Posted on 5/22/2006, 2:53:10 AM by kellynla
GET this book. Get it and read it. "Blood Stripes" is exactly what the subtitle claims: a grunt's view of combat in Iraq. You'll never get a better one.
There already have been plenty of books about our recent wars - most written by (and, of course, starring) generals and journalists. "Blood Stripes" isn't about the generals' war. It's about the Marine corporals' war: bare-knuckles-close and brutal. Author Danelo served as a USMC junior officer in Iraq, commanding convoys and studying his comrades. He doesn't write about himself, but about Marines he knew - the men who did the fighting in the tragic First Battle of Fallujah, in Ramadi and Husaybah, and along the Sunni Triangle's deadly roads.
This is an intense account of war, raw as a wound, that reads as swiftly as a novel. Following a half-dozen young infantrymen through their encounters with fanatical enemies, roadside bombs, savage house-to-house fighting and, finally, the uncomprehending world back home, "Blood Stripes" captures the terror, the miseries great and small - and the elation - of combat.
Certainly, there have been other fine recent books about our young Marines and soldiers. Nathaniel Fick's "One Bullet Away" is an impressive and thoughtful work, worth any reader's time. Yet, "Blood Stripes" is the raw, street-brawler, blood-on-the-floor account that captures the way Marine grunts live, talk and fight.
There are two splendid qualities to Danelo's work that particularly impressed me, both as a former soldier and as a writer: Combat action scenes are notoriously challenging to write - how do you convey the confusion of squad-level firefights without confusing the reader? Danelo handles it deftly, making each of the dozens of engagements distinct and powerful.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Would you ping my fellow Marines.
Thanks,
Kelly
Not an 0311 - I'm an 8454 Navy Corpsman who had the privilege of serving with a bunch of 0311's a long time ago. Thank God for the USMC!
All Marines are 0311's
Semper Fi
Thanks Doc.
Thank you, stylin19a - it was a privilege to serve.
book ping
Alright,
From a Squid, ok, what the hell is an 0311? We used useful terms for jobs when I was in the Navy ('67-'70).
Semper Fi.
L
Thanks kellynla.
Or "Gunners Mate 3rd Class" Just what the hell does that mean? We got pretty close to our weapons in the Corps but I don't know anyone who tried to mate with one. Ok, there was this one guy but it only happened once and we never saw him again.
And what exactly is a Petty Officer? Lance Corporals think all officers are Petty, so that's kind of redundant don't you think?
Just ribbing you there Navy. Thanks for the really big guns. I know I appreciated them. Oh, and the chow..and most especially the Corpsmen.
L
PING FOR MARINES
0311 Rifleman
Present.
Semper Fi
I didn't know there was any other designation.....
0311 - is there any other Marine? one for all and all for one!
Semper Fi! and thanks for the heads up, I'll get a copy.
Wrong, all Marines are Riflemen.
0311's are Professional Riflemen
Semper Fi,
Marine Inspector
(0311, Marine Security Guard, Marine Combat Instructor - Water Survival, Primary Marksmanship Instructor)
Semper Fi PING!
Dave Danelo is the real deal. I am reading this book now- it's amazing, Rakph Peters is right1
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