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Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional book about heros
Review: I can't think of much more to add to the other reviewers, other than to say that in my opinion, Baggy Pants WAS what Private Ryan ATTEMPTED to be. The guys in Baggy Pants talk and think like my grandfather, who swam through a flaming oil slick to save others when he was torpedoed. The guys in Private Ryan sound like the stereotypical younger brothers who try like hell to be cool but just can't sound convincing because they're soft sissy suburbanites who think a day without cable TV and hair gel is "roughing it".
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Summary: Airborne all the way!
Review: I have read upwards of twenty book about W W I I. This ranks at the top of all lists. I read it at age 17 and was overwhelmed. I read it at age 62 and was overwhelmed.
This is a first hand account of a paratroop division that fought the Nazis for two years, sometimes going for several weeks under fire without beds, warm food, clean clothes or water to bathe in. The hardships are stated simply and frankly without embellishment and they are chilling. The sudden death, the casual and astonishing acts of bravery and the mass murder of war are all presented the same way. And yet there is literature.
The author never speaks of his own conduct in war, he only observes. Fewer than half a dozen men he started out with came back alive. He died of cancer shortly after finishing this book. One of the survivors of his unit visited his grave with the author's brother and said, "The bravest man I ever knew is buried on that hill."
This is as close as you can come to understanding war without being there. The feats of the common men that Ross Carter served with are feats one would only expect of a superman. They laughed about it, lived with it and died with it. The book compares with "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque, with "To Hell and Back", by Murphy and with "Her Privates, We", by Manning.
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Summary: Most engrossing combat book I've ever read,
Review: I may be the only reviewer who read the original paperback (in the early 50s - I remember a postscript referred to Ross Carter's death from cancer - I recall it was a melanoma on his back, for war author trivia buffs - and he's buried on a hillside in rural Virginia, I think). To this day I remember how devastated I was to read this vivid, image-rich book and then learn at the end that its author died so young, but so ironically peacefully (I hope it was peaceful...he earned it). His frank, honest,human account of what he and his fellow soldiers experienced has stayed w/me for more than 40 yrs. It's an incredible book and I for one am very thankful the rough edges of Carter's literary artistry were not smoothed, that his story, apparently, was published so soon after it happened that no "smoothing" editor had time to polish it. Folks, I read this book four decades ago and HIGHLY recommend it. Wish my Mom hadn't tossed that paperback.
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Summary: The Real Band of Brothers
Review: I was just goofing around tonite on my computer and was thinking of my dad, (Thomas Leccese) who passed away 3-18-80 at the age of 62. I punched in author William Breuer who contacted me several years ago in search of my dad. Mr.Breuer was writing several war books and was conversing with Ret.General William Gavin of the 82nd Airborne (504th) who gave Mr. Breuer my dad's name. It was and still is quite amazing to me that General Gavin remembered my dad after 50 years and thousands of paratroopers he met. I suppose he remembered my dad's name because of the odd circumstances. My dad was guarding the General and took a bullet in the arm which was meant for General Gavin, the bullet was made of wood which apparently made it memorable for the General. When my brothers and I were young we use to play with the hole in dad's arm which was situated between all the tatoos which listed all dad's battle jumps (he jumped in all the major battles). It was pretty cool. The only other thing that was more cool was watching dad's legs jump while he was sleeping but this event only happened when the weather was damp. Mom informed us that dad got shot too many times in the legs during the war. I believe he had a purple heart with three clusters as well as silver star, bronze star and was actually up for the distinguished service star but his 11 court marshalls took care of that. The story was that dad did not like to salute officers and just liked to punch people who [ticked] him off.
But anyways, I saw "The devils in Baggy Pants" come on the screen by Ross S>.Carter which I have in paperback (it was my dads copyright 1951)Actually I opened up the book and found some photos of my dad getting on a plane ready for battle as well as dad at the hospital with his left arm bandaged (yep, wooden bullet wound). I am very exited to see the book is out in hard cover and I will go get one tomorrow.
Dad is in the book in chapter 37." Six Men On a Suicide Stand" page 152, briefly.
I remember dad telling me the book was surprisingly very accurate and the names were correct but the author had some of the men mixed-up with the tasks but did a great job with the facts.
Other books dad was in were; "They jumped at Midnight" and "Drop Zone Sicily" both by William Breuer a couple neat stories about dad.
