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Summary: Praise for Patrick O'Donnell's BEYOND VALOR
Review: "Mr. O'Donnell has performed a singularly distinctive service on behalf of these great patriots. This book is also a fitting tribute to all of their valiant comrades who perished over a half century ago while fighting to save their country, and indeed the entire world, from tyranny. Mr. O'Donnell has captured for posterity the incredible deeds of some of America's bravest men. As an Airborne Ranger and member of the Special Forces myself, the first-person accounts of these noble men are particularly moving. . . . The theme that comes through loud and clear is the unbreakable bond that exists between men in combat, and persists despite the passing of decades." --Henry H. Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff"John Burke's generation doesn't go on Oprah to 'tell all.'. . . But now, thanks in part to films like Saving Private Ryan and books like The Greatest Generation, Mr. Burke and other veterans who for years kept their memories to themselves have begun to share their wartime experiences. Mr. Burke is one of several Washington-area veterans featured in Beyond Valor, a collection of the firsthand remembrances of more than 700 U. S. Army Ranger and Airborne veterans of World War II. . . 'Now I don't mind talking about [the war]. I just don't know where to begin,' Mr. Burke said. . . '[Patrick O'Donnell] has done a wonderful job. I got emotional.'" --The Washington Times "Before there were superheroes, there were these guys: the wild, wooly, and implausibly brave GIs of WWII, who here give us their version of the conflict in newcomer O'Donnell's oral history of the war.... There is plenty of scary material... plus some chilling insights into the reality of combat technique.... Raw and dramatic stuff. Readers will likely experience a better-them-than-me feeling." --Kirkus Reviews (starred) "A natural reticence to express their experiences characterizes survivors of combat, which makes the more remarkable this set of remembrances the author has induced from American veterans of airborne and Ranger units that fought in Europe.... However ineffable to those who weren't there, the emotions of combat are at least understandable, thanks to O'Donnell's ability to draw out his interviewees. A potent addition to World War II memoir literature." --Booklist
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Summary: First-Rate Oral History
Review: An excellent oral history. Patrick O'Donnell does a great job of setting the stage for each chapter. Through detailed maps and concise prose he charts the progress of the war, beginning in North Africa and ending in Germany. The histories themselves are brutally honest and moving. There are no false notes; the book is as much a testimony to the dignity and heroism of its subjects as it is to the horror of war.
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Summary: A Stirring First-Hand Account of the War in Europe
Review: Author Patrick K. O'Donnell has taken oral testimonies from surviving veterans of the war in Europe and put them together in this excellent book. Beginning in August, 1942 with the Dieppe raid to the fall of Germany in 1945, these men give heart-felt accounts of what it was like to be on the front lines of combat. Each veteran has his own unique story to tell. Some men sweated out long nights under artillery fire, while others patrolled deep into German-held territory. O'Donnell also does a wonderful job of describing the bond that formed between these men. Each man was willing to give his own life so the others in his platoon might survive. It was this uncommon valor among the men that helped them survive and, ultimately, win the war. The book also contains excellent commentary by the author. He sets the scene for each chapter with a compelling narrative about the battle or campaign that is covered, then he lets the men who actually fought there bring the battle to life. My favorite section of the book dealt with the siege of Bastogne and the battle for the Hurtgen Forest. The images created by O'Donnell are very vivid and will surely remain in my mind. I usually read about the Pacifc theater, but this book has opened my eyes to the European conflict as well. I give this book my highest recommendation. Oral histories are the best way to learn about history, and this book keeps up that tradition. I also recommend O'Donnell's excellent work about the Pacific theater entitled "Into the Rising Sun".
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Summary: A Stirring First-Hand Account of the War in Europe
Review: Author Patrick K. O'Donnell has taken oral testimonies from surviving veterans of the war in Europe and put them together in this excellent book. Beginning in August, 1942 with the Dieppe raid to the fall of Germany in 1945, these men give heart-felt accounts of what it was like to be on the front lines of combat. Each veteran has his own unique story to tell. Some men sweated out long nights under artillery fire, while others patrolled deep into German-held territory. O'Donnell also does a wonderful job of describing the bond that formed between these men. Each man was willing to give his own life so the others in his platoon might survive. It was this uncommon valor among the men that helped them survive and, ultimately, win the war. The book also contains excellent commentary by the author. He sets the scene for each chapter with a compelling narrative about the battle or campaign that is covered, then he lets the men who actually fought there bring the battle to life. My favorite section of the book dealt with the siege of Bastogne and the battle for the Hurtgen Forest. The images created by O'Donnell are very vivid and will surely remain in my mind. I usually read about the Pacifc theater, but this book has opened my eyes to the European conflict as well. I give this book my highest recommendation. Oral histories are the best way to learn about history, and this book keeps up that tradition. I also recommend O'Donnell's excellent work about the Pacific theater entitled "Into the Rising Sun".
