30 pages • 1 hour read
With the Old Breed
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
352
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Pacific Islands • 1940s
1981
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge recounts his experiences fighting in the South Pacific during World War II with the First Marine Division, covering brutal battles like Peleliu and Okinawa. The memoir vividly details the physical and psychological toll of combat, portraying the realities of war while celebrating the camaraderie among Marines and critiquing the destructive nature of warfare. The book includes graphic depictions of violence, death, and the dehumanizing effects of prolonged conflict.
Gritty
Dark
Unnerving
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
48,833 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge is widely praised for its harrowing and unflinchingly honest portrayal of combat in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Reviewers commend Sledge's vivid and gruesome detail, deep emotional impact, and the authenticity derived from his firsthand experience. However, some readers find the brutality overwhelming. Despite this, it remains a seminal work on war's realities.
Who Should Read With the Old Breed?
Readers who are fascinated by detailed firsthand accounts of war, especially World War II, will cherish With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge. This book will appeal to fans of Stephen E. Ambrose's Band of Brothers and Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front for its gripping, unfiltered depiction of combat and its profound human insights.
48,833 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Corporal Doherty
Corporal Doherty
A drill instructor at boot camp who introduces Sledge to the values and discipline of the Marines. Though not physically imposing, he earns respect through his ability to motivate and intimidate.
Snafu
Snafu
The nickname of Merriel Shelton, Sledge's frequent foxhole partner and a fellow mortarman. A veteran whom Sledge trusts for his unflinching demeanor and quick thinking in battle.
Ack Ack
Ack Ack
Captain Andrew Haldane, the respected and well-loved Commanding Officer of Company K. Known for his fair and intelligent leadership style that empowers his troops.
Doc Caswell
Doc Caswell
A corpsman with Company K, admired for his sensitivity and humanity during the war. He discourages Sledge from souvenir hunting, highlighting his ethical stance.
Mac
Mac
A mortar section leader known for his bravado and over-the-top behavior, which irritates his peers. Known for his combat inexperience and demeaning attitude toward Japanese corpses.
Shadow
Shadow
A first lieutenant disliked for his sloppiness and foul temper, contrasting sharply with admired officers like Ack Ack. His behavior further damages company morale during the difficult times of war.
352
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Pacific Islands • 1940s
1981
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.