Customer Reviews

United States Marine Corps Uniforms, Insignia and Personal Items of World War II:

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

 

 

A valient collector's effort, but filled with inaccuracies, half-truths, and God-awful editing. How can one profess to write a serious history regarding Marine uniforms and equipment and never even set foot in a museum? The book has no citations and dwells solely on the author's and others personal collections. Pages and pages are devoted to redundant points such as dye lots and fading. Often his observations are half-baked and pure conjecture (i.e. just because you have an example in your collection doesn't mean you can form an entire hypothesis around it). On the positive side he does make nice use of archival photos, but the effect of this is spoiled by the curious inclusion of himself (not a Marine veteran) posed, mugging funny "tough guy" scenes dozens of times throughout the text. Furthermore, his R. Lee Ermy attempt at a writing style is purely amateur. An exclamation mark after every sentence is a bit ridiculous, even in the world of Marines. Ethically he should be ashamed. At the end of the book Mr. Glenn asks for veterans, "wishing to contibute" to write to him at an address that asserts the pseudo-militaristic title, "TTO Harlan Glenn c/o USMC" despite the fact that he has nothing to do with the actual Marine Corps, its museums, or any other official history organizations. He is lucky that he hasn't heard from a lawyer*(That can be read with or without an exclamation mark). --Save your money. Buy the new book, "Uniforms & Equipment" book or the pricier standard "Grunt Gear."

As a recent retired Marine SgtMaj I found this book on Marine equipment very interesting to read noting all the variations of equipment used and tested prior and during WW-2 in an effort to modernize and prepare our men for war in the pacific. The book is also found in the camp foster library under reference and is well read by many of our marines here in Okinawa, Japan. As I view the book I find many simularities in our current equipment based on the past. Well Done Mr. Glenn, keep the books about Marines coming!!
Former SgtMaj of Bases Japan

very beautifull book who show by detail the uniform, equipement, patch and organisation of the USMC during world war 2

The use of archival and color photos get old quickly as the author uses himself as a model and tries to looks tough. He doesn't do this a couple of times, he doesn't he throughout the ENTIRE book. He fails miserably at trying to look tough. Additionally there are numerous inaccuracies throughout the book. Don't waste your time or money on this book. This book embarrasses Marines everywhere.

A good reference book, but could use a little more detail on some of the lesser uniforms.