I recall William Breuer asking me to let him borrow my dad's war photos (which I have a few of) but my mom would not hear of it. Mr. Breuer stated he would hand carry them and bring them back but mom did not know what to do so it did not happen. I feel badly now we did not let Mr. Breuer take the photos, I am certain they would have been returned in perfect condition. Well maybe someone will be looking for the photos the next book. I do have one great photo with dad and two more paratroopers standing in front of a plane in full gear. It appears they are getting ready to board the plane. Dad told me they did not get on the plane in the photo due to it was full. The plane was shot down shortly after and all paratroopers died. Dad and his buddies got on the next plane.
I do not want to get carried away about dad. I only know what I have read in some of the war books and I did read dad's diary when he was in the 82nd as well as some of the stories told by dad's brothers. Dad was a very quiet man and would talk about the war if someone asked him but rarely brought it up on his own. My cousin did write a book and interviewed dad in detail of his war experiences but I never saw the book if it was published.
I always thought the book was "5 STAR" but I'm prejudice.
It is nice to see some other people feel the same.
One quick story.. My good friend Ralph who was a green beret in Vietnam came home after several tours and a few body parts missing came to my house and kissed my dad and stated he idolized 82nd Airborne 504th (WWII).Ralph stated in his opinion they were the best...
I respect all the men who fought in all the battles equally. My family fought in the army, navy, and marines.
So, according to dad the book is right on the money... John Leccese
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Summary: World War II history of an 82nd Airborne Div. Paratrooper
Review: In two years of researching my father's involvement in theSecond World War, I found Carter's personal history to be by far the most honest account of combat I've ever read. In telling the story of himself and the men in his platoon, the author provides the reader with an up close and personal look at the comraderie, the terror, and the horrors of war. From North Africa, to Sicily, Italy, France, and Belgium, where he is severely wounded at The Battle of the Bulge, Carter tells a deeply moving story of a small group of brave, honorable men of the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment. Casting his fellow soldiers as simply young men doing their jobs, the author's account will bring to frequent tears any reader with a sense of duty, honor, and country.
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Summary: My Grandfather is in this book
Review: My Grandfather, Charlie Loyd Shipp, was named "Sheraton" in this fantastic book. A major mistake was made in the book on page 186. "Sheraton" did not die until October 24, 2004 of old age, after battling Alhezimer's, a battle this old solider could not win.The survivors from his regiment thought him dead until they some how learned he'd survived about 25 years ago. I had never read the book until now and now see Papaw as a warrior and not just my gentle grandpa. He married my Grandmother, Letha Shipp who still lives, in 1947, had two sons and two grandchildren. He became a successful automotive dealer in Texarkana, Texas and heck of a good grandfather. We'll miss you papaw!
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Summary: A Must Read
Review: This book holds the keys to helping civilians understand what some of the American Paratroopers experienced in our Second World War. The book naturally possesses suspense and heart-pounding drama. Reading only a few chapters each night, I found myself lying in bed wondering if the "boys" were going to make it through the next encounter with the enemy. I laughed out-loud at the funny stories that bonded these young men together. I cried when tradigy struck. I learned from this group of tough young men. Experience this book ... and you'll take it with you for the rest of your life.
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Summary: Needs to be a movie!
Review: When you hear the name Shakspeare you think "o that guy that wrote Romeo and Juliet,Hamlet,A Midsummer Night's Dream ect...yah those are great books because they are really old and they are really writing well with good discription and so on...When you hear the name Ross S. Carter you think "Who and what?" Not many people know of him or his great book "Those Divils in Baggy Pants" This Book really tells war how it is! and is told through the eyes of a company of airborne troops durring WWII. From North Africa to Hitlers Backyard this book really has it all! It also includes my uncle Dan Serilla is in the book because he was in the company of soldiers. His name in the book is "Sokal"
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Summary: AT THE TOP OF THE LIST!!!
Review: WHY WAS THIS BOOK NEVER MADE INTO A MOVIE??
It would have been much more engrossing than "Band of Brothers". It is at, or near, the top of all the WWII books ever written. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I read it when I was about 17 years old. I have never forgotten it, and many things have brought it back into memory over the many years since mid 1959 when I read it. Only "From Here to Eternity"and "Battle Cry" were as engrossing, BUT this one is TRUE. READ IT.
Rating:
Summary: AT THE TOP OF THE LIST!!!
Review: WHY WAS THIS BOOK NEVER MADE INTO A MOVIE??
It would have been much more engrossing than "Band of Brothers". It is at, or near, the top of all the WWII books ever written. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I read it when I was about 17 years old. I have never forgotten it, and many things have brought it back into memory over the many years since mid 1959 when I read it. Only "From Here to Eternity"and "Battle Cry" were as engrossing, BUT this one is TRUE. READ IT.
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