Bloody Ridge and Beyond

A World War II Marine's Memoir of Edson's Raiders inthe Pacific

By: Marlin Groft, Larry Alexander

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A story of sacrifice and defiance at Guadalcanal, from the New York Times best-selling coauthor of A Higher Call and Biggest Brother.

On the killing ground that was the island of Guadalcanal, a 2,000-yard-long ridge rose from the jungle canopy. Behind it lay the all-important air base of Henderson Field. And if Henderson Field fell, it would mean the almost certain death or capture of all 12,500 marines on the island.

But the marines positioned on the ridge were no normal fighters - they were the hard-fighting men of Edson's Raiders, an elite fighting unit within an already elite Marine Corps. Handpicked for their toughness and submitted to a rigorous training program to weed out those less fit, they were the best of the best.

For two hellish nights in September 1942, about 840 marines - commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Merritt Austin "Red Mike" Edson - fought one of the most pivotal battles of World War II in the Pacific, clinging desperately to their position on what would soon be known as Bloody Ridge.

Wave after wave of attacking Japanese soldiers were repelled by the Raiders, who knew that defeat and retreat were simply not options. In the end, and - against all odds, - the defenders prevailed.

Bloody Ridge and Beyond is the story of the First Marine Raider Battalion, which showed courage and valor in the face of overwhelming numbers, as told by Marlin Groft, a man who was a member of this incredible fighting force.

©2014 Marlin Groft and Larry Alexander (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great listening

Outstanding book and great auditable extra! The author did and excellent job and making the story come alive!

A very good story, well read

I enjoyed beyond bloody Ridge, I thought it was a good story, not a great one but a good one. The reader was excellent. The story flowed well and gave some interesting facts and incidences that I enjoyed

The narrator is a drag to listen to

The narrator’s voice is uninspiring, but the story was still worth listening to. I learned a lot.

Great Book, but a user friendly read

Great book for someone just starting to learn about this part of the war. My only comment would be that, compared to other books by men who were also there, this author tells a very user friendly version of these battles. He only touches on the horrors that took place in the Pacific battles. This might seem trivial, but considering the extreme situation that these men went through it is unfair to leave them out. I would suggest My Helmet for a Pillow and With the Old Breed as follow ups to this novel.

Pacific memoir plus Joe Barrett equals perfection

“Bloody Ridge and Beyond” is an exceptional memoir written by an exceptional marine. A part of the legendary Edison’s Raiders, Marlin Groft was a part of the toughest marine battalion in the war. They went where the best and bravest feared to tread. Men like this don’t exist in great number anymore, so these stories of self sacrifice and bravery never cease to inspire. Thank you Marlin and Larry Alexander for writing this story, and Joe Barrett for being the voice of the battle weary marine.

The cost of freedom

The epitome and definition of self sacrifice and service to ones county. Current and future generations need to read what a true Patriot did for his country when it called.

Moving, detailed, and lovingly narrated personal account

The narrator does an excellent job, not too many character voices but just enough.
The story as seen through the eyes of a young Marine gives a vivid account of the island campaigns he was involved in.
The epilogue is one of the best I’ve heard.

Excellent Account

Narrator did a perfect job speaking the words of Whitie during one of the most difficult times of our Nations history. You could feel the emotion and horror of these intense conflicts of the War in the Pacific

Exceptionally read, felt like you were there!

Wonderful story read with vivid recollection. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Pacific theater
of World War II.

Great story, critical history

I truly enjoyed this book as difficult as it was time to listen to due to the horrendous battles and carnage that resulted on both sides. An incredible survivor story. My father flew off he would Jima to Japan in the Pacific and my stepdad flew in the China Burma India theater. They had tough rows to how for sure but Compared to what the Marines and especially Edson's Raiders went through, there's was almost a walk in the park. My dad was telling me once about flying over the beaches of Iwo Jima after he arrived in his P51, from Saipan, and seeing bulldozers dig trenches and just having to push in thousands upon thousands of dead bodies. He had to stop and walk away, never finished the story, he just could not talk about it. Hardly any Americans younger than 60 know anything about World War II and we are worse off for that.