DOC A Winding Stream: The Handy-Hudson Canoe Trip; 1924 by Martha Reynolds in History

Description

Nothing can truly prepare you for the horrors of war… Martin Russ of the US Marine Corps tells his own story of being on the front lines during the war. As part of his military training; Russ was based at Camp Pendleton; but as a young man; he had desires and wishes he wanted to fulfil prior to going to war. This was the calm before the storm and Russ had no idea what was in store for him. Learning the ways of being a marine meant that emotions needed to be kept at bay. The slightest display of affection would result in the other men’s mockery. For Russ; dampening emotions was not entirely possible though. He had an ailing grandfather and he was exposed to suicide and death. Camp Pendleton was there to ready the men for war and; in the process; harden them to the horrors that were inevitable in any war. War was not something one read about and prepared themselves for. The first-hand experiences of a marine are captured through his eyes; the loss and devastation experienced by these marines is exceptionally provided. In November 1952; Russ and his comrades boarded the General Wm. Weigel from San Diego to Inchon; Korea. The two-week journey itself was uneventful. Russ details the preparations the marines made prior to disembarking and the conditions in which the men had to adapt to on Inchon. However; living conditions; meals; laundry; recreation were reasonably favoured by Russ. By January; he had become the automatic rifleman of the squad platoon of the Able Company. On his first night on watch duty; Russ came close to facing the Chinese and it wasn’t long before the raid began. Although a time of suffering; illness and death; Russ’s experience during the war is essentially presented through his own eyes. Portraying the feelings; emotions and hardships endured; The last Parallel provides an in-deep illustration of life at war. Praise for Martin Russ 'One of the most gripping stories of combat ever told' - New York Times 'The only book I have ever read that evoked the gut-clutching quality of this war' - Chicago Tribune 'Magnificent' - Chicago Tribune Martin Russ was born in 1931. He was a military author; ex-Marine and associate professor. The Last Parallel was based around his own experiences during the Korean War. His other; later books were based on accounts provided by other combat veterans. Russ died in 2010.