3 comments about Cochrane: Britannia's Sea Wolf.

1. This book is remarkable historical background for anyone who enjoys the Jack Aubrey, Lord Ramage, Horatio Hornblower sets of historic fiction.
   The biographer details many of the challenges met by those fictional characters, including the pervasive corruption of the British admiralty system, which fictional heroes endure and which Thomas Cochrance fought against his entire life.
   Donald Serrell Thomas highlights a few of the many ship-to-ship actions from 1793-1808. But he spends as much time investigating the politics of the pre-reform parliamentary system where a few powerful purses controlled the representation from numerous "rotten boroughs" -- one of which elected Cochrane.
   The author also outlines the details of a remarkably modern-sounding stock market fraud case, in which Cochrane was found to be a co-conspirator. The author thinks (as most of Britain came to think) that Cochrane was innocent, although another recent study came to an opposite conclusion based on the same evidence.
   If you're a fan of the "Sharpe's Rifles" series, read "Sharpe's Devil" before you read this book. But read both!



2. As the blurb on the back cover says: forget Horatio Hornblower, forget Jack Aubrey. Even the license given to them as fictional characters can't surpass the facts of Lord Cochrane's extraordinary life. A supremely creative tactician and breathtaking improviser at sea (it was no less a person than Napoleon who nicknamed him the 'Sea Wolf') his story ashore is worthy of a book in itself.

   This book has it all: blood, guts and glory pitted against both the enemy abroad and the corrupt establishment at home. Once read, there's no forgetting this man and his story.




3. This book was first published in 1978 but has now been re-released to the benefit of all who enjoy a fast-paced historical account. After reading this book I am amazed that it has taken nearly twenty years to be re-released. What a great story Mr. Thomas tells of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, later the 10th Earl of Dundonald. From his birth through to his death covering all his exploits in numerous sea battles and actions, so many in fact that you find it hard to believe that he survived.

   The book covers Cochrane's battles during the Napoleonic Wars during which, on many occasions, he sent his ship in action against overwhelming odds. It was during this period that he was recognized, as one of Britain's most daring and successful captains. It was also during this period that he made many enemies, although he pressed hard in every action and took many risks, he always considered the well being of the men under his command. This later led to his single-handed campaign against corruption in the Admiralty.

   Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 Cochrane commenced an extraordinary career as a mercenary admiral. He subsequently commanded the navies of Chile and Brazil and launched campaigns against their protagonists, Spain and Portugal. After finishing his 'little wars' in South America he took command of elements of the Greek navy in their war against the Turks. In all these campaigns Cochrane again showed that he was one of the best naval commanders of his time.

   The narrative flowed along smoothly and although I have no great knowledge of maritime history I had no problems in following this story. In over 350 pages of text along with a number of black & white plates and a few maps Mr. Thomas tells a wonderful and exciting story. This is the type of book, which I am sure any person who has a love for history or who enjoys the novels of C. S. Forester and Patrick O'Brien will just love. A must for any serious student of naval tactics or Napoleonic warfare.

1 comments about The Flying Tiger: The True Story of General Claire Chennault and the U.S. 14th Air Force in China.

1. A far more accurate and interesting biography of Chennault was written by Martha Byrd: Chennault: Giving Wings to the Tiger. That's the one I suggest you buy. It's true that Jack Samson served with the Old Man in China, but the book he wrote falls short in several respects--not least in getting Chennault's birth date wrong by three years! (Curiously, the two biographies were published within a few weeks of one another.) Both writers were generous in their help when I was researching my history of the AVG: Flying Tigers: Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941-1942. But Byrd's biography is the one I keep near at hand, and refer to regularly and often. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

5 comments about Baby of Bataan: Memoir of a 14 Year Old Soldier in World War II.

1. Once in a while, a book like this comes along. Do not miss this one. I tried to remember back when I was fourteen and what I was doing. wow! This is a story of a fourteen year old that put himself into the adult world of the military. It tells of his problems as a new recruit, his first taste of war, a chilling account of him as a POW, and even a story of the love of a young girl. This book has everything. I just wish I had the opportunity to shake Joseph Quitman Johnson's hand. Any teenager facing obstacles in his life should be given this book as a gift. I truly believe it could change their lives. Actually, it might have changed mine. My grandchildren will have a copy when they are old enough to understand.



