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74th out of 89 books
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Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II
As a newly commissioned Captain of a veteran Army regiment, MacDonald's first combat was war at its most hellish—the Battle of the Bulge. In this plain-spoken but eloquent narrative, we live each minute at MacDonald's side, sharing in all of combat's misery, terror, and drama. How this green commander gains his men's loyalty in the snows of war-torn Europe is one of the
...morePaperback, 288 pages
Published
November 25th 1999
by Burford Books
(first published 1947)
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This was written shortly after the end of the war. The author went on to become a military historian and his experiences as a company commander parallel those of Winters in Band of Brothers. This is not for the faint-hearted and the names have not been changed to protect the innocent - or the dead. His men are revealed with all their flaws. As the author says in his preface: "to make a story of a war authentic you must see war--not a hasty taste of war but the dread, gnawing diet of war, ...more
Another amazing account of a WWII soldier. As the title notes the book follows a "company commander" through his everday experiences. I go into any first-person account book with caution, because frankly, even toughened vets can embelish a bit. MacDonald comes off as so genuine however, with what seem to be gleeming, honest accounts of being a replacement officer amoungst experienced men. He's detailed with the what's and how's, from the direction they headed to the terain and equipmen...more
Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II by Charles B. MacDonald. I highly recommend Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II by Charles B. MacDonald. At just 21 years of age, Captain Charles B. MacDonald first commanded I Company, 3 Battalion 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division from October 1944 to January 1945 and later G Company, 2 Battalion 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division from March to May 1945. This memoir was written in 1947 when recollecti...more
I had to read this book for my university's American History class.
My advice? Do not read this book unless you are in the military, or are really, really interested in it.
This is in no way a "literary" kind of book. What I mean by that is this book reads more like a painfully detailed itinerary. MacDonald chronicles his every second of every day. In my opinion, he gave way too much information where it was unnecessary and not enough information where I wanted it. The...more
My advice? Do not read this book unless you are in the military, or are really, really interested in it.
This is in no way a "literary" kind of book. What I mean by that is this book reads more like a painfully detailed itinerary. MacDonald chronicles his every second of every day. In my opinion, he gave way too much information where it was unnecessary and not enough information where I wanted it. The...more
This book is not as exciting as a lot of naratives about the second world war. However, not all experiences from the Second World War are as "event packed" as those of Easy Company of the Band of Brothers fame. In fact this is much more reflective of actual events (in my layman's opinion).
This is a very good book to read for anyone interested in WWII.
This is a very good book to read for anyone interested in WWII.
I read this many years ago and it stayed with me for a long time. The book, written right after war in 1946, is a very honest account of MacDonald's experience as an infantry officer in Europe with the American army in World War II. Its all there...leading men into combat as a raw replacement, the fear and chaos of battle, and more.
Wonderfully written.
This the first person account by Charles MacDonald, a young captain who takes over an infantry company just before the Battle of the Bulge - NOV 1944.
As I read his account I pictured the HBO series Band of Brothers in my mind.
Very graphic, very real - MacDonald puts you in that frozen foxhole in Belgium.
This the first person account by Charles MacDonald, a young captain who takes over an infantry company just before the Battle of the Bulge - NOV 1944.
As I read his account I pictured the HBO series Band of Brothers in my mind.
Very graphic, very real - MacDonald puts you in that frozen foxhole in Belgium.
A unique look into the mind of a young officer thrown into life and death leadership decisions in WW2.
A good read.
This was written in 1946, when Mac's memories were fresh and his emotions still raw. I was amazed by the matter of fact way he writes. No embellishments of grandizing, just the simple facts. The picture he paints of the Battalion level officers is insightful also. Mac is not the fist vet who has written about how the senior brass ran when the bullets started flying and put each other in for medals they didn't deserve while those who did were passed over. Hell, any enlisted guy knew that anyway.
A plainspoken, powerful memoir by an exemplary leader who did a superb job of looking out for his people while carrying out their mission under some of the harshest and most dangerous conditions ever experienced. This author stands as a role model for any leader, and his account is filled with vivid information that brings that part of history to life.
This is one of the best personal memorial books I have ever read. You really get a sense of what it was like to be 21 and in charges of the well being and lives of men in combat. It is not about being smart or macho, it is about being prepared, careful and the stress of the situation.
My first time reading this book was in High School.
I read it again when I was stationed in Schweinfurt, FRG.
I read again here at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Great book at the level of a Infantry Company Commander during WWII.
I read it again when I was stationed in Schweinfurt, FRG.
I read again here at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Great book at the level of a Infantry Company Commander during WWII.
If you like reading World War 2 history, you have to read this book! One of my favorites.
Book was OK. Not as good as "With the Old Breed" which is a much better Military classic.
Great book which shows how well amazing leadership works in combat.
Alice
marked it as to-read
Nathanks
marked it as to-read
Tyler Barker
marked it as to-read
Ethan
marked it as to-read
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