excellent depiction but its lenght denied the rest of the story

Rating: 10/10 (26 February 2005)

An outstanding example of the ineptitude of higher command and how the political nature of the war denied the American soldier the finest combat leaders possible. One Reviewer cites deviations from the actual story line that does not really detract from the authenticity of the whole endeavor. The effects of the Armys inability to properly inform next of kin was dramatically displayed. The emphasis was placed on the courage of the American soldier and the outstanding leadership displayed by all the officers involved in the units directly involved in the battle. Combat scenes very realistically portrayed the near hopelessness of the American situation, and how Army higher commands main concern was avoiding possible embarrassment. The only negative was the failure to demonstrate how the forces sent to relieve the surrounded Forces were decimated upon their return march back to the main base. The hubris of the subsequent command was discussed in the book, needlessly causing the death of hundreds of American soldiers. A good example of how ring knockers priority is not the soldier but their own personal advancement.