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Title: 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 by George Wilson ISBN: 0-8041-0003-9 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1987 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.69 (29 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: 8 months in the inferno that was the ETO
Comment: Let me start by saying this is a great book and a very easy read. I only gave this book 4 stars because it is not the best in this particular genre. I personally like Donald Burgett's, Russell McLogan's and Raymond Ganter's books better. I think my statement is based purely on personallity and writing style. Mr. Wilson certainly saw some of the most brutal of the combat in the ETO and the 4th infantry division was in for the long haul.
You will not be disappointed in this book if you enjoy first person accounts of the Second World War. If anything, you'll feel incredulous that Mr. Wilson survived the events he describes and alas, many of his friends and comrades did not. His combat record extends from the St. Lo break out, through France, into Germany (twice). He survived Normandy, France, the Hurtgen, and the Bulge. Mr. Wilson was incredibly lucky, incredibly brave and incredibly kind to share his experiences.
This book does present a good view from the ground of combat in Europe. The style of Mr. Wilson's writing doesn't convey the powerful emotions contained in some other works, and it may simply be there is no easy way to describe what he saw and did.
Rating: 5
Summary: Powerful account by a true survivor
Comment: This is the only book about WWII ground soldiers I've yet read. Suffice it to say, it was a good start.
Three things really struck me about this book; 1. The author's uncanny memory of events, 2. The events themselves - offering glimpses into every aspect of being a ground soldier, including bravery, strategy, stupidity, cowardice and tragedy. 3. The shocking carnage.
The book's title is derived from a comment a superior officer made to the author before sending him off to battle shortly after the Normandy D-day invasion; "As officers, I expect you to lead your men. Men will follow leaders and I expect my platoon leaders to be right up front. Losses could be very high. Use every skill you possess. If you survive your first battle, I'll promote you. Good luck." With that mortifying send-off, author George Wilson and his fellow officers were sent into battle. Out of all the officers and men starting out in his company, only Wilson finished.
The book presents the author's brave, bloody journey in a straight-forward linear fashion. It is very well written, yet not burdened by attempts at literary greatness. The author, though clearly licensed to preach, spares us the sermon and simply tells it like it was.
Not until the very end of the book does he tell you "Out of all this damned useless war I hope I am entitled to a few simple observations". What follows is a decidedly brief statement that may at first seem to be too brief. Only after reading the last line do you realize that you've already read the most important anti-war statement the author could make; his recollections in the previous 267 pages.
Rating: 5
Summary: No holds barred WWII story
Comment: One of those books I could not put down. This is a very well written first hand account of a young officer surviving some of the worst combat in Europe. An interesting note: The story partially involves the Battle of Huertgen Forest that I had not heard of before. What a death and horror filled battle! I've seen a DVD called "When Trumpets Fade" listed as an HBO 1998 movie that takes place during this terrible battle. Having read what happened there in this book, I plan to pick that up.
Grab this if you are a reader of WWII books. My salute and appreciation to the author for his service for our country.
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Title: Roll Me over: An Infantryman's World War II by Raymond Gantter ISBN: 0804116059 Publisher: Ivy Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Seven Roads to Hell : A Screaming Eagle at Bastogne by DONALD R. BURGETT ISBN: 0440236274 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 09 May, 2000 |
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Title: Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy by Donald R. Burgett, Stephen E. Ambrose ISBN: 0440236304 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 12 September, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Road to Arnhem : A Screaming Eagle in Holland (World War II Library) by DONALD R. BURGETT ISBN: 0440236339 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 10 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Parachute Infantry : An American Paratrooper's Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich by David Kenyon Webster, Stephen E. Ambrose ISBN: 0385336497 Publisher: Delta Pub. Date: 29 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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