The classic bestselling war memoir by the most decorated American soldier in World War IIOriginally published in 1949, To Hell and Back was a smash bestseller for fourteen weeks and later became a major motion picture starring Audie Murphy as himself. More than fifty years later, this classic wartime memoir is just as gripping as it was then. Desperate to see action but rejected by both the … but rejected by both the marines and paratroopers because he was too short, Murphy eventually found a home with the infantry. He fought through campaigns in Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. Although still under twenty-one years old on V-E Day, he was credited with having killed, captured, or wounded 240 Germans. He emerged from the war as America’s most decorated soldier, having received twenty-one medals, including our highest military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. To Hell and Back is a powerfully real portrayal of American GI’s at war.
more
This was a real look at what war was to a young man. It told the story of a real hero who did not regard himself with anything but being lucky. He watched his friends and men die in horrific ways but came out of the war to live and tell the story. He did not feel sorry for himself or exhibit the PTSD after all the horrific things he encountered. He did what he had to do and did it well. Will have to watch the movie but think it cannot portray the war as real as the book does. A great piece of history in his journey.
Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier from WWII shares the horrors of war touching on his heroic actions in the most humbling and matter of fact way. It was not glorious, but truthful and often graphic. He had his demons that haunted him. He was a Texas youth who suffered incredible poverty and was bullyed over his stature, but he is a true American hero and leader, who put his men first.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Tom Parker and it was excellent. The narrator does a fantastic job with all the different personalities of the soldiers. It is gut-wrenchingly detailed with what these men went through during WWII. I highly recommend it.
There is a lot of language and graphic details so do be aware of that if you choose to read/listen to this. I don’t prefer those things in books that I read, but in this case, I made an exception because it kept with the reality of the story and I’m glad I did.
Very good book about the life of a TRUE HERO!!!
Murphy was as fearless as he was modest, and if you never read another book about an infantryman, be sure to read To Hell and Back. We use the word hero today in so many situations that don’t merit that word – Audie Murphy was a hero!
This book should be sent to the educators of our country who don’t seem to think that stories like Audie Murphy’s are important – that’s a sad fact.
In the service, there’s an old maxim “Don’t volunteer for anything!” but Murphy did so, time and time again, even after seeing the horrible devastation of the war on a daily basis.
About half way through the book every man in his company has been killed or wounded and most of their replacements have been as well. We feel Murphy lose his usual sense of humor as he relentlessly moves forward. He now accepts the fact that his ultimate destination will be a grave or a triage tent; it’s inescapable – why should he be spared?
He quickly rises through the ranks as his superiors witness the sheer number of his exploits and realize his instincts are usually spot on.
In the book he deflects all praise, instead he chooses to talk about his comrades and their valor. This is one amazing man! I don’t know how he survived those countless brushes with death, but the irony of him dying in a plane crash is unbelievable.
Read the book, then afterwards, if you haven’t seen the movie, do yourself a favor and rent it. Better yet, buy it and share it. Murphy is about 31 years old at the time the movie was made and he still looks like that 19 year old – who was the most decorated American soldier of World War 2.
He pointed the failure of the M16 rifle and many of our soldiers were killed because of defective ammunition.
Well-written first person account of America’s most decorated soldier in World War II. Harshly realistic. You cannot come away from this read with the delusion that war is glorious.
I always admired Mr. Murphy.
I first read this book when I was in the sixth grade. After seeing several movies with Audie Murphy in them l asked my dad if we were only watching his movies because he was a hero or something. My dad gave me two books ‘To Hell and Back’ and a copy of the only biography of Alvin York to be authorized by Alvin York. ‘Read ‘ em!’, he said and I did. The down-to-earth telling of their stories brings home the loneliness of the soldier and their realization that their time on earth is short. Heroics happen because one man decides to put others before himself. The thought of that they may be sacrificing the self is never in their mind. They just do what must be done. I have made sure my children and grandchildren know who Audie Murphy is. To teach history you must make it ‘come alive’ to you student(s). Audie’s book does.
A realistic view of war as the GI’s experienced it. It doesn’t spare the reader from the blood and guts of combat, but it is informative and realistic.. Well written and great reading for those who want the true picture of war.
Well worth the time to read it.
Very good
Based on Audie Murphy’s true life story…what’s not to like? The guy was the most decorated of WWII and he was turned down by most branches of the service because he was so small. He also plays himself in the movie.
True story, historic. Very good read in Murphy’s own words.
I watched the movie when I was a kid and bought the book for more background. Having Audie tell the story was like really being there. The characters from the movie became more real and I could feel his loss of each of them through his own words. The reality of war is gritty and situations do not always work out in real life like they do in the movies.
Who would have thought that a highly decorated soldier could also write an engaging book? He was able to portray the reality of war from a front-line soldier’s view. A good read.
just because audie lived thru combat, and was incredibly brave, does not mean he can write a book/dialogue that is anywhere near readable
A view of war from the trenches
Fantastic true story
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. He does a great job of describing his characters, and it isn’t all about the author, which it could been.