do yourself a favor and visit.

Huge Holes In Story
The author had unlimited access but tells a very unbalanced story.
This Book is No Goat
David Lipsky, a writer for Rolling Stone magazine, and the son of self-proclaimed hippie parents whose zip code is in Greenwich Village is assigned to write about a class of cadets and write his story after a year. Nurtured with a distrust and dislike for anything military, he anticipates that West Point will throw up one roadblock after another. He is surprised when they give him unrestricted access the academy.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. International Relations - General    4. Military    5. Military - United States    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. United States Military Academy    9. Education / Higher   

Reviews (24)

Fascinating, and frustrating...
Stillwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-45, may not deliver that feel-good, "how we won the war" bump, but it does offer a thoughtful and highly readable account of America's attempts to come to terms with an emerging superpower.
Tuchman's Vinegar Joe Is Easy To Swallow
Employment in 1930s China gave Barbara Tuchman an early start three decades before beginning this book.The wait was worth it, since "Stilwell" is an enduring classic, combining sound scholarship with fluid, often brilliant writing that makes for great popular history."Vinegar Joe" Stilwell was among the most interesting of WW2 generals, perhaps second only to friend and mentor George Marshall.Stilwell possessed an array of strengths (personal integrity, fluent Mandarin, well-informed sympathy for the Chinese) and weaknesses (lack of tact, acid disdain for Chiang Kai-Shek).But his task---maximizing China's war effort against Japan---was essentially impossible, since the deep roots of GMD-CCP rivalry reflected complex internal dynamics.US (and Soviet) attempts to influence the course of the Sino-Japanese struggle and subsequent civil war had only marginal impact.Recent research adds much detail to our knowledge of 1940s China, but Tuchman's cautionary tale has lost none of its relevance for today's policymakers, who seemingly still believe that it is possible (as per J. Spence's title) "To Change China."Among many works on this era, T. White ed., "The Stilwell Papers" features his blunt, earthy style, while J. Davies, "Dragon By The Tail" is a compelling account by an Old China Hand who served on Stilwell's staff.

...And We Still Don't Get It
Barbara Tuchman's Pulitzer-winning history, STILWELL and the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN CHINA should be a must-read for every US historian, politician, or businessman dealing with the Middle Kingdom.Tuchman makes a very valid central point- that America doesn't 'get' China, understand recent Chinese history, or interact well with Chinese officials.
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Subjects:  1. 1883-1946    2. Asia - China    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. China    7. Foreign relations    8. Historical - U.S.    9. International Relations - General    10. Military    11. Modern - 20th Century    12. Stilwell, Joseph Warren,    13. U.S. - China Relations    14. United States    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Stilwell, Joseph Warren    17. Biography   

Reviews (44)

Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War
An excellent read.As a former Naval aviator and now an employe for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where the F-16 is built, I can attest to Boyd's drive to build the best lightwight fighter in the world.He was certainly correct in his methodolgy to build somethng that the rest of the world did not have.Sales prove that.But the information in the behind the scenes tactics that Boyd employed are exceptional reading.Highly recommended - everyone that I have suggested that they read this book has agreed

BOYD: An overworked 'David vs. Goliath' story that misses the mark.
Overall, this book has more merit as the basis for someone interested in producing a 'Made for T.V. movie', then it does for anyone seriously interested in COL Boyd's career and his contribution to the art or war.
A Must Read For All Military Officers!
This is easily one of the most impactful books I have ever read on military theory.Boyd and the work of his acolytes should be on the Chief of Staff's reading list.I am also embarrassed at the behavior of senior officers during Boyd's time.It's revolting.There are still clearly military politicians and military warriors.
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Subjects:  1. 1927-1997    2. 20th century    3. Aeronautics, Military    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Boyd, John,    9. Fighter pilots    10. Fighter plane combat    11. History    12. Military    13. Military - Aviation    14. Military - Strategy    15. United States    16. Air forces & warfare    17. Aircraft: general interest    18. Biography & Autobiography / Military    19. Biography: general    20. Boyd, John    21. USA   

