Customer Reviews

Marine! The Life of Chesty Puller

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a Vietnam Vet and was in the same Province as Chesty's son Lewis Puller Jr. (Quang Nam Province, 1970) One of the reasons I read the bio about his father as well as the son's own auto-bio. War is no joking matter and no game as Lewis Jr. found out. You also can't fight a war all by yourself which is sometimes the impression gained from Burke's book. The striking point to me about Chesty Puller however, more than his heroism under heavy enemy fire, is that Chesty, advancing from Private to Lieutenant General, throughout his long career never forgot where he came from. Time after time in incidents vividly described in Burke's book, Burke clearly shows that Chesty never got carried away with his own legend and always maintained a genuine and real concern for the enlisted men who did the fighting and the dying. And who, when he saw Officer abuse of enlisted men, as opposed to ordinary disipline nipped it in the bud. This book clearly shows that the enlisted men were very close to Chesty's heart and that Chesty never asked anyone, enlisted or NCO or Officer to do anything that he had not or would not do himself. Very excellent book. Was not able to stop reading once I began it.

Burke Davis wrote a definitive account of the legendary 'Chesty' Puller. It's as much a biography of Puller as it is a history of the Corps, for the two were intertwined for the better part of forty years. Very easy read, always entertaining, never a dull page. Should be required reading for all military professionals, especially Marines. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Burke Davis did a spectacular job with this book and I highly recommend it. Not having served in the Marine Corps, this book gave me a pungent taste and deep admiration for this elite fighting brotherhood of which Puller is a legend. What came through to me most about Puller was his incredible humanity and compassion for his men. Puller would never eat until his men ate first, and in the midst of the frostbitten epic Marine engagement at the Chosin Resevoir in the Korean War, Davis writes that Puller took his own jacket off to give to a grunt who didn't have one. This to me is what made Puller special and puts a gold plate on the heroic bust that Davis has crafted - fearsome pugnacity, steely toughness, and unparalleled leadership were qualities he possessed in uncommon quantities, but his heart of gold was what makes him and this book stand out. It's a sad commentary on modern day America that a man like Chesty Puller would probably be mocked, scorned and marginalized. A good read.

On a par with Stephen Ambrose, Burke Davis has written a most interesting account of Chesty Puller: A commander whose unit (1st Marines 3rd Batallion) I served with after the 1st Division returned from Korea. I'm sad to say I never met Chesty but served with many who did - he was a legend in his own time, that's for sure.

I cannot attest to the authenticity of this story nor it's bias (as some have suggested). But that asside, having earned all the medals he earned and to have reached LT. Gen. while beginning as an enlisted man Chesty, in my book, was definitely a Marine's Marine - and one of my heros. And, it seems as though he accomplished all this in spite of politics.

Mr. Davis' book is very easy to read - almost like a novel. At times this story is so intense that it leaves you not wanting to put the book down. Perhaps Davis and Spielberg can get together and make a film - i.e. "Band of Brothers".

If you are a Marine, former Marine, or an American patriot, you will enjoy this account of one of the few real American heros.

I expected to learn of all of the fabled stories of the greatest fighting Marine ever. I did and more. The author interjects with letters to his home and children which showed what a truly decent and true person that Chesty really was. I will always remember the scene where he has just survived and won some of the touighest battles in history and then scrolling a note of concern for his child's health. He was tough as nails, yet his men saw his caring side. He did not need a strategic planning session, mission statement or staff retreat. He just went for the attack and got the job done. I was truly inspired and remain so. Good night Chesty...Wherever you are!

An excellent book! This has been the most inspirational and incredible book that I have ever had the privilege to read. The life of "Chesty" is an archetype of the Marine. I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of joining the Corps. The only thing bad about this book is that it wasn't longer. Because I couldn't put it down, I had nothing to do the day after I bought it. Semper Fi!

Burke Davis paints a graphic picture of valor under fire and deeds of a man who was truly a Marine. From the green hills of Nicaragua to the fire swept beaches of the pacific to the frozen wasteland of the Chosin Resevoir, Davis tells the story of Chesty Puller, the only Marine to ever win the Navy Cross 5 times. A must-read for all Marines, servicemen, leaders, or anyone interested in the United States Marine Corps' greatest hero.

Chesty Puller is the greatest Marine ever, and this book delves into the events that shaped this man. This book taps into the ineffencies that Puller had but also showed the strengths that Puller strived on. It's very interesting to see that Chesty was not very strong in the math department but was well versed in all the great battles of Rome, Napoleanic wars, Robert E Lee campaign, Persians and many more. Chesty was an avid reader of the classics and utilized those images to help him fight future wars.

This book should be read by all future Americans wanting to lead men into battle.

The only description fit for this biography is epic. Very rarely does one man live such an eventful life, so packed with adventure and action that it seems impossible to be anything but fiction. But any Marine recruit knows that General Puller's story is a true one. Chesty Puller makes Patton look like a desk clerk, and has been called the greatest combat officer ever. Burke Davis chronicles Puller's Marine Corps career from his days at VMI to his retirement, more than four decades later.

Well-written and romantic in its tales of combat, the book remains a definite must read for all in the profession of arms. The story could easily make for a good book from the worst author, but Davis applies fine writing to make for a classic of grit and determination.
Don't expect ultra-violence and gore, however, as the author foregoes the grim realities of the battlefield for a more Ambrose like model that somewhat sanitizes the combat experience to keep the story moving and focus more on the man's accomplishments than the images he most likely lived with forever.
Without a doubt, one of the best military novels ever written, it's hard to put down and will get anyone motivated! Also an excellent read for those in the business world, as Puller's no retreat/take no prisoners attitude is a foundation for modern warfighting and corporate business practices.

I heartily recommend this book as required reading for anyone who has leadership ambitions. Chesty was revered and admired by those who served under him. He was not always in favor with those whom he served under, due to the fact that he sometimes upstaged them with his service and performance. Not being politically correct cost him personally, but as was pointed out clearly in the book, he cared more for his men.

Although this book is somewhat dated, the author appears to have gotten many details from those who served with, and knew Chesty Puller.