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Title: The Last Ridge: The Epic Story of America's First Mountain Soldiers and the Assault on Hitler's Europe
ISBN: 0375759514
Author:
Mckay Jenkins
Publicate Date: 2004-11-09
Publish: 2004-11-09
List Price: $14.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $5.65
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.50
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.17
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Different views
It's ever interesting to see different views of some point of "fact" or history. We Brazilians for example, who had our soldiers fighting against the same enemy on the same region at the same time have a very diferent point of view about those facts. Yeah in deed ...A very curious, adaptable and malleable thing are the History...
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2: The Troops Went Over the Mountain
This is a winning piece of WWII history from McKay Jenkins, covering the unique and heroic 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. These guys were media darlings in their day, and the time is right for them to be remembered by history. Some WWII battles were taking place in snowy and mountainous areas in Europe. Allied soldiers, who had little mountain experience and no extreme-environment supplies, were being beaten badly by German soldiers who had centuries-old traditional knowledge of the terrain and conditions. A great network of outdoor sports volunteers and experienced recruits convinced the US Army of the need for a regiment of elite troops that would be victorious in the mountains if they received real skills in mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, and winter survival. Specialized training and equipment testing took place at a special base in the Colorado Rockies, and the 10th Mountain Division soldiers won decisive victories against Axis positions in the mountains of Italy, and were indispensable in contributing to the overall defeat of the Germans. Jenkins utilizes stirring eyewitness accounts from the soldiers themselves, with plenty of nail-biting battle scenes and insights into the extreme hardships faced by these elite troops in their unique circumstances, as well as all soldiers in general. Great war reporting from Jenkins fleshes out the heroic and historic deeds of the 10th Mountain boys. [~doomsdayer520~]
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3: Very good World II story
Very good story.
It seems as soon as one finishes a World War II book there is another great one out there. This is truly one of those.
Great story line and a lot of fun to read. The 10th mountain division is one that is not as well known to the general public but should be. Having lived in Europe myself and attended Prep school in the mountains, this story brought back a lot of great memories of the Alps.
These guys were truly great, and it is interesting to read about European ski stars, instructors, famous explorers, Prep School boys and IVY Leaguers wanting to join the US mountain division to fight the Nazis.
Even though they never really got to use their Skiing and climbing talents to fight the war, as the author states at the end of the book, they were nontheless great warriors.
Their entry in the war was a late one, but their service to the cause and their country was a noble one.
The Bob Dole segment is also very interesting and the author takes great care to make us understand what war was like during the Second World War. He also takes great care in telling us what warfare does to soldiers under constant bombardement.
Good read and a great compliment to other WWII stories.
This is a story about heroes.
Soldiers never die they just fade away (General McCarthur)
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4: A Learning Experience and An Excellent Read!
Thank you for giving me a book that was so enlightening, educational and still had a wonderful storyline.
In reading certain books you can sense when the author's heart and soul have been poured into the words, and this was my first impression of my read of this outstanding work.
It is strange that when you think you have heard just about every story told about WWII another seems to erupt, more interesting than the last. For years I listened as my father reenacted account after account of the great war, but I never heard of the "Mountain Soldiers," I stand amazed at men such as these. Through this authors words I tasted their courage, skill and became aware of the impact they had on the outcome of the time, certainly giving them a place in the achieve of our nation's history.
The Last Ridge is a true account of these fearless men, their part in the victory over the Nazi's and the challenges and sacrifices it took to achieve that.
Well researched this work gives the reader knowledge of a group of fearless men and the vision they had and accomplished. It is a story that deserves a place in our hearts and should be passed on for generations to come.
Highly recommended.
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