2. I've read probably 15-20 books on the subject of POWs held by the Japanese - many of them written by the men themselves - this is one of the best - it's well written, considering it's done by a "non-professional" (some are barely readable) - "Baby of Bataan" is hard to put down as you travel with young Joe Johnson as he acts just the way a 15 year old would - thinks he knows it all and doesn't want to follow directions - thinks he all grown up when he runs away and lies to join the army - it doesn't take long for him to regret his decision but he stands up and acts like a man, does his job with the army as the U.S. tries to defend the Philippines then sees his best friends die and learns to survive as a POW - this is a book that every 16 year old in America should read - to learn why they have the privilege of living in this country as a free citizen -



3. Baby Of Bataan: Memoir Of A 14 Year Old Soldier In World War II the true story of a young man who, having grown up in the Depression with a broken family, lied to an Army recruiter to enlist at age 14. At age 16 he became a prisoner of war of the Japanese, forced to endure horrific conditions and nearly killed by his captors. Baby Of Bataan is a tale of survival, of being witness to death by overwork, slow starvation, maltreatment and worse, but also of the strong side of the spirit capable of weathering years of adversity while remaining fully human. Very highly recommended reading.



4. I have read the book "Baby of Bataan" and would recommend it highly. Being a Viet Nam veteran I have a natural interest in this type of genre. The "Baby of Bataan" is an exceptional work. Mr Johnson first lets you get to know him, and his life, as a youngster before taking you on the "journey of a life time". He spares you graphic details of the horror of war and yet you get a full understanding of what he endured.

   The veterans of WWII saved to world. This work is a demonstration of the unselfish bravery these individuals had to be a part of world history. Buy this book to honor Mr. Johnson's sacrifice, read this book to understand the dynamics of war, pass this book on to younger family members to read, so we as a nation, we don't forget our true heros, and take a WWII veteran to lunch to say thank you!




5. "Baby of Bataan" is a captivating book about a young man who joined the army at age 14, became a POW at age 16, and spent almost 4 years in a number of Japanese prison camps. This book is a must read for anyone who has ever felt like giving up, or anyone who feels that growing up is just too hard sometimes. It has something for everyone, and that makes it easy to empathize with Joseph Quitman Johnson. You will be emotionally charged by this book as Joe and his fellow prisoners are subjected to the indignities, inhumane treatment, and cruelties heaped upon them by their captors. You will want to encourage him to keep the faith and not give up as he is pushed to the limits of human endurance time and again. He survived, and after years of soul searching finally decided to write this book. It is his story but it is also the story of others who gave so much to preserve the freedom we enjoy today. Read his book. You owe it to yourself.

5 comments about In Love and War.

1. Without a doubt the Stockdale's should be considered a national treasure becuase of the lives they lived under arduous circumstances and horrific conditions. None of us will every fully know or much less comprehend the extent of the mutual sacrifice from both Admiral and Sybil Stockdale in service to one another, other POW/MIA families, and their country. If you want inspiration, then read their book. If you want to learn to rise above your circumstances, then read their book. If you want to move from self absorption, then read their book. If you want to understand and see commitment, sacrifice, loyalty, perseverance, tenacity of spirit, and an ability to rise above the chaos of life, then read their book. If you want a rich philosophy and ethic for life, then read their book. If after reading it you don't come away with a different outlook on life, then read it again . . . you must have been distracted. The book is a journey through their history, skewed governmental policies, personal endurance, and the value of having a personal philosophy of life.



2. This book should be mandatory reading for history classes. Beautifully written from both perspectives of a POW and the family at home. A true American hero.



3. I have read this book twice, the original edition and the revised and updated edition (which includes his life following his homecoming). A true American hero, whose only blunder was the Vice Presidential debate, wherein he came across poorly (in my opinion, because he was out of his element). Admiral Stockdale relates his experiences as a Naval Aviator who was shot down, captured and tortured in the Hoa Lo prison. His wife, Sybil, relates in every other chapter what was going on in her life, and her involvement with her husband as a POW. She, too, deserves tremendous credit for her activities. I contrast this book with Admiral Jeremiah Dentons's book, "When Hell was in Session", which I feel is remarkably self serving.



4. This book conveys the honor, courage and commitment one family had to their god, each other and their country during a very trying time.



5. I read this in '91 and still recall it on a frequent basis. A true hero, Stockdale portrays captivity objectively and with fine introspection. More than a view of being a POW during Vietnam, Stockdale's conveyed inner strength reinforced my beliefs and provides encouragement. As a gross understatement, the Stockdale's will remind many what's most important in life. The movie was shallow, as are most debates - and as such, Mr. Stockdale should reconsider his performance for '92 VP under Perot as another "badge of honor". To wit, unable to become superficial with PC pancake. This is a real book by real people

5 comments about Shake Hands With The Devil: The Failure Of Humanity In Rwanda.

