5 comments about The Long Road of War: A Marine's Story of Pacific Combat.

1. James Johnston gave a vivid, poignant and heroic account of his life with the Marines fighting in the Pacific during World War II. It was fascinating to read how it life was for the Marines in the Pacific as like he said, the media tended to focus on the European theater and thought of the Pacific theater as "easy."

   Using letters that he wrote home, Johnston managed to add a personal touch to his account. It was interesting to get a glimpse on how he felt emotionally, the friendship that was formed between the soldiers and how a lot of times, soldiers are fighting as hard as they did, for their friends because they did not want to let their them down. When Johnston was the section leader, he was able to show the burden of responsibilities as you were not just in charge of your life but of others too.
   Lastly, how he was disappointed with the Marines. He found flaws with the system but at the same time, it was very much part of him.




2. "The Long Road of War" is a wonderfully-written, highly-emotional story of Marine Corps combat from the "flat-trajectory" soldier's perspective. Johnston shares his own personal horrific views of World War II Pacfic combat. With stirring text, he shows the sudden transformation from Nebraska teenager to Green recruit to hardened veteran. This book is an excellent addition to any historian's bookshelf, once they can find the time to put it down.



3. This was a book that I could absolutely not put down. Mr. Johnston's description of his transition from a Midwest teenager into a battle hardened, front line Marine is told with a grim honesty that is seldom found in books about war. This book does away with any glorification or self-promotion and gives you the tragic, ugly truth about the war in the South Pacific.



4. In my haste I incorrectly wrote Saipan....I meant to write Peleliu



5. In my haste I incorrectly wrote Saipan....I meant to write Peleliu

No comments about THOMAS R.R. COBB: THE MAKING OF A.

4 comments about AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: CONFEDERATE ARMY (Brassey's History of Uniforms).

1. An excellant source of information on the uniforms of Confederate soldiers of the civil war.
   
   A must have for anyone interested in the subject. Well researched. Well written and very well illustrated.



2. Best ever on this subject.Excellent service and delivery!



3. This book is written by a noted authority on the subject (Ron Field) and is lavishly illustrated with over 150 colour and black and white photographs as well as artwork commissioned from leading military artists. This books is an essential reference source for everyone with an interest in military history, as well as collectors, re-enactors, wargamers and military modellers. This is an essential book for all with an interest in the Confederate Army of 1861-1865. It is a thorough analysis of the rebel Army at this time of the national crisis with chapters detailing the uniforms and equipment of the regular army, including infantry, cavalry and artillery,There are also chapters on the many colourful militia regiments raised to swell the Southern Army, including Zouaves.

   In these volume of Brassey's History of Uniforms, Confederate uniforms are examined in terms of style, quality and color. What emerges is a fascinating glimpse at both governments' "make do" efforts, ranging from the exotic to the hilarious.

   The description of the Confederate uniforms is arranged by state, detailing uniform variations and how each state met the challenge of clothing its soldiers,uniforms issuance from initial local supply through to state quarter master manufacture for South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland.

   EX;Mississippi, for instance, was virtually destitute of cloth supplies by February 1861. But the state took over the textile industry and had its prisoners work making uniforms.

   I would like to recomend American Civil War: Union Army by the same author Robin Smith and also a great book by another authority William C. Davis his book Fighting Men of the Civil War (Rebels & Yankees)




4. This book is written by a noted authority on the subject (Ron Field) and is lavishly illustrated with over 150 colour and black and white photographs as well as artwork commissioned from leading military artists. This books is an essential reference source for everyone with an interest in military history, as well as collectors, re-enactors, wargamers and military modellers. This is an essential book for all with an interest in the Confederate Army of 1861-1865. It is a thorough analysis of the rebel Army at this time of the national crisis with chapters detailing the uniforms and equipment of the regular army, including infantry, cavalry and artillery,There are also chapters on the many colourful militia regiments raised to swell the Southern Army, including Zouaves.

   In these volume of Brassey's History of Uniforms, Confederate uniforms are examined in terms of style, quality and color. What emerges is a fascinating glimpse at both governments' "make do" efforts, ranging from the exotic to the hilarious.

   The description of the Confederate uniforms is arranged by state, detailing uniform variations and how each state met the challenge of clothing its soldiers,uniforms issuance from initial local supply through to state quarter master manufacture for South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland.

   EX;Mississippi, for instance, was virtually destitute of cloth supplies by February 1861. But the state took over the textile industry and had its prisoners work making uniforms.

   I would like to recomend American Civil War: Union Army by the same author Robin Smith and also a great book by another authority William C. Davis his book Fighting Men of the Civil War (Rebels & Yankees)

2 comments about The Diary of Miss Emma Holmes, 1861-1866 (Library of Southern Civilization).

1. The diary of a single, young Southern Belle who gives us glimpses of her life from before the Civil War, to when the fighting comes close to home and when they have to flee to the West. You experience her emotions and innermost thoughts.