Reviews (34)

This man should have been President.
This is a nice story about one politician's experience in the war.This story shows his real personality behind all the publicity about his presidential runs.I gained new admiration for Dole.He not only has a sense of humor after his life crippling experience in WWII.Dole is shot and the bullet is lodged near his spine.He has difficulty using his hands and feet.Only his willpower prevented him from living a non productive experience the rest of his life.Dole gets some hand and feet motion, goes on to university and law school and represents his native Kansas in Washington.This is indeed a success story.
Much about the man, little about politics
Young people might recognize Bob Dole as a former politician who now occasionally does a few commercials, most of which include some self-deprecating humor.People who are a bit older will recognize him as the man whom Bill Clinton defeated in a Presidential campaign, a long-term Senator, and the Vice Presidential running-mate to former President Gerald Ford.Everyone who sees Bob Dole will likely notice that there is something wrong with his right arm, and some will know that this was a war injury.
One Kansan to Another
This book tells a marvelous story about a great American and a wonderful small hometown. Since my husband and I are native Kansans it meant more to us than it would to many people.It puts the heart into 'heartland' and is a story of patriotism as well as overcoming difficulties. The true story is told in a matter of fact way, as if any of us could over come the same odds.Anyway, we found it a very readable book and highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Campaigns    6. Military    7. Military - United States    8. Military - World War II    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Personal narratives, American    11. Soldiers    12. U.S. History - World War II (Domestic Aspects)    13. U.S. Senate    14. United States    15. Western Front    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (9)

Pleasant, self-aware reflections of a WWII hero
A pleasant, easy read, I Could Never Be So Lucky Again contains the self-aware reflections of a World War II hero and one of the giants of military aviation, General James Doolittle. The book starts with the real climax of his story, the surprise air raid over Japan a year after Pearl Harbor that was a huge morale boost to America. After pulling you in with that story, Gen. Doolittle starts back at the beginning, and just works his way through his life, telling interesting anecdotes and offering personal reflections along the way.
i highly recommend this book
James H. Doolittle (Jimmy) went to school in Los Angeles where he became interested in airplanes and engines. During college he joined the Army and went to flying school. After flying school he received his pilot's license and became a stunt pilot. He than married Josephine Daniels (Joe.) Than in 1941 World War 2 broke out and President Roosevelt wants to attack the home islands of Japan. For some reason Jimmy ends up leading it. They succeeded but have to bail out over China. When he returns he gets chosen by General Eisenhower to lead the invasion of Africa. While he was in Africa the German code "Ultra" was broken, giving America the advantage over Germany. The War in Europe ends and he gets transferred to the Pacific to "end the war." Jimmy never flies a mission and the war ends with the dropping of two atomic bombs. Although the war has ended the fight begins in Washington to create a new but equally powerful service to be known as the Air Force. They also wanted there to be a Department of National Defense; this is harder due to the Navy. After the Air Force and the D.N.D. are established the Korean War breaks out and ends. After this war General Dwight Eisenhower (Ike) becomes the president of America. More happens I'm just not going to tell you the ending... You Could Do Little To Belittle Doolittle
I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN, written when Jimmy Doolittle was in his nineties, is a thoroughly refreshing glimpse through a glass lightly at a truly rare bird, a genuine American hero.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Literary    5. Military    6. United States - 20th Century    7. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (57)

Outstanding book for today's turbulent world
The Schaeffer's (John and Frank) have created an outstanding down-to-earth masterpiece memoir in today's glut of oversensationalized and gaudy celebrity biographies. Reading how both father and son communicated and felt during the trials and tribulations of USMC boot camp and beyond, I felt drawn back to the experiences of my past, similar yet different.
An Excellent book on many levels
Schaeffer's book is so good on so many levels.It has left me thinking about his family and all Marines like I never have before.This book will touch you if you have a child going to the military, already left for the military, or just if you have a child leaving home.It is, at it's core, a father-son love story.But the author makes so many discoveries about himself and about America during his experience.He realizes what a great country America is and that one of the main reasons is that our sons and daughters have been willing to fight to maintain our freedoms.He also learns how many Americans, especially the liberal tree-hugging, Volvo driving, East Coast hippies view him and his son after learning that he's going to the Marines rather than an elite institution of higher education.What his son does learn from the Marines is much more valuable than anything taught within the Ivy League.

