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The Price of Valor: The Life of Audie Murphy, America's Most Decorated Hero of World War II
When he was seventeen years old, Audie Murphy falsified his birth records so he could enlist in the Army and help defeat the Nazis. When he was nineteen, he single-handedly turned back the German Army at the Battle of Colmar Pocket by climbing on top of a tank with a machine gun—a moment immortalized in the classic film To Hell and Back, starring Audie himself. In the first biography covering his entire life, the better-than-fiction story of Audie Murphy—the most decorated hero of WWII, celebrated movie star, and eccentric Texan—is brought to a new generation.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 2015
74 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
David A. Smith
47 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 19, 2018
I bought To Hell and Back many years ago. I've never reviewed it as it's been so long since I had the book. I may reread it now.
Are you a veteran? Then I'd bet the name Audi Murphy means something to you. At least I hope so. I made a reference to Alvin York in another thread a while back and I was shocked at the number of people who had no idea who he was. David Smith mentions in the last chapter of this book that he asked a high school history class how many had heard of Audi Murphy. Three people lifted their hands and 2 of those remembered him only as an actor.
So for everybody Audi Murphy was the most decorated American Fighter (Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman) in World War II. He won ever award for valor available plus the Purple Heart and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
At one point Murphy stopped a German advance single handedly while firing a .50 caliber machine gun from the top of a burning tank.
The man had a hard life and lived to see America change (and in my opinion not always for the better). At the very least he saved hundreds or thousands of the lives of his comrades. He saw all his closest friends die one by one in combat. He suffered from what we now call PTSD all his remaining life while continuing to attempt to function by simply "gutting it out".
Personally I think every American should know who he was and what we owe him. Of course it's not PC and it smacks of American Exceptionalism...but there you go.
I'm just like that.
Are you a veteran? Then I'd bet the name Audi Murphy means something to you. At least I hope so. I made a reference to Alvin York in another thread a while back and I was shocked at the number of people who had no idea who he was. David Smith mentions in the last chapter of this book that he asked a high school history class how many had heard of Audi Murphy. Three people lifted their hands and 2 of those remembered him only as an actor.
So for everybody Audi Murphy was the most decorated American Fighter (Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman) in World War II. He won ever award for valor available plus the Purple Heart and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
At one point Murphy stopped a German advance single handedly while firing a .50 caliber machine gun from the top of a burning tank.
The man had a hard life and lived to see America change (and in my opinion not always for the better). At the very least he saved hundreds or thousands of the lives of his comrades. He saw all his closest friends die one by one in combat. He suffered from what we now call PTSD all his remaining life while continuing to attempt to function by simply "gutting it out".
Personally I think every American should know who he was and what we owe him. Of course it's not PC and it smacks of American Exceptionalism...but there you go.
I'm just like that.
August 9, 2015
Audie Murphy went To Hell And Back--and you get the feeling that most everything after the end of the war was hell. His autobiography was good; he made three good movies (including playing himself); a bunch of B movies; otherwise he couldn't adjust. He had combat flashbacks (and so slept with a pistol under his pillow), became addicted to gambling (to recreate the risk of combat), and died too young (but knowing his Westerns genre had become extinct). He never learned how to show emotion when acting, because 1st Lt Audie Murphy couldn't afford emotion.
"[F]or Audie Murphy, heroism and celebrity were simply incompatible. The brutal reality of combat was real; Hollywood stardom was fake. He made an uneasy peace with Hollywood by disliking actors, denigrating his own acting ability, and spending his time on the sets with the working men on the crew."
I've visited his gravesite at Arlington, and will again soon. Because I hadn't before understood how lonely he must have been.
"[F]or Audie Murphy, heroism and celebrity were simply incompatible. The brutal reality of combat was real; Hollywood stardom was fake. He made an uneasy peace with Hollywood by disliking actors, denigrating his own acting ability, and spending his time on the sets with the working men on the crew."
I've visited his gravesite at Arlington, and will again soon. Because I hadn't before understood how lonely he must have been.
