When the Poor Boys Dance

I was on a USMC book kick a couple years ago, and ran across this. I would be remiss to say that this book didn't affect me. The narrative text was a bit confusing at first; my literary sense demanded a name of the recruit who the audience follows. The reappearance of his drill sergeants confused me also, until I got further along... The battle scenes are stunning... and the psychological insight during the Lebanon sequence sticks in my memory - when the Gunny wouldn't let the officer shoot civilians after his friends were killed shows greater courage than I think most could imagine. I weep for the parents of Lance Corporal Jason Rother, that their son died in the desert alone, in the manner described by the book. As a small consolation, his death has provided at least one military member the driving desire to make sure his men are accounted for and taken care of, in good times and bad. Read "When the Poor Boys Dance," to discover the rich history within the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi, Lance Corporal Rother...

This book was amazing. It was one of the finest books I have ever read. The struggles of both the young man in the desert, and the struggles of the many others described in the book are painted vividly and almost seem to come to life. I recommend this book to anyone that might want to learn about true courage and sacrifice. The afterward by the author is one of the best I have ever read.

The book moved me to weep great sorrowful tears at the wartime horrors endured by our Marines.

G.F. Borden, a fine, fine writer, has written masterfully of courage, of faith, of the kind of heart that makes Marines, Marines, and of the great tradition of the Corps. In spite of all odds, his Marines of history and the present go forth to do their duty. None can fault the men who face combat head-on, but one can despair of their lack of support when they needed it most. I search constantly for the next novel from this author.

An astonishing view of inept leadership at all levels, and uncommon courage at one. While I served proudly in Vietnam with the U.S. Marines, and spent another 20 years in the Guards it would be a mistake to view Mr.Borden's work as a treatise on military virtue alone. The courage, honor, discipline as well as the fear od L/Cpl Roth is identical to the courage, honor, discipline and fear which is so much a part of people's day to day lives. In the lives of parents in crime and drug ridden neighborhoods, in the lives of families who try to care for their terminally ill loved ones, and essentially anyone who faces tremendous odds seemingly alone and forgotten. Mr. Borden masterfully deals with the all to often cause of all this misery " inept leadership ". For anyone who presently follows, but one day hopes to lead, this book should be your bibl