No one has done more to track down obscure stories and photographs from
American paratroop veterans than Mark Bando. His previous two books
101ST AIRBORNE AT NORMANDY and
the 101st from Holland to Hitler's Eagle
Nest are MUST-READS for anyone with a serious interest in paratroops.
Seven Roads to Hell by Donald Burgett, ISBN 0891416803, $24.95 The author wrote his memoir of the Normandy drop a while ago, and went on to be a best seller. He then wrote this manuscript which no publisher would touch as they felt it was too violent. This is his story of the 101st at Bastonge. Some have felt it is a bit too hard to believe some of this happened. It is hard to think someone could hand fire a .50 cal machine gun, but I have talked with the author and he really sounded quite sincere that this is what really happened. Pretty amazing stuff. Order it here.
The Last First Sergeant by Layton Black, ISBN 0-9665240-0-4, SC, $15.00 Black was the last company first sergeant promoted in Company C, 502nd PIR, 101st A/B. This book tells his story from his joining of the company in May 1943, until he left it in Nov 1945. In all that time he never left the company, not even for sick call! This is one of those nice little memoirs that few people hear about, but will be of great interest to any 101st enthusiast. Order it here.
Once Upon a Wartimeby Peter Layton Cottingham, ISBN 0-9680969-1-3, $14.95, Paperback. This is one of the only memoirs by a Canadian member of the FSSF I know of. As such it is an important document of this very special unit. The author starts out in the Canadian Army, transfers to the 1st Canadian Para. Regt. then joins the Force. Although a bit short, the book is mandatory for Force enthusiasts. There's a good section on the far right flank at Anzio. Order it here
America's Finest, by Gary Howard, ISBN 1-85367-167-x, $. Dealing only with the paratroopers and their uniforms and equipment, this is a strictly B&W book of period photos and shots of items in the authors collection. This is quite extensive as he has bought out a few of the better US para collectors. Has some very rare rigger made items and includes color photos of paratroop insignia. A decent book, but keep in mind it is limited in scope to just A/B related info. Order it here.
.Geronimo, by Bill Rentz, ISBN 0-7643-0677-4, $59.95, The collecting field has moved on from nice photographs being enough to make a book good. Other than clear color photos of uniforms and equipment, and a handful of period photos of paratroopers (mostly portrait type photos), there’s not much else to this book. The text is limited to brief captions providing little information. There is a good section of rare patches, and a large section showing a number of dress uniforms from various troopers, but I have to admit being somewhat sceptical of their authenticity. My real question, however, is why was this book printed? It adds nothing new to the study of WW2 uniforms except a handful of color photos of a few obscure items. For the money you will learn a lot more more from Gary Howard’s “America’s Finest,” and if original combat rigging and uniforms are your interest the Detrez books still cannot be beat for their period photos. Pass this by unless you must own every para book in print, or just want to drool over pretty photos. Order it here.
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