We see that javascript is disabled or not supported by your browser - javascript is needed for important actions on the site. Read more

What's New - Home - Login

Member $avings: $81,574,318.16 | Books Available: 794,888 | Members Online: 230

Swap Used Books - Buy New Books at Great Prices!

How To Swap Books Sign Up Search submenu

PBS Market (New Books)

Gift Buying Guide

Book Browser Advanced Search Books Posted Today Member Book Reviews Award Winning Books NYT Best Sellers Amazon Best Sellers Most Traveled Copies Club Wish List

Discussion Forums Book Lists

Club Lists My Book Lists My Watched Lists Create a List

Blog Donations

School Donation Program In Memory of... Military Donation Program Friends of PBS

Box-O-Books Maps The Eclectic Pen Fun Stuff

20 Questions Sudoku Bookmark Creator

Top 100

Requests Posts Swappers Referrers Reviewers

Pulse of PBS Spread The Word

Invite Friends Bookmarks Facebook Page Facebook App More Ways...

Photo Gallery Recipes Club Tag Cloud Member Testimonials

Help Center submenu

How To Swap Books Browse Help Docs Ask the Librarian PBS Member Icons Live Help

Kiosk

PBS Market (New Books) Go Shopping Buy Credits Buy PBS Money Upgrade Membership Gift Certificates Transfer Credits

Need Help?

Search - Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat
Author: Patrick K. O'Donnell

Previous books have promised to describe the combat experience of the World War II GI, but there has never been a book like Patrick O'Donnell's Beyond Valor. Here is the first combat history of the war in Europe in the words of the men themselves, and perhaps the most honest and brutal account of combat possible on the printed page. For m... more »ore than fifty years the individual stories that make up this narrative -- shockingly frank reflections of sacrifice and courage -- have been bottled up, buried, or circulated privately. Now, nearing the ends of their lives, our WWII soldiers have at last unburdened themselves. Beyond Valor recaptures their hidden history. A pioneering oral historian, Patrick O'Donnell used his award-winning website, The Drop Zone, to solicit oral- and "e-histories" from individual soldiers. Gradually, working from within the community, O'Donnell convinced some of the war's most battle-hardened soldiers to tell their stories. The result is WWII seen through the eyes of the men who saw the most intense of its action. O'Donnell focuses on the elite units of the war -- the Rangers, Airborne, and 1st Special Service Force -- troops that spearheaded the most dangerous operations and often made the difference between victory and defeat. From more than 650 interviews O'Donnell has chosen oral- and e-histories that form a seamless story line, a pointillistic history of the war in Europe from the first parachute drops in North Africa through the final battles in Germany and the long trip home. It is the story of the war not discussed in polite company. O'Donnell presents the wreckage of entire battalions nearly annihilated, invisible personal scars, and haunting revelations of wartime atrocities. But more important are the men who recount lives risked without hesitation for comrades and cause, and those who did not return: the friends who died in their arms. Their stories remind all of us that victory came only at the highest price. Remembering the infamous cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoc, bloody Omaha Beach, the bitter fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, and Hill 400 in the Hürtgen Forest, the soldiers reveal war as seen, heard, and smelled by the GIs on the front line. Also included is the unique story of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, and the trailblazing African-American "Experimental" Test Platoon that had to fight its own battle behind the lines. Beyond Valor captures the truths that exist among soldiers. It is one of the most inspiring accounts of the war ever produced.

ISBN-13: 9780684873848
ISBN-10: 0684873842
Publication Date: 2/15/2001
Pages: 384
Rating:

Currently 4/5 Stars.

4 stars, based on 3 ratings

Publisher: Free Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Read All 1 Book Reviews of "Beyond Valor World War IIs Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

PATRICIA F. reviewed Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat on 2/17/2007 + 66 more book reviews

An extraordinary book. Unselfish actions of men who have fought for this counrty

Share/Like this Review?

Read All Book Reviews of "Beyond Valor World War IIs Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat"

Genres:

Biographies & Memoirs >> Leaders & Notable People >> Military >> General
Biographies & Memoirs >> Professionals & Academics >> Military & Spies
History >> Military >> General
History >> Military >> World War II >> General
History >> Military >> World War II >> Personal Narratives
History >> Military >> World War II >> Western Front

Back to the Top ↑

Search - Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

Loading...