Rating: 
Summary: Burgett's Personal Saga Of A WWII Paratrooper Continues
Review: In 1967, Donald Burgett wrote "Currahee!" This told of his training as a paratrooper, assignment to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and the night drop into Normandy some hours ahead of the June 6, 1944 invasion. In "Seven Roads to Hell" (1999) he tells the story of the defense of the surrounded Belgium town of Bastogne.In this, his third book, he picks up the events that occurred at about the midpoint, in time, between the first two. In September of 1944 the 506th is part of the First Allied Airborne Army that is intended to invade Holland and capture the main road leading to the Bridge at Arnhem across the Neder Rijn (Lower Rhine). Once all of the river and cannal bridges are secure the British XXX Corps was to race north, cross the Arnhem bridge and turn east into Germany toward Berlin. Like many plans of war it didn't happen that way. While providing a personal account of the actions that took place involving him and his unit, the author is becoming more of a historian. He has started adding a broader picture of events than just what he himself could see. His narative flows free and naturally in a conversational style that is not only easy to follow but is very entertaining. In other words, he is a good story teller.
Rating: 
Summary: "What was it like?"
Review: Nobody but a combat soldier can answer the question: "What was it like?" For those of us who have never experienced battle we can only try to imagine it. Mr. Burgett urges us to hunker down into his foxhole as the carnage of noman's land drops onto our laps like a screaming mortar shell. His unbelievable experiences make for a series of WWII memoirs unsurpassed in their vivid telling. I have read all four of his books-in chronological order-and I cannot imagine a more genuine and descriptive account of a trooper's brutal experiences in the European theater of WWII. I wish I could meet the man to shake his hand. His dedication and sense of honor and sacrifice make me proud to be an American, and very grateful indeed for having known of such combat men as Donald R. Burgett.
Rating:
Summary: Burgett continues to impress...
Review: This book gives a very forthright account of one of the biggest debacles in WWII. Burgett moves on from Normandy down the road to Arnhem and continues to provide awing details of a paratrooper's life in WWII. What I like most about this book, as well as other Burgett books, he gives credit to all soldiers. At the end, this book highlights the courage of the British soldiers who were literally slaughtered by the Germans, but refused to surrender until ordered to do so (similar to the Screaming Eagles in Bastone).
Rating:
Summary: Burgett continues to impress...
Review: This book gives a very forthright account of one of the biggest debacles in WWII. Burgett moves on from Normandy down the road to Arnhem and continues to provide awing details of a paratrooper's life in WWII. What I like most about this book, as well as other Burgett books, he gives credit to all soldiers. At the end, this book highlights the courage of the British soldiers who were literally slaughtered by the Germans, but refused to surrender until ordered to do so (similar to the Screaming Eagles in Bastone).
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Personal Account of War
Review: This was a moving first person account of Operation Market Garden. I thought this book was as good an account of war as I've ever read. The author, Donald Burgett, isn't the most polished writer but this only adds to the personal feel. It's like having your grandfather or an old friend sitting around and reminiscing about his days in the war. Mr Burgett writes in a no-nonsense tone getting straight to the point. He writes matter of factly about seeing another soldier shot in the head or capturing a pig for dinner. In all of the narrative you can see that the author has lived this. As with most books of this type there are many humorous incidents. Two of my favorites were the soldier who dodged enemy machine gun fire to retrieve jam for his comrades and Slick, who after running out of hand grenades, used some incredible ingenuity to escape from a firefight. This story is a mix of heroism and hilarious at the same time. One thing that had an impact on me was Donald Burgett's description of himself. The fact that he was just a nineteen year old boy who weighed 140 lbs really brings home the fact that these men were just normal people not larger than life John Wayne figures. This book went fast and was very much worth the price. As cliched as it sounds books like this should be mandatory to read in school so these brave men will be remembered for their sacrifices.
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Personal Account of War
Review: This was a moving first person account of Operation Market Garden. I thought this book was as good an account of war as I've ever read. The author, Donald Burgett, isn't the most polished writer but this only adds to the personal feel. It's like having your grandfather or an old friend sitting around and reminiscing about his days in the war. Mr Burgett writes in a no-nonsense tone getting straight to the point. He writes matter of factly about seeing another soldier shot in the head or capturing a pig for dinner. In all of the narrative you can see that the author has lived this. As with most books of this type there are many humorous incidents. Two of my favorites were the soldier who dodged enemy machine gun fire to retrieve jam for his comrades and Slick, who after running out of hand grenades, used some incredible ingenuity to escape from a firefight. This story is a mix of heroism and hilarious at the same time. One thing that had an impact on me was Donald Burgett's description of himself. The fact that he was just a nineteen year old boy who weighed 140 lbs really brings home the fact that these men were just normal people not larger than life John Wayne figures. This book went fast and was very much worth the price. As cliched as it sounds books like this should be mandatory to read in school so these brave men will be remembered for their sacrifices.
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