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Summary: Beyond Valor
Review: Beyond Valor is a book that gives you a look at war through the eye of not one man but gives you a look at war through the eyes of 50 men. World War 2 vets reveal the heart of combat from the landing on Italy to the sweet boat ride home. I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to read a book that will have you thinking what it was like to be fighting in a war. And shows you a real look at war and not that Hollywood bull look that movies give you. So if you what a book that is suspenseful and interesting look at war. Buy Beyond Valor by Patrick K. O'Donnell and see the realty of war. If you like this book check out Into The Rising Sun.
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Summary: The Horrors of War As Told by The Men Who Lived Through It
Review: Beyond Valor is a compelling account of WWII as seen through the eyes of the men who lived through it.The first hand accounts bring the horrible reality of war and what it must of been like for these men, down to a personal level.I felt like I was there.I read O'Donnells' second book, "Into The Rising Sun" first because of an uncle who was in the Pacific campaign, but I found this book so rivetting I bought "Beyond Valor" his first book. Both books are outstanding and a must read.
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Summary: Almost Beyond Belief!
Review: Beyond Valor is a compilation of interviews compiled into a sequential narration of the Allied elite forces (Airborne, Rangers, and SAS) and the experiences of their personnel told in vivid first person accounts. The stories are personal, emotional, painful and ultimately gruesome. These are descriptions of combat as can only be told by individuals who have been at the sharp end. Combat stories are told that occurred at distances of ranging from long range artillery to hand to hand knife fights. Several unifying themes occur in these stories, primarily tales of comrades, pain, suffering, fear, and loss. Most stories include mention of friends lost in the prime of their lives in the course of the great service these men provided to the world.
One very useful aspect of this book is the honest candor of the interviews. There are several accounts of prisoners being killed by American troops, especially in the moment immediately following combat or the loss of friends. Proof in my mind of the honesty of the accounts, it is hard to imagine any army that has ever existed where emotions didn't boil over and create this kind of murderous hatred. These accounts are particularly poignant and filled with regret and self incrimination, even when telling of deeds witnessed not performed. It is refreshing to see a book that documents the American perspective from a first person account of these kinds of unfortunate events, it is only propaganda to think that only Japanese and German troops shot prisoners. It is the unfortunate reality of troops in the intense stress and devalued existence that is front line combat.
This book highlights the uncertainties of life at the front and the odd twists of fate that can dictate survival. The luck of all those who speak from these pages is clear, nearly every account contains a near miss or a minor wound of some sort. Most accounts include the names of friends lost and of the intense pride these men felt to part of the Airborne, SAS or the Rangers. This text is an excellent compilation of first person accounts that tell the tale of the life of the enlisted trooper in these elite organizations.
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Summary: A Book You Can't Put Down
Review: Beyond Valor is a testament to the slowly-disappearing heroes that were part of that generation that helped make this country what it is today. The book compiles easy-to-read, first-person narratives as personally experienced by these heroes, describing in their own words the brotherhood they felt for one another ("You just can't let the guy that you are with down, that's all" -- Herman Stein, 2nd Ranger Batallion), the anguish on Omaha Beach ("They were floating all over the place, there was blood in the water -- it was just dark" -- Ray Alm, 2d Ranger Batallion), the frustation of seeing your men wiped out ("One of the [German] 88s saw them and blew them apart . . . they were literally blown all to pieces" -- Don Burgett, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division), the pride in accomplishing the mission ("They never hesitated for a minute. When they didn't have an officer, a noncom took over. Nobody ever stopped. They took the railroad and Nijmegen bridges." -- Chaplain Delbert Kuehl, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division), and the joy of being back home ("Oh, God, I can put my head down, the sheets in the bed, there's no bugs on them, there's no rain falling on you, your feet are warm, your hands are warm, you're gonna get a hot meal, there's nobody shooting at you . . . ." -- John Burke, 5th Ranger Battalion). I highly recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: A Must-Read Book
Review: Beyond Valor is a watershed in the reporting of World War II oral histories -- i.e., the actual participants of history describe the events they participated in in their own words, free from editorial embellishment and hindsight analysis. Mr. O'Donnell diligently interviewed hundreds of American paratrooper and Ranger veterans from the European Theater of Operations in World War II. What he has assembled in Beyond Valor is a collection of personal vignettes from young Americans that describe what hell was like during the bloodiest war ever. These men take us through training, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, Normandy and Southern France, Holland and Belgium, Germany, and going back home. Unlike other war books that use only selected quotes from veterans, embellish their words and otherwise bog you down with information and details that reveal nothing new, Mr. O'Donnell lets each veteran tell his full story. In some cases, veterans for the first time ever release emotions and bitter memories that have been bottled up inside their hearts and minds for 60 years. Many of the stories are powerful and moving, even emotionally overwhelming -- like the Rangers that describe the helpless feeling of seeing their buddies get cut down by machine gun fire right next to them as they rush up to attack a German bunker. In the vein of Stephen Ambrose, Patrick O'Donnell has put together an easy-to-read book with helpful maps that goes deep into the heart of combat as seen from America's living heroes. This book -- a tribute to the greatest generation -- is a definite keeper.
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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
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