What do you think?
Rate this book
One Hell of a War: General Patton's 317th Infantry Regiment in WWII
If you like "Band of Brothers", you will love "One Hell of a War"! Submitted for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize and the Library of Virginia Literary Award. “One Hell of a War” is a fascinating blend of first-hand accounts and the strategic decisions that led to them based on the history of the 317th Infantry Regiment from its initial activation in World War II through the end of the war. This book has all the elements everyone loved in “Band of Brothers” with the added integration of the strategic leadership decisions of Patton, Bradley and Eisenhower. Most interestingly, it contains well written and thought-provoking excerpts of the late Colonel James Hayes, who served with the regiment during its entire wartime service. The history books do not say a great deal about the 317th Infantry Regiment of the 80th Infantry Division in WWII. However, it was a regiment that accomplished rather startling first bridgehead across the Moselle, cleared out La Grande Couronne de Nancy, participated in the capture of Metz -- the first time in history that the fort had ever fallen to an assault, and, of course, participated in the Battle of the Bulge as one of the first regiments to arrive in the area after the German assault had broken the line. It suffered extremely severe casualties and contained some of the best men ever known. Praise for One Hell of a War... "One Hell of a War" is one of those books you simply can’t put down. It should come with a carrying handle and a sign warning "Do Not Disturb"…one of the most enjoyable WW2 books to date. -Phil Hodges for War History Online I love to read WWII history, and One Hell of a War takes the reader into the foxhole and onto the battlefield like no other book I have read … this is a must read book. -Jim Ravella, President, Folds of Honor Foundation It would be wonderful if every unit who fought during the war had a book like this portraying what was accomplished and how terrible war is for the men who actually fight it. -Gayalyn Wojtowicz, daughter of S/Sgt. Guyowen H. Howard, Sr. 317/B OUTSTANDING! “One Hell of a War” is a magnificent and masterfully told story that effortlessly weaves together the historical operations of one of Patton’s infantry regiments and first-hand accounts like no other book that I have read. A book this excellent is a rarity and should be on every professional reading list. -Colonel Frank Athanason, USA (Ret), Past National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Dean Dominique's careful research and editing of Colonel James Hayes' combat memoirs rings true in a book that is both a scholarly work and an exciting read. Trust me, when you reach the section about the fighting and cold weather during the Battle of the Bulge, you'll want to put on a coat; it's that good. -Alexander Barnes; Author of "In a Strange land; The American Occupation of Germany 1918-1923." A remarkable story about an infantry regiment during WWII that played a key role in operations in Europe. Dean does a masterful job of weaving the personal accounts into the historical context of the major operations. With so few WWII veterans left, books like these are valuable resources. -Rich Killblane, Author of "The Filthy Thirteen; From the Dustbowl to Hitler’s Eagle’s The 101st Airborne’s Most Legendary Squad of Combat Paratroopers." Dean Dominique's new book, “One Hell of a War," knocks it out of the ballpark and is one of the best books I've read…You won't be able to put it down. -Andrew Z.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2014
402 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 29, 2021
. Really well written in regards to true history of WWII. The author paints a colorful picture of the tragedy of combat. Most of the books about war do not tell much of the aftermath of end of combat and truce. He tells about the terrible death camps and the mistake the United States made in allowing the Russians so much control of Europe, which brought on the Cold War. These were very special people who preserved our freedoms, which we are gradually losing in these current years. People we liberated come to our country and want to destroy our way of life. Very sad. I am 82 years old and lived in the best of times, the 1950s Msgt Denis L Neal USAF Ret
July 24, 2017
Very good first hand account
This is one of many stories about WWII as told by a combatant. There is a realism that comes through as one reads the direct quotes of Lt. Col. Hayes. There are stories of individual heroism as well as failures. Hayes does not spin or mince words. As a first hand war account, as compiled by the author, it is very well done. This was indeed the greatest generation.
This is one of many stories about WWII as told by a combatant. There is a realism that comes through as one reads the direct quotes of Lt. Col. Hayes. There are stories of individual heroism as well as failures. Hayes does not spin or mince words. As a first hand war account, as compiled by the author, it is very well done. This was indeed the greatest generation.
April 18, 2021
Interesting story
Colonel Hayes went from a second John to a light bird is just 3 years time due to the massive wartime expansion when , in peacetime, that would not have occurred in 30 years time! Interesting tidbits of daily life in the grunts.
