Walk in the Sun

Rating:
Summary: Very good World War II story
Review: A Walk in the Sun is a very well written story about a platoon of soldiers who must decide what to do after their commander is killed. None of them are sure about their objective except that they know it is something about a farmhouse six miles inland from where they landed. While this book does have action, it centers more on the soldiers and what they think and believe as well as the effect of battle on them. There is excellent dialogue between the soldiers throughout as they try to decide what to do. Plenty of great characters including Corporal Tyne, the man placed in command who is worried about the men, and Private Archimbeau, who thinks the war will never end and that they still be figthing the war in 1958 at the Battle of Tibet. For an excellent WWII story about the average, everyday soldier check out A Walk in the Sun.

Rating:
Summary: Very good World War II story
Review: A Walk in the Sun is a very well written story about a platoon of soldiers who must decide what to do after their commander is killed. None of them are sure about their objective except that they know it is something about a farmhouse six miles inland from where they landed. While this book does have action, it centers more on the soldiers and what they think and believe as well as the effect of battle on them. There is excellent dialogue between the soldiers throughout as they try to decide what to do. Plenty of great characters including Corporal Tyne, the man placed in command who is worried about the men, and Private Archimbeau, who thinks the war will never end and that they still be figthing the war in 1958 at the Battle of Tibet. For an excellent WWII story about the average, everyday soldier check out A Walk in the Sun.

Rating:
Summary: World War II combat novel. Good but not great
Review: Harry Brown worked for one of the Army publications during World War II. "A Walk In The Sun" was a very early novel to come out of the war. Set in Italy, it is the story of a small combat unit on a special mission. Owes a lot to "The Red Badge of Courage," but no where near as good. Brown went on to become a screenwriter in Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: A platoon on a questionable mission in WWII Italy
Review: I did not find the book as engaging as others like Home Before Morning, The Face of a Hero and certainly The Red Badge of Courage. I didn't end up caring desparately about the people. As an aside, the book paper and design are strictly mass-market paperback. Not much for $10.

Rating:
Summary: World War II combat novel. Good but not great
Review: This is one of, if not the best WWII book I have ever read. I loved the characterizations, the crisp dialog, and the gripping portrayal of the pschycological effects of combat. Having seen the movie a number of times made it easier to visualize the characters, but my wife loved this book too, and she hasn't seen the film and is not a fan of military novels.