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Ridgway's Paratroopers: The American Airborne in World War II| Media: | Paperback | | Author: | Clay Blair | | Publisher: | Naval Institute Press | | Release date: | 01 December, 2002 | | Our price: | $26.95 |
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| Ridgway's Paratroopers: The American Airborne in World War II |
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Average rating:  |
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A Good salute to the 82nd Airborne |
| If you want to read a fitting tribute the 82nd and the Officers of it, then here you go. It is a good solid read but like his other Book on US Submarines it concentrates way too much on the Officers Corp. As a former Enlisted Man it would of been nice to hear a little more about the other side of the house. |
| Ridgway's Paratroopers: The American Airborne in World War II - Clay Blair |
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Excellent history, but quite biased |
| Make no mistake, this book will give you an excellent history of General Ridgway and the 82nd Abn. I like it for that. I have a few problems with this book though.
1) Even though Ridgway was in command of the 18 Abn Corps, units that were not the 82nd or sucessfully supporting the 82nd were largely ignored. There are many pages of the defense of St. Vith. There is one paragraph on Bastogne. The accomplishments of the units that were not the 82nd or helping them are handled briefly, regardless of benefit to the overall mission. 2) The author is decidedly pro- West Point. All officers are identified by their West Point class and who their classmates were. Non West Pointers are ignored unless they do something truly amazing. Enlisted men are completely ignored unless they earn a DSC or better (although he ignored a MOH winner in the 101st). 3) He is almost completely uncritical of Ridgway. Mistakes are glossed over or blamed on someone else and acheivements are overly highlighted. I would not call this a balanced history. These said, I would still recommend this book for it's detail. I would not recommend this book if you are going to use only one source for your research. |
| Clay Blair - Ridgway's Paratroopers: The American Airborne in World War II |
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Objective, rather than subjective history |
| Mr. Blair once again comes through in his in-depth analysis of the US Army Airborne during the Second World War. Especially illuminating is his exposure of LTC Reuben Tucker as THE outstanding wartime regimental commander of the not only the US Army, but of the entire US military. This book is plain and simply a good read. I recommend it to anyone who is serious about military history and battle command. |
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