I read this book countless times when I was an active Marine, yes it was on the Commandant's reading list but this book was given to me by my company xo. This book takes place during the Vietnam war, it's a great example of what the Marine Corps stands for in warrior spirit and esprit de corps. It also shows what a Marine squad can accomplish when the odds are stacked against them. How they adapt, improvise and overcome. I highly recommend this title if you're a history buff, Marine or patriot. With everything, these days being you have to be special forces to be elite this book will remind you that Marines were and still are (through drilling Marine history and tradition into every Marine) America's finest fighting force!