I recently purchased a copy of "Helmet for My Pillow" by Robert Leckie. Just a few months ago it was selling as high as $120 . But checking out Alibris.com recently the price came down for the paper back. I picked it up for $12.30 plus shipping which is like $3.50. Hope its worth the wait. (I head it is part of the new HBO series coming out about the Pacific along with Eugene Sledge "With the old Breed") At the same time I had heard about a book "The Old Breed: A History of the First Marine Division in World War II" by George McMillan. I looked that up, and the prices were outrageous for that also all over the net. Anyone know where i can pick it up at a decent price? And is it any good? Dave [SIZE=-1][/SIZE]
McMillan's book is the unit history of the 1st Marine Division, published in 1949 by the Infantry Journal Press, who published a lot of post-war unit histories. While not a scholarly division history, it is a good read, with photos and maps illustrating the unit's service on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa, and several appendices, including photos and short bios of the Old Breed's Medal of Honor awardees, and a listing of those in the Division who lost their lives. I have a first edition copy that I'll sell, but it's not in good shape - it look's like it's been handled a lot since 1949, there are a few loose pages, and both covers are barely attached to the spine. However, the text portion is solid and in good shape. Given its overall condition, you can have it for $40, which is what I paid in 1996. Battery Press sells brand new reprints for about $50, if you prefer that - pm me if you're interested. By the way, Sledge's book is highly recommended - it is one of the best personal accounts of a WWII Marine in combat.
2nded. One of THE best personal accounts I've ever read. You get so much more than just Sledge "reporting" about the events he was a part of. This is one I simply could not put down.
