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Summary: Beyond Valor captures WWII like never before
Review: Pat O'Donnell's unique way of capturing the heartfelt and poignant views of the Rangers and Airborne of WWII makes for an unbelievable book. These vets put their battle-line experiences in their own words and after keeping them perhaps bottled up inside for 50+ years they come out in such a passionate and unforgettable way. Mr. O'Donnell strings their stories together in a manner that only punctuates events which if not told by the soldiers who actually experienced them, the reader would not believe actually occurred. The stories of how the young men faced death and overcame it will forever change my outlook on the war. This book provides an amazing historical context to the war and reveals events that likely would not have been told if left up to interpretation by those not actually at the Battle of the Bulge, Salerno, Southern France or at the liberation of the camps. What is so unique about this book is that it is not a second hand account as told to an author but the actual words of the soldiers. Mr. O'Donnell's use of "e-histories" is to be commended. This book is as important to documenting the history of World War II as any I've read. The terror and triumph these men experienced played on my emotions as I read chapter after chapter of this book. Mr. O'Donnell serves as the curator of amazing works of history in his web site TheDropZone.org and I am forever grateful that he decided to share some of his masterpieces with the world.
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Summary: Anzio, Normany, Holland and The Bulge
Review: Patrick O'Donnell has provided WWII enthusiasts with an enticing look at the combat experiences of Allied and Axis soldiers in North Africa, Italy and Western Europe -- and all in their own words. As a compliment to his website, www.thedropzone.org., this book presents a selection of oral histories, taken largely from veterans of US airborne and ranger units, that is designed to shatter myths about the honor and glory of American involvement in the liberation of Western Europe. O'Donnell spares no punches. Highly recommended for those who would like a glimpse of the desperate fighting at Anzio, Normandy, Holland and the Bulge.
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Summary: A Book to be Read and Re-read
Review: Patrick O'Donnell has put together an incredible book. His dexterous interweaving of oral history with the technical and organizational aspects of various military campaigns is a testament to his ardent determination to understand the experience of the American World War II veteran, and bring it to the reader. O'Donnell has really done his homework, and it shows in his powerful, honest writing. Everyone should read, and re-read this book. It will stand the test of time.
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Summary: Commendable Oral History
Review: Patrick O'Donnell's BEYOND VALOR is an oral history of airborne and ranger veterans speaking of their personal experiences and detailing these remarkable accounts in the words of the vets themselves. This was no simple task. The author has completed a commendable job in preparing and bringing together narratives from members who were in other units, battles, campaigns, and even different theaters of operations. And -- for those who are critical of these narratives as "disconnected" I personally cannot see how the individual narratives can be improved upon given the many different subjects and subject matter. Notwithstanding this particular disadvantage O'Donnell has pieced together a rather flowing, informative narrative -- ideal for easy reading. And -- for those critical of O'Donnell's "shallow" accounts -- it must be remembered many veterans will not speak of their personal accounts -- despite intense prodding by the author. Questioning veterans about their combat experiences is an intrution into the subjects' personal life and as such most veterans are unwilling to discuss (in detail) the taking of ones life or the death of a buddy. (Because of the intimate nature of this style or type of oral history a good comparison of the required questioning is to ask the subject, "I want you to tell me -- in minute detail -- the specifics of your honeymoon.") With BEYOND VALOR I believe O'Donnell has maintained this delicate balance which results in a moving narrative. Moreover, it is an absolute the author must go with "the material." And I believe O'Donnell has accomplished much in this regard. And -- for those critical of the oral history accounts as not being actual oral history written verbatim . . . The spoken and written language are two separate idioms. If O'Donnell were to record each veteran's account in his specific tongue -- verbatim -- the reader reading this form of narrative will have a tremendous problem with narrative flow. This is because most of the spoken word, when written verbatim, (with a few exceptions), appears as gibberish. Transmitting spoken speech to written word is NOT easy when rewriting spoken narratives to written narratives for an oral history. Indeed, when the author is successful the reader is not aware of it. I call this subtlety "slight of hand." And not many writers are capable of doing so successfully. Patrick O'Donnell has succeeded with BEYOND VALOR. Patrick O'Donnell has performed a tremendous job with a truly tremendous task. He is to be complimented. Joseph A. Springer, author
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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: Okay reading but with "shallow" accounts
Review: Patrick O'Donnell's Beyond Valor is WWII oral histories of ranger, special forces and airborne vets. This book is an okay read, but there is something missing, and I may not even be able to put my finger on it. This book is surprisingly dull reading considering the subject matter and the possibilities. I found myself "struggling" though it. Much of the narrative reads like written emails and letters usually read: (respectfully) unemotional, shallow, short to be sure, and, because of it the material is very disconnected when connected with other narratives. For the historians who are really serious about airborne, commando, or Special Forces I am COMPELLED to mention the new book "The Black Devil Brigade". I picked mine up from the military book club and i think it is the new standard in WWII oral history. It will make you laugh and cry, something that Beyond Valor failed to do.
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Summary: Pleasureable, not one of the best.
Review: The accounts written in Beyond Valor are stunning at times and mediocre at others. It does not appear Mr. O'Donnell was able to garnish the actions, words and behaviors he was after, yet left the stories in regardless. I finised the book in short time, but felt most of the subjects were only interviewed on the surface. I anticiapted detail and depth that was not present in this book. It is interesting reading but requires other rescources to fill in the blanks.
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Summary: Commendable & Very Moving
Review: The author has gone way beyond what other WWII books have portrayed. Mr. O'Donnell has presented the REAL SIDE of war through the oral histories of men, who had in many stories, for the first time related the locked up memories for these 60 years. The depth and cold hearted truth of war in their stories is very moving. I commend the style of Mr. O'Donnell's writing and the extent he took his explanation of units, troop movement and maps to better help the movice understand. There is much to digest in a very informative manner..not easily forgotten. I was left with much emotion and a deep appreciation to the men in this book and the many others who gave so much of themselves to our country. Beyond Valor should become manadatory reading in high school history classes. War is not pretty and this book, surely, details that clearly. Also, found the audio cassette very good.
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Summary: Great Read!
Review: The book is outstanding! The summaries provide the perfect balance to the gripping oral history accounts of the heroes of WWII. The horror these men went through comes to life in the gripping accounts in Beyond Valor. You really appreciate the sacrifices these men made at such a young age for the freedoms we enjoy today. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Where's the Beef?
Review: The folks who gave this book 5 stars must be friends of the publisher of author. The author provides the historical background for each operation (for example TORCH in North Africa or The Battle of the Bulge). Then each soldier's individual experience are detailed. But something is lost in the translation. The individual experiences must have been very exciting, harrowing events, but they sure don't come across that way. I recommend "Seven Roads to Hell" for exciting, engaging reading.
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