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ihavenouseforit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
ashleyfuhr's review against another edition
5.0
This book! If you even slightly love a military read, this is a phenomenal story from the greatest generation. So few of our WWII heroes remain, but I love that some of their stories are preserved in books. Thank you, Ray Lambert, for your service, sacrifice, and bravery. We are better because of brave men (and women!) like you.
sarahjhin's review against another edition
5.0
What a humble guy Ray was and a true hero. Sad to hear of his passing last year at the age of 100.
residentrunner1_'s review against another edition
5.0
"Once open, troops began pouring through. The momentum of the battle dramatically shifted; the 16th Infantry Regiment had taken the fight inland."
Ah, D-Day. The most infamous battle of all time. I should know everything about it, right? Well, this memoir hit differently. This was from Sergeant Ray Lambert, a medic in the First Division. He was in the worst of it, right on Omaha Beach. It was hellfire. Men were dropping like flies around him.
During the invasion, though, the first pillbox captured was full of Polish prisoners. And they said they wanted to surrender immediately.
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Ray, on the other hand, had signed up earlier, before Pearl Harbor, because he needed money and he was a hard-worker. He would take all the hard jobs.
I mean, they're called the Greatest Generation for a reason.
Great book. I definitely would not waste your time reading this. And who knows if he's still alive. If he is, then he's one of the few remaining D-Day veterans left, at over 100 years old, or at 100 years old.
5***out of 5 stars
Ah, D-Day. The most infamous battle of all time. I should know everything about it, right? Well, this memoir hit differently. This was from Sergeant Ray Lambert, a medic in the First Division. He was in the worst of it, right on Omaha Beach. It was hellfire. Men were dropping like flies around him.
During the invasion, though, the first pillbox captured was full of Polish prisoners. And they said they wanted to surrender immediately.
Image
Ray, on the other hand, had signed up earlier, before Pearl Harbor, because he needed money and he was a hard-worker. He would take all the hard jobs.
I mean, they're called the Greatest Generation for a reason.
Great book. I definitely would not waste your time reading this. And who knows if he's still alive. If he is, then he's one of the few remaining D-Day veterans left, at over 100 years old, or at 100 years old.
5***out of 5 stars
thewellreadfed's review against another edition
5.0
I wish it were possible to give a book six stars. This book is everything I love about the “Greatest Generation.” The book flows chronically over the defining events of Ray Lambert’s life, from childhood to his time as one of the few surviving D-Day veterans. It’s an easy read, beautifully written, with profound insights into the wisdom and values the heroes of this era want us to carry forward now and when they are no longer able to do so themselves. A huge thank you to Ray Lambert for sharing his story and to Jim DeFelice for his efforts to record every detail.
oceanwriter's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
It feels odd to say, but this was an endearing memoir of WWII. Perhaps it's because the author was 98 while recounting this or it could be his overall positive outlook even in the face of mayhem. Whatever the reason, this was a quick and enjoyable read. The depictions of D-Day reminded me of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Now the memories of those exhibits have a more personal story attached to them. I also admired Ray Lambert's reasons for telling his story -- so the next generations will remember and continue to learn from this universal tragedy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
audreyknutson's review against another edition
5.0
Ray Lambert wrote this book about his WWII service like he was talking to you--it was straight forward and easy to follow and he gave context and military definitions to the events and subject matter. The book as a whole gave the reader not only a good idea of the kind of man Ray is, but also a great overview on the war in North Africa, Sicily, Day & Normandy, the 1st Infantry Division, and the medic corps as a whole.
Ray was a medic and was part of the first wave on DDay. His medic perspective gives the reader a perfect first person viewpoint of looking into the action. I especially appreciate the history of the Big Red one in North Africa and the Pacific, which I wish McManus' book on the 1st. Div. had.
Perhaps the most touching thing about this book is Ray's humility and deference to those he served with. Ray is a hero of heroes and so was everyone he served with--from Tunisia to France--and it was really emotional to hear him talk about what he did and who he did it with.
A great first hand account of the war and certainly of DDay.
Ray was a medic and was part of the first wave on DDay. His medic perspective gives the reader a perfect first person viewpoint of looking into the action. I especially appreciate the history of the Big Red one in North Africa and the Pacific, which I wish McManus' book on the 1st. Div. had.
Perhaps the most touching thing about this book is Ray's humility and deference to those he served with. Ray is a hero of heroes and so was everyone he served with--from Tunisia to France--and it was really emotional to hear him talk about what he did and who he did it with.
A great first hand account of the war and certainly of DDay.
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