When Your Number's Up: Meritocracy Goes to War

by Raymond S. Ross

This World War II story is a fictionalized account of what happened to some of the country's brightest teenagers. A select group of high-IQ soldiers were chosen for university training in an Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). They would become the engineers, the linguists and the medics needed for a long war. When infantry casualties mounted and draft boards came up short, the program came to a sudden halt and these special soldiers were unceremoniously deployed to combat divisions. The story follows four soldiers who join an armored infantry division whose fatalistic maxim is "when your number's up, it's up."

Hardcover

First published November 15, 2005

Reviews

[Ricky]

Accurately captues the essence of a soldier's frame of mind going through an experience never to be forgotten!

What a wonderful read...I couldn't put it down...it made you feel like you were right there experiencing the battle.

The sprinkles of humor throughout the book serve to lighten it in just the right places, yet it doesn't shy away from the worst parts of the war and its cost in lives. Dialogue sectiions are fabulous.

I always thought war books and war movies were for men. "When Your Number's Up" has changed my mind. It is researched as well as any James Michener novel and at the same time shares the struggles and emotional conflicts of those in battle.

[Tim Rueb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Read this while my son was in France taking part in the 70th Anniversary of D-Day with his High School marching band.