2. Often overlooked, diaries are the primary source of women's history during the Civil War. Here this elite South Carolina woman documents her life, not for prosperity, but as the custom of her day, via her private diary. Poignant and enjoyable to read, Emma carries through this time of war with the true dignity of Southern womanhood. Excellent social history of the daily life of a Southern woman. Thank you for bringing this wonderful diary to light. Joy Melcher, Civil War Lady Magazine

1 comments about The Hammonds of Redcliffe.

1. The true history of a Southern slaveholding family, scions of the famous "Cotton is King" Senator James Henry Hammond, told through their own letters and the excellent interpretations of Carol Bleser, pre- and post-Civil War. Just plain fascinating reading.
   
   The word, "slaveholding" may give you a shudder, but this family had its share of troubles and sorrows. On a different scale than their slaves, of course, but troubles nonetheless. And then there are happy occasions - births, marriages...it's life, good and bad, through one of the most tumultuous times in American history. My only quibble is that I want to know even more, in depth, about all of these people - the letters & Ms. Bleser's essays were a great start, now I want even more! Highly recommended.

1 comments about Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance: The Glorious Impostor (Non Fiction).

1. I recommend this book to everyone. Fun to read. Interesting informations about the Blackfeet, their wars with the Crow, their life, etc.

No comments about Abraham Lincoln and Robert Burns: Connected Lives and Legends.

5 comments about The Patton Papers: 1885-1940.

1. In this, the first volume of his memoirs, author Martin Blumenson, shows background influences that would develop George S. Patton into America's most famous general of World War II. Blumenson paints an authentic, if not an all together flattering, picture of the man he obviously admires giving this work even more credibility. His primary source is impeccable: Patton's own correspondence composes most of the text.
   
   The key events are all discussed: Patton's early upbringing which placed him near, but not at the apex of class conscious American society at the turn of the century. His obsession to reach the summit would forever be a driving force in his life. Next was is military education at The Virginia Military Institute and West Point followed by his marriage to Beatrice Ayres which greatly aided his standing socially and economically. This was followed by service with his mentor, General of the Armies, John, J. "Blackjack," Pershing in Mexico and again in France in WWI where he served as chief architect of American tank forces. The men he trained here would ultimately make this old horse cavalryman, a legend.
   
   Patton was both a shameless social climber, and a most serious student of his profession. He seemed equally motivated by the relentless drive to succeed and his abject fear of failure. Vain, pompous, profane, well read, and militarily proficient, he would go on to become, arguably, the greatest General on either side in WWII.
   
   This book is more than the history of a man; it is the history of the U.S. Army from the turn of the century until the countdown to WWII. Easily read and understood, it is an outstanding addition to the library of any serious student of our nation's military history. A great read. 5 Stars!!
   
   Harold Y. Grooms



2. Not a big history buff, but I had to read this for a class.
   Very interesting! Blumenson actually served with Patton in the Third Army HQ in Europe and also in Korea.

   But don't stop at this volume - The Patton Papers 1940-1945 finishes Patton's unique story. These years weren't forgotten as another reviewer said, just in another book.




3. Blumenson lets Patton speak for himself though a huge number of personal letters, lectures, papers and other materials. You can watch the young Patton grow through trial (being held back after his first year at West Point), and triumph (his heroic actions in combat during WWI), into the famous fighting general of WWII. Don't let the long length of the book put you off. I found it to be absolutely absorbing. By the end of the book you feel that you know Patton, his family and his friends and that you have some idea of what made him who he was.

   Blumenson obviously has deep respect for Patton but he also does not shy away from Patton's serious flaws in character and behavior. Even before the well known incidents of WWII, some of the things Patton wrote, did and said were really mean, crude and / or embarrassing. He was an accomplished brown noser and jealous of his peers to the point of paranoia at times. Its all here to see.

   Of course, I also highly recommend the second half of the story in the Patton Papers 1940 - 1945 by the same author.




4. It has material SELECTED in order that we, the future students of history,not have a clue as to what really happened during that historical period. The "Selectivity"just accidently left out the period 1940-45. Can't let that information get out! Others may begin suspecting censureship elsewhere!



5. Anyone who is a Patton fan; please start from the beginning. I think that it is terribly important to understand the history behind what made the man who he was. WWII was the medium in which Patton manifested the gernerally known "Patton" ... the result of all life experience leading up to that one period in history. There is much more revealed in this first volume that one can learn and I highly recommend it. It is a great read, at times funny, others very graphic, it will make you feel as if you knew the man and were a part of the history. In fact, I liked it so much (the paperback), I located a set of Houghton Mifflin, FIRST PRINTING, Patton Papers in mint condition for my collection. They read wonderfully, unlike the poor HB reprints. One must pay a small fortune though.

1 comments about Abraham Lincoln (American Presidents Reference Series).

1. I am a graduate student, my field of interest is Civil War History. I found Dr Pinsker's book extemely valuable in my research for my thesis. I highly reccomend this book as a valuable reference guide.

No comments about Floridian of His Century: The Courage of Governor LeRoy Collins (Florida History and Culture).