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The Old Breed... The Complete Story Revealed: A Father, A Son, and How WWII in the Pacific Shaped Their Lives
Forty years after the publication of Eugene Sledge’s memoir With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa comes The Old Breed… The Complete Story Revealed by Eugene’s son, Henry, adding new material and immeasurable depth to his father’s story.
The Old Breed… The Complete Story Revealed brings to life an abundance of new material from the original manuscript of Eugene Sledge’s classic memoir With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. By interspersing his own personal anecdotes throughout, Henry Sledge takes his father’s work and gives it newfound context, sharing memories of conversations between father and son. The result is a flowing narrative that portrays an intimate look at a WWII veteran and his struggles to adapt to civilian life following the war.
The Old Breed… The Complete Story Revealed brings to life an abundance of new material from the original manuscript of Eugene Sledge’s classic memoir With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. By interspersing his own personal anecdotes throughout, Henry Sledge takes his father’s work and gives it newfound context, sharing memories of conversations between father and son. The result is a flowing narrative that portrays an intimate look at a WWII veteran and his struggles to adapt to civilian life following the war.
425 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
79 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 14, 2025
An Additional Treasure
I read “With the Old Breed” by Eugene Sledge many years ago. It was a gut wrenching description of the island hopping battles that the US Marines had to fight in order to defeat Japan. His son, Henry, reviewed many of the pages that Eugene had written but never published, and he wove them into the story so beautifully that it brought many tears to my eyes as I read it. Not just the parts about the war but what it was like to be a warrior returning from a combat zone and trying to re-assimilate to the life he had before he went to war. Henry’s work is an act of true love for his father and a meaningful adjunct to the original. Recommended without reservation.
I read “With the Old Breed” by Eugene Sledge many years ago. It was a gut wrenching description of the island hopping battles that the US Marines had to fight in order to defeat Japan. His son, Henry, reviewed many of the pages that Eugene had written but never published, and he wove them into the story so beautifully that it brought many tears to my eyes as I read it. Not just the parts about the war but what it was like to be a warrior returning from a combat zone and trying to re-assimilate to the life he had before he went to war. Henry’s work is an act of true love for his father and a meaningful adjunct to the original. Recommended without reservation.
June 16, 2025
An excellent companion to a remarkable book. With The Old Breed on Pelileu and Okinawa is an essential book for anyone wanting to understand WWII in the Pacific. This book maps how the experiences of combat shaped Dr. Sledge beyond 1945 and influenced his son.
This book is well written and has a humanity to it that makes it a compelling read.
This book is well written and has a humanity to it that makes it a compelling read.
June 10, 2025
It doesn’t get better than this
While I was skeptical about the quality of this book based on its title and subtitle, it delivered in immeasurable ways more than it promised. The writing was excellent, the research rock solid, and the genuine sense of family and purpose came through on every page.
As the son of a World War II combat veteran, I connected in so many ways with the author’s life. This is an absolute Must-Read for those wanting the personal history of combat Marine’s experience in the Pacific during WWII.
While I was skeptical about the quality of this book based on its title and subtitle, it delivered in immeasurable ways more than it promised. The writing was excellent, the research rock solid, and the genuine sense of family and purpose came through on every page.
As the son of a World War II combat veteran, I connected in so many ways with the author’s life. This is an absolute Must-Read for those wanting the personal history of combat Marine’s experience in the Pacific during WWII.
July 18, 2025
What an excellent follow-up to Eugene Sledge's "With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa". As his father's book is my favorite WW2 memoir, I had preordered Henry's book and was toughly taken in by it all.
Reading the unpublished manuscript was wonderful and added to the depth of "With The Old Breed". Henry's writing was so easy to read, and the memories he shared were so sincere and heartfelt. By the last chapter I was crying; I am grateful for everything scarified by that generation which my own grandfather (whom I never met) was apart of.
Thank you Henry for publishing and adding to the history that should never be forgotten!
Reading the unpublished manuscript was wonderful and added to the depth of "With The Old Breed". Henry's writing was so easy to read, and the memories he shared were so sincere and heartfelt. By the last chapter I was crying; I am grateful for everything scarified by that generation which my own grandfather (whom I never met) was apart of.
