Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for someone interested in military.
Review: As a United States Marine myself I am honored to have served in the same service as Lt General Lewis Puller. Reading this book will give you an appreciation of the hardships Marines endured in the wars. Chesty Puller was an exceptional Marine, he led by example. The book examines his 37 years in the Corps. It goes into great detail and the author definitely used many resources to put this together. It's a must read. It will motivate anyone, military or civilian.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent But Biased.
Review: At the outset of this excellent biography, Burke Davis makes it clear that he is describing Chesty Puller's life from Puller's point of view, a point that seems to be lost on many readers.

There is no question that General Puller was an exceptionally brave individual, but at what cost? Much of his early experience was gained in Haiti and Nicaragua against poorly trained and equipped rebels who tended to fire high. Unfortunately, it did not serve him or his men well against either the Japanese or the Chicoms--On Peleliu, Puller's 1st Marines was the first regiment that had to be withdrawn because of casualties. By way of contrast, the 5th Marines used firepower more effectively and sustained fewer casualties.

Unfortunately this book came out just before the escalation in the Vietnam War, and inspired many Marines to "charge the hill," instead of relying on firepower. As a result, the Corps lost many of its best officers and noncoms early on. Overall, Marine casualties in Vietnam exceeded those in World War II, all of which may help explain why Headquarters Marine Corps seems to want to forget Chesty. Another factor was Chesty's immense popularity with the troops, which came to be resented by other generals.

Burke Davis did a fine job in writing this book, but the objective biography of Chesty Puller has yet to be written.

Readers who enjoy "Marine" should consider buying "We Were Soldiers Once and Young," by (Army) General Hal Moore, which is itself a fine study in leadership--so much so that the Commandant placed it on the "must read" list for all Marine officers.

Semper Fi!

Rating:
Summary: This book does credit to the heroiclife and deeds of Chesty.
Review: Burke Davis paints a graphic picture of valor under fire and deeds of a man who was truly a Marine. From the green hills of Nicaragua to the fire swept beaches of the pacific to the frozen wasteland of the Chosin Resevoir, Davis tells the story of Chesty Puller, the only Marine to ever win the Navy Cross 5 times. A must-read for all Marines, servicemen, leaders, or anyone interested in the United States Marine Corps' greatest hero.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: In the Marine Corps a person learns what it means to be tough, and that description is synonymous with Chesty Puller. This book gives the clearest picture of leadership, warfare, and the Marine Corps way of life. This book makes me proud to be a Marine, proud to be an American, and proud to be a man. I recommend this book to anyone who is joining the Corps, is shipping over, or has been out for years. God Bless you Chesty, where ever you are!

Rating:
Summary: OOHRAH to the greatest Marine to earn the title
Review: The only description fit for this biography is epic. Very rarely does one man live such an eventful life, so packed with adventure and action that it seems impossible to be anything but fiction. But any Marine recruit knows that General Puller's story is a true one. Chesty Puller makes Patton look like a desk clerk, and has been called the greatest combat officer ever. Burke Davis chronicles Puller's Marine Corps career from his days at VMI to his retirement, more than four decades later.

Well-written and romantic in its tales of combat, the book remains a definite must read for all in the profession of arms. The story could easily make for a good book from the worst author, but Davis applies fine writing to make for a classic of grit and determination.
Don't expect ultra-violence and gore, however, as the author foregoes the grim realities of the battlefield for a more Ambrose like model that somewhat sanitizes the combat experience to keep the story moving and focus more on the man's accomplishments than the images he most likely lived with forever.
Without a doubt, one of the best military novels ever written, it's hard to put down and will get anyone motivated! Also an excellent read for those in the business world, as Puller's no retreat/take no prisoners attitude is a foundation for modern warfighting and corporate business practices.

Rating:
Summary: Highly readable
Review: This isn't just a biography of Chesty Puller, it's also a wonderful overview of those campaigns from the 20s to the 50s. Being a biography ties everything together and keeps you engaged in the story. If you want the basic layout of the Marine involvement in Haiti, the pacific campaign of WWII, the landing at Inchon, and Chosin reservoir, you will probably be able to read this book much faster than any dry history on those subjects. The other reviews already say enough about this book as a biography of this fascinating man.