| Top Destinations |
|
•
|
Big Island, Hawaii
|
|
•
|
Fraser Island, Australia
|
|
•
|
Sicily, Italy
|
|
•
|
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
|
|
•
|
Iceland, Europe
|
|
•
|
Santorini, Greece
|
|
•
|
Malta Island, Malta
|
|
•
|
Phuket, Thailand
|
|
•
|
Maldives, Indian Ocean
|
|
•
|
Bermuda, The Caribbean
|
|
|
|
|
Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific |  | Author: Robert Leckie
Publisher: Bantam
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
Buy Used: $4.29
as of 9/9/2010 09:11 PDT details
You Save: $11.71 (73%)
Seller: big_river_books
Rating:  70 reviews
Sales Rank: 1637
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st pr of this
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0553593315
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.545973092
EAN: 9780553593310
ASIN: 0553593315
Publication Date: February 2, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | ISBN13: 9780553593310 | | • | Condition: New | | • | Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed |
|
| Also Available In:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Here is one of the most riveting first-person accounts ever to come out of World War II. Robert Leckie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1942, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In Helmet for My Pillow we follow his odyssey, from basic training on Parris Island, South Carolina, all the way to the raging battles in the Pacific, where some of the war’s fiercest fighting took place. Recounting his service with the 1st Marine Division and the brutal action on Guadalcanal, New Britain, and Peleliu, Leckie spares no detail of the horrors and sacrifices of war, painting an unvarnished portrait of how real warriors are made, fight, and often die in the defense of their country.
From the live-for-today rowdiness of marines on leave to the terrors of jungle warfare against an enemy determined to fight to the last man, Leckie describes what war is really like when victory can only be measured inch by bloody inch. Woven throughout are Leckie’s hard-won, eloquent, and thoroughly unsentimental meditations on the meaning of war and why we fight. Unparalleled in its immediacy and accuracy, Helmet for My Pillow will leave no reader untouched. This is a book that brings you as close to the mud, the blood, and the experience of war as it is safe to come.
Now producers Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman, the men behind Band of Brothers, have adapted material from Helmet for My Pillow for HBO’s epic miniseries The Pacific, which will thrill and edify a whole new generation.
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
Helmet for his pillow when he's not playing Brig Rat August 31, 2010
Philly Town (Iraq, U.S. Army)
An Outstanding Marine in combat and a jail bird back in the rear. Good book I must say. I like how he explains how bad some people are at leadership. I love how he gives his own perspective as a grunt in the infantry. Its the real deal experience and not some historians or actors (who has never served) opinion full of heart warming BS. He isnt above himself when he tells of his days in the brig. The book goes from home to boot camp, the jungle, to australia,(most of his time it seems was spent in jail) and than back to the jungle to kill Japs and stay alive. Not full of exciting Hollywood style combat stories, but a good honest personal tale of life in the Marines during world war two. The guy seemed to be somewhat of a trouble maker back than, but Im sure he laughs about it these days. After all he survived hell in the jungle so he has every right to hold his head a little high even though he spent a lot of time in the brig.
 author seems too self serving August 29, 2010
porkrind276
Read like a poetry contest. Author seemed to be trying to write like robert frost or something. Appreciate your service. Didn't care for the writing style though.
 Leckie Describes the Marines in the Pacific August 18, 2010
Jeffrey T. Munson (Dixon, IL)
With the success of HBO's series "The Pacific", many older books on the Pacific war are finding their way back into prominence. Along with E.B. Sledge's "With the Old Breed", Leckie's excellent personal narrative "Helmet for my Pillow" has gained renewed readership. Like Sledge, Leckie gives a first-hand account of the Marines' fight against the Japanese in World War II.
Told through Leckie's eyes, the reader gets a first-hand account of the bloody battles of Guadalcanal, New Britain, and Peleliu. Leckie's comrades were not referred to by name; instead, these brave men were simply known as Chuckler, Hoosier, Runner, Smoothface, Gentleman, Amish, Oakstump, Ivy-League, Texan, Chicken, and Loudmouth. These men, along with thousands of others, were the ones who fought the hated Japanese in the steaming jungles of the Pacific and ultimately defeated them. Leckie pulls no punches. Each battle is described in all its bloody detail. He also talks about how the Marines, half starved and nearly dead, would return to the rear areas for much-needed rest and recuperation, only to be sent back to the front lines a short time later. Many of these battles were fought for yard by yard, with the Marines doing days and weeks of hard fighting against an enemy determined to resist to the last man. But, the Marines did fight and, ultimately, win.
This book was a pleasure to read. I gained much knowledge from Leckie's story, and I was inspired by the heroism and valor displayed by the Marines. These were ordinary men from small towns who chose to fight rather than being drafted. They displayed tremendous courage against an often unseen enemy, trusting in their comrades to watch out for them; and they did. The bond shared between these men can hardly be described. Suffice it to say that these men would readily give up their lives for each other; and they did.
I give this book my highest recommendation. This book, along with Sledge's are perfect examples of first-person writing at its best. World War II readers won't want to miss "Helmet for my Pillow".
Great book about the Pacific War!!!! August 12, 2010
lukesmith
This book gives the reader a first hand account of how the war was fought in the Pacific. It details the struggles of the men who fought against the Japanese, the elements, and against theirselves.
Great Book August 11, 2010
Kaye Whatley (Spring Hill, FL United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read this book when I was in my 20's and thought it was great for the action and adventure aspects. I re-read it now that I am in my 60's. Again I thought it was great, but now, more for the humanity and feelings the author presents in his story. When I was younger, I tended to 'skip over' the poetry, but with this reading, I was more able to experience the feelings that Mr. Leckie was conveying.
I would recommend this book for an example of life experienced during the period of the World War II Pacific War.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. | | Luxury Vacation Info |
|
Are you ready for your next luxury vacation? Let Travelwizard experts
take care of all the details.
The best available price is our starting point. Then we add value through
complimentary excursions, amenities, or services.
TravelWizard.com can get you the room, or suite, condo or villa you want,
when others can't.
We have tons of money saving specials: free nights, free meals, room
upgrades, and wonderful inclusions such as free golf and spa visits.
Free car with a 7 night stay at 40 different hotels, or receive a
credit of $199 value, and apply it to another car category.
We work with every airline, so you can choose the airline you prefer.
You get frequent flyer miles on most of them.
We can get you discount first class, or
business class tickets.
You can book your activities ahead of time to
assure peace of mind.
How do we do it? Simple. We leverage our
tremendous buying power!
Email this page to a friend
Bookmark this page
|
|
|
|
|
