Customer Reviews

The Mortarmen

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dick Sebian, a member of the 87th, lent me his personal copy of this book. Dick is 81 years old now and remembers details and dates like they happened last week. I would imagine that if you had actually lived through this like he has, you would never forget it. He is a great guy and one would never know what he went through at such a young age.

I don't think anybody proof-read this book because there are many grammatical mistakes, but that doesn't change the content. Connelly does a nice job of chronicling the action of A, B, C, and D Companies from D-Day through the end of the war in Germany. The day by day format helps the reader follow the story without confusion. I also never realized what an effective weapon the 4.2 mortar was.

The horrors these men lived through are something most people (including myself) cannot even begin to imagine. Mr. Sebian and the other members of the 87th are truly members of the Greatest Generation. I am thankful for them and the other veterans of WWII who, as Connelly states, "saved the world." This book ought to be required reading in American history classes so everyone can understand what they did.

a fascinating WWII book that takes us into the hearts and minds of the men who lived it. There are parts in the book that are so well detailed that I felt as if i were actually fighting right there alongside the men of the 87th. This book is a must read for anyone who enjoys a great war epic or is facinated with american history. 5 stars.

"An outstanding book, factual and taken from the guys who were there, and got the job done."

Col. Julian G. Brunt, USA Ret.

1st Lt., 87th CMB, A Company, 1st Platoon

What a fantastic book. I bought 10 copies! It is packed with information and pictures of the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion. I wanted my kids and grandkids to know the sacrifices that our brave soldiers made to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in this great country. Thank you Michael for your extensive research to gather all this information and to write it in such an interesting manner. I highly recommend this book!!!

For years I have always wanted to study the basics of World War II, but just never found the time. In reading this book, I have received such a personal, up front view of World War II - more than I think I could have gotten elsewhere, and in much less time!!! It seems to be a "magnifying glass" of that spot in history. Thanks, Michael Connelly!!!!

Wanda K. Perry

This is a fantastic book about World War II. At times I felt like I was right there with the men of the 87th who fought their way across Europe. The book is full of history, but more importantly it is full of the stories of the men who fought the war. It tells you their story and you can't help but get caught up in this great tale. Michael Connelly is a master story teller.

The MortarmenThe Mortarmen answered a question that my grandfather, my father and my uncle, could not answer, how was my uncle, Victor U. Gagliardo killed in WWII. The Mortarmen after 63 years has given me the answer in black and white, with dates from his first deployment orders, to training day by day, till the day our troops accidentally bombed the front lines at St Lo , France where he was. 63 years ago AMAZING. George Gagliardo, Port St. Lucie, FL.

This is one of the best World War II books I have ever read. It mixes the well written history of the battles with the personal stories of the men who fought them. It does a great job of bringing the heroism of the greatest generation to life.

I found this book to be an outstanding portrayal of the trials, tribulations and sacrifices of the men of 87th Chemical Mortar Batallion. It contains many here-to-fore untold details and takes you from D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge. It belongs in every American Patriot's library and is a must read for World War II buffs.

The book gives great insight into both the life of the everyday soldier in the ETO during World War II and another overlooked unit of the war, the 4.2 mortar battalion. Mr. Connelly has done a great service in taking us through an almost day by day account of their experiences. As the son of a 9th Division infantryman (60th Regiment), I'm forever grateful for the support that the Battalion provided my Dad's unit during those harrowing days.