1. What can I say about this book... It is not an easy read and it is important to realize that it is written from the point of view of the General Dallaire, the Force Commander for the operation. The writing is simple and straightforward and it essentially covers Dallaire's life and career first with the Canadian armed forces and later as the head of the ill fated United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Dallaire assumes the blame for the numerous failings of UNAMIR while also pointing out that assistance form the UN and from member states was not forthcoming. In a sense, the book makes it clear that since Rwanda has little strategic value to the world, no member nation, other than one or two ex-colonial powers was interested in putting its troops in harms way to prevent the genocide. What is surprising is the fact that the UN and its member nations were acutely aware that the country was headed for an ethnic cleansing and chose to do nothing about it. In the case of the UN, one can't help but feel that the organization was not only sidelined but also manipulated by various Rwandan political parties, ex-colonial powers and UN member states. All in all it makes for an excellent description of the UNAMIR mission as long as one realizes that it only presents the viewpoint of one person



2. Another unfortunate reminder of a holocaust allowed to take place because of our Western-world's refusal to act; blatantly ignoring the fate of a people because of their 'lesser-than-us' status according to our 'civilized' mindset. "Never again." How many more times will we hollowly say that? Romeo Dallaire's account of his harrowing uphill battle against international bureaucracy for a people he made it a moral duty to protect, is an example we can all truly learn from and live by. He bares all, opening the door for us to see into his post-war, tortured mind and soul. His humble question: "Did I do enough?" resonates deeply throughout this must-read.



3. Politics and politicians matter. Even corrupt self-serving politicians bring some structure and stability. We may scoff at politicians, but the fact is when they fail, when they are replaced by ideologues and hate mongers, and when the institutions in which they serve no longer work, the social body dies and people stand naked and unsheltered in the world. Civilization disappears and what we've built to establish justice collapses, plunging us into chaos and horror.
   
   Dallaire's book brings home that the genocide resulted from political failure. Failure first within Rwanda to hold the Hutu extremists in check. Failure of the UN to realize the magnitude of the problem. Failure of the major powers, especially France and the United States, to risk people and material to prevent a massacre. Failure of the Tutsi expatriate forces in Uganda to care for the Tutsi still in Rwanda. And, as Dallaire makes clear, the naïve failure of a soldier to understand that politics matter.
   
   Vincent Poirier, Dublin



4. This is a long book, but still you don't get bored while you are reading it. Mainly I just got upset as I read how Romeo Dallaire tried to stop this genocide from happening. There was an informant telling him that the Hutu extreemists planned to kill the Tutsis. The UN's reaction was to order Dallaire to inform Rwanda officials about what he had been told. This was a very grave mistake, since people who were planning the genocide then would get access to this information.
   Mainly, very little if anything at all was done to stop the planning and the actual genocide to take place. It's disturbing to compare this genocide to the one which took place during WW II. It was decided that this should never happen again, and still there has been Cambodia and Rwanda, and what is happening in Congo nowadays (4 million dead??)
   Dallaire writes that he warned that if the situation wasn't handled with care after the Rwandan civil war and genocide, the risks were high that the entire region would be destabilized. In his book he mentions how this region has been destabilized due to problems that weren't solved.
   It's a disturbing, good and important book written by an eye witness, and I encourage everyone to read it.



5. I did quite a bit of research on Rwanda in 2006 and 2007. This excellent book was by far the best, most accurate source of all the materials I used. I then spent time in Kigali in the summer of 2007, doing extensive interviews with many Rwandan. Unhesitatingly, Dallaire is loved in Rwanda. Those who know of his book regard it as objective and authoritative. I have purchased and given away probably a dozen of this book. It is a MUST READ for all who are seeking an objective report of what transpired in Rwanda in 1993-1994.
   
   Professor Bill

5 comments about JUMP: INTO THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW: The War Memories of Dwayne Burns Communications Sergeant-508th P.I.R..

1. After the world wide attention for the 101st this is a welcome addition to airborne warfare in WWII



2. This is a very well written book b y a man who was there. Telling the personal story of Leland Burns' travels thru F Co of the 508PIR, Jump Into the Valley of the Shadow is a fine read. Factual and well thought out, it goes thru the gritty days of fighting that only a man who has lived thru it can tell you. But it also goes over the softer, more human side of his time overseas in an in-depth and honest way.
   From his personal accounts of his courtship with his wife, to his time in England with both new and old friends, the book is made better by the fact that these are all REAL people that actually existed (and in many cases are still living) that makes this a truly special book to have.



