Combat Medic [Paperback]

Isadore Valenti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 1998

Isadore Valenti would return home from WWII to the coal mines of Western Pennsylvania. He would go back to high school, graduate from college, marry and have children, but he would always hear the cries of "Medic!" echoing over the years from the bloody North African, Italian, French and German battle fields.

Combat Medic is the story Valenti had to tell of young medics who placed their bodies between the wounded and enemy fire. Valenti's memoir takes the reader through the North African and European theaters of war on a long and harrowing journey that concludes, incredibly, with Valenti sipping Hitler's exquisite wine in the dictator's secret mountain-top hideaway in Berchtesgarden, Austria.

Combat Medic reveals the soul of an immigrant's son who went from blackened coal fields to bloody battle fields and back home again, building a life and finding solace in the telling of his story of war and remembrance. In his book, Valenti shares with the world his astonishing collection of war photographs and his even more astonishing ability to bring to life the true story of the combat medic.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Combat Medic reveals the soul of an immigrant's son who went from blackened coal fields to bloody battle fields and back home again, building a life and finding solace in telling his story of war and remembrance. In his book, Valenti shares with the world his astonishing collection of war photographs and his even more astonishing ability to bring to life the true story of the combat medic.

About the Author

Isadore Valenti went from the coal mines of western Pennsylvania to the U. S. Army, as a combat medic, and served on all four fronts. Upon returning from the war, he received his high school diploma, a Bachelors of Education degree, and became a teacher of history and finally a principal in the Penn Hills school district. But, over the years, Valenti has never been able to forget his war experiences. He began writing about his war memories more than 20 years ago: the result, is Combat Medic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Word Assn Pub; 1 Ed edition (November 12, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891231014
• ISBN-13: 978-1891231018
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,969,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not truly a story, October 5, 2005

By 

Arzenal (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Combat Medic (Paperback)

This book is basically a print version of Mr Valenti's diary. There is no true narrative, instead it's a random assembly of his thoughts and writings on what he experienced. Very stop and go type reading.

If you are looking for a true narrative on what its like to be a combat medic, you'll have to look elsewhere.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning storytelling, May 22, 2007

By 

OC Quilter "Joy" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Combat Medic (Paperback)

I purchased this book because my uncle wrote it. I had heard everyone in our family talking about it for years. I had heard my uncle talking about it and I talked to him about it. It has been published for several years. He is now in his 90's and I thought that as a tribute to him and to pass along to my children I should buy the book. So, I broke down and bought it. I couldn't put the book down. It is as though he were still telling me the stories of his military experiences. The photos are wonderful as they remind me of my own father's war photos. I see my uncle and I can remember his dashing good looks when we were all younger individuals. I can see the facet of him and of my own father that we were never exposed to directly. I can appreciate their bravery. I can understand their staunch patriotism. Uncle Isadore has always been a wonderful person, fascinated with the war and always wanting to share his knowledge. I am glad this book has been published and that I purchased it.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have not really read the book but Mr. Valenti is great...., July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Combat Medic (Paperback)

My granpa and Mr. Valenti are best friends and I met him for the frist time yesterday July 25,1999. He thought my grandpa was KIA and they reunited for the frist time in 55 years and i think that he is a great person and so does my granpa.