Fight or Flight [Paperback]

Geoffrey Regan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

Drawing on soldiers' diaries, memoirs, and letters, military historian Geoffrey Regan explores the concept of courage in battle as well as the thin line that separates military heroism from cowardice. Regan is the acclaimed author of Snafu: Great American Military Disasters and Blue on Blue: A History of Friendly Fire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 277 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (P); First Edition edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380780194
• ISBN-13: 978-0380780198
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,069,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Other Side of the Story, December 29, 1999

By 

Tom Pearson (Hickory Hills, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fight or Flight (Paperback)

The majority of books about war and military fighting gloss over or ignore the troops and their emotions and reactions. For example both Eisenhower and Bradly gloss over the military debacle of WWII, the extended battle in the horror of the Hurtgen Forest in late 1944. The terrain there was (and is) incredibly difficult. This battle, fought for no good reason, seriously drained the fighting strength of the American Army and set up the scenario for the Battle of the Bulge. Regan covers this battle among others in a short but vivid manner. Afterall, this battle was the cause of the only GI executation of WWII, that of Pvt Eddie Slovik. Charles Whiting, in his book, "The Battle of the Hurtgen Forest" goes into greater detail but Regan does an adequate job capsulizing the battle in just twelve pages. Regan's review of other battles are equally well done and thought provoking. For the budding military historian, this book should be on the "must read" and own list.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, yet fails to provide insight., February 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fight or Flight (Paperback)

This book is interesting in that it can teach a new reader a few points on how to motivate soldiers to go beyond what's expected of them: yet ultimatly it fails to educate. Everything that Regan infers is logical to anyone who undersatand human behavior. Ultimatley, the book fails to provide any insight into the reasoning behind certain actions taken by soldiers. Mr. Regan fails because his inferences are basic and expected. This is a fun book in that it is interesting to a reader who only seeks a few good stories; but if a reader seeks to learn the motivation behind exceptional soldiers who are ready to sacrifice everthing for country, I suggest you look elsewhere. This book is light reading for an uninquisative mind.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, yet fails to proovide insight., February 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fight or Flight (Paperback)

This book is interesting in that it can teach a new reader a few points on how to motivate soldiers to go beyond what's expected of them: yet ultimatly it fails to educate. Everything that Regan infers is logical to anyone who undersatand human behavior. Ultimatley, the book fails to provide any insight into the reasoning behind certain actions taken by soldiers. Mr. Regan fails because his inferences are basic and expected. This is a fun book in that it is interesting to a reader who only seeks a few good stories; but if a reader seeks to learn the motivation behind exceptional soldiers who are ready to sacrifice everthing for country, I suggest you look elsewhere. This book is light reading for an uninquisative mind.