Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience, World War II Through Iraq

A sweeping narrative of six decades of combat, and an eye-opening account of the evolution of the American infantry. From the beaches of Normandy and the South Pacific Islands to the deserts of the Middle East, the American soldier has been the most indispensable- and most overlooked-factor in wartime victory. In "Grunts," renowned historian John C. McManus covers six decades of warfare, examining ten critical battles-from the Battle of the Bulge to counterinsurgency combat in Iraq-where the skills and courage of American troops proved the crucial difference between victory and defeat. Based on years of research and interviews with veterans, this powerful history reveals the ugly face of war in a way few books have, and demonstrates the fundamental, and too often forgotten, importance of the human element in serving and protecting the nation.

Review :
"Urging better recognition of the critical role and central importance of the combat soldier, without whom he says no nation can be safe or strong... full of valuable insights." -"Kirkus" ..".another demonstration of [John C. McManus's] skill at narrating infantry combat... Both readable and persuasive." -"Booklist" "A superb book-an American equivalent to John Keegan's "The Face of Battle." I sincerely believe that "Grunts" is destined to be a classic...It's a powerful look into the hearts and minds of the American 'grunt, ' the infantryman, the marine, the frontline warrior who exists at the crux of war, and is the true heart and soul of warfare." -Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (ret.), author of "On Killing" and "On Combat" "A superbly written, highly fitting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the unsung heroes who have shouldered the main burden of horrific combat-and suffered the lion's share of casualties-while fighting America's wars. McManus captures-with gritty, 'muddy boot' authenticity-the horrors of the real war fought by America's frontline soldiers and Marines. Reading "Grunts" is the closest you will get to experiencing actual infantry combat without getting shot at." -Jerry D. Morelock, Ph.D., Col. U.S. Army, (Ret.), and Editor in Chief of "Armchair General" "From Banzai charges on Pacific Islands to bombs in the streets of Baghdad, "Grunts" plunges us into the hellish, heroic world of the American Infantryman. This powerful book drives home the unfiltered ferocity of combat- and both the comradeship and loneliness of the soldier or Marine who pays the butcher's bill for plans concocted by men he'll never meet. When all of the new technologies have been exhausted, the infantryman's timeless lot is still to face death at close quarters. Author John C. McManus makes it shatteringly real, and Grunts is hypnotic history writing: honest, savage, heartbreaking and, ultimately, inspiring." -Ralph Peters, Fox News Strategic Analyst and author of "The War After Armageddon" "A literary and historical achievement of the highest order, "Grunts" illuminates the experience of the American GI better than any book I have read in years. Using battles such as Peleliu and Fallujah, John McManus brilliantly proves, using the participants' own words, that the American warrior, not technology, wins wars." -Patrick K. O'Donnell, author of "Give Me Tomorrow" "Too frequently historians take humanity out of war. McManus skillfully puts man back into the history of America's recent wars, reminding us that man is still the determining factor." -Adrian R. Lewis, Professor, University of Kansas "John C. McManus's "Grunts" contains some of the most vivid accounts of close combat ever recorded in literature. The reader has the sense of being actually present in the battles. His descriptions show precise details of combat at the closest personal levels and with absolute authenticity." -Bevin Alexander, combat historian in the Korean War and author of "Inside the Nazi War Machine"