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The Boys' Crusade: The American Infantry in Northwestern Europe, 1944-1945 Audiobook
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(3.05) - 203 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
National Book Award Winner Paul Fussell tells the breathtaking story of WWII from the young soldiers' points of view. WWII was not the glorified picture it is often depicted to be. For the American soldier it was a tiring, emotional, and gruesome experience. Fussell's extensive details and insight help to make this story come alive.
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"I really enjoyed this book, short and to the point (like a good song may I add). I was surprised that it talked about some of the less glamorous action taken by our boys during the war, which was refreshing yet disheartening. Easy read, full of facts, and some truly gruesome stories. "
— Joe (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Riveting.”
— New York Times -
“No one writes about war with greater authenticity and eloquence than Paul Fussell. The Boys’ Crusade is an extraordinarily powerful account that is at once poignant and searing. It is a truth-telling of a very high order from one of our finest men of letters.”
— Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of An Army at Dawn -
“Fussell writes vividly and sardonically…painting extraordinary scenes at every turn…A bracing corrective…and just right for a new season of war.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“Written with passion and fidelity, The Boys’ Crusade is a book that will not leave you after you have put it down. If there is a more powerful personal account of the ground war in Western Europe I have yet to encounter it.”
— Donald L. Miller, author of The Story of World War II
The Boys' Crusade Listener Reviews
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" Short essays on the US and British infantry in Europe during World War II. Bitter and pessimistic, but perhaps we need the occasional reminder that the war was not easy and that there were mistakes, deserters, and scared young men on our side as well. "
— Robert, 12/23/2013 -
" I thought this was ok. It gave some interesting information about the war from the perspective of a young soldier. It wasn't particularly well written (in my opinion) but it was easy to understand how things happened during the war when so many of the soldiers were young, naive men. "
— Debbie, 12/19/2013 -
" Rather than try to retell the history of the European Campaign, Mr. Fussell concentrates on stories about the GIs fighting the battles. The stories are organized chronologically. Interesting read. "
— David, 12/6/2013 -
" Not much to this book. "
— John, 11/12/2013 -
" Fussell holds nothing back here. The book is fresh, honest, well done. I feel like he may have overdone it here and there, but since I can't quite put my finger on what he overdid I can't say much about it. It's a quick read, but a good one for anyone interested in WWII. "
— Emily, 7/10/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book, short and to the point (like a good song may I add). I was surprised that it talked about some of the less glamorous action taken by our boys during the war, which was refreshing yet disheartening. Easy read, full of facts, and some truly gruesome stories. "
— Joe, 6/1/2013 -
" Quick read, yet ranks among the most powerful depictions of the horrors of war that I've ever encountered. "
— José, 10/17/2012 -
" A really good look at what it was like to fight in WWII. "
— Troy, 11/20/2011 -
" Adds a whole new dimension to "war". The thought that WWII was some sort of justified war may or may not be true, but the fact is that both sides made some horrible mistakes that lend to the idea that all war is nasty. Gave me a different perspective. "
— Mike, 10/3/2011 -
" Too short, too anecdotal, too reflective of Fussell's bitterness. His own Wartime is a far superior treatment of the same issues. "
— Stephen, 9/7/2011 -
" Short, but makes its point. War is hell and not good and not the heroism that Ambrose portrays it to be. Very difficult to write a chapter by chapter review because it's vignette/essay style. "
— Amy, 7/22/2011 -
" This was an iteresting read, but too short, and oddly titled. Many of the chapters didn't really deal with the youth of the combatants. Also, it didn't really address the whole campaign. It read like a set of essays titled by the editor. Good, but too short. "
— Tom, 5/3/2011 -
" Unromantic portrayal of the infantryman's life in WWII, in northwestern Europe 1944-1945. A must read for anyone called to the warrior's vocation. "
— Steve, 4/15/2011 -
" A really good look at what it was like to fight in WWII. "
— Troy, 4/11/2011 -
" Short, but makes its point. War is hell and not good and not the heroism that Ambrose portrays it to be. Very difficult to write a chapter by chapter review because it's vignette/essay style. "
— Amy, 8/31/2010 -
" Unromantic portrayal of the infantryman's life in WWII, in northwestern Europe 1944-1945. A must read for anyone called to the warrior's vocation. "
— Steve, 1/17/2010 -
" Adds a whole new dimension to "war". The thought that WWII was some sort of justified war may or may not be true, but the fact is that both sides made some horrible mistakes that lend to the idea that all war is nasty. Gave me a different perspective. "
— Mike, 1/9/2010 -
" This was an iteresting read, but too short, and oddly titled. Many of the chapters didn't really deal with the youth of the combatants. Also, it didn't really address the whole campaign. It read like a set of essays titled by the editor. Good, but too short. "
— Tom, 9/2/2009
About Paul Fussell
Paul Fussell is Donald T. Regan Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of several books. His Companion to Wartime, The Great War and Modern Memory won the National Book Award in 1976 as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Ralph Waldo Emerson Award from Phi Beta Kappa. He has taught at Connecticut College, the University of Heidelberg, and Rutgers University. Mr. Fussell lives in Philadelphia.
About Joel Leffert
Joel Leffert is a professional actor, stage performer, and director. He toured Europe playing Salieri in Amadeus and premiered at the National Theater in London in the newly discovered Tennessee Williams play Not About Nightingales. His television appearances include Law & Order and Third Watch, and he had roles in the Woody Allen films Deconstructing Harry and Celebrity. Leffert is the artistic director of the Salamander Repertory Theater in New York City.