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Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of
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Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat Hardcover - 2001

by Patrick K. O'Donnell


From the publisher

Previous books have promised to describe the combat experience of the World War II GI, but there has never been a book like Patrick O'Donnell's "Beyond Valor." Here is the first combat history of the war in Europe in the words of the men themselves, and perhaps the most honest and brutal account of combat possible on the printed page. For more than fifty years the individual stories that make up this narrative -- shockingly frank reflections of sacrifice and courage -- have been bottled up, buried, or circulated privately. Now, nearing the ends of their lives, our WWII soldiers have at last unburdened themselves.

"Beyond Valor" recaptures their hidden history. A pioneering oral historian, Patrick O'Donnell used his award-winning website, The Drop Zone, to solicit oral- and "e-histories" from individual soldiers. Gradually, working from within the community, O'Donnell convinced some of the war's most battle-hardened soldiers to tell their stories. The result is WWII seen through the eyes of the men who saw the most intense of its action. O'Donnell focuses on the elite units of the war -- the Rangers, Airborne, and 1st Special Service Force -- troops that spearheaded the most dangerous operations and often made the difference between victory and defeat.

From more than 650 interviews O'Donnell has chosen oral- and e-histories that form a seamless story line, a pointillistic history of the war in Europe from the first parachute drops in North Africa through the final battles in Germany and the long trip home. It is the story of the war not discussed in polite company. O'Donnell presents the wreckage of entire battalions nearly annihilated, invisible personal scars, and hauntingrevelations of wartime atrocities. But more important are the men who recount lives risked without hesitation for comrades and cause, and those who did not return: the friends who died in their arms. Their stories remind all of us that victory came only at the highest price.

Remembering the infamous cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoc, bloody Omaha Beach, the bitter fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, and Hill 400 in the Hurtgen Forest, the soldiers reveal war as seen, heard, and smelled by the GIs on the front line. Also included is the unique story of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, and the trailblazing African-American "Experimental" Test Platoon that had to fight its own battle behind the lines.

"Beyond Valor" captures the truths that exist among soldiers. It is one of the most inspiring accounts of the war ever produced.

Details

  • Title Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat
  • Author Patrick K. O'Donnell
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 384
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Free Press, New York
  • Date 2001
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780684873848 / 0684873842
  • Weight 1.37 lbs (0.62 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.56 x 6.36 x 0.93 in (24.28 x 16.15 x 2.36 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects World War, 1939-1945 - Campaigns - Western, World War, 1939-1945 - Regimental histories
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 00061049
  • Dewey Decimal Code 940.542
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

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Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

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  • Hardcover
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 13
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Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. The dust jacket is missing. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

  • Used
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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 13
9780684873848
ISBN 10
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Description:
Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780684873848
ISBN 10
0684873842
Quantity Available
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Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.01
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by Patrick K. O'Donnell

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780684873848
ISBN 10
0684873842
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Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.01
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£5.01
FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat

Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat

by O'Donnell, Patrick K.

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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 13
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Description:
Free Press, 2001. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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FREE shipping to USA
Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by O'Donnell, Patrick K

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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat
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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by O'Donnell, Patrick K

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Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beyond Valor : World War II's Rangers and Airborne Reveal the Heart of Combat

by O'Donnell, Patrick K

  • Used
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ISBN 13
9780684873848
ISBN 10
0684873842
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Free Press. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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FREE shipping to USA