3. This book starts out with the author staring out the open door of a C-47 on the night of June 5, 1944 and realizing that it was now too late to join the motor pool or become a cook. Like a lot of other youngsters, when he was drafted into the Army he decided that he wanted to be with America's best, and that was the paratroopers.
   
   I was glad to see this boook. There has been a lot written about the 101st in recent years and their defense at Bastogne including 'Band of Brothers,' the movie 'Battleground' and a bunch more. Much less well known is the action of the 82nd to hold the north shoulder and prevent the Germans from having more roads to use for their advance. Burns was there. He doesn't tell the big picture - there are a lot of books on the Battle of the Bulge. He tells his story from the bottom side. It looked different from a foxhole.
   
   The book is told in the form of a bunch of little stories, not a day by day diary. This makes it much more interesting, and I recommend it highly.



4. OK! This is one man's story about the "Oh Eight" the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (P.I.R.), 2nd Bn, Fox Co. Mr Burns jumped into France, Operation Neptune (D-Day) and Market-Garden (Holland) two jump stars earned the hard way. There are a lot of "soldiers stories" in the book, being with your buddies, goofing off, military life, as well as the stories about combat. Books like these put a human face on anonymous mens faces of black and white photos taken 60+ years ago. It shows they were pretty much the same as most young men, full of life and hopes and dreams, except their lives were forged in the fires of the Depression. It is a good read and a page turner, there are "flashback" type parts of the book, that may disagree with some readers. But I was most humbled and impressed by his story and the stories of other men I have met, ironically from Easy Co. 508th PIR, Mr Burns' sister Co to his own Fox Co. I am glad some of these men have told their story, because too many never have or got the chance to live long enough to. Thier story is told by rows of silent crosses in France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and a thousand other lonely places where American boys fought and died. Read this book if you want to know the story of one man's journey through a pivotal time in human history.



5. I highly recommend this book. Dwayne Burns brings to life his memories from elite training as a paratrooper to his feelings and emotions of actually going into combat. Along the way, he shares his personal life stories and how all of this shaped the person he was to became. The incredible bond that paratroopers have which started in their training and lasts to this day is very inspiring. Reading this book reinforced my genuine thanks to these men that "Jumped Into the Valley of the Shadow" along with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" that helped bring peace back to this world in the uncertain time of WWII.

3 comments about Matthew B. Ridgway: Soldier, Statesman, Scholar, Citizen.

1. Through correspondence and telephone calls, Matt Ridgway and I became friends. I attended his 85th birthday party in Pittsburgh, with all of his old General-staff from WWII and Korea. he was still 'flint' at 85. Matt talked Ike out of entering Vietnam (IndoChina) in '54, and convinced JFK that it could not be won. this is a wonderful book about a man who lost his beloved son, Mattie (age 20) and rather emotionally imploded after that. Incidentally, I presented him with 'the book' that saved his life in Korea. It was a paperback, with a 50-caliber shell sticking about 3" out either side. Matt is beside me in the photo and howling. "Penny, I know you want this book that brought Matt home to you." It was title: "Hot Army Nurses". The room went up in laughter. Great man...great book....Marshall called him "the finest soldier who ever wore the uniform'. davegwinn@aol.com



2. I have to respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer's take on this book. While the book is choppy at times in the way that it is formatted, it is still a very good biography.
   
   The previous reviewer stated that it was disappointing because it did not compare to Carlo D'Este's biography of George Patton ( A Genius for War). However I do not feel that this is a fair comparison. How many military biographies can compare to this classic?
   
   I think that this book should be judged on its merits and in my opinion; the author does a good job of telling the life story of this great American General.
   
   Each chapter is dedicated to a certain section of Ridgeway's life; Korea, Joint Chiefs of Staff, etc and while at times this does make the book seem choppy, it still is a pretty good book if you want to learn about Matthew Ridgeway.
   
   One last note about the book, to his credit the author George C. Mitchell does manage to accomplish something very important when writing a biography. It left me wanting to know more about the subject and read more about Ridgeway's life.
   
   I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a good introduction into Ridgeway's career and life.



