A Walk in the Sun [Paperback]

Harry Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

With A Walk in the Sun, Harry Brown tells an understated yet gripping and realistic tale of the randomness and impersonal nature of combat. In the Allied landings at Salerno on the Italian peninsula during World War II, a fictional platoon loses its lieutenant and senior sergeant to enemy fire, regroups inland to decide what to do, and soon loses its next-senior NCO to battle fatigue. This short but intense novel follows the remaining members of the platoon as they attempt to ascertain their mission and carry it out based on the only guide they have, a map found on the lieutenant’s body. The day unfolds from there—as simple as a walk in the sun, as simple, really, as war sometimes is. Some make it, some don’t, and those who don’t aren’t always dead. Brown’s spare narration echoes the gritty realities his characters face and provides an unflinching portrayal of the uncertainty of war.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Brown's 1944 novel follows a platoon of U.S. infantrymen trying to make their way across Italy alone after their C.O. is killed. With the recent success of the films Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, World War II stories are again in demand. In addition, be sure to have the solid 1945 feature film starring Dana Andrews in your video collection.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

A Walk in the Sun was made into a 1946 movie starring Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, and Lloyd Bridges. Harry Brown (1917–86) was the screenwriter for over twenty movies, including El Dorado, Ocean’s Eleven, The Deep Six, and Sands of Iwo Jima.

Product Details

• Paperback: 187 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803261489
• ISBN-13: 978-0803261488
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,451,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the movie!!, March 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Long Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Walk in the Sun (Paperback)

This is one of, if not the best WWII book I have ever read. I loved the characterizations, the crisp dialog, and the gripping portrayal of the pschycological effects of combat. Having seen the movie a number of times made it easier to visualize the characters, but my wife loved this book too, and she hasn't seen the film and is not a fan of military novels.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feels real . . . ., October 6, 2007

By 

C. J. Leach (Midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Walk in the Sun (Paperback)

This short WWII combat novel is very simple in concept -- a story of an Army combat company which hits the beach in Italy (a small part of a much larger landing force) and is tasked with occupying a farm house and destroying a bridge some six miles away. The atmosphere of the book, written around 1950, has that fiftys-ish naivete', but otherwise rings unusally true as a story of men in the military and men in combat. Not much glory -- just boredom, confusion, reflection, fear, and fearlessness.

Some of them are killed, a few get "lucky" wounds, a couple are forced into leadership. There are loose acquaintances and close friendships. Great insights on indivdidual soldier's thoughts in various situations. Even how one goes about dealing with a "suicide mission". Thoughts concerning food, home, death, boredom, discomfort . . . all the things one had time to think about during a six mile walk in the hot sun (punctuated by being strafed and a taking out a German armored car).

There was much humor, even a bit in the style of Catch-22. Very witty, but nothing that would really make one laugh out loud. This felt very real and there was a continual uneasy feeling of pending doom. In addition to the realistic banter among soldiers, and (as I mentioned) a peek into their thoughts, I was struck by the realistic "grayness" of the whole waging war process. Communication was tenuous at best and even the accuracy/legitimacy of the Company's combat objective was in question. So true.

A bittersweet story, and a quick rewarding read. As usual . . . I don't give away endings so you'll have to read it yourself. A worthy use of the time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No...THIS IS A GREAT ONE, October 26, 2009

By 

Buxx - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walk in the Sun (Hardcover)

Without a doubt the most realistic novel to come from war, any war. If you ever served in combat then you will recognize each and every one of Brown's characters. The uninitiated may find that death and danger is taken very matter of factly, however this IS the reality of men constantly in harms way. It's a short book, takes place only over a few hours, but it is tense and true to the common foot soldier. Brown writes as though he's sitting in your den telling you how it was. This is great stuff.