With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, by E.B. Sledge

U.S. Marine Eugene Sledge is launched into the chaos of World War Two, testing his strength, his wits, and his morals against the Imperial Japanese Army. Along with his fellow warriors, Sledge must comprehend the morality of the gruesome enemy, while often questioning his own. In a novel that tells of the troubles of a common World War Two Marine comes the deepest sentiment that has never before been told. Surpassing the romanticized story of combat, with glory and honor held higher than true, "With the Old Breed" is sure to shoot and hit past expectations. Beautifully written and extravagantly composed, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, by E.B. Sledge, is the epitome of what war-fighting brings to a man. Author E.B. Sledge brings his experiences from the scorching hot rocks of Peleliu and the miserably damp terrain of Okinawa to put together a true story of camaraderie, courage, and capability. Not the common war story, the novel encompasses all that is hell, heaven, and everything in between. It is the definition of a genuine story of war. The book is recommended for mature readers in high school and above, as Sledge becomes very descriptive of the gore and brutality that surrounded him in the Pacific theater of war. Vocabulary is of collegiate level, and the story-telling is of beyond. Reviewed by Eric, Grade 12 Glendale Central Library