Rating: 
Summary: Good Material, Poor Presentation
Review: The stories were great, but the author did'nt provide enough background information to keep the reader abreast of the event. For example, no reason was given for a particular raid that wasted the lives of several men. What was the objective? Why the raid? This situation ocurred several times in the book. A bit dull.
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: THIS BOOK IS FILLED WITH SINGLE PAGE ACCOUNTS OF RANGER, AIRBORNE AND SPECIAL FORCE FIGHTING IN WORLD WAR II. THEY FALL WAY SHORT OF WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN. A B40 ROCKET FRAGMENT SAW TO IT THAT I SPEND THE REST OF MY DAYS IN A WHEELCHAIR AND BECAUSE OF IT I HAVE READ MY SHARE OF WORLD WAR II BOOKS AND BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY BEYOND VALOR IS AN OPEN HOLE. I SUGGEST THOSE THAT BELIEVE BEYOND VALOR A COMPELLING READ SPEND A DAY OR TWO IN A DAV, VFW OR A VETERANS HOSPITAL.THOSE INTERESTED IN WWII RANGERS I SUGGEST *RANGERS IN WWII* BY ROBERT BLACK. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ORAL HISTORIES I SUGGEST *DEATH MARCH* (BATAAN DEATH MARCH IN WWII) BY DONALD KNOX OR *THE KOREAN WAR* ALSO BY DONALD KNOX. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN NAM I SUGGEST THE COMPELLING STORY OF THE 26TH MARINES SEP 67 MAULING IN *AMBUSH VALLEY* BY ERIC HAMMEL.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best I've Seen
Review: This book is the best I've seen on the subject of Rangers and Special Forces-type units of WWII, and the best history of the war from the point of view of the average soldier. The individual stories of these soldiers surprised me with their frankness, making me realize how much we owed to the sacrifice of our men. Pat O'Donnell did a great job as well with his historic set-ups, and went beyond the usual overview of these battles. Definitely a "Must Have" for any serious military historian, or anyone just interested in the last "Good" war.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book is, simply put, the best WWII book ever. Pat is the most knowledgeable person I know regarding America's specialty units. A great book from cover to cover. This one belongs on everyone's bookshelf, as a poignant memory of America's young men and all that they sacrificed for the world.
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: Excellent Work...
Review: WOW! Excellent book. I loved the format, just different soldiers telling their stories and experiences all compiled into one book. Each individual story ranges from one to three pages long. The author does a great job of presenting the stories. A must read for any military professional or student of World War II. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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