Colonel Hayes went from a second John to a light bird is just 3 years time due to the massive wartime expansion when , in peacetime, that would not have occurred in 30 years time! Interesting tidbits of daily life in the grunts.
June 19, 2021
Beyond violent expectations
The author through his family’s engagement in a horrific campaign describes gory battles with no-holds barred in detail. I felt disturbed at the images of bodies blowing up, missing limbs, fatal wounds, a variety of this kind of modern warfare maiming. It
Was a very accurate portrayal the brutality but also the valor, courage and intelligence of of the Major who witnessed good and bad generals on the American side. Major Hayes had training and perspective, learning from West Point onwards about tactics and using history to formulate actions that helped protect his men and achieve his objectives.
The author through his family’s engagement in a horrific campaign describes gory battles with no-holds barred in detail. I felt disturbed at the images of bodies blowing up, missing limbs, fatal wounds, a variety of this kind of modern warfare maiming. It
Was a very accurate portrayal the brutality but also the valor, courage and intelligence of of the Major who witnessed good and bad generals on the American side. Major Hayes had training and perspective, learning from West Point onwards about tactics and using history to formulate actions that helped protect his men and achieve his objectives.
August 10, 2021
Follow an Infantryman in daily combatWW II
Easily read work paying tribute to one of the many American Infantry unit that fought, bled and died in WWII. Interesting aspects of everyday life in combat.Thanking the author for bringing this story into the light of day, and especially to Colonel Hayes for his dairy kept under trying conditions. The description of American military activities in Garnish are very timely for me and my wife as we will be there later this month. Thank you for your service Major Dominique.Vietnam Vet.
Easily read work paying tribute to one of the many American Infantry unit that fought, bled and died in WWII. Interesting aspects of everyday life in combat.Thanking the author for bringing this story into the light of day, and especially to Colonel Hayes for his dairy kept under trying conditions. The description of American military activities in Garnish are very timely for me and my wife as we will be there later this month. Thank you for your service Major Dominique.Vietnam Vet.
December 6, 2021
Well presented, insightful and informative.
I really enjoyed this book. I quickly became enthralled with the stories that Hayes had written about his experiences and thought the author did a great job putting Hayes’ words into context with the events and circumstances experienced by the 317th…all against a nicely done broad brush narrative about the pertinent major events.
It seems like Hayes was a great officer. As a vet I can say I would have been proud to serve under him.
I really enjoyed this book. I quickly became enthralled with the stories that Hayes had written about his experiences and thought the author did a great job putting Hayes’ words into context with the events and circumstances experienced by the 317th…all against a nicely done broad brush narrative about the pertinent major events.
It seems like Hayes was a great officer. As a vet I can say I would have been proud to serve under him.
September 20, 2022
While other authors interview combatants, few have the privilege to add diary accounts that were written for their own families to let them know what they thought and felt during combat. This unit of the 80 Division who fought with Patton and was in the worst of all the combat that entailed. Shows much in the day by day combat and horrors of war, that to too many armchair commando's romanticize. This is one of the more realistic books on the battles from the breakout at Normandy to past the end of the war waiting to go home.
September 2, 2023
Just Excellent!
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it was like for an American soldier and leader of men to attack Nazi Germany from Normandy all the way to the end of the war. What a riveting read. James Hayes and Dean Dominique deserve credit for highlighting the role that the 317th Infantry Regiment played in winning the war.
Jeff English
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it was like for an American soldier and leader of men to attack Nazi Germany from Normandy all the way to the end of the war. What a riveting read. James Hayes and Dean Dominique deserve credit for highlighting the role that the 317th Infantry Regiment played in winning the war.
Jeff English
February 21, 2020
Well written first hand experience of WWll.
The first hand account of Major Hayes provide the reader with a glimpse of the daily struggles of the American GI's with the horrors of war.
The first hand account of Major Hayes provide the reader with a glimpse of the daily struggles of the American GI's with the horrors of war.
March 16, 2021
Outstanding!
It includes a lot of long passages from the memoirs of another officer there so you get the insights from both men. I like to read the personal accounts of the soldiers and this book was not a disappointment. I strongly recommend this book.
It includes a lot of long passages from the memoirs of another officer there so you get the insights from both men. I like to read the personal accounts of the soldiers and this book was not a disappointment. I strongly recommend this book.
June 7, 2021
Excellent read fora history buff!