Thank you Henry for publishing and adding to the history that should never be forgotten!
October 6, 2025
If you loved With The Old Breed, you’ll love this. Basically just more of With The Old Breed with Henry’s own explanation on the material and stories of him and his father. Great read.
November 1, 2025
Outstanding book! Sledge does an excellent job filling in the gaps and finishing the stories that his father told in the original book. I enjoyed the father-son stories/dynamic as well.
July 31, 2025
"Some World War II veterans happily donned dress uniforms with ribbons and medals and rode in the back backs of convertibles in Veterans Day parades cheered by throngs of well-wishers, but my father just wanted to forget about all of it". - W. Henry Sledge
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu & Okinawa by Eugene B. Sledge is a book that will forever remain a classic and one that rightfully claims the title of being one of, if not, the best combat memoir ever written. I have read it four times and listened to the audiobook twice. So, when I heard that Eugene Sledge's son, Henry Sledge, was writing his own book filled with cut material from the original manuscript of With the Old Breed: At Peleliu & Okinawa and his conversations with his father from his childhood to adult life I knew it was a book I had to pick up. And I'm glad I did.
With the Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed by W. Henry Sledge is a book that needed to be written. Not to improve on his father's masterpiece but to fill in the missing gaps and give us better context on who Eugene Sledge is as a combat veteran, father & husband.
Henry Sledge has structured this book in a unique way. He has expertly woven the cut material from his father's book with his own personal experiences growing up and hearing of the stories his father told him of facing the Japanese on the islands of Peleliu & Okinawa. The layout follows the same structure his father's book follows; enlistment, training, Peleliu, rest & rehabilitation & Okinawa. Henry writes very much like his father, blunt but poetic.
Henry could have easily piggy backed off his father's work here, however, with his addition of insight knowledge of his father and the family dynamic growing up he offers a book that will forever sit proudly next to his fathers written combat legacy.
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu & Okinawa by Eugene B. Sledge is a book that will forever remain a classic and one that rightfully claims the title of being one of, if not, the best combat memoir ever written. I have read it four times and listened to the audiobook twice. So, when I heard that Eugene Sledge's son, Henry Sledge, was writing his own book filled with cut material from the original manuscript of With the Old Breed: At Peleliu & Okinawa and his conversations with his father from his childhood to adult life I knew it was a book I had to pick up. And I'm glad I did.
With the Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed by W. Henry Sledge is a book that needed to be written. Not to improve on his father's masterpiece but to fill in the missing gaps and give us better context on who Eugene Sledge is as a combat veteran, father & husband.
Henry Sledge has structured this book in a unique way. He has expertly woven the cut material from his father's book with his own personal experiences growing up and hearing of the stories his father told him of facing the Japanese on the islands of Peleliu & Okinawa. The layout follows the same structure his father's book follows; enlistment, training, Peleliu, rest & rehabilitation & Okinawa. Henry writes very much like his father, blunt but poetic.
Henry could have easily piggy backed off his father's work here, however, with his addition of insight knowledge of his father and the family dynamic growing up he offers a book that will forever sit proudly next to his fathers written combat legacy.
August 11, 2025
This was a fine companion book to the original. Henry does complete justice to the additional content not published in Sledge’s original manuscript. My original concern was that it would read in a choppy manner given that the source material was already carved up but it was not an issue at all. On the contrary I would say that Henry does an excellent job of piecing his father’s writing together into a clear and concise narrative. Reading through this book after having been so impacted by the original was an inspiring and exciting experience. My comments regarding the elder Sledge’s work is the same as that of the original book. His writing is steeped in the characteristic Esprit De Corps of the Marines that I have grown so fond of reading. It shows the great insights of a man who has seen the depths of human experience and come out on the other side. Henry handles the work in a tactful and informative way. I appreciate this book as an additional American classic alongside the original.
“When people want to hear ‘war stories,’ they are revolted by the accounts of the true reality of infantry life. They want to hear stirring tales of dash and excitement, not of filth, shock, blood, and maggots. Possibly if they knew more of such things war would end.”
“YHAOS, Dad.”
