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Vietnam was truly a helicopter war - this is an account of a highly decorated chopper pilot, Ron Alexander, and his experiences rescuing injured soldiers from the hostile battlefield in his Huey. I was not fond of the audiobook‘s narrator. It happens

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#ReadAway2024

I am starting Ike‘s war memoirs from 1946. I am into that era!

"This is a public relations problem not a military one," pronounced McNamara.

I need background info. For example the author writes about rickets, as a medical and dietary issue affecting German speaking troops. Then he goes on to scurvy. Did scurvy affect German militaries in the 1500‘s? Were there boats full of German soldiers so long they got scurvy? During a Crusade? In colonizing attempts? Don‘t make me guess! Don‘t make me research!!!!

Absolutely amazing. Follows the 2nd Ranger Battalion from formation, to D-Day, to Battle of the Bulge. A book dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Army Rangers that are normally forgotten in so many WW2 history books. Could not put this book down. A must read.

Great account of both sides approach during the last two years in the Pacific during WWII.

On to the NONFICTION winner of #ReadingBrackets2023! This quarter belonged entirely to Hampton Sides—he battled himself the whole way. December‘s pick about the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir was excellent. It moved on against “Ghost Soldiers” to face “Hellhound on His Trail.” For me, it was an easy pick: “Hellhound,” a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, sweeps the board and emerges as victor. In fact, it‘s my favorite book of the entire year!

It was great. Bolger doesn't mince words with who he likes and doesn't in terms of American leadership but he alsodoes a great job of showing just what these men went through. Really enjoyed the book.

@MaleficentBookDragon the #JolabokaflodSwap23 is on the way

Three books in a row by Hampton Sides — three home runs. This book is about the siege at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, when the First Marine Division was trapped, outnumbered and surrounded by 300,000 Red Chinese soldiers. How the Marines held on and fought their way out is considered one of the most heroic operations in American military history. It‘s a story of what humans are capable of in extreme circumstances. Highly recommend.