Amazed at what these soldiers experienced! Author made history come alive. I have always enjoyed reading about what soldiers experienced. This was very good!
Amazed at what these soldiers experienced! Author made history come alive. I have always enjoyed reading about what soldiers experienced. This was very good!
July 30, 2021
Informative
Many of the men and units who fought in World War Two, we're never mentioned in history classes or publications. This is a well written first hand account of one of those amazing units and brave individuals.
Many of the men and units who fought in World War Two, we're never mentioned in history classes or publications. This is a well written first hand account of one of those amazing units and brave individuals.
July 5, 2022
JAL
The book was very informative. I enjoyed following the routes the World War II battles were fought. I have been to many of the battle sites and it made the book more interesting.
The book was very informative. I enjoyed following the routes the World War II battles were fought. I have been to many of the battle sites and it made the book more interesting.
January 31, 2023
A great memoir, extremely well written.
The author expresses his experiences of war with passion and with a vivid memory. Highly recommended for those with a interest in World War II.
The author expresses his experiences of war with passion and with a vivid memory. Highly recommended for those with a interest in World War II.
March 23, 2018
Read about hero’s
It’s an accurate account about a regiment who
Like all regiment fought so very hard . Thankfully someone who was there shared there story of bravery
It’s an accurate account about a regiment who
Like all regiment fought so very hard . Thankfully someone who was there shared there story of bravery
March 20, 2021
A good description of a difficult time
I have had a number of acquaintances who participated in one of more of the actions described, which pretty much validated their remembrances.
I have had a number of acquaintances who participated in one of more of the actions described, which pretty much validated their remembrances.
October 7, 2021
Great book!! Really enjoyable pace and perspective.
Well written book, different pace and perspectives really added to the charm of the narrative. Thanks Service Men and Women!!
Well written book, different pace and perspectives really added to the charm of the narrative. Thanks Service Men and Women!!
November 18, 2021
War is hell
I guess I would have preferred to read about more personal. Stories and not so much stories of the whole army.
I guess I would have preferred to read about more personal. Stories and not so much stories of the whole army.
November 21, 2021
Very well written.
Very enjoyable. I will never lose sight of what they went through during this war and hope my grand children never have to.
Very enjoyable. I will never lose sight of what they went through during this war and hope my grand children never have to.
January 19, 2022
Review great book.
Thank you. Great book . my uncle drove a half track across europe. I was a grunt in Vietnam and was at Polk and benning nco school. Mac-1construction@cox.net
Thank you. Great book . my uncle drove a half track across europe. I was a grunt in Vietnam and was at Polk and benning nco school. Mac-1construction@cox.net
February 8, 2022
Great book
Should be required reading for combat arms officers.
Well structured.
Reminded Mr of my time in the field in 3AD.
Should be required reading for combat arms officers.
Well structured.
Reminded Mr of my time in the field in 3AD.
July 20, 2022
A Solid Firsthand Account of WWII European Theater
From the pen of a very capable and extraordinarily lucky combat commander: North Africa to Austria.
All thumbs up. Bravo!
From the pen of a very capable and extraordinarily lucky combat commander: North Africa to Austria.
All thumbs up. Bravo!
June 13, 2023
Great Book
Very interesting and factual, I always appreciate a good war story and I read a bunch of them, I will keep my eye out for more of his books.
Very interesting and factual, I always appreciate a good war story and I read a bunch of them, I will keep my eye out for more of his books.
November 22, 2023
Best book I’ve ever written
August 2, 2025
Probably would have rated this five stars but the kindle version had no maps or pictures making it difficult to follow
June 29, 2022
Well done
This was well done. It follows the exploits through personal experiences. It is hard to imagine what these men went trough.
This was well done. It follows the exploits through personal experiences. It is hard to imagine what these men went trough.
February 12, 2023
My father served in the 317th Infantry Regiment in WWII but seldom spoke of the experience. This book is a continuation of my journey to explore the sacrifices he and so many of the “greatest generation” made to save the world from the tyranny of the Nazis in WWII. It is also an attempt to understand the horrors that he experienced and how they shaped him into the the kind and principled man with a deep and abiding faith that I knew as my father. It is a humbling experience to say the least to read these remarkable first hand accounts of the day to day realities, tragedies and horrors experienced by all of those involved in this terrible period. May God bless them all and help us to remember and honor all our soldiers who sacrifice to make the world a better place, often at their own peril.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews