EB Sledge's "With the Old Breed" Audiobook

[KG Erwin]

I found the entire audiobook on You Tube, and downloaded it. The reader (George Wilson) has a good voice and did an excellent job. I own the book, but hearing it read offers you a different perspective. Here is part 1 of 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTpYABcDnes

I urge all wargamers to read and/or listen to this book, as it was written by a frontline US Marine in WWII. Eugene Sledge became a professor after the war, and his book was released in 1981. He died in 2001.

[Josh]

Wow that's a good find. Thx for sharing this.

[MatJack]

I have to say that's the best book within the context of WWII I have ever read. Read it years ago, and would love to to revisit it again. Thanks for the find!!

[DerTroof]

ORIGINAL: Mat_Jack
I have to say that's the best book within the context of WWII I have ever read. Read it years ago, and would love to to revisit it again. Thanks for the find!!

I agree. I've read several WWII memoirs and this is the finest I've read. The author's obvious thoughtfulness and decency, when contrasted with the horrors he describes, creates an incredible poignancy. There's also a lot of historical detail gamers will find fascinating, particularly those interested in the PTO.

The HBO series "The Pacific" is based partly on "With the Old Breed," as well as "Helmet for My Pillow" by Robert Leckie, also worth reading. The HBO show is very good, although predictably takes some license with the material.

Another PTO memoir I enjoyed, from the Army perspective, is "Across the Dark Islands" by Floyd W. Radike.

Thanks for the link, KG Erwin, will definitely check it out.

[Jeffrey H.]

The other link KG Erwin posted recently had a you tube video of an older made for TV documentary on the invasion of Peleliu with interviews of various Marines. They were still relatively young and aware at the time, their memories of events were still very fresh in their minds. It's quite touching, (for lack of a better word) when during the course of the discussions, they are brought instantly to tears. Things that had by that time happened at least 15 or 20 years in their past. That's really something, very powerful to watch.

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

I found the entire audiobook on You Tube, and downloaded it. The reader (George Wilson) has a good voice and did an excellent job. I own the book, but hearing it read offers you a different perspective. Here is part 1 of 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTpYABcDnes

I urge all wargamers to read and/or listen to this book, as it was written by a frontline US Marine in WWII. Eugene Sledge became a professor after the war, and his book was released in 1981. He died in 2001.

I have owned the Audible.com version for some time and it is a fantastic book.

[KG Erwin]

When one reads about the toughest Marine battles of WWII, you will find that Peleliu ranks up there with Iwo Jima and Tarawa. Fortunately, for students of the Pacific War, there are a couple of good books about this "forgotten battle". Apart from Sledge's classic, there is also "Brotherhood of Heroes" by Bill Sloan.

[SeaMonkey]

How well I remember reading WtOB, especially over my breakfast cereal when as my mind conjured up the image that the words I was reading catalized, I had to pause as my appetite quickly abated.

[parusski]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

When one reads about the toughest Marine battles of WWII, you will find that Peleliu ranks up there with Iwo Jima and Tarawa. Fortunately, for students of the Pacific War, there are a couple of good books about this "forgotten battle". Apart from Sledge's classic, there is also "Brotherhood of Heroes" by Bill Sloan.

Bill Sloan

Have Brotherhood of Heroes also, read by Patrick Lawlor. A classic as you say.

[Josh]

ORIGINAL: DerTroof


I agree. I've read several WWII memoirs and this is the finest I've read. The author's obvious thoughtfulness and decency, when contrasted with the horrors he describes, creates an incredible poignancy. There's also a lot of historical detail gamers will find fascinating, particularly those interested in the PTO.

....

Thanks for the link, KG Erwin, will definitely check it out.

I totally agree. That's why I'm so glad that youtube link got shared, probably wouldn't have found it on my own. Never heard an audiobook before but it's exactly as you describe, it's even more "impressive" (for lack of a better word) because the story is told right into your ear. Quite sobering really.

[Curtis Lemay]

Just in case there are those that don't know, Sledge's book was part of the source material for HBO's "The Pacific", and Sledge was a major character in that miniseries.