If You Survive

Rating:
Summary: Another Well Written ETO Memoir
Review: George Wilson was a replacement office assigned to the 4th infantry division who fought in Normandy, Northern France, the Hurtgen Forest and the Bulge before being wounded in the spring of '45. This book is highly descriptive of front line soldiering in the ETO with vivid battle scenes. There is a good balance of analysis with action. It is not as breezily written as Burgett's books but doesn't feel "literary" ala' Brothers Karamazov as Roll me Over by Ganttner tends to feel. I enjoyed every page and was sad to finish it. If you love reading 1st person narratives of combat in World War Two then buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: If you are looking for an action packed, non-fiction story of front line combat during WWII then look no further. I have read quite a few personal histories written by former GI's describing their experience in Europe, but very few have been as explosive and action packed as this one. Wilson fought from the St.Lo breakout in July, through France to the Hurtgen, Held the edge of the Bulge in the Ardennes and fought his way across the Rhine into Germany. He was mainly a platoon leader and was therefore, out of necessity, on the front line most of the time. He doesn't write about his home life or even much about camp life seeming to stick to his experience of confronting the enemy and teaching his men to do the same. This book is very cheap and a very easy read so it would be a shame not to pick it up. You won't regret it!

Rating:
Summary: No holds barred WWII story
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful account by a true survivor
Review: 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.