With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

Written by:
E.B. Sledge
Narrated by:
George Wilson

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
201
Narrator
59
Release Date
April 23, 2010
Duration
14 hours 35 minutes
Summary
This modern classic of military history has been called 'one of the most important personal accounts of war that I have ever read' by distinguished historian John Keegan. Author E.B. Sledge served with the First Marine Division during WWII, and his first-hand narrative is unsurpassed in its sincerity. Sledge's experience shows in this fascinating account of two of the most harrowing and pivotal island battles of the Pacific theater. On Peleliu and Okinawa the action was extremely fierce. Amidst oppressive heat and over land obliterated by artillery shells, the combat raged ferociously. Casualties were extreme on both sides, and by the time the Americans had broken through at Okinawa, more than 62,000 Japanese soldiers were dead. Against military policy, Sledge scribbled notes and jammed them into his copy of the New Testament. Those notes form the backbone of what Navy Times said 'has been called the best World War II memoir of an enlisted man.' The rich tones of narrator George Wilson enhance the drama of this frank and astonishing chronicle.
Reviews
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Steve D.

This is one of the best if not the best book I have ever listened to! As a vet myself I can’t imagine being there and going through what those marines and the other men went through all great men I salute you all!

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Ray J.

Great listen

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Anonymous

One of the best audio books I have listened to. What these men went through for our freedom is unimaginable. They were truly the greatest generation. This book should be mandatory reading because it will help its readers to never take our freedom and flag for granted.

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John D.

Well read. Great story.

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Anonymous

It is good.

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Andrew Dorman

This was an incredible first hand account from an enlisted Marine that served in the Pacific Theater of WWII. E.B. Sledge recounts his experiences as only one who saw them could. The story is both horrible and incredible at the same time. I have been in the military for the last 16 years, and although I have been to Iraq and have been deployed many times, I have NEVER experienced the sort of things these men did. Intellectually, you understand how horrible the war against the Japanese was. However, after experiencing this account from a front line infantryman's perspective, you will come away with more insight into just how horrible of an experience it actually was. I learned a lot from this account and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who would like a better understanding of what those guys on the ground went through against the Empire of Japan's fanatical troops. Also, the narrator did an incredible job. Sometimes, I found myself forgetting I was listening to an audible story and found myself transported into my mind's eye, similar to when you are reading. 2 thumbs up!

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Harry P.

He told the story that so many others tried to forget...

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Anthony M.

I have read/listened to quite a few memoirs and books regarding war and all of the pain that comes with it. While there are many that are great, Eugene Sledge’s account is one that I believe everyone should listen to. You will not be disappointed with this read/listen and I do believe this is the single greatest account of the invasion of peleleiu and the personal journey one took to get through there. 12/10.

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Craig J.

Fantastic account from Peleliu and Okinawa from a marine that was there. Eugene Sledge had a rare perspective of war as he had immense empathy for those around him. He suffered from his own personal experiences and the pain of others.

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Tim K.

My Father was with the 6th Marine Division ion Okinawa. Incredible what theses kids want thru for their country. Miss you Dad

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Anonymous

This is a GREAT book, very interesting and at times you get glued. I listened to the book twice Jimmy Pawleys, S.C.

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Peter H.

Riveting and gives you an emotional peek into the heroism, bravery and suffering of WW2 marines

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Gwen S.

My dad was a corpsman assign to the Marines during World War II. Since he wouldn’t talk about the war much it gave me a little bit of an idea of what he went through in the Pacific theater. It was a well written and well narrated book and I enjoyed it immensely

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Chris A.

This is a must read for anyone who wants an honest account about the island battles in the Pacific.

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Anonymous

good book!

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Keith K.

Fantastic. You feel like you’re there. Makes you understand why they’re called the greatest generation!

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Philip H.

Great book. Realize what a horrible meat grinder the Pacific theater was in WWII. Thank you to all of the vets who served there. You have my grateful respect.

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Joe M.

Wow what a great book! A must read. An eye opener to what the vets of WW2 went through. We take so much for granted. After reading this you will thank vets for their service, and given us freedom.

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Kevin G.

Great book and story.

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James E.

Excellently written and narrated. A superb and authentic account of a grunt’s life during the Pacific campaign.

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Adi A

What a book! One of the finest book on ww2. I wish E.B Sledge was still alive. I would have like to meet him and say thank you for your sacrifice!

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jason s

I'm not done yet, but what a book! It's detailed and we'll narrated. An inside look at WWII in the pacific. These guys were literally tough as nails both mentally and physically. One of the best books I've ever listened to.

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Scott Anderson

Fantastic book that kept me wanting to dig deeper into the pacific war. Sledgehammer lived through a nightmare of battles that we can't even imagine. The reader did a fantastic job of painting a picture of the written word. This is a must for those interested in the Marines and their fighting in the pacific theatre in WWII. Well done!

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Jeffrey Clinton

My Dad, a Marine veteran, and I listened to this book together. It was time well spent. I feel a renewed sense of respect and gratitude for those who fought for our freedom. The narrative was compelling, and we were thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

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C T

A must listen to if nothing else than to respect those who faced imminent death and unspeakable horror that the common citizen would never imagine or even think about. Respect those who serve so we can live in peace.

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Annette Jalsevac

Fantastic, gut-wrenching account of one American man's war against the Japanese during WWII.

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