A Must Read for Parents
How do you respond when your son announces he has decided to join the Marines?That was the author's dilemma.And it was ours, too.In just two weeks, our son will graduate from boot camp and become a U.S. Marine.Schaeffer chronicles the thirteen-week adventure every recruit endures, and helps parents who have unwittingly joined a fraternity of others who are acclimating to the military culture.This book became our guide, and our hope, for what has proven to be a positive outcome. Collaborating with his son, Schaeffer's honest writing reveals one man's journey from skeptic to advocate.Boys becoming men.Fathers becoming patriots.Read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Fathers and sons    6. Marine Corps    7. Military    8. Military - United States    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Schaeffer, Franky    11. Schaeffer, John    12. United States   

Subjects:  1. Alabama    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Confederate States of America    7. Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863    8. Governors    9. Historical - General    10. Historical - U.S.    11. Military    12. Soldiers    13. United States - Civil War    14. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    15. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    16. Biography: historical    17. Civil war    18. History, American | Civil War & Reconstruction    19. USA    20. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (18)

REMAINS IMPORTANT FOR OPUS DEI/SCALIA/THOMAS/OLLIE NORTH CONNECTION
the only way Hanssen got away with it was his bizarre sect and its members.
Great read
David Wise truly gets to the heart of the matter on this subject.His sources and documentation are unrivaled in discovering the mystery of the man that was Robert Hanssen.
Good Story, sad reality
This is the best book I have yet read on the Hanssen tragedy. It is good, and worth reading. Continue reading THIS to hear about the book's shortcomings.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Hanssen, Robert    6. Intelligence agents    7. Military    8. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    9. Russia (Federation)    10. Spies    11. True Crime / Espionage    12. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (21)

A true American Hero

Man of character, man of faith whose story should be proclaimed!
Chamerlain's heroism is similar to Teddy Roosevelt, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy who came behind him, but have been better publicized.
Well rounded biography
I found Alice Trulock's biography on Joshua L. Chamberlain to be quite readable, well researched and well grounded. Considering the length of the book, Trulock's book read quite well for most readers of any level. Well, it may not be good as the one written by John Pullen but it definitely is superior to the one written by Edward Longacre. I put that in just for comparison purpose.
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Subjects:  1. 1828-1914    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence,    5. Generals    6. History - Military / War    7. History: American    8. Military    9. Military - General    10. Military History - U.S. Civil War    11. Modern - 18th Century    12. United States    13. United States - Civil War    14. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    15. Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence    16. Civil War; biography; Joshua L. Chamberlain; Twentieth Maine Regiment; Gettysburg; Ulysses S. Grant; Petersburg; Confederate surrender; Appomattox; Maine; Bowdoin College; The Passing of the Armies; Army of the Potomac    17. Civil war    18. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)    19. USA    20. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (14)

ten years and twenty days
The book is fairly complex reading; only because, I feel, that I was looking at it from "my side", and the analysis was that much more difficult.Doenitz was a remarkable man, a brilliant strategist, and a professional soldier in the highest regard.One has to constantly keep referenced to the basis of Doenitz's dissertation, and moreso, keep in proper perspective the historical trackwork of the war.
Once You Start You May Never Stop
My friend lent me this book. It was my first book on the naval aspect of the Second World War. I figured after the hundreds I had read on the land and air element I should start to look into the naval war.I could not put this book down, I devoured it. I have been gobbling up submarine books since that day. From behind the scenes
Do you know Doenitz? Are you a WWII enthusiast? A historian? A submariner? Then, this book is a MUST HAVE. There are lots of books about the WWII submarine campai