To Hell and Back by Audie Murphy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of To Hell and Back
Book Review: The horror of war, the heroism of soldiers
Summary: 5 Stars
"To Hell and Back," by Audie Murphy, is a gripping memoir of ground combat in Europe during World War II. The back cover notes that infantryman Murphy "was the most decorated American soldier during World War II"; among the many decorations he received was the Medal of Honor. The 2002 Owl Books edition features a brief foreword by Tom Brokaw, who declares, "In all of the research I've done on World War II combat veterans I cannot recall another story that involves so much up close and personal fighting."
The book's many vivid and detailed scenes of combat are impressive. Murphy offers lots of information about military gear and tactics: camouflage, the mechanics of a river crossing, the way a mortar shell explodes, how one calls in artillery support, etc. It's like a textbook of combat knowledge is blended into the text, making the book a compelling resource for military professionals. The battle scenes are not romanticized or glamorized; rather, they are presented in a matter-of-fact, disciplined style that I found powerfully effective.
Murphy details the many hardships and risks that WW2 infantry troops faced in the European campaign. These ranged from the annoying to the deadly: fleas, water deprivation, malaria, trenchfoot, frostbite, sniper fire, landmines, separation from family, and combat-induced mental disorder. Murphy is explicit in his portrayal of the horror of war. He shows bodies ravaged by injuries, lives snuffed out, minds broken. He does not spare the reader from "the smell of singed hair and burnt flesh." At times the book's grim tone and harsh representation of brutality has an almost antiwar flavor reminiscent of Dalton Trumbo's unforgettable novel "Johnny Got His Gun."
Murphy writes with respect and affection for the troops who shared the burden of war with him. The book is full of soldier conversations, including playful insults and humor. Murphy includes not only accounts of these troops in combat, but also anecdotes of soldiers during interludes of rest and play. Another interesting aspect of the book is how it shows Murphy moving up the ranks and functioning as a leader in combat. This is a powerful book that reads more like a novel than a memoir. It's a truly impressive example of World War II literature.
Book Review: The way it was!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
To Hell and Back is a GREAT book. It is well written and easy to read. The book is written at the lowest tactical level the squad and then the platoon. The book does not cover the campaigns the 3rd Infantry Division fought in, what you get is the ground level fight. The book covers how the dog faced Soldier lived and fought. The relationships the Soldiers developed are the same as those between Soldiers today. The fighting covers Murphy's outfit from Sicily, through Italy and into France. If you are interested in how the Infantryman slogged on day after day then I recommend this book. What I enjoyed most was the way the Soldiers bantered amongst themselves, I kept visualizing my Father, who was a WWII vet, doing the same thing. The book also confirmed to me that a Joe is a Joe regardless of what generation he belongs too. While today's American Soldier my use different tactical terms, and the profanity has definately evolved, he is still the same as our Fathers and Grand Fathers were.Book Review: To Hell and Back
Summary: 5 Stars
To Hell and Back
One of the great things about reading the Audie Murphy bio is that you hear his voice in your head. You see him on every page, if you have seen his movies and remember his Texas drawl.
What struck me as remarkable was how modest Murphy was in recalling his exploits. We are talking about the most decorated man of World War 2. His humility is probably the biggest drawback in the book. The first half of the book is really a tribute to the men that he served with in the war.
Murphy was orphaned as a child and the state broke up the remaining family. He finds a new family in the army. When you read the first chapters you see his status in the group escalate until he is basically in charge of everyone, but he never mentions how this happened. The infantry does not choose young, short, baby-faced men to lead them into battle: obviously his courage and leadership have propelled him into that role. Instead of telling us how this has happened he recalls his conversations and interactions with his friends. It is not until every single one of them is dead or wounded that he turns his attention to describing his own efforts to win the war. It is really incredible. From that point on the book is non-stop action and you cannot help but wonder how he survives. Did he have a death wish after losing his buddies? He admits to having incredible luck and wonders when it will run out, yet he continues to volunteer for missions out of boredom.
Audie Murphy is the ten on the scales for courage and character. Needless to say I loved the book.
Book Review: To Hell and Back
Summary: 5 Stars
I found the book to be a fascinating true account by Audie Murphy. It is a story that gives accurate details of what was happening but goes into indebt thought and feelings about his desire to survive. The closeness he and his buddies form during their time together and the feelings that they go through when one gets injuried or killed is spot on. Always knowing that they were fighting for not just personel survival but survival of the free world.Book Review: To Hell and Back
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very good book. The book is about the American hero Audie Murphy. It talks about World War 2 and how Audie fought for our country. I found this book interesting because I'm related to Audie Murphy and I like learning about the wars in the United States.