The York Patrol, James Carl Nelson
The York Patrol, James Carl Nelson
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The York Patrol
The Real Story of Alvin York and the Unsung Heroes Who Made Him World War I's Most Famous Soldier

Author: James Carl Nelson

Narrator: Jacques Roy

Unabridged: 7 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: William Morrow

Published: 02/23/2021

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

In the vein of Band of Brothers and American Sniper, a riveting history of Alvin York, the World War I legend who killed two dozen Germans and captured more than 100, detailing York's heroics yet also restoring the unsung heroes of his patrol to their rightful place in history—from renowned World War I historian James Carl Nelson.

October 8, 1918 was a banner day for heroes of the American Expeditionary Force. Thirteen men performed heroic deeds that would earn them Medals of Honor. Of this group, one man emerged as the single greatest American hero of the Great War: Alvin Cullum York. A poor young farmer from Tennessee, Sergeant York was said to have single-handedly killed two dozen Germans and captured another 132 of the enemy plus thirty-five machine guns before noon on that fateful Day of Valor. York would become an American legend, celebrated in magazines, books, and a blockbuster biopic starring Gary Cooper. The film, Sergeant York, told of a hell-raiser from backwoods Tennessee who had a come-to-Jesus moment, then wrestled with his newfound Christian convictions to become one of the greatest heroes the U.S. Army had ever known. It was a great story—but not the whole story.In this absorbing history, James Carl Nelson unspools, for the first time, the complete story of Alvin York and the events that occurred in the Argonne Forest on that day. Nelson gives voice, in particular, to the sixteen “others” who fought beside York. Hailing from big cities and small towns across the U.S. as well as several foreign countries, these soldiers included a patrician Connecticut farmer whose lineage could be traced back to the American Revolution, a poor runaway from Massachusetts who joined the Army under a false name, and a Polish immigrant who enlisted in hopes of expediting his citizenship. The York Patrol shines a long overdue spotlight on these men and York, and pays homage to their bravery and sacrifice. The York Patrol is a rousing tale of courage, tragedy, and heroism.Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

About James Carl Nelson

James Carl Nelson received the 2017 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s Colonel Joseph Alexander Award for Biography. He is the author of three acclaimed histories of the American experience in World War I: I Will Hold: The Story of USMC Legend Clifton B. Cates, from Belleau Wood to Victory in the Great War; Five Lieutenants: The Heartbreaking Story of Five Harvard Men Who Led America to Victory in World War I; and The Remains of Company D: A Story of the Great War. A former staff writer for the Miami Herald, he lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul

Excellent historical content overwhelmed by an abominable writing style.......more

Goodreads review by Louis

An interesting idea for a military history book but one ultimately done in