Rating: 
Summary: A five start personal account
Review: If you are looking for a great first-hand account of infantry combat in WWII then this is your book. From beginning to end he tells not only his story but the personal actions of those around him. As a Lieutenant servering on the front lines almost continuously from July 1944 through February 1945 he saw it all and does a tremendous job relating his story.
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: Better than "Saving Private Ryan."
Review: If you liked "Saving Private Ryan" you will love this book. Willson was "lucky?" enough to be in every major battle; Saint Lo, Falaise, Siegfried Line, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge. He was always on the very front line and he survived! This book is easy to read and very hard to put down. I was very sorry when I got to the very last page and there was no more to read. If you want action, forget movie theaters. Read this book.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome book
Review: If You Survive....one of the best books I have ever read. The book describes the personal experiences of an American 1st Lt. in Western Europe. The action is very addicting. It would be great if I could find more WWII books like this one. Too bad the book couldn't keep on going however, the war ended; and so Wilson's story. It was hard to put this book down. It would be hard to pass up a book like this for only 7 dollars! I would definitely buy this book again!
Rating:
Summary: So Real You'll Duck When He Writes "Artillery"
Review: If your Dad sat you down and told you in detail what he did in WW II it would be like this. Wilson missed D-Day so you won't read through a lot you may already know. But from there on out he's seen it all. He tells it in a no-nonsense way that makes you know he's been there, and takes you along. Great reading.
Rating: 
Summary: 8 months in the inferno that was the ETO
Review: Let me start by saying this is a great book and a very easy read. I only gave this book 4 stars because it is not the best in this particular genre. I personally like Donald Burgett's, Russell McLogan's and Raymond Ganter's books better. I think my statement is based purely on personallity and writing style. Mr. Wilson certainly saw some of the most brutal of the combat in the ETO and the 4th infantry division was in for the long haul. You will not be disappointed in this book if you enjoy first person accounts of the Second World War. If anything, you'll feel incredulous that Mr. Wilson survived the events he describes and alas, many of his friends and comrades did not. His combat record extends from the St. Lo break out, through France, into Germany (twice). He survived Normandy, France, the Hurtgen, and the Bulge. Mr. Wilson was incredibly lucky, incredibly brave and incredibly kind to share his experiences. This book does present a good view from the ground of combat in Europe. The style of Mr. Wilson's writing doesn't convey the powerful emotions contained in some other works, and it may simply be there is no easy way to describe what he saw and did.
Rating:
Summary: 8 months in the inferno that was the ETO
Review: Let me start by saying this is a great book and a very easy read. I only gave this book 4 stars because it is not the best in this particular genre. I personally like Donald Burgett's, Russell McLogan's and Raymond Ganter's books better. I think my statement is based purely on personallity and writing style. Mr. Wilson certainly saw some of the most brutal of the combat in the ETO and the 4th infantry division was in for the long haul. You will not be disappointed in this book if you enjoy first person accounts of the Second World War. If anything, you'll feel incredulous that Mr. Wilson survived the events he describes and alas, many of his friends and comrades did not. His combat record extends from the St. Lo break out, through France, into Germany (twice). He survived Normandy, France, the Hurtgen, and the Bulge. Mr. Wilson was incredibly lucky, incredibly brave and incredibly kind to share his experiences. This book does present a good view from the ground of combat in Europe. The style of Mr. Wilson's writing doesn't convey the powerful emotions contained in some other works, and it may simply be there is no easy way to describe what he saw and did.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story; great man; mediocre writing
Review: Lt. George Wilson is no doubt one of the bravest men I've ever heard about. But his writing style is stiff. And, just when you want to know more about a particular engagement, he shifts gears and talks about another one. I did chuckle 3/4 of the way through, after all his horrendous tales, he mentions that they are getting some R&R near the Ardennes! If I was to fight in a war, this is the man I would want as my leader! I agree with another reviewer that this would make a fantastic screenplay, as long as another writer injects some life into the language. My homage to Mr. Wilson--he's a great soldier and a great American.
Rating:
Summary: Great story; great man; mediocre writing
Review: Lt. George Wilson is no doubt one of the bravest men I've ever heard about. But his writing style is stiff. And, just when you want to know more about a particular engagement, he shifts gears and talks about another one. I did chuckle 3/4 of the way through, after all his horrendous tales, he mentions that they are getting some R&R near the Ardennes! If I was to fight in a war, this is the man I would want as my leader! I agree with another reviewer that this would make a fantastic screenplay, as long as another writer injects some life into the language. My homage to Mr. Wilson--he's a great soldier and a great American.
Rating:
Summary: One man's War: Inspiring courage and spectacular luck
Review: Men experience war in different ways and some men have good wars, some have bad. George Wilson had a good war. He seemed perfectly equipped, with his Michigan State football scholarship and strong moral beliefs, as well as an essential dose of fabulous luck. As Wilson takes us through France (he landed after D-Day)to Paris and then to the Ardennes, we marvel at how anyone could have survived the carnage of Hitler's retreat across Europe. Wilson's account is highly informative but necessarily self-centered. His writing style makes it difficult for the reader to understand much about Wilson's mostly nameless comarades, even the fellow officer whose death reduced the writer to bitter tears. This apart, the book is a fascinating insight, complete with some unanswered questions and stunning acts of bravery set amid the desparate final months of Hitler's war.
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