September 16, 2015
You know, rating a biography is an interesting proposition. Are you rating the author's work, the research, the arrangement, the depth and whatnot. Or am I being influenced by the person about whom the book was written. I think I'll go with vague answer; yes.
February 21, 2019
I grew up watching Audie Murphy movies and always enjoyed them. It was neat finding out more about his life, as well as sad. He never fully recovered from his war experiences, and that caused a lot of turmoil in his life. *There was some language throughout.
Read
October 26, 2023This is for history lovers. I've known who Audie Murphy is for a long time now and knew a lot of his story, always wanting to learn more. He had an interesting life, and it was also sad. If you aren't familiar with who is, look him up and then read this book. I listened to the audio and very much enjoyed it and recommend it.
Audie was a hero in WWII and became a Hollywood western film star. From this book I found out the movies Audie was in weren't all that's popular, not really. And I don't know why. I've always enjoyed his movies, and I come to find out one of them, Joe Butterfly which I can't find anywhere to watch now, was not a movie Audie liked, nor was it well received. I loved him in "Destry," and I remember him in "To Hell and Back," which the first time I saw it I questioned how healthy it was to have Audie relive that trauma.
I wish he had had a better life and could have gotten the help he needed. But while trite it's still true, things were different back then. The trauma of war, seeing friends killed in action, it took a heavy toll on Audie and he never recovered. It's also sad that his story is not taught in school. Don't look for him in text books - believe me, I looked!
I do recommend this and ask you pass this story along to others so people can learn about this truly amazing person who didn't ask for anything in return.
Audie was a hero in WWII and became a Hollywood western film star. From this book I found out the movies Audie was in weren't all that's popular, not really. And I don't know why. I've always enjoyed his movies, and I come to find out one of them, Joe Butterfly which I can't find anywhere to watch now, was not a movie Audie liked, nor was it well received. I loved him in "Destry," and I remember him in "To Hell and Back," which the first time I saw it I questioned how healthy it was to have Audie relive that trauma.
I wish he had had a better life and could have gotten the help he needed. But while trite it's still true, things were different back then. The trauma of war, seeing friends killed in action, it took a heavy toll on Audie and he never recovered. It's also sad that his story is not taught in school. Don't look for him in text books - believe me, I looked!
I do recommend this and ask you pass this story along to others so people can learn about this truly amazing person who didn't ask for anything in return.
January 20, 2016
Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier of World War II. This in itself is worth mentioning; but worth mentioning even more is the fact that he was only nineteen years old when he left the Army.
I have always loved all and anything about Audie Murphy, from the first time I saw him on screen as an actor, watching him in an old Western on television. I thought, and still do, that he was one highly attractive man, with a distinct Texas drawl, slow walk, and had a habit of looking down whenever he was speaking with a woman, but looking the men directly in the eyes. It entranced me then and entrances me still today. I suppose you could say I had quite a crush on this man.
I'd already known about his war record since I'm diligent about seeking information on subjects I'm interested in. I thought, erroneously, that I'd known nearly everything about this man until I opened the pages of this book. Mr. Smith gives us the full picture on Audie Murphy, and what a picture it is - both the good and the bad.
His upbringing was the humblest of humble: he was born to a tenant farmer who could barely survive, and they were so poor there wasn't even electricity in any of their homes until he was around nine. He learned to shoot - and hit his target on the first try - as a matter of survival. In the words of Audie himself: "If I missed, we didn't eat." This ability stood him well during the war.
His early years were some of the hardest I've ever read about, and it amazes me that he survived them without being bitter. He tried at first to join the Marines as a sniper, but being small (5'5") they weren't interested. Eventually he was accepted into the Army, but even that wasn't easy. They didn't think he was cut out to be an infantryman, and wanted him to make another career, but Audie had more determination and grit than anyone knew and he refused.
He faced all major battles and received the highest honors possible including the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving his entire platoon. This, my friends, is the stuff only Hollywood can dream up: He climbed atop a German tank, manned the gun and took out the enemy with their own weapon. It not only earned him that award, it earned him the notice of Hollywood itself.
