by Martin King and Steve Mrozek.
Hardback (6.3×9.3 inches). 237 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: A History of the 82nd Airborne Division
The 82nd Division started in WWI with men from all over the US. Obviously, it wasn’t airborne in the beginning. Yet it served with distinction and was reconstituted as an airborne division for WWII and took part in all the major paratroop operations.
Because the 82nd has been covered so much for its WWII service, I found the WWI accounts, from training to the Meuse-Argonne Offensive more enlightening. I had not realized that Sgt Alvin York was a member of the 82nd when he stormed German lines in WWI.
The book also covers the 82nd from the Cold War to Afghanistan (p175-235).
One typo (p180): “I’ve you’ve never been around…” should be If, not I’ve, at the start of the sentence.
The book contains 14 black and white photos, nine black and white maps, and 11 color photos.
As a unit history, it covers about 100 years, so don’t expect too much detail, although some actions get down to the foxhole level. It reads well, fills in gaps often little covered, and provides a holistic account of the division.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
