The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation [Paperback]

S. L. A. Marshall (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Marine Corp Assn Bookstore (June 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0686310012
• ISBN-13: 978-0686310013
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation, December 20, 1999

By 

Thomas K. Durham (Del Rio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation (Paperback)

Copyrighted in 1950, my dog-eared, water-stained copy of this book has been with me now for 18 years, and the lessons it contains, learned the hard way by the men who fought and led troops through the first two world wars, are just as valuable today as they were on the eve of the Korean War. It examines what some might consider a mundane subject (what a soldier carries, and should and should not be expected to carry into battle) in a way that says a lot about our culture and the American way of war. Marshall's observations may seem elementary, but the fact that he had to set them down on paper just a few years after WWII is proof positive that the minions of political correctness were alive and well fifty years ago, and that institutional memory is definately of the short term variety. Anyone who leads troops and has not read this book should be dismissed from the service, and anyone who does not reread it every two years should be put in charge of nothing more challenging than changing the marquee at the base theater. Unfortunatly my own experience has led me to believe that it remains unread by many who consider themselves professional soldiers, lending more than a grain of truth to the the saying "Common sense is an uncommon virtue.". If you enjoy Col. David Hackworth's column, you will like this.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lip service aplenty, August 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation (Paperback)

This book is "required" reading at some of the service schools in the military. Unfortunately too many officers refuse to put into practice the common sense lessons that abound in this book. Instead of thinking about a mission, making some assumptions, taking some risks, and refusing to overburden our men with gear, we adopt a "Better to have it than not need it..." mentality and try to bring everything. We pay lip service to this book all the time. We fancy ourselves maneuverists. We think we're the best in the world. God help us when we go up against someone who is only carrying a weapon, ammunition, and a desire to use it. No amount of gear in the world will save us. It's only a matter of time. This book should be required reading for not only those in the military, but those who are concerned about the state of America's armed forces.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take heed America, December 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation (Paperback)

Let me just say that the lessons put forth in this book have yet to be headed by American military forces. We carry too much, too far, for too long. Yet another reason why we had trouble in Vietnam and Somalia. Sustainment? Hah! If the #1 country in the world cannot figure out how to supply it's troops better then we are truly hurting. I believe all officers and senior enlisted should read this book. I'm a Marine officer. I've read it . . . and I preach it.