The great actor James Cagney saw his picture and knew of his exploits and invited him to come to Hollywood. While it never went anywhere with a partnership between them, he stayed and made movies anyway. Not all great pictures, none of them Oscar-worthy. But worth watching, in my opinion. I dare anyone to see No Name on the Bullet and not see the type of person Audie was, in this, his best performance. Yet he had a darker side - a temper he could never get rid of, a gambling habit, among others. It was these things that kept him from becoming the star he could have been.
Because of the war and everything he had been put through he was never the same again. He had what we now term as PTSD, and would wake up with night terrors on a regular basis. He slept with a gun under his pillow. He lived with the guilt of seeing many of his platoon die while he lived, and never got over that guilt. He wrote an autobiography, To Hell and Back, about his experiences in the war, although he insisted the book was about everyone in his platoon, not himself. This book was later made into a highly-regarded movie that broke records at the box office.
Audie carried that guilt into his daily life and became a person who never shared with anyone. He kept things 'close to the vest,' as it were, and it anyone shared his friendship, it was rare indeed. He died at 45 in a plane crash in Virginia, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. His casket was pulled by six black horses.
Audie Murphy was a larger than life hero, although he would probably balk at my saying so. He never considered himself as such. I have always believed, and after reading this book that belief is only reinforced, that Audie was numbed to the world after he returned home from the war. He had endured so much, pushed himself so hard, that he could never find a way to gain anything from life again that would make him feel content.
n The Price of Valor, Mr. Smith informs us that it doesn't come easy, nor lightly. Unfortunately, in Audie's case, it came at a cost that was too high to pay. For all his small stature, he was a giant of a man and there will never be another like him. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016...
I have always loved all and anything about Audie Murphy, from the first time I saw him on screen as an actor, watching him in an old Western on television. I thought, and still do, that he was one highly attractive man, with a distinct Texas drawl, slow walk, and had a habit of looking down whenever he was speaking with a woman, but looking the men directly in the eyes. It entranced me then and entrances me still today. I suppose you could say I had quite a crush on this man.
I'd already known about his war record since I'm diligent about seeking information on subjects I'm interested in. I thought, erroneously, that I'd known nearly everything about this man until I opened the pages of this book. Mr. Smith gives us the full picture on Audie Murphy, and what a picture it is - both the good and the bad.
His upbringing was the humblest of humble: he was born to a tenant farmer who could barely survive, and they were so poor there wasn't even electricity in any of their homes until he was around nine. He learned to shoot - and hit his target on the first try - as a matter of survival. In the words of Audie himself: "If I missed, we didn't eat." This ability stood him well during the war.
His early years were some of the hardest I've ever read about, and it amazes me that he survived them without being bitter. He tried at first to join the Marines as a sniper, but being small (5'5") they weren't interested. Eventually he was accepted into the Army, but even that wasn't easy. They didn't think he was cut out to be an infantryman, and wanted him to make another career, but Audie had more determination and grit than anyone knew and he refused.
He faced all major battles and received the highest honors possible including the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving his entire platoon. This, my friends, is the stuff only Hollywood can dream up: He climbed atop a German tank, manned the gun and took out the enemy with their own weapon. It not only earned him that award, it earned him the notice of Hollywood itself.
The great actor James Cagney saw his picture and knew of his exploits and invited him to come to Hollywood. While it never went anywhere with a partnership between them, he stayed and made movies anyway. Not all great pictures, none of them Oscar-worthy. But worth watching, in my opinion. I dare anyone to see No Name on the Bullet and not see the type of person Audie was, in this, his best performance. Yet he had a darker side - a temper he could never get rid of, a gambling habit, among others. It was these things that kept him from becoming the star he could have been.
Because of the war and everything he had been put through he was never the same again. He had what we now term as PTSD, and would wake up with night terrors on a regular basis. He slept with a gun under his pillow. He lived with the guilt of seeing many of his platoon die while he lived, and never got over that guilt. He wrote an autobiography, To Hell and Back, about his experiences in the war, although he insisted the book was about everyone in his platoon, not himself. This book was later made into a highly-regarded movie that broke records at the box office.
Audie carried that guilt into his daily life and became a person who never shared with anyone. He kept things 'close to the vest,' as it were, and it anyone shared his friendship, it was rare indeed. He died at 45 in a plane crash in Virginia, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. His casket was pulled by six black horses.
Audie Murphy was a larger than life hero, although he would probably balk at my saying so. He never considered himself as such. I have always believed, and after reading this book that belief is only reinforced, that Audie was numbed to the world after he returned home from the war. He had endured so much, pushed himself so hard, that he could never find a way to gain anything from life again that would make him feel content.
n The Price of Valor, Mr. Smith informs us that it doesn't come easy, nor lightly. Unfortunately, in Audie's case, it came at a cost that was too high to pay. For all his small stature, he was a giant of a man and there will never be another like him. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016...
October 31, 2016
I enjoyed this biography on Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War Two. It is about time I finally know more about him! I was wondering whether to start with Audie’s autobiography or this biography told in a third person perspective but in the end I thought it was better to start with this work by David Smith. I don’t regret it—that’s because I enjoyed it very much.
The book explores Audie Murphy’s childhood, something which Audie Murphy himself prefer not to talk about or share in details both in person and his own autobiography. Murphy came from a humble Texas background growing up in America during the Great Depression. Unlike Murphy’s autobiography this biography by Smith reveals a darker side to Murphy’s childhood of how his father was a drunkard and disappeared later in Audie’s older years of his childhood. I thought it was insightful of Audie’s character of how early one he worked very hard to provide for himself and his family. For modern readers the portion of the book was also a window into the America’s Greatest Generation growing up and coming of age.
Of course the most exciting part of the book was the part of Audie Murphy’s time in the Army. I didn’t realize how short and boyish Audie Murphy was (I once had an Irish pastor tell me Audie Murphy was my height and how small he was but never followed up with a fact check that he was correct). As the biographer noted, in the beginning this was a liability against Murphy as the higher ups kept on thinking he was not combat infantryman material. Murphy had to fight several times from being moved back to the rear with other duties ranging from being a runner to other details. Murphy was in the Army to be in the fight! Even the story of how Murphy tried to join was fascinating; as the book made clear there was throughout his life a discrepancy with what his age was when he joined but as the author was able to piece together Audie Murphy enlisted by falsifying his birth record. I must confess that I was quite ignorant about Audie Murphy before this book and I didn’t know what campaigns he participated in other than the fact that he fought in the European theatre against Germans. I learned from this book that Audie participated in the North African campaign although at that time his unit was not involved with heavy combat and Murphy and his men kept on yearning for combat. It was at Italy that Murphy’s unit engaged their enemy and here was where Murphy first distinguished himself. The stories of Murphy’s combat was truly courageous and heroic, and I don’t want to ruin it—read the book!
I also appreciated the latter part of the book focusing on Murphy’s homecoming especially with the surprised and awkwardness of suddenly having so much attention upon him and becoming overnight a media sensation. Murphy’s many social and community commitments during his homecoming was astounding and certainly must have strained him in ways that people probably didn’t understand back then. I thought the book was also insightful with Murphy’s post combat trauma, something that wasn’t as prevalently talked about at that time. Audie Murphy would always sleep with a gun and the book has an account of how one of his associate spent the night with him in the same room became frightened for his life to hear Murphy’s screaming and yelling during the night. The guy was so frightened he never stayed in the same room with Murphy again. There’s also the story of Murphy having his knuckles all bloodied from his nightmares of combat. The book discusses how Murphy entered into Hollywood and his acting career going up and down and eventually waning because of cultural shift that society was going through in the 1960s.
The book was insightful and enjoyable to read. Again I recommend it. Audie Murphy was a hero both in combat and how he transitioned back to civilian life after seeing things that most people wouldn’t ever want to see. This book is honest with Murphy’s rather rough moments being a civilian including his failed marriage and gambling. Nevertheless you see him for who he was.
