It Could Be Worse

It seems when I'm deployed I do a lot more reading. I enjoying reading, and I'm not sure why I don't do it as much stateside, but I don't. Lately, I've caught up on a few Michael Crichton books that I've never read, including his final book in which he passed away while writing, 'Micro.'

A good book indeed, but I really like reading non-fiction. In a way, that's why I like Crichton's books. They all seem to be based in some sort of scientific fact, or what could actually be possible (think Jurassic Park).

By far my favorite reads are those that involve World War II. These stories are all so inspirational. Normal men rising up to meet to fight for not only our nation, but other countries halfway around the world. Let me share a few of my favorites with you:






Fighter Pilot - Robin Olds

An ace in World War II, and continued to fly through Vietnam, choosing to NOT becoming a double ace during the Vietnam War so he could continue to fly. Also, a former commandant of the United States Air Force Academy.












In With the Old Breed - E.B. Sledge

For those of you that have seen the miniseries The Pacific, you will know what this pertains too. Eugene 'Sledgehammer' Sledge and his memoirs as a Marine on Peleliu and Okinawa. Probably the most intimate of all the books I have read. It's not all about the battlefield, but about his personal emotions about everything around him.













Flyboys - James Bradley

This book really brings to light the mentally of the Japanese in the Pacific. It's very unbiased, as Bradley doesn't just talk to the U.S. airmen, but to surviving Japanese as well. Most of this book revolves around Navy airmen captured and taken hostage on Chichi Jima after being shot down (two of which ejected from former President George H. W. Bush's plane).





And finally, what I'm reading now...

We Who Are Alive and Remain - Marcus Brotherton

It's a collection of stories, told by surviving members of E Company, 2d Battalion, 506th PIR, or as many of you will be familiar with the 'Band of Brothers.'  Not your normal book, as it's not in a story format. It's stories, told by those who were there, of where they were December 7th, how they enlisted, what the training was like, and stories throughout the European theatre as elite Airborne troopers. An incredible book, and a great read for anybody that wants to know more after watching 'Band of Brothers'.



Reading these books is an absolute eye opener. Our current war on terrorism has nothing on what it was like then. These men spent years away from their families, lived in brutal conditions on the front lines, against a determined enemy.  All too often we have young Soldiers complaining about being deployed, being away from their families for 9-12 months. I only wish I could force them to read any of these books and realize how good they actually have it now. I wish they could understand that it could be so much worse.