“When people want to hear ‘war stories,’ they are revolted by the accounts of the true reality of infantry life. They want to hear stirring tales of dash and excitement, not of filth, shock, blood, and maggots. Possibly if they knew more of such things war would end.”
“YHAOS, Dad.”
July 22, 2025
Sledgehammer’s “With The Old Breed”, in my opinion, is the greatest WWII and frontline combat book ever written. This unpublished material being interlaced with his own son’s childhood and adolescent experiences is proof that United States Marine Private E.B. ‘Sledgehammer’ Sledge did not let the enemy take his sanity, as he was so afraid of.
This work is amazing. The fact that it’s from his son’s perspective I believe made it hit harder. It gave me the feeling of when I first read Eugene Sledge’s “With The Old Breed”. So many passages left me in disbelief that they were left out in 1981. Passages that make the legend of Sledgehammer and the Marines of K/3/5 only more legendary.
I loved this book. The decision, whoever’s it was, to simply put unpublished material in BOLD then Henry’s I think worked perfectly. It’s straightforward and hits a little extra as well as the combination with the insight of his son’s perspective and experiences. This book was brilliant.
As someone who has read “With The Old Breed” 4 or 5 times. I can guarantee I will be rereading this book.
7/20/25 - First Read
Bryan
This work is amazing. The fact that it’s from his son’s perspective I believe made it hit harder. It gave me the feeling of when I first read Eugene Sledge’s “With The Old Breed”. So many passages left me in disbelief that they were left out in 1981. Passages that make the legend of Sledgehammer and the Marines of K/3/5 only more legendary.
I loved this book. The decision, whoever’s it was, to simply put unpublished material in BOLD then Henry’s I think worked perfectly. It’s straightforward and hits a little extra as well as the combination with the insight of his son’s perspective and experiences. This book was brilliant.
As someone who has read “With The Old Breed” 4 or 5 times. I can guarantee I will be rereading this book.
7/20/25 - First Read
Bryan
January 15, 2026
" Forty years after the publication of Eugene Sledge’s memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, his son Henry has written The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed"
"We’ll talk with Henry Sledge about his conversations with his father that form the basis of this book, as well as his reflections on his father’s war."
"Henry Sledge is the son of renowned author Eugene Sledge, who wrote With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa and China Marine. While growing up, he witnessed his father’s memoir take form and come to life. Henry has worked as a consultant for Valor Studios and has been published in Valor and Naval History Magazine. His most recent article was the cover story for the Autumn 2022 issue of World War II magazine. He has co-hosted numerous WWII podcasts and has appeared as a guest on numerous other talk shows and documentaries. He holds a BA from Auburn University and has over twenty years of experience in the heavy equipment industry."
"We’ll talk with Henry Sledge about his conversations with his father that form the basis of this book, as well as his reflections on his father’s war."
"Henry Sledge is the son of renowned author Eugene Sledge, who wrote With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa and China Marine. While growing up, he witnessed his father’s memoir take form and come to life. Henry has worked as a consultant for Valor Studios and has been published in Valor and Naval History Magazine. His most recent article was the cover story for the Autumn 2022 issue of World War II magazine. He has co-hosted numerous WWII podcasts and has appeared as a guest on numerous other talk shows and documentaries. He holds a BA from Auburn University and has over twenty years of experience in the heavy equipment industry."
November 11, 2025
This is a perfect companion piece to one of the greatest books ever written: "With the Old Breed: at Peleliu and Okinawa," that was originally written by this author's father, Eugene B. Sledge (a Marine in World War II) in the early 1980s.
I am so grateful Henry Sledge has given us this book, because it includes all of the original unpublished manuscript material written by Eugene Sledge, that was not included in his original book. There are so many additional stories Henry now includes, as he guides us along his father's story, and includes his own personal and insightful commentary as he recalls childhood stories from his father, as well as his own experiences visiting the far-off Pacific battlefields where his heroic father fought. If you've read "With the Old Breed," this one is a must-read that you won't be able to put down.
I am so grateful Henry Sledge has given us this book, because it includes all of the original unpublished manuscript material written by Eugene Sledge, that was not included in his original book. There are so many additional stories Henry now includes, as he guides us along his father's story, and includes his own personal and insightful commentary as he recalls childhood stories from his father, as well as his own experiences visiting the far-off Pacific battlefields where his heroic father fought. If you've read "With the Old Breed," this one is a must-read that you won't be able to put down.