The book explores Audie Murphy’s childhood, something which Audie Murphy himself prefer not to talk about or share in details both in person and his own autobiography. Murphy came from a humble Texas background growing up in America during the Great Depression. Unlike Murphy’s autobiography this biography by Smith reveals a darker side to Murphy’s childhood of how his father was a drunkard and disappeared later in Audie’s older years of his childhood. I thought it was insightful of Audie’s character of how early one he worked very hard to provide for himself and his family. For modern readers the portion of the book was also a window into the America’s Greatest Generation growing up and coming of age.
Of course the most exciting part of the book was the part of Audie Murphy’s time in the Army. I didn’t realize how short and boyish Audie Murphy was (I once had an Irish pastor tell me Audie Murphy was my height and how small he was but never followed up with a fact check that he was correct). As the biographer noted, in the beginning this was a liability against Murphy as the higher ups kept on thinking he was not combat infantryman material. Murphy had to fight several times from being moved back to the rear with other duties ranging from being a runner to other details. Murphy was in the Army to be in the fight! Even the story of how Murphy tried to join was fascinating; as the book made clear there was throughout his life a discrepancy with what his age was when he joined but as the author was able to piece together Audie Murphy enlisted by falsifying his birth record. I must confess that I was quite ignorant about Audie Murphy before this book and I didn’t know what campaigns he participated in other than the fact that he fought in the European theatre against Germans. I learned from this book that Audie participated in the North African campaign although at that time his unit was not involved with heavy combat and Murphy and his men kept on yearning for combat. It was at Italy that Murphy’s unit engaged their enemy and here was where Murphy first distinguished himself. The stories of Murphy’s combat was truly courageous and heroic, and I don’t want to ruin it—read the book!
I also appreciated the latter part of the book focusing on Murphy’s homecoming especially with the surprised and awkwardness of suddenly having so much attention upon him and becoming overnight a media sensation. Murphy’s many social and community commitments during his homecoming was astounding and certainly must have strained him in ways that people probably didn’t understand back then. I thought the book was also insightful with Murphy’s post combat trauma, something that wasn’t as prevalently talked about at that time. Audie Murphy would always sleep with a gun and the book has an account of how one of his associate spent the night with him in the same room became frightened for his life to hear Murphy’s screaming and yelling during the night. The guy was so frightened he never stayed in the same room with Murphy again. There’s also the story of Murphy having his knuckles all bloodied from his nightmares of combat. The book discusses how Murphy entered into Hollywood and his acting career going up and down and eventually waning because of cultural shift that society was going through in the 1960s.
The book was insightful and enjoyable to read. Again I recommend it. Audie Murphy was a hero both in combat and how he transitioned back to civilian life after seeing things that most people wouldn’t ever want to see. This book is honest with Murphy’s rather rough moments being a civilian including his failed marriage and gambling. Nevertheless you see him for who he was.
May 9, 2016
An engaging read. I hadn't known anything about Audie Murphy before reading this book except, of course, his being the most decorated WWII hero and of his being an actor afterwards. It's a sad story. He was deeply affected by what we now call PTSD and was only 19 when he came home from the war. His story is one that we should keep alive and unfortunately he has become someone most people have never heard of today. The book is well written, though not a page-turner, but certainly captivating and worth the read.
June 13, 2015
A good introduction to the life and career of the great Audie Murphy. For a more in-depth look at Murphy I would recommend "No Name on the Bullet" by Don Graham.
August 16, 2021
This is a very quick easy "read." Nothing much for me, though my service in the infantry of World War II was at the same time as Murphy. GoodReads has a fair, thoughtful, and fairly long critique by a person merely named "David" and his thorough review concludes with exactly my opinion.
"Smith gives the reader a comprehensive look at a complicated man. The book is an account of a wounded hero whose amazing acts of bravery during WWII left him psychologically compromised the rest of his life.... There are several audiences who might enjoy "The Price of Valor." Anyone who is a fan of Audie Murphy or military history- and wishes for a quick, simple read- will be most intrigued. Movie buffs and fans of classic cinema may find their curiosity piqued by Murphy’s acting career. His filmography is included as an appendix and Smith writes a brief critique of each one. Though Murphy’s acting usually received mixed reviews, I added a few of his films to my movie bucket list.
