With the Old Breed

At Peleliu and Okinawa

By: E. B. Sledge

Narrated by: Marc Vietor, Joe Mazzello, Tom Hanks (introduction)

Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins

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.

Before politicians talk about war they should listen to this!

This book is about the true horrors of war. The author doesn't try to make it glamorous and this is his true real life experiences in World War II in the USMC. The terror and suffering was overwhelming and sickening. In my opinion anyone who talks about sending young men to war should listen to this book and reconsider the options.
War must be the last option after everything else has failed.

Masterful

Real. Raw. Never has any war story been told this honestly. Stark. Frank. Haunting and harrowing account of battle as only a true soldier who observed with keen sincerity and aloof analysis of war as it happened in the South Pacific. Joe mazzello was perfect. Believable.

Amazing, Stunning

It is very hard to put into words what it feels like to listen to this memoir. It is a mix of emotions ranging from amazed at the author's courage, shocked at the evil of humanity, stunned at the rawness. This book is not for the faint of heart, but every American should listen to it to appreciate the sacrifices made for our country. My grandfather was a combat veteran, and this book gives me much greater appreciation of what he must have gone through.

Painfully realistic description of War

What did you love best about With the Old Breed?

It was very realistic. He did not hold back at all in describing the horrors of what he went through or what he saw, felt, smelled, etc.

What was one of the most memorable moments of With the Old Breed?

The evolution of Sledge from fresh out of training to becoming one of the "Old Breed", that is an experienced combat veteran. This was not a moment, but rather a gradual process throughout the fighting of the two epic battles described in this book.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to other performances by this narrator but he did a fantastic job!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This is a very memorable book. The descriptions of what it was like to be on the battlefield for many gruesome days in the Pacific seemed authentic beyond dispute and gives one an appreciation of what sacrifices the men made who fought there.

Harrowing

Incredibly harrowing story of Marines in World War II. Well written and narrated, comes highly recommended by reputable military historians. The only glory in this story is that earned by sacrifice, loyalty and personal courage—all worn modestly.

Excellent insight

This narrative surpasses all others in illuminating the true horror and futility of war As a former Navy Corpsman I appreciated the respect accorded to the Corpsmen.

Thank you

Great account of history of a regiment in the Pacific Theatre. Semper Fi men of 3/5 1st Marine Division!! The world is grateful for your sacrifices.

Great Story!

I loved it. A great rendition of history told by the guy who's boots were on the ground!

Truly Incredible

I presume, never having been in battle, this is the most honest telling of what battle was like. He pulls no punches on being scared at times or wanting revenge. From this and other books, E B. was a real and unique man.

Excellent work and profound insight

The insights of a hero who responded to the call to duty when power hungry leaders saw total war as a rational policy for international relations