Gather Marine! The Life Of Chesty Puller Presented By Burke Davis Readable In Version
remember when I read this book, It was when I became a Marine Officer, I wrote across the front cover "The Bible", For it truly is the Bible for a fighting man, Excellent book. A good book if you are looking for a casual read with not much substance, Heavy on Marine Corps propaganda and little on an in depth look at the historical figure himself, This book covers the gritty and “John Wayne” moments well, but focuses little on the other aspects, If you would like to join the Marines and want a myopic view towards its history, then this is a great book to read about one of the Corps legends.
It was written well, but during a dated time where loss of life and victory was celebrated as hardship for success, which shows, Again, it is a good, easy, and decent read, but definitely something on a recruiters reading list, One of the most celebrated legendary Marine is Chesty Puller the most decorated US Marine in history, even today every Marine would know of his name after being drilled information about him starting in the days of boot camp do you know who he was and what he has done Though Im a Marine veteran who love Marine Corps history I am ashamed to realize that I have never read any books
about Chesty Puller until recently and I dont know much about him as much I should compared to other military leaders in the other services! For those that dont know anything about him Chesty Puller is literally the guy that you want to be around taking charge when the enemies have surrounded you and outnumbered against you and hes literally saved mens lives during such a scenario too.
So I am glad I saw they have an electronic format of this book available, Originally published inthis book was written when Puller was still alive, This book actually made me want to read more works on Chesty Puller especially more recent works evaluating his life, legacy and contribution,
The book consists of twenty nine chapters, It covered his early life, of how in his youth he wanted to go fight in World War One though he was underage, of his days in Virginia Military Institute and finally his enlistment in the Marine Corps in, barely missing World War One.
But once he entered the Marines Chesty Puller started to standout, In fact during the sleepy decades between World War One and World War Two Puller was pulling in combat experiences and traveled widely in some of the mosting interesting corners of the world.
The Marines often call this time as the era of Banana Wars Puller was in the thick of it fighting in Haiti against Caco insurgents and later on for years in Nicaragua with jungle warfare.
Marines during this time would develop the Small Wars manual, one of the Marine Corps important document in counterinsurgency operation and while Puller I dont think contributed to the manual still we see templates and ideas in that manual being employed by Puller: working with locals, having small unit infantry combat operation, survival and training up local forces.
After Nicaragua Puller went to China on the eve of the United States own entrance into World War Two and his observation and experience with Chinese and Japanese forces led him to realize he needed to train his Marines ready for war with Japan.
Pullers best known battlefield exploits would be from World War Two and Korea, A significant part of the book covers his combat leadership during both wars, Puller fought in the Pacific against the Japanese in Guadalcanal, Battle of Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu, Guadalcanal was Americas first ground offensive against the Japanese and the Island battle was fierce as the book described it with attacks and Japanese counterattacks.
Peleliu was one Americas highest casualty rate almostpercent of any amphibious attack in American history and the book describes Pullers concern that there was not enough bombardment before and during the invasion.
Puller lost a lot of men during this battle and himself was barely able to walk after his regiment was pulled back from combat.
In Korea the book talk about Puller organizing a combat regiment, the amphibious landing of Inchon, fighting for the Capitol of Seoul, and the battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Throughout the book theres a lot of snappy sayings the book recorded and also Pullers outlook as a Marine, Reading this made me realize how much of Pullers kind of outlook is the epitimote of Marine outlook today: there is the concern for realistic training, the mentality of stressing combat readiness when the country is least ready and also a cando attitude against overwhelming odds thats coupled with a concern for the troops and a lot of tough love for the men one lead as well.
Puller was wildly popular among the rank and file, Reading this book made me think about how General Mattis was somewhat like that when he was the First Marine Division General, Yet the book was also frank about how higher ups and staff officers might not necessarily be a fan of Puller whose slow promotion does indicate theres something more than conspiracy theory with the higher ups not being a fan of his.
Still he was an excellent war fighter and even among a good outfit like the Marines theres not many like him who can fight, lead and also inspire others while also retaining a strong moral compass.
I think even if you read this review and think you dont have time to read this book thanks for reading the review though! this work might be something you can consider as a gift for your friend or family thats always talking about the Marine Corps.
This also would be a worthwhile gift for those noninfantry Marines too, Marines have a saying of every Marine a riflemen and Puller believed this during World War Two, who at times made a makeshift quick reaction force of clerks, mechanics and other cooks to turn the battle around.
Sometimes though I think its more true that every Marine is a recruiter than a rifleman from the way Marines talk about the Corps.
So this book for your “Whooah!” loved ones might be up their alley,
Great book about a great fighting man!! The life of Chesty Puller reads like an adventure novel and he truly was a man that left his mark on the free world.
Highly recommended!! Semper Fi.
“it is a matter of life or death for officers and noncommissioned officers to have respect from the menand something more.
Adulation. They must obey orders to the letter, without question, though they die for it, It is the only way to handle men in combat, If you lose control, you lose lives, It is so simple as that, ” Kindle Locations
Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general, An oldfashioned mans man one you could believe might have had the words: valor, honor, courage, heroism, indelibly etched into the fabric of his character.
An exemplary warrior, an exemplary leader, and a most exemplary Marine, He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, as a private, inand was retiredyears later, inthe most decorated Marine in American historyas a threestar general.
Recommended to me by a friend who served in the USMC, Burke Daviss biography: Marine!: The Life of Chesty Puller earns exemplary marks for comprehensive research, and for excellent narration of an incredible life.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for all whod like a glimpse into the mindset of one truly courageous Marine,
“Then you could see on the faces of the troops what he meant to them, Every eye rolled after him as he walked on and their expressions said better than billboards that he was their kind of an officer.
They would have followed him anywhere, ” Kindle Locations.
Open Road Media, Kindle Edition,pages,,Kindle locations, Lt. Gen. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is one of the most decorated Marines in the history of the Marine Corp, He served in Central America, China, the Pacific Campaign of World War II and Korea, He received the Navy Cross five separate timesa military honor second only to the Congressional Medal of Honorand continued after retirement to defend the reputation and training standards of the Corp.
Why I started this book: Needed something cheerful and inspiring after reading sitelinkThe Mueller Report: Presented with Related Materials by The Washington Post.
Why I finished it: Chesty inspired the marines around him to love the Marines as much as he did, He lead from the front, and fought for the Marines and his country in that order, He knew that value in hard training and personal experience with combat, .