Reviews

The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII by Tom Clavin, Bob Drury

sgallagherr's review

challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.75

fivetilnoon's review

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A well-told account of the 2nd Ranger Battalion in WW2. The title of the book is misleading -- the narrative covers the battalion's entire service from training, Normandy invasion, Brittany campaign, Ardennes forest, and travel back to the states. The author makes the point that the US Army did not know how to properly use special operatives in WW2 and had to learn over time. 

Clearly told and fast paced. Similar in style and almost just as good as Band of Brothers. It's impossible not to be impressed with the bravery and sacrifice of this generation of young Americans.

Rudder quote:

First, I’m going to make men of you, then I’m gonna make soldiers of you, and then I’m going to make Rangers of you. 

Notes on the men:

• Eikner — Boy Scout, stylish hair and mustache, worked as a lineman, stole the telephone wire.
• Otto Masny — Chicago-born son of immigrants. Hatred for Hitler.
• Ralph Goranson — Swedish descent. Also from Chicago. Caught by Rudder out of uniform.
• Harold Slater — “The Duke”, known for endurance and agility.
• Len Lomell — Drafted out of high school, beat Slater in a boxing match. Supported his aging parents.
• William Petty — poor southern boy with a chip on his shoulder. Missing front teeth.
• Herman Stein — rich parents that lost money during depression. From NY. Tight with Petty.
• Max Schneider — veteran of Darby’s Rangers. Sent to London for recuperation from grenade wounds near Salerno.
• Harvey Cook— Recruited by Rutter to be the battalion intelligence officer.

irishhopps's review

I DNF’d this book at about 50%. I think it would’ve been good but I wasn’t really paying attention or in the mood for this type of book. Not the author’s fault for that. May try again someday.

e_gracereads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I am a huge fan of WWII novels, and I think this one covers a very niche and under appreciated group in the European Theater. I highly recommend if you’re interested in WWII at ALL. Full of emotion and the history is handled with care. 

thechancollection's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

 WOW what a great book. Well-researched, readable, interesting, heart-string-tugging. The descriptions are fantastic. I need to get a finished copy because I NEED the maps 😂

A descriptive quote that stuck out:
“Truscott possessed what one subordinate described as a “predatory” face whose gap-toothed snarl was complemented by a voice gravelly enough to walk on.”

#gifted St. Martin's Press 

librarygirlreads's review

adventurous challenging dark informative slow-paced

4.0

malliemeow's review

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

book_reader_lover's review

informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I read a lot of WWII books, I guess to learn some of the things my grandfather went through. Though this one was centered on the Rangers and the European theater, not Asia where my grandfather served.

It tells of just how the Rangers came to be during this time. How they really became the fighting machine they are now with the four man recon unit. We see some of their first battles, and one that becomes a defining moment for the Allied Forces during WWII.

While reading, I could tell that this book was well researched. Drury and Clavin did a wonderful job in writing this book. I will warn it may be a little gory for some.

Published November 1, 2022

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📚 Happy Reading 🙂📚

#nonfictionnovember
#netgalley
#stmartinspress

pinkrain718's review

adventurous informative tense fast-paced

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Last Hill by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. This well researched book is an exemplary example of powerful military non-fiction. This books covers the training and action of the Rangers who participated in key battles such as D-Day, Hill 400, and the Battle of the Bulge. Drury and Clavin provided such vivid and specific details I felt as if I was climbing Point du Hoc and sitting in foxholes with the Rangers as I read. If you are a fan of military history with a focus on WWII, this book is for you. I do recommend reading this one on your Kindle or E-reader because these authors have an extensive vocabulary and I found myself using the dictionary feature often. I learned tons of SAT caliber vocabulary words!