Rating: 
Summary: Not your father's flag
Review: Mr O'Donnell is to be commended for his compilations of these individual histories. The format of "Beyond Valor" in prefacing the oral histories of the combatants with a strategic overview of their missions as they progress through the European campaign is excellent. It is facinating to see the various contributors reflect specific events from alternate perspectives. The failings of the book come as the reader discovers the subtle nuances of the conflicts, the details of the sights, sounds, smells and emotions of these irreplaceable first hand accounts are at most times horribly absent. Perhaps Mr O'Donnell out of a justifiable reverent respect for the contributors failed to ask the deep heart wretching questions that begged to be asked. So many of the contributors offered patchy accounts (presented with little if any editing)of their moment in history that one can't help feel a bit cheated. Perhaps more journalistic prodding by Mr. O'Donnell could have enhanced the flavor of the book to better live up to it's tantalizing potential. I was expecting the accounts of the vets to be more like what was presented in "The Mighty Eigth". Sorry, I was a little disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: reality
Review: Beyond Valor is an important book for all to read. This is one of the few books that acutally details history in the eyes of those who served. The personal descriptions of the "Battle of Bulge" enables the reader to appreciate the battle more then reading a high school history book's description of the battle. Beyond Valor demonstrates that no matter what time in history, wars are very serious matters and the actual people doing the fighting will most likely end up wounded or dead. It is unfortunate that the dead cannot also tell their stories. Beyond Valor is a masterpiece that students of history should read. I just hope that future generations will appreciate the sacrifices made by the kids that grew up during the Great Depression.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond 5 Stars
Review: Beyond Valor is an excellent account of the heroism of american young men who risked everything to spearhead victory in WWII. These men are the few remaining heroes we have, in an age when we do not have enough good people to look up to. Too many americans, particularly young americans, do not know and understand what these men went through for our country and for the world. Freedom is not free and these men (and their comrades who did not return) paid the price for the freedom we enjoy today. This book, and others like it, should be required reading for all high school and college students. Brian Jones
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Beyond Valor is simply one of the best first person, World War II books published in the last 5 years. The author portrays the life of the ranger and the airborne troops not in his words, but instead in their words. He does something other historians have failed to do and that is to simply shut up and allow the people who fought the war to tell what it was like. He hits all of the major campaigns, North Africa, D-Day, Italy, Battle of the Bulge, Market Garden and the famous Hill 400. While writing this, he does not interject his own assumptions and theories of what happened, instead he guides the reader as if he is performing a lecture to a classroom. This is where the author's strength arises. He does not keep on talking. He simply cuts off and let's the veterans tell their story, and what a story it is! The veterans tell about the power of friendships, the fear of 88 mm shells coming at your foxhole, the horrors of watching a friend die, what it feels like to be wounded, and they even discuss how hard it is to get over the war. By the time the book is over the reader will have a sense of how horrible war is and how much it should be avoided. This is simply one of the best first person World War II books on the market today. Patrick O'donnell should be proud of what he has created. Pro: 1) The author allows the veterans to tell their tales 2) Great Readability 3) Great Maps help guide even the novice of World War II students Cons: NONE
Rating:
Summary: A story that must be told
Review: Patrick O'Donnell's Beyond Valor is the gripping story of World War II battlefield experiences and performances by American Rangers and Airborne troops. The exploits and hardships of these elite military units are thoroughly documented in a vivid, informative text that puts the reader into the front lines (and behind the lines) to reveal a combat history told in the participants own words. This is a record that needs to be preserved as that generation is now rapidly departing from among us. Theirs is a story that must be told and Beyond Valor is a superbly presented account that would make a welcome and "reader friendly" addition to personal, academic, and community library military history collections.
Rating:
Summary: Honor our heritage
Review: Pat O'Donnell's book is a masterful story written by the men who lived it. Pat's exceptional knowledge and accurate reporting of the details behind each segment will stand for years as a testimony to the gallant men who came forward to tell these stories, many for the first time in half a century. The exhaustive research and the pains-taking attention to detail put this book head and shoulders above others purporting to be the definitive story of the Airborne, of Normandy, and of the men who fought and won there. Beyond Valor is a tribute to the true spirit of America and all that we stand for. As a career military officer I stand in awe of the masterful manner in which Pat O'Donnell developed such magnificent and insightful transitions from one story to the next. This book is a MUST READ for anyone; especially for those in their 50's or 60's. It serves as a testimony to the true test of mankind when faced with the horrific task of defeating an unspeakable tyrant. I eagerly await the release of Mr. O'Donnell's next book!
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely amazing book
Review: I just finished Beyond Valor. It is such an amazing book. I am planning on sending it as Father's Day gifts since the dads in my life will definitely enjoy it. They can read the stories of WWII ranger and airborne vets who fought the same war, but in a different area than my grandfather. This is a must-read for all generations!
Rating:
Summary: I call them heroes
Review: I know the paratroopers and the Rangers Patrick O'Donnell writes about in his book would just say they were doing their jobs but I say they are heroes. What these men did to preserve freedom is nothing less than heroic and Patrick O'Donndell brings this out so well in his book with the use of oral histories. Everyone with an interest in WW2 history needs to read this book. The paratroopers and Rangers in WW2 did incredible things and we owe them alot!
Rating:
Summary: A great personal account of WWII
Review: While history may be told in many stories, nothing can compare with the personal history of horror of combat. This body and focus of this work deal with oral histories of the men who volunteered for duty in the more elite arms of the US Army in WWII. Each chapter covers a different period of the ETO (Torch, Anzio, Holland, Etc.) The chapter first describes the historical significance of the period, then lets the veterans tell their own personal account of what the saw, felt, and reacted to that day. The candor of some of the stories (fright, and PTSD episodes years after), adds so much to this book. A must for these who enjoy first hand accounts or the horrors of war.
Rating:
Summary: It's a humbling experience to hear these remarkable stories.
Review: My husband is the history buff in the family - i ordered this for him as a present and i found myself captivated by this book on a recent road trip. What these men endured and accomplished is incredible. With simple yet powerful words these men convey their deeply personal thoughts and experiences - i commend the author for collecting these stories while they can still be told in the first person.
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