The Old Breed's Mark On History

With The Old Breed

E.B. Sledge 

Presidio Press

“War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waster. Combat leaves an inedible mark on those who are forced to endure it. The only redeeming factors were my comrades’ incredible bravery and their devotion to each other. Marine Corps training taught us loyalty to each other-and love. That esprit de corps sustained us”  E.B. Sledge

With The Old Breed, the book that inspired the HBO miniseries The Pacific, is a detailed account of the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa. Sledge does a fantastic job of putting you in his shoes.

For those who never experienced combat, you get a detailed account of our island hopping campaign in World War II. You get the full effect of life in the Pacific.

When Sledge drinks contaminated water on the island of Peleliu you taste what he tastes and you can see the contamination that he sees.  You sweat with Sledge as he fights the Japanese on coral rocks or in the mud and you will feel what it is like to endure wartime conditions.

In this book you will see the struggles of his fellow Marines, and how overzealous officers are humbled by the trial of combat as bullets zip overhead.  This book also highlights the ferociousness of the Japanese and the horrors of war.

Sledge’s account of the battles provides a deeper understanding of the issues Veterans face today. Which reinforces Sledge’s quote, “combat leaves inedible mark on those who are forced to endure it.”