"In the final paragraphs, the author alludes to what quite possibly is the ultimate purpose for reading his book: remembrance. This story of human valor is worthy of being remembered for the lessons it teaches. Audie’s heroism and humility are worthy of emulation by men and women on and off the battlefield. And it provides a timely case study of the dark, cold effects a war- even a necessary war- takes on the human soul."
"Smith gives the reader a comprehensive look at a complicated man. The book is an account of a wounded hero whose amazing acts of bravery during WWII left him psychologically compromised the rest of his life.... There are several audiences who might enjoy "The Price of Valor." Anyone who is a fan of Audie Murphy or military history- and wishes for a quick, simple read- will be most intrigued. Movie buffs and fans of classic cinema may find their curiosity piqued by Murphy’s acting career. His filmography is included as an appendix and Smith writes a brief critique of each one. Though Murphy’s acting usually received mixed reviews, I added a few of his films to my movie bucket list.
"In the final paragraphs, the author alludes to what quite possibly is the ultimate purpose for reading his book: remembrance. This story of human valor is worthy of being remembered for the lessons it teaches. Audie’s heroism and humility are worthy of emulation by men and women on and off the battlefield. And it provides a timely case study of the dark, cold effects a war- even a necessary war- takes on the human soul."
May 29, 2024
The reason that I read this book is because my father fought in the same battalion as Audie Murphy, but not the same company. He saw Audie Murphy and knew who he was, but didn't know him personally. My father didn't like to talk about the war, and would only make offhand comments from time to time, and he died before we were old enough to have an adult conversation with him about the war, so my brothers and I grab any chance that we get to find out a little more about his experiences. This book talks about Murphy's life before and after the war, his hardscrabble, hand-to-mouth existence before, and his haunted life after. After the war, he felt numb, no longer able to be excited or enthusiastic about anything. He had PTSD, too, and squandered most of the rest of his life, spending money recklessly, cheating on his wife, trying to figure it all out. He seems to have had a very sad life.
June 6, 2017
Many younger people may not know the name Audie Murphy, which is sad because he was the most decorated soldier of World War II. He was still a teenager when he earned this honor, a modest, unassuming country boy from Texas. After the war, he found himself in an acting career, appearing in a handful of really good movies and many bad ones. He even played himself in a movie about his war experiences. He clearly suffered from PTSD, but he was beloved by Americans. His life spiraled out of control at the end, so he paid a high price for his valor on the battlefield. This is a good book for people who are unfamiliar with his story.
May 6, 2022
I appreciate this biography on Audie Murphy. The author did a good job of covering his life before World War II, but the meat of his story is truly what happens after the war. His career in the movies is what most people think or remember. However, his challenges from recovering from the effects of the war on his psyche is where this biography shines. A lot can be learned by current veterans as they are not alone. They may see themselves in how they are responding to their combat experiences similar to Mr. Murphy. Unfortunately, Mr. Murphy's life ended too soon before he could complete his journey to adapting to his new normal.
April 13, 2024
A decent biography of an amazing man. Looking at the ratings of some of the other biographies, I wished I would have read one of them instead. This one is fine: serviceable, but neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
But Audie Murphy's story is so unbelievable that even a middling biography becomes a thrilling read. This book is recommended, then, not so much for being an excellent biography than for being the tale of an incredible warrior and the terrible toll his experiences took on him.
But Audie Murphy's story is so unbelievable that even a middling biography becomes a thrilling read. This book is recommended, then, not so much for being an excellent biography than for being the tale of an incredible warrior and the terrible toll his experiences took on him.
July 22, 2024
Short biography on the life of Audie Murphy, the most decorated solider in American history. The book follows Murphy's life from his humble beginnings in Texas to becoming a war hero and movie star before his tragic death in a plane crash. The book also highlights Murphy's battle with PTSD after his service in the army and how it effected his life in Hollywood. A bit of a depressing read, as his life was devoid of Christ and thus rather depressing. Still an interesting read for WWII and mid-century Hollywood fans.
November 11, 2016
Audie Murphy was considered a great soldier who had a mediocre acting film career after his service. True enough, but few realized that he was fighting the inner demons of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. His tragic life went from a deprived childhood to a war and then a series of failed marriages and bankruptcy.
