The Lost Battalion

by Thomas M. Johnson, Fletcher Pratt, Edward M. Coffman (Introduction)

For a generation the Lost Battalion exemplified the best of America’s involvement in World War I. Until World War II pushed the Lost Battalion out of the national memory with its own scenes of horror and heroism, mention of the unit’s name summoned up what America admired in its soldiers: unpretentious courage, dogged resistance, and good cheer and adaptation under adversity.

Genres: History, World War I, Military History, Nonfiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Andrew Owen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there is reason WW1 is not often written about. Little happens beyond the shelling and the dying.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Details about the WW I soldiers caught behind the lines in the Argonne forest in Oct. 1918. I saw the movie about it a few years ago. Real facts are good but a little different.

[Will Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a slow read bc of the time period writing, but fascinating

[Donald Paulsrud · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative look at the "Lost Battalion". A bit dry at times (unless you are really interested in mundane military facts) but the author tells the story of this part of WW I very well. At times it gets a little confusing trying to keep all of the people straight but that may have been more about me than the way the book is written. If you are interested in this story and how these men endured the hardships that they did, this is one of the best books out there.

[Jimmacc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a personal bias towards ww1 literature, but I enjoyed this book very much. Lots of details it takes a day by day approach to the story. I enjoyed the appendix detailing the newspaper accounts.