3. First of all I can say that I am a great admirer of Matt Ridgeway. The book is overall exceptional well written but lacks the personal sense that Carlo D'Este put into Patton: Genius for War. It seemed that the author has a title for each chapter then expanded this based on topic. A chronological order to Ridgeway's history would have made the book more substantial.

2 comments about The Final Hours: The Luftwaffe Plot Against Göring (Aviation Classics).

1. "The Final Hours" by Johannes Steinhoff is a gripping account of the final months of the Luftwaffe, told by one of Germany's top fighter aces. This translation retains the very readable style Steinhoff used to recall his emotional roller-coaster ride from the highs of leading a group of Me-109's in combat; his frustrations with Hermann Goering, which were shared by other fighter aces; the lows of his punishment for his participation in this mutiny; the joys of redemption as he led the only Me-262 group in the Luftwaffe; and the mixed emotions of spending his final days of World War II as a prisoner of war.
   
   Steinhoff begins the tale in the hospital as a guest of the Ami's (German slang for Americans) , following the crash of an Me-262 which left him permanently scarred. Readers immediately relate to Steinhoff, by feeling a sense of intense sorrow for this proud fighter pilot as he begins his recovery from horrific wounds. Along with two colleagues, these once-proud German soldiers, now feeling doubly depressed as both patients and prisoners, plan a bold breakout across the knee-high picket fence surrounding the hospital to go recover a type-writer to begin writing Steinhoff's memoirs. While sounding like a trivial excursion, this trek saved an incredible tale of the mutineers who tried to stop Hermann Goering.
   
   Upon receipt of orders directing "Fighter Group 77 to proceed immediately to Schoenwald airfield where it will be engaged in Reich Defense," Steinhoff moved high fighter group from Transylvania, Romania to an area near Berlin in October 1944. The allies are enjoying near air supremacy over the Reich, and former allies such as the Romanians, are now flying Me-109's against the Luftwaffe. With the Reich collapsing, Steinhoff recalls the words of Hermann Goering from the Areopagus, where he blamed the Luftwaffe commander's failure to espouse the ideals of National Socialism as the cause of the failure to protect the Reich. The Luftwaffe commanders thought they knew better - the proper use of the Me-262, the first operational jet aircraft in combat, could help turn the tide of war.
   
   Subsequent chapters recall the various paths the fighter pilots use to promote this taboo topic. The mutineers first try through the General of Fighter Pilots, General Galland; then through the SS; and finally through Hermann Goering himself. Surprisingly, rather than being executed, the mutineers are exiled to the four corners of the rapidly shrinking Reich. Finally faced with a dearth of experienced fighter pilots, Goering is forced to make Steinhoff's dream of leading the only group of Me-262 jet fighters into combat.
   
   The fluid writing style accurately describes the love affair between pilot and aircraft, as he steps through his pre-flight inspection and through the thrills of combat. Steinhoff also recalls some of the operational testing of new equipment, like an electric gunsight that leads enemy aircraft (didn't work) and rockets that sometimes worked. The chapter tragically ends with the catastrophic crash of Steinhoff's Me-262, and his subsequent trip to the hospital.
   
   "The Final Hours" is a truly engrossing book capturing the exhilaration of flying combat. Combined with the incredible plot to remove Goering as head of the Luftwaffe, you will be hard pressed to find a more interesting book on World War 2 aviation.



2. In the final hours (well really months) of World War II, the German military was still fighting to hope against hope taht something could turn the tied of Allied victory. This was the time when in Hitler's bunker the synchopants were still trying to durry Hitler's favor. This was the time when the Americans, British and Russian armies were reducing the amount of Germany that was left under Nazi control on a daily basis. During this time, units like that of Gen. Steinhoff were still fighting against all odds to try to turn things around.
   
   By then, the Luftwaffe had better equipment in the rocket armed ME-262 jets than they had ever had before. But it was a time when a handfull of these superior planes were attacking thousands of bombers escorted by more thousands of fighters.
   
   Mr. Steinhoff continued to fly in defense of Germany until his 262 crashed on take off and he was horribly burned.
   
   This is a book about a war time hero (176 kills) watching his country fall apart. Then it becomes a story of a man, horribly burned struggling through months in hospitals getting his face put back into something not too horrible.

4 comments about Canaris: Hitler's Master Spy.

1. I found this book to be an interresting and fast paced look into the little known life and death of one of the Third Reich's most ellusive characters. Certainly there has been less written about Admiral Canaris than most of the key figures on Nazi Germany and this book is a valuable work which provides details of Canaris' career from his earliest ventures into the world of espionage prior to World War I. I consider this a supurb reference and a critical piece of my WW2 collection.



