Customer Reviews

The Spirit of Semper Fidelis Reflections from the Bottom of an Old Canteen Cup

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The Globe & Laurel, near the gates of Quantico, is one of the best places on earth and I, like many, have enjoyed many good times there with Major Spooner and a host of distinguished warriors from every concievable modern conflict. Major Spooner is one of the finest Marine Corps historians alive and his passion for history is as contagious as his memory is keen. Throughout all of our visits, however, his own personal experiences have rarely come up. When he published his ever-so-slightly fictionalized memoir in the form of The Spirit of Semper Fidelis, the book went to the top of my reading list. It did not disappoint. This is a very personal memoir of combat and World War Two from one of the best Marines to ever wear the uniform. The characters take some time to develop but the experience is well worth it. This book puts the entire era into a very personal perspective and helps one to understand the entire Pacific campaign, as well as the kinds of men who made up the Corps then and now. Highly recommended.

You will not be disappointed. The book pulls you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat through each page. He provides a human insight into the horrors of war. I highly recommend it.

I loved this book for three reasons. First I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Major Spooner last August. Secondly I live on Saipan and walk the same ground that Pvt Spooner and his comrades fought and died for. Third, I found the book to be a page turner. Major Spooner keeps you on the edge of your seat either crying or laughing.
Having been in the US Army myself (Major Spooner still talked to me, Thank You Sir) I know that war is hell but there are moments of laughter too. It is all here in this book. It covers before, doing and after the Battle of Saipan and Tinian. I learned new information about the battles and its combatants.
You will be reading history yet it will be like hearing a good friend telling you a fabulous story.