Unit Pride

Let me tell you a bit about a book that will blow you away. UNIT PRIDE is the type of novel that will stay with you for life. It is a survival manual for raw- hand to hand combat, I could not put it down. The primary focus is on two young soldiers (Billy and Dewey) that go through hell in ways that are beyond typical in most wars. They are in a unit that has been cursed with a trouble making coward named Lt. Miller. As Miller's cowardice begins to cost the lives of men in the unit it becomes difficult to distinguish who the real enemy is. Billy and Dewey along with some of their friends survive battle after battle with the enemy only to have Miller try and put the screws to them when the roar of battle slows, in a failed attempt to look tough and in control. There is a strong commradeship amongst the men and their Sgt. (Coggins) and their Capt.(Parish), but these men also need to respect the chain of command and Miller is largely able to elude being caught by the upper brass even though they are aware he is a countless shortcomings. UNIT PRIDE is a book that deals with the harsh reality of war. As General Gavin points out in the editorial reviews listed above, "UNIT PRIDE has the understated ring of truth". The previous reviewer is clearly citing a different book. Anyone who claims to have been in the service (his real name is not given)and suggest that peacetime maintenance is the same as war time conditions is clearly confused about which book he read. UNIT PRIDE is the best case yet I have seen made against the draft. Our volunteer service has produced men and women that want to be there and are willing to make a career in the service for our protection. That is not to say that many fine people that were drafted did not perform admirably, but rather to say that it would be hard to believe someone like Lt. Miller would ever be welcomed into our volunteer armed services. I can't stress enough what a captivating book UNIT PRIDE is. At the risk of sounding redunddant with some of the other reviewers, just wait unitl you read the epilogue. Don't read it first it will ruin the end of the novel. It is easy to see why McAleer was nominated for the Pulitzer. What an awesome human being. I jsut finished UNIT PRIDE and I am starting to read Jimmy Stewart- Bomber Pilot, and I have to say there was a common thread that molded people like McAleer and Stewart during WWII. When you read the epilogue you will want to be a better person. The help we extend to our fellow human beings can change their lives. I venture to say you will think twice about not helping someone next time you have the chance.

If you are looking for a whitewashed fairytale of warfare look elsewhere. This book brings you into the foxholes of The Korean War with an overwhelming and on target authenticity, it is not a PC makeover of what really went on but rather an account of how life was on the front line during that war and I would imagine all wars. It is a deatailed account of what it takes to stay alive while serving on the frontlines. How each member of a unit is an integral part of each others survival, and that any breakdown in the chain of command can cost lives. This book drives home the fact that a chain of command works in both directions and that sometimes the weakest link is unfortunately up the decision making chain which can put the whole unit at risk. There are no soft spots in this book you get off the boat with the boys and go home with the surviving members when their tour of duty is completed. Survival is the name of the game. Because of the accurate but not overbearing detail, you will come to learn that survival is not only gained by being a superior shot but learning how to relieve the stress that mounts on the line. McAleer's cadence will have you biting your fingernails when Billy and Dewey are in the thick of it and with exeptional timing and placement the stress level is brought down by one of the capers that the boys pull to relieve their own stress. Your emotions become part of the action as they feed off of the ebbs and flows of holding the line and engaging in battles. This book is not a political statement nor a history lesson. You get a flavor of post WWII Japan and a sense of frustration for the seeming lack of a clearly defined objective and agenda by the Truman administraion, the book is simply a compelling foxhole saga. You won't be bored as it moves from experience to experience with a quickly paced dialogue which will draw you right in. This book was hard to put down. I strongly recommend it to anyone that like to about what are soldiers endure. The next time you hear about soldiers lost in Iraq, I can guarantee you they will not be merely a number to you! We owe them our understanding of their sacrifice. Unit Pride will ensure them that you do understand.Read it. The epilogue is a book in and of itself. It alone is worht the price of admission, but I will not go there you need to read it!

Wow- What a wonderful book. This is one book that I couldn't, and didn't want to put down. It is the story of two soldiers,(Dewey and Billy)and the wonderful friendship they maintained through the horrors of the Korean War. The book is action packed and brutually forth coming about the way life was in Korea at that time. It brings out the disgusting sickness of war, and how everyone involved in the conflict handled their day to day lives living in such a hell. The book is honest no nonsense factual account of the way it was. Any one who enjoys history, especially military history, this book is sure not to disappoint.

I have been reading war novels for most of my adult life and "Unit Pride" is one of the most captivating books I have ever read, for three straight nights I simply could not put it down. If you have ever read "All Quiet On The Western Front" "the Red Badge Of Courage", after reading "Unit Pride" I think you will agree with me that "Katz" and "Jim Conklin" have new brothers in arms! Their names are "Billy" and "Dewey" It is hard to think of a 400 page book as economical, however Unit Pride is just that. It pulls you right in from the opening lines and does not let you go until you are left feeling you have made new friends and lost some along the way. There are no wasted words just a brilliant ride on an emotional rollercoaster crafted by wordsmith John McAleer and story teller Billy Dickson. When you read "Unit Pride" your emotions will range from anger to elation with fear in between. I cried on the final few pages, not only because of what happens, but because it is still happening everyday. There is a pharse that they teach at West Point, "Sweat more in peace and bleed less in war". "Unit Pride" is a stunning report of what happens when the upper brass fails to follow that simple maxim. When you read the epilogue you will be certain to walk away feeling that a force greater than man wanted this story to be widely disseminated. Read it! We owe to future generations.

We've all seen it in the movies and read about it as pulp fiction - the horrors of war "Hollywood-ized" and glamorized. Living it is a whole different ballgame - and Unit Pride is as real as it gets. As Viet Nam Veteran, I have tasted the horror, smelled the death, fought the intense fear, and made life long friends - and lost just as many. War is war, and it is a tough business - no matter where or no matter when. Way to go John McAleer, you've got yourself a best seller.