2. Like Albert Speer and Walter Schellenberg, Whilhelm Canaris is one of those enigmatic figures who emerged from the Third Reich. Hohne's book, 'Canaris: Hitler's Master Spy,' is a penetrating look at Hitler's head of military intelligence during World War Two. Hohne traces the rise of Canaris from his days as a lieutenant in World War One to his tenure as head of the Ahwehr and finally to his ultimate downfall at the hands of the Gestapo. The narrative does sometimes go off on tangents (notably the chapters on Canaris's role in the murders of communist leaders in the 1920's,) but also provides amazing insights into German foreign intelligence and the military conspiracy against Hitler that culminated in the July 20th 1944 bomb attempt. For anyone interested in World War Two espionage, the inner-workings of Nazi Germany, or deeper matters of conscience, Hohne's book will more than delight.



3. This is a non-revised paperback version of a biography which first appeared in the late 1970s. The author spent six years working on the archives and the result is a very detailed treatment of Hitler's master spy. Canaris emerges as a Janus or two faced figure. Early in the war, he undoubtedly achieved a number of spy coups. However, he also had to take responsibility for several "botched" expeditions such as the unsuccessful attempts to land German spies in the USA. Following the death of his erstwhile friend Heydrich, SS leaders such as Kaltenbrunner tried to break up Canaris' spy network and place it under Gestapo control. Canaris was dismissed in March 1944, but retained faith that Hitler would rehabilitate him. He was eventually hanged for alleged complicity in the July 1944 plot to kill the Fuhrer. Canaris certainly had links with anti-Hitler factions, but his actual role is still ambiguous. His conscience and loyalties prevented him from being in the forefront of opposition. Author Heinz Hohne is meticulous but is not an easy read. Nor does he offer a chapter of conclusions on this enigmatic character.



4. I have read many fiction WWII spy stories and thought it would be neat to get the real story on Canaris. This thing kind of reads like a difficult history book. I would suggest you get this ONLY if you are REAL serious about learning about him because it gives tons of trivial details, etc.

2 comments about Unless Victory Comes: Combat With a Machine Gunner in Patton's Third Army.

1. "Unless Victory Comes", by Gene Garrison (with Patrick Gilbert). Subtitled: "Combat With A Machine Gunner In Patton's Third Army". Casemate, Havertown, PA, 2004.
   
   At the very end of his book, Gene Garrison states that "...this book is my memoir. It is not intended to be a definitive history of the fighting in Europe".
   
   The author has accomplished his stated purpose, as he has produced a matter-of-fact memoir that describes his experiences in the European Theatre of Operations. As a young man (one of his chapters is entitled, "Turning Nineteen In Battle", page 29), Gene Garrison describes the journey from stateside, (Fort Jackson), to England and then to France, where his outfit, the 87th Infantry Division, arrived after the D-Day invasion.
   
   Unlike so many other personal memoirs, this author rapidly sums up basic training and then his transfer to the "Golden Acorn" division, which he describes as a reserve division that had not seen action since World War I. Private Garrison was volunteered to be machine gunner, which he describes as good in that there were two men together, but was also bad since the firepower of the machine gun would draw down enemy attention. His description of standing on the back of a Sherman tank, as he fired the top mount fifty caliber machine gun is all presented with just the facts, even as he is pushed off the tank to avoid enemy fire. Garrison's memoir goes on in this matter-of-fact fashion until the end of hostilities in Europe. Then, at the very end of war in Europe, Garrison is diagnosed with yellow jaundice and required to go to the hospital. Very poignantly, as he leaves his comrades, he shouts a farewell to Tony D'Arpino, saying, "...you're the only one left from Fort Jackson".
   
   The chapter is closed with a quote from the front of his book, "When the last man was gone, would there be anyone to miss him?"



2. Nice, easy to read account of some pretty intense action. I've read so much about the ETO that I'm starting to read accounts of the same events by different authors. That's pretty nice since I've found that some accounts support each other, and some accounts don't. That shows just how different units that fought the same battle a couple of miles apart could have had a completely different experience. This book adds a really great first person account to the history of WW2. Fans of the ETO will enjoy this perspective. Those less studied will find that Mr. Garrison helps put a face and name to the action that general interest WW2 volumes could never do.
   
   I think you'll enjoy this book enough to reccomend it to someone else.