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.

A Masterful Account

An excellent account of what it was like for the men of Edson’s Raiders in the Solomons and beyond. This is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Marines and the Raiders.

Fantastic ...

Fantastic book very well written and very riveting !! The book flows very well and keeps you excited. Knowledge of US Marines is beyond GREAT . Highly recommend !!!

Another Great Historical account

Marlin "Whitey" Groft's book cowritten with Larry Alexander is an excellently done account of Groft's days on Guadalcanal, and his career in the Marine Corps. If you have an interest in the Pacific war and the Marines at Guadalcanal you'll enjoy this listen. The book keeps you engaged and the narration is excellent. Highly recommended.

Pain & Pleasure in Equal Measure

As a retired Marine officer who served nearly three decades, starting in the 1980’s, I cut my teeth as a young enlisted Marine hearing with pride and awe the history and legacy of these legendary WWII Marines and their heroic actions in Europe and the pacific. Their heroism and sacrifices buoyed the image of Marines as tough warriors who fought the enemy with every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears that their exhausted and dehydrated bodies could rally. Was there any one of us who did not revere the tenacity of fighting to raise that flag on Iwo Jima? Or pause in silent reflection of the bloody battles for Okinawa, Peleliu, and Guadalcanal. The Raiders legacy was no exception. I remember well my first duty station in the Corps at Edson Range on Camp Pendleton, a dry, desert type environment at times due to the weather, on a hill where grass didn’t even grow. Every Marine recruit who transited through San Diego and every Marine stationed aboard Camp Pendleton went to the range at Edson. The myth that was the Raiders’ was ever present and on display if one only cared to look.

WWII seems a long, long time ago in lands far, far away and easily enough to forget the courage and sacrifice these men made particularly in light of the economy and freely available tourism in these places today. The successes in these countries, and security of our own, is in no small feat to the direct action in securing their democracy, albeit it with its flaws.

Listening to the memories of Sgt Marlin Groft brings those real and raw exploits to life; the good, the bad, the mundane, and monumental. The pain and the pleasure in equal measure. From the shenanigans mind numbing boredom can bring to the minds of testosterone filled boys to the haunting and harrowing duties required of the same. As a “Bob on the Fob” during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and twice in Baghdad during OIF, I can still relate to the camaraderie and bond Sgt Groft articulates. Also, the intense sadness felt at leaving both the tribulations of such places and the Corps in general. While nothing could ever equal the experiences of the Greatest Generation, two decades of war has left many, many now in two generations with a different wartime experience where even some Bob’s get to experience a little of war. I confess, a lump filled my throat when he read of returning 60 years later to Guadalcanal and his memories, and I wondered if someday, someday in my life, I would get that same opportunity in Iraq, where I left behind my heart - and my mind.

Thank you, Sgt Groft, for sharing your extraordinary experiences. S/f

GREAT STORY!!!!

Really great first hand account of a marines experiences during many of thr key battles that took place against the Japanese in the pacific theater. Definitely worth listening to.

Very Good WWII Story with Great Narration

This is a good WWII memoir. Yes, there are many better, but if you've been through a lot of those this one is still worth it. I'd listened to several books about Guadalcanal so I especially liked the part about his being stationed in China at the end of the war.

What I think I liked most was the narrator. His raspy voice appropriately places him as much older, recounting the story during his latter years rather than having a narrator speaking as though he was in his 20s. The Audible version has an interesting bad edit where the narrator makes a mistake, says he's going to re-record it, then reads paragraph again.

This book isn't about the strategy of the battles, just the emotion of what it was like to be in the war. And, not just the battles but the training, transport, leave, and liberty. A good, solid story.

Blood Ridge and Beyond

Joe Barrett once again brings a story to life in his unique style.

Book is well written and interesting. We got to hear about a much forgotten Marine Corps unit!

1st Mar. Raiders

This was a great and in depth account of one Marine's combat exploits during WWII. it covers his time with Edson's Raiders and the years following their standing down through the end of the war.

Semper M.F. Fidelis

A close up view of the malevolent disease of man

This is a stunning account of the malevolent disease of humanity, that which is called war. Yes, I admit I found the book fascinating, yet all the while I listened, nagging questions haunted me. Why is it so easy for a tiny few people to repeatedly, again, and again, manipulate a nation into war? When will the human species rid ourselves of this malevolent disease, called war? This is a gruesome account of our inbread defect for war. Personally, I enjoyed the book for exposing the murderous disease which has haunted humanity since Cain slew Abel. While I do accept that we all have the right to defend ourselves, and our country, I am at a loss to understand why. Why is there always some megalomaniac ready to grab the reigns of power and drive a nation into war? Just look back to the years between 1900 and forward to today. Nothing has changed our propensity for war.

great book

loved it my dad fought along side of men like him brings back memories