January 9, 2026
I have a lot to say about this so what I'm going to do is not say a lot. It's the Extended Edition of lord of the rings version of one of the greatest memoirs of all time. 5 stars if you're a fan of "With the Old Breed" like many are.
However my only minor grievance doesn't sit right on my consciousness to talk about....which is some of the personal stories only seem tangentially related and are sometimes poorly timed with the rhythm of the book. While I understand timing it with what's written by his father, I think it would have benefited by having the added manuscript and Henry's writings separated more.
That said I feel we all should be incredibly grateful to Henry for providing us with this wonderful addition to a story we all know and love about a man we all love and wish we knew.
However my only minor grievance doesn't sit right on my consciousness to talk about....which is some of the personal stories only seem tangentially related and are sometimes poorly timed with the rhythm of the book. While I understand timing it with what's written by his father, I think it would have benefited by having the added manuscript and Henry's writings separated more.
That said I feel we all should be incredibly grateful to Henry for providing us with this wonderful addition to a story we all know and love about a man we all love and wish we knew.
December 3, 2025
The son of Eugene Sledge set out to include in this book, his own personal memories of his father, mixed in with excerpts from the original manuscript of With The Old Breed. The excerpts, which are a substantial portion of this book were cut out of WTOB by publisher request, to shorten the original book. While the narrative for WTOB would not be changed a whole lot, it would have, in my opinion, really benefitted from all the added detail. This book ends, as did WTOB, in Okinawa. I found it an enjoyable read, having read WTOB a year or so ago. I would definitely recommend it to fans of WTOB, but not necessarily to people who have not read WTOB.
June 29, 2025
Great read. Henry did an excellent job adding his thoughts and memories to his dad’s experiences during World War II in the Pacific.
We all need to remember and never forget those men and women who put it all on the line for our freedom.
Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge was in my opinion an “American Hero”.
Without his fortitude in capturing his experiences, we may have never known what we do now about World War II in the Pacific.
Well done Henry.
We all need to remember and never forget those men and women who put it all on the line for our freedom.
Eugene “Sledgehammer” Sledge was in my opinion an “American Hero”.
Without his fortitude in capturing his experiences, we may have never known what we do now about World War II in the Pacific.
Well done Henry.
December 7, 2025
Oh God the wonders you display even in the depths of hell.
I cried and balled as I remembered the original text the Sledgehammer wrote. Then plus his son's commentary i recall my own 70+ years. Thankful for you Sledgehammer and my dad who was a Navy Corpsman! Temperatures Fi and Following Seas !!🫡
I cried and balled as I remembered the original text the Sledgehammer wrote. Then plus his son's commentary i recall my own 70+ years. Thankful for you Sledgehammer and my dad who was a Navy Corpsman! Temperatures Fi and Following Seas !!🫡
August 13, 2025
The WWII memoir “With the Old Breed” by Marine Eugene Sledge is one of my favorite books. This memoir by his son W. Henry Sledge fills in gaps to his father’s firsthand account. As good as this complementary book is, it naturally can’t reach the heights of his father’s true classic.
July 3, 2025
Well written and very interesting. Clarified many of the accounts that appeared in the original book written by his father. Time we'll spent!
July 17, 2025
A worthy continuation of his father's book "With the Old Breed at Pelielu and Okinawa.
December 24, 2025
Worth Reading
I read the original book Eugene Sledge produced and was fascinated by it. This adds perspective to the original work that is well worth the read.
I read the original book Eugene Sledge produced and was fascinated by it. This adds perspective to the original work that is well worth the read.
January 18, 2026
wow, great story
The book is amazing. As told by the son of a marine hero that lived through all the ugliness of WWII in the pacific
The book is amazing. As told by the son of a marine hero that lived through all the ugliness of WWII in the pacific
October 7, 2025
Excellent addendum to "the" most iconic and seminal book ever written on WWII in the Pacific. 81 years after the invasion, thank you for bringing the battle of Peleliu back to the forefront.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews