With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

Buen libro sobre las batallas que se libraron en el Pacífico en la II Guerra Mundial. A pesar de que se escribió décadas después de finalizar la guerra mantiene la frescura del soldado que acaba de llegar del frente y da una perfecta idea de lo duro que fué para los que formaron parte de aquellos enfrentamientos armados, tanto en el plano físico, como el psíquico y emocional. Es un must del género en lo que refiere al frente oriental de la segunda guerra mundial.

Excellent work

With the Old Breed by Eugene B. Sledge is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and honest memoirs to come out of World War II. The book chronicles Sledge’s experiences as a Marine during the brutal campaigns of Peleliu and Okinawa, where he served in the front lines. What sets this memoir apart is its unflinching honesty. Sledge does not shy away from describing the horrors of war, the fear, and the despair that he and his comrades faced. His detailed recounting of the physical and psychological toll that combat took on the soldiers offers readers a stark and sobering view of the reality of war, without romanticizing or glorifying it. The gripping style of With the Old Breed is another hallmark of Sledge’s writing. His ability to convey the tension and intensity of combat pulls readers into the narrative, making them feel as though they are right there in the foxholes with him. Sledge’s descriptions of the relentless Japanese assaults, the relentless rain of artillery, and the constant threat of death create a vivid and harrowing picture of the battlefield. His storytelling is both vivid and direct, allowing readers to understand not only what happened, but also how it felt to be a part of it. This immediacy in his writing keeps readers engaged and invested in his story. The narrative structure of With the Old Breed is another aspect that makes it an exceptional memoir. Sledge combines his personal experiences with broader reflections on the nature of war and the human condition, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. His careful attention to detail, combined with his ability to weave these details into a coherent and compelling story, results in a memoir that is both informative and moving. The book stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, making it a classic in the literature of war.

Though I've read countless history books, mostly on 20th Century Wars, never have I been transported so vividly to a battlefield. Until Saving Private Ryan came out, WWII was our 'glamorous' war if you will. So many heroic movies were made throughout the 50's and on starring every leading man in Hollywood. Sledges book truly strips the varnish off what the meatgrinder is like. Mechanized slaughter. The stunning contrast between Marines who just want to see their families again and Japanese who, while many surely hailing from simple lives and loving families, resigned to throw their lives away at the highest possible cost to their enemy. The gripping scenes of him stuck in a flooded foxhole with putrid remains around, waiting for orders to be sent into the fray while each sides artillery furiously flies overhead in each direction is one of the most sobering reads ever. Knowing these ordinary guys were out there doing extraordinary things for us is palpable. I was a Navy fighter pilot from '89 to '97 and, though I saw plenty pics of my handywork from two Iraq tours, I never came close to what Sledge felt, being resigned to near certain death or maiming. Ok, the night carrier landings were no picnic. But its impossible to exaggerate how huge a sacrifice so many regular Americans made, yanked out of their quiet lives and thrust into hell against a vicious, clever, well-armed enemy. The scene during mop up ops after the Okinawa battle had ended of the two Imperial officers in full dress uniform, boots polished, charging a Marine brigade armed only with Samurai swords to certain death is so contrary to any Western mentality. We are rightfully trained to make the other guy die for his country. My 94 year old uncle, still living, left his farm in 1941 to fly P-38's in N Africa during the war, returning to the farm when it ended. I thank him often. Though this country seems to be going down an uncertain path vis a vis the economy, immigration, demographics, debt, etc, its more important now than ever to THANK A VET in person while they're still with us.

Enlisted marine's experiences in the Pacific in WW2 . Well written. If you want to know what that war was like on the ground, this is the book.