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Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller
by
Burke Davis
Davis offers a no-holds-barred biography the only marine in history ever to win five Navy Crosses.
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
April 1st 1991
by Bantam
(first published 1962)
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Feb 24, 2008
Patrick
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all Marines
Recommended to Patrick by:
Captain Greg Quilty at Boston University
Shelves:
the-few-and-the-proud
I have read this numerous times...it was often great airport reading when flying back and forth to the States from Okinawa or while waiting for the plane to show up on the way to or from a deployment. I also read it twice in college and once during my time at Infantry School at Camp Geiger. It's a great book for a new enlisted Marine or officer.
This book is an exciting account of Chesty Puller's adventures as the most decorated Marine in history, but the book itself is not great history or biogr...more
This book is an exciting account of Chesty Puller's adventures as the most decorated Marine in history, but the book itself is not great history or biogr...more
What can you say about this artfully done biography of the most famous Marine to have walked the grinder? The author was masterful and the subject was beyond legend. At night in Marine Bootcamp after prayers we recited GOD Bless the Marines and then "GOD Bless Chesty Puller where ever you are".
Does that give you the scope of how that man was revered? General Lewis B.(Chesty)Puller is the most decorated Marine in History. His career spans from the Banana Wars before WWI to Korea and was rejected...more
Does that give you the scope of how that man was revered? General Lewis B.(Chesty)Puller is the most decorated Marine in History. His career spans from the Banana Wars before WWI to Korea and was rejected...more
This is one of those books you read for truly no reason at all. I picked up a copy while hitching around Minneapolis back in May, and just finished it tonight. It was there, I read it.
I started the book in the hope that Chesty Puller would be as interesting as Smedley Butler. Too much to ask. Instead of a pioneering metageneral with a taste for social reform, I found a marine who was exceptionally good at killing things without dying. Mostly during WWII. Ho-hum. Honestly the last thing I need is...more
I started the book in the hope that Chesty Puller would be as interesting as Smedley Butler. Too much to ask. Instead of a pioneering metageneral with a taste for social reform, I found a marine who was exceptionally good at killing things without dying. Mostly during WWII. Ho-hum. Honestly the last thing I need is...more
I have bought several copies of this book. I keep one for myself, and try to have one around to pass on to people who haven't read it. Sometimes it comes back, sometimes it doesn't. This is the biography of one of the greatest Marines to ever live. He lead a life that spanned several wars, and no one could ever come close to accomplishing what he did in a single lifetime. This should be required reading for every 9th or tenth grader. It will help them to learn the meaning of courage and honor, a...more
Great biographical book about the greatest United States Marine ever. Insights into the details of Marine battles from Nicaragua to Guadalcanal to Ichon.
Nothing fancy about Chesty. He understood war. Kill or be killed. Yet, his devotion to his men, to his wife and family, to his country, to his unit and the Corps hints of a deeper understanding that many spend a lifetime searching for.
Both inspiring and humbling. I wonder if there are any out there like him now.
Nothing fancy about Chesty. He understood war. Kill or be killed. Yet, his devotion to his men, to his wife and family, to his country, to his unit and the Corps hints of a deeper understanding that many spend a lifetime searching for.
Both inspiring and humbling. I wonder if there are any out there like him now.
Feb 21, 2008
James
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in Marine Corps history
A definitive study of the life of perhaps the greatest icon in Marine Corps history, General Lewis "Chesty" Puller. This man's memory and actions are so revered that DIs at Marine boot camp often still have their recruits sing out, "Good night, Chesty, wherever you are!" just before they go to sleep. Puller was a ferocious warrior who even looked kind of like the bulldog that is the mascot of the Corps, but was just as fierce in his love of his Marines. A seeming natural as a warrior, when Pulle...more
First book I ever read on Puller. The Marine's Marine. It is still argued over whether some of his most famous sayings are apocryphal or vintage Puller. One legend is that upon being informed that his regiment was surrounded at the Chosin Reservoir Puller pulled his pipe from his mouth and barked, "Those stupid bastards now we have them right where we want them. We can shoot in any direction."
While many of Chesty Puller's ideas are badly dated, the overall theme of his life is timeless. This book is required reading for Marine Corps recruits, and with good reason. It contains many memorable descriptions of people, places, actions, and adventures. More than that, though, it outlines a way of life that rewards careful study.
Its hard to imageine meeting someone like Chesty Puller. Patriotic, brave, and bold; its hard to find all of those qualities in people today. If you ever hear someone ask how America survived the first half of the twenteith century, recommend this book to them.
well written historical fiction. this one does tend to put chesty on a pedestal but if half of the stories are true he deserves it. if you like military stories and biographies of war veterens then you really need to read this one.
Very interesting and entertaining. Good portrait of one of America's greatest soldiers, covering quite the historical scope from life in turn-of-the-century Virginia on through the Banana Wars through WWII and Korea.
Every Marine should read this. Loved it, and found all the interesting stories about what made Chesty such a great leader fascinating.
The most famous Marine known today. From his days fighting in Nicaragua,Haiti and the infamous Chosin Reservoir in Korea.
An inspirational biography for those who've served in our military services, and especially for my brother and sister Marines.
You might have to be a Marine to really understand how truely awesome this guy was.
Biography of one of the most decorated Marines in the history of the Corps.
This is always a good read, I have read it more than once.
My all-time hero, Lewis B. Puller, a.k.a. Chesty!
Thank god he was on our side.
The US Marines are mythical warriors just as the Knights Templar, or the Hashishim, or the Samurai.
Among the Marines, no warrior is more revered than Chesty Puller, who rose from an enlisted man to lieutenant general; the trail is in this book, and it is one of the most interesting soldier biographies available.
His integrity, honesty, no-bull**** ways and his devotion to the Corps is all here, so if you want to read just one book that covers the Marines from the standpoint of one man, this is i...more
Among the Marines, no warrior is more revered than Chesty Puller, who rose from an enlisted man to lieutenant general; the trail is in this book, and it is one of the most interesting soldier biographies available.
His integrity, honesty, no-bull**** ways and his devotion to the Corps is all here, so if you want to read just one book that covers the Marines from the standpoint of one man, this is i...more
Outstanding, a must read.
I really admire Chesty Puller. I like how he balanced being a tough warrior with a family man. I was impressed by all the battles he fought, and how his men respected him. I was also impressed by how no matter where he went, he always made sure his wife got sent a bouquet of flowers each month.
General Puller was considered the Marine version of the John Wayne personna having fought in Central America, World War II, and Korea. He was a cousin of George S. Patton. Puller was a fighter not a politician and led by example.
This book is an excellent source of information on the Inchon Landing during the Korean War. See chapter titled War On A Shoestring.
Holy cow, this guy has been there and done that. You never hear about Chesty in most history books but of all the heroic soldiers I've read about he is numero UNO!!!
What can I say about General Puller other than if half the stories are true, he's still one hell of a marine.
Read this 40 years ago. still an excellent bio
A very very good read!
Good night Chesty ... where ever you are.
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