June 15, 2020
A very well written book, great research and such an interesting story. I have read other books on Audie Murphy and seen a number of his movies. If you know nothing about him, read this book, it will enlighten you. Under 200 pages which will appeal to those who don't need 500 pages (I could have read 500 myself).
February 17, 2021
An amazing story that I was not aware of. I feel like this should be required reading for every high school student and for every other American! It explains so much about the trauma of war and that "Greatest Generation".
December 24, 2022
The first quarter was an enjoyable but brief account of Murphy in war. After that. Hollywood. I tried and quit. I would recommend his memoir instead. I haven’t read it, and think this book gave too much away to fully enjoy the memoir while still feeling lacking.
June 1, 2017
A true American hero. Profoundly affected by PTSD! He was a walking wounded for the remainder of his life.
August 26, 2018
A relatively simply told story of a man with feet of clay who rose to become a true hero. I highly recommend it.
June 25, 2019
Informative, but too straight forward.
December 11, 2019
The world more than ever needs heroes and there was no other personification of the word than the late Audie Murphy.
Read
January 1, 2020The book took me longer to read than I expected. It would be a good book for anyone interested in World War II.
November 22, 2020
Audiobook performed by Tom Perkins.
June 28, 2021
Interesting story of an interesting life.
October 9, 2023
This generation of readers should take the time to relearn jist how significant he was in his time. All of our Grand Parents, and Great Grand Parents thought so highly of him.
December 23, 2024
A fairly good read about a true American hero and the price he (and those around him) paid for the courage it took to face the toughest test head on. Worth a read.
Read
May 1, 20254/25
Dnf
Preview for school library, curriculum project book
Will purchase.
Dnf
Preview for school library, curriculum project book
Will purchase.
October 24, 2020
Growing up in the 1960's and 1970's people knew the name of Audie Murphy much more than they do today. Murphy was a huge Western Movie star and everyone who watched the movies knew his story. He was the most decorated soldier in WW II winning every aware for valor there was along with a purple heart and being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. When he was seventeen years old, he falsified his birth records so he could enlist in the Army and help defeat the Nazis. When he was nineteen, he single-handedly turned back the German Army at the Battle of Colmar Pocket by climbing on top of a tank with a machine gun. When we played war as a kid we all wanted to be Audie. There was no equal, like Sgt. York in WW I, Audi Murphy was a profile in courage that most can not fathom. Ask a high school history class today if they heard either name and I'll bet you get very few affirmatives, if any.
The Price of Valor offers great insight into the man, how he grew up, who he was and how war impacted him. The problems he had when he came home from the war a hero. He suffered from what we today call PTSD for the rest of his life although in his day nobody knew what that was. He slept with a pistol under his pillow for fear of waking up to the enemy, plagued by nightmares, he had trouble keeping relationships and even though he was in a lot of movies they were mostly B rate movies because he really was not a very good actor, he was stiff and emotionless. I guess watching all your friends die in front of you can leave you as a shell. He became addicted to gambling, looking for the thrill he couldn't find anymore.
This book is both interesting and sad. It is at times amazing when going over his war exploits. Courage for days, valor in battle, along with adjustment issues when back in "the world". A very good insight into an exceptional soldier who gave everything for his country and was left struggling for the rest of his life.
The Price of Valor offers great insight into the man, how he grew up, who he was and how war impacted him. The problems he had when he came home from the war a hero. He suffered from what we today call PTSD for the rest of his life although in his day nobody knew what that was. He slept with a pistol under his pillow for fear of waking up to the enemy, plagued by nightmares, he had trouble keeping relationships and even though he was in a lot of movies they were mostly B rate movies because he really was not a very good actor, he was stiff and emotionless. I guess watching all your friends die in front of you can leave you as a shell. He became addicted to gambling, looking for the thrill he couldn't find anymore.
This book is both interesting and sad. It is at times amazing when going over his war exploits. Courage for days, valor in battle, along with adjustment issues when back in "the world". A very good insight into an exceptional soldier who gave everything for his country and was left struggling for the rest of his life.
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