Vivid, intensely human impressions of the war in China, Malta, Tunisia and Sicily, by the author of "Retreat with Stilwell."
Belden's first book, ""Retreat with Stilwell"" (Knopf) was one of the most distinguished correspondent's books. It did not have the sale it deservedhe insists on saying things that should be said rather than things people want to read...Even more true of this book, whichthough two thirds of the text records war through battle, the remaining third dominatessums up Belden's conclusions and grim determination to help his readers recognize the falsehood of warfalsehood not only in its reportage, but in its underlying causes, rooted in the world soul sickness, fascism, which he feels is pregnant in America and must be fought now. No analyzes the determining factors of the battlefield,uncertainty, insecurity; need for political conviction of the importance of this war; divorce of the combat army from civilians; etc. The balance deals specifically with Ksuchow, Malta, the Mareth Line, Sicily, Messina, Salerno. Pungent phrase and fire for crusading passion.-Kirkus Reviews.