Perspective

The text is presented as a personal memoir of a combat infantry soldier participating in combat operations in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It is written in the first-person point of view, which is appropriate and ensures an engaging and accessible text. Sledge, the author, is also the primary participant in nearly every aspect of the narrative—as expected for a book of this type. Sledge is clearly qualified to deliver a book of this type. He was a combat veteran marine and participated in nearly all of the events described. Thus, as an eye-witness and participant, his narrative is credible, accessible, and highly engaging. Sledge's focus is on personal experiences—thus, he relates carrying ammunition, bearing stretchers, slogging through mud, and living in foxholes more than he relates shooting down enemy soldiers or engaging in close-in fighting. Assigned to a 60mm mortar section...