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Title: Company Commander by Charles B. MacDonald ISBN: 1-58080-038-6 Publisher: Burford Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.12 (16 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: C'mon Yall...Its a Classic!
Comment: Before I even start with my opinion...if you don't have this book and you have even the smallest WW2 library than stop right here and pick it up. It is the WW2 Infantry memoir Classic written by a guy who was destined to become the Official Historian of the Army. Macdonald doesn't say anything about his career after the war in this book, nor does he spend half the book talking about his training. He dives right into the War and spends every drop of ink trying to describe what the experience was like. His account of the outpost over the Siegfried and his companies' part in the Bulge are terrifying and ferocious. His position at the head of a company afforded him with the luxury of realizing the big picture while still having contact with the front lines. In fact he had such close contact that he was awarded the Purple Heart for a bullet in the leg during a patrol in the Bulge. There are many interesting stories and a lot of action, my personal favorite part of war memoirs. Get familiar with the part of the 2nd Division though for there are no maps:(... But despite that it is an excellent book...and a requirement for every WW2 library!
Rating: 4
Summary: Straightforward, honest account of leadership
Comment: Col MacDonald's memoir as a rifle company commander on the line in the ETO is a straightforward, honest account of leadership in combat. His clear and extremely detailed accounts of the day to day life of an infantryman and the bluntness of his comments (his description of the execution of EPWs is no more detailed or explained than his recounting of his first breakfast while at the front) are the elements that make this book valuable and worthwhile reading to those who have both a professional and historical interest in combat leadership. Additionally, the author's development as a leader to include his lack of initial self confidence and fears make this book human, relatable and trustworthy.
If you are searching for a tactical primer for company grade officers than I suggest Erwin Rommel's Attacks and if you are looking for a more well written piece with a broader scope and commentary than of course I suggest any of Stephen Ambrose's works (particularly Pegasus Bridge or Citizen Soldiers). However, Col MacDonald's book is a vivid account, obviously written with a fresh memory and meticulous notes. Company Commander will not disappoint those who are interested in a memoir whose primary purpose is to relate to readers the conditions and nature of life as a rifle company commander.
Rating: 4
Summary: Pretty good, but lacking something...
Comment: Mr. MacDonald's book is a good and quick, easy read. It tells the tale fairly well, but for some reason just didn't engage me as much as many other first person accounts of WWII. It is an honest feeling account with out bravado, but for some reason it doesn't convey emotional sensation very well.
Mr. MacDonald was certainly a qualified commander, especially based on the accounts of his relatively few casualties compared to those inflicted by his men. He led from near the front and was wounded by gunfire on one occasion.
This book is certainly worth the effort to read, but it isn't the best of its type.
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Title: Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer ISBN: 0061030864 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 03 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Battle of Hurtgen Forest by Charles B. MacDonald ISBN: 0812218310 Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Challenge of Command: Reading for Military Excellence by Roger H. Nye ISBN: 0399528040 Publisher: Perigee Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 1986 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge by Charles B. MacDonald ISBN: 0688151574 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 April, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Certain Victory: The U.S. Army in the Gulf War by Robert H. Scales ISBN: 1574881361 Publisher: Brassey's Inc Pub. Date: 01 April, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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