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With the Old Breed  By  cover art

With the Old Breed

By: E. B. Sledge
Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Joe Mazzello, Tom Hanks (introduction)
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Publisher's summary

The celebrated 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific, winner of eight Emmy Awards, was based on two classic books about the War in the Pacific, Helmet for My Pillow and With The Old Breed. Audible Studios, in partnership with Playtone, the production company co-owned by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and creator of the award-winning HBO series Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific, as well as the HBO movie Game Change, has created new recordings of these memoirs, narrated by the stars of the miniseries. James Badge Dale (who portrayed Robert Leckie) and Joseph Mazello (who played Eugene Sledge) bring all the passion and emotion of their riveting television performances to these new audio productions.

With the Old Breed is a modern classic of military history AND has been called "one of the most important personal accounts of war that I have ever read," by distinguished historian John Keegan. Author E. B. Sledge served with the First Marine Division during World War II, and his first-hand narrative is unsurpassed in its sincerity. Sledge's experience shows in this fascinating account of two of the most harrowing and pivotal island battles of the Pacific theater.

On Peleliu and Okinawa, the action was extremely fierce. Amidst oppressive heat and over land obliterated by artillery shells, the combat raged ferociously. Casualties were extreme on both sides, and by the time the Americans had broken through at Okinawa, more than 62,000 Japanese soldiers were dead. Against military policy, Sledge scribbled notes and jammed them into his copy of the New Testament. Those notes form the backbone of what Navy Times said "has been called the best World War II memoir of an enlisted man."

BONUS AUDIO: Tom Hanks, one of the executive producers, has written and narrated an original introduction to With the Old Breed where he describes his appreciation for the book's author, the narrators, and the soldiers who had fought in the cauldron of the Pacific Theater during World War II.

For more from Audible and Playtone, click here.

©1981 E.B. Sledge (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: The 10 Best WWII Audiobooks for Every History Buff


World War II, although well-documented through various mediums, is the basis for a wide range of little-known stories from Europe and beyond that deserve to be heard. From firsthand accounts of soldiers on the front lines to stories of brave women behind the scenes, these are impactful stories of humans coming together in this time of global conflict. We’re sure you’ll find something captivating on our list of the best WWII audiobooks.

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What listeners say about With the Old Breed

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Amazing.

Honestly this book is absolutely amazing. I couldn't stop listening once I started.

If you haven't read the book it's a must read.

The things these men went through brought tears to me eyes several times.

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Great book

One of the best stories I've read . A definite read and the narrators were perfect

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Awesome!

one of the best books I have ever read. it is a real eye opener

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HUMBLING

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

highly recommended, I listened to the book b/c its part of a reading requirement for my career but ending up listening to it over 6 times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sledgehammer

Which scene was your favorite?

Peilulu

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dying Breed! A walk through time

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Fantastic

Unbelievable account of this conflict and enjoyed it immensely.It made it even more real as I associated this account with the HBO series and having the actor perform this narration was a huge benefit.
I felt humbled listening to it and in some small way I hope that the survivors and families of these heroes know that we will not forget their sacrifice and what they did for us. Again very honored to have listen to this book and I will most likely buy the hardcopy to keep in my library

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Excellent

This audiobook was amazing. It sheds light on the horrors of war. It should be a mandatory read in high school or at least for any politician. Definitely recommend it to others.

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Really enjoyed it!

Visceral and true, a realistic look at the Pacific War. One of the best WW2 accounts I have read.

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Amazing in every sense of the word!

This book was absolutely captivating from start to finish. never in my life have have I read or listen to such a detailed account of anything in my life. this narrator and the author both knocked it out of the park on this one. probably the best military book I have ever and will ever read. I wish I could give it 10 Stars.

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Incredible!

I am from Mobile, AL and have grown up hearing stories of EB Sledge and His friend Sydney Phillips. There are schools and foundations named after these men.
Incredibly moving book and will most definitely be rewatching the HBO show the pacific as so many scenes from the book were included. Thank you!

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what real American heroes look like

a short glimpse of the sacrifice men and woman of this generation made. America today is built on the backs of men like E.B. Sledge. would today's woke America be able to defeat a determined enemy like imperial Japan? makes you think eh?

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