Chesty: The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC

Boy was I suprised to see "Chesty" on a feature table in our local [store]. Although Chesty Puller wasn't that well known outside his beloved Corps, his combat record is well known to all Marines. Col. Hoffman's extensive research of Chesty's military career has lead to an exceptionally fine biography. Covering a span of over seventy years and three major wars this book reads more like a novel. Much like Geoffrey Perret's "Old Soldiers never die" (MacArthur's biography), every detail is included and well documented. Sure to be a historical reference for many years.

Jon Hoffman's many years of labor have produced the first definitive, unblinking story of one of the nation's most colorful and iconic combat leaders. "Chesty" reflects Hoffman's unique combination of meticulous research, rigorous analysis, and sparkling narrative that characterized his earlier work on Red Mike Edson. This latest work will earn national awards for history writing and will remain the standard reference for decades. With the publication of "Chesty," Hoffman demonstrates that he is the premiere biographer of the Marine Corps and indeed one of the best in the country. Highly recommended!

Col. Hoffman has written the definitive biography of the greatest Marine hero of them all. "Chesty" is in the same league as William Manchester's biography of Douglas MacArthur, "American Caesar". It's that good. Any future biographer of Chesty Puller will have to pass through this vibrant, meticulous work.This is no mere hagiographic saga that ignores or dismisses General Puller's faults. Nor does it repeat as gospel some of the more outlandish tales that have sprung up around the General. These flaws doomed a previous biography ("Marine", by Burke Davis) to obscurity. Rather, "Chesty" is that rare thing, a scholarly book that reads like a novel.Chesty Puller was the ultimate grunt's grunt, always leading from the front and never asking his men to do anything he wouldn't. He was, and remains, revered, literally a legend in his own time. Col. Hoffman has captured the essence of both the man and the legend.

Lieutenant General Lewis B. ("Chesty") Puller has an almost mystical quality for all who have borne the title "Marine." Lt Col Hoffman has written the definitive biography of Chesty Puller. The hero of Guadalcanal and the Chosin Reservoir is also criticized for his record casualties at Pelileu. General Puller's perserverance overcomes poor performance in various schools, scorn towards staff officers and controversial viewpoints that shortened his career. His story is one for all students of military history to enjoy. I recommend it with the utmost enthusiasm.

Jon Hoffman writes an intriguing and very detailed story of a man that most people outside of the Marine Corps don't know. I find it amazing that a man that was not a particularly brilliant scholar nor as is so often the case a self-aggrandizing politician came to epitomize the Marine Corps' ideal. One can learn a life lesson that even without being exceptional it is possible, through a dogged single-mindedness ,to excel. If you find this biography a good read, I highly recommend Hoffman's previous effort. I know gung-ho Marines will howl but I found "Red Mike" Edson a more complex and interesting character.