Parachute Infantry

By: David Kenyon Webster

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 17 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

David Kenyon Webster's memoir is a clear-eyed, emotionally charged chronicle of youth, camaraderie, and the chaos of war. Relying on his own letters home and recollections he penned just after his discharge, Webster gives a firsthand account of life in E Company, 101st Airborne Division, crafting a memoir that resonates with the immediacy of a gripping novel. From the beaches of Normandy to the blood-dimmed battlefields of Holland, here are acts of courage and cowardice, moments of irritating boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror, and pitched urban warfare. Offering a remarkable snapshot of what it was like to enter Germany in the last days of World War II, Webster presents a vivid, varied cast of young paratroopers from all walks of life, and unforgettable glimpses of enemy soldiers and hapless civilians caught up in the melee. Parachute Infantry is at once harsh and moving, boisterous and tragic, and it stands today as an unsurpassed chronicle of war - how men fight it, survive it, and remember it.

©1994, 2002 David Kenyon Webster (P)2014 Tantor

The Finest Infantry Memoir of WWII

Any additional comments?

Story: I cannot believe this was only published in 1994. This is David Webster's memoir of his time in Easy Company of Band of Brothers fame. This is the most honest accounting of any infantry man I have ever read, and I have read them all from both Axis and Allied sides. The writing is outstanding and flows beautifully, while telling an honest tale. No bullshit here. He shares his mind openly and artfully.

Performance: Superb Narration. There's really not much else to say. Absolutely perfect.

Summary: If you can only read two books about combat, one should be "Fighter Pilot" by Robin Olds and this one should be the other.

Easy Company from a non-com's perspective

I loved hearing the exploits of Easy Company from another perspective. Sometimes his point of view is very limited, but this is definitely worth a listen.

Turn up your listening speed

What did you love best about Parachute Infantry?

I have only one thing to say. Turn up the speed of your player. This guy is slow... REALLY slooooow.

loved this Book

This book takes you to the front lines. I felt like I was there. If your a WW2 buff it's a must listen.

Disappointing

Any additional comments?

The author offers a good description of parachuting into Europe on D-Day, but then bogs down in excruciating details of everyday conversations and activities. He skipped through the important historical and military action with frustratingly little detail, leaving me with the impression that most of the book is spent on overly detailed descriptions of the looting and drinking binges he and his comrades indulged in.

Awesome Stories

Gritty, unfiltered and captivating, even if you didn't watch Band of Brothers, you will enjoy this. If you did watch BoB, you will hear many familiar names, as Webster was one of the main people, esp in the second half. Only downside for me was it was heavy on post war life in Europe, and I would have enjoyed more war stories. but that's also a plus, bc you get details on army life you don't get any where else. The letters home will hit you hard, and make you really care and feel for him. This was an excellent inclusion. At the end, you wish there was more, and want to continue following Webster's life, and find out what happened after he got back. All in all, an excellent journey into his experience and life. I got this book bc I enjoyed the character in Band of Brothers, as Webster was my favorite, and wanted to know more about him, and the book delivered. Even if he wasn't your favorite, an excellent read, and you will gain insight into other people from the show, and life in general as it was back then. The stories do jump around a little, but I would highly recommend it. It is well read, but I think the guy reading is older than I picture Webster as, but he does an outstanding job.

I really disliked this book.

I am not a military veteran or a hard-line hawk. But I found this author to be self-absorbed to the point of distraction. While some of the information about his engagements and the imperfections of the "greatest generation" to be revealing, it was all about the author and his personal beliefs. I tried desperately to finish this book; but ran out of patience after 12 hours. A tip of the hat to those of you that endure this boring epic to the end.

Not your typical take on WWII Paratroopers

Not bad, but it dragged after awhile. I wouldn’t say the book is action packed, some interesting behind the scenes behavior, but not what I thought it would be.

Waste of time and money

If your looking for a sob story from a cowardly boy unlike the rest of the stories you hear about easy company and read by a boring narrator this is your book personally I'll stick to the ones that aren't 16 or so hours of crying none stop

Well written but I did not enjoy this book.

Having read and enjoyed books by all the other members of the 'Band of Brothers' sadly this one left me cold. Webster appears to have been unhappy for most of his time in the Army and is constant in telling the reader his feelings. Unlike almost every other memoir I have read, I skipped through the last 3 chapters as I couldn't face more of the same.

Brilliant

Brilliant. As personal war stories go this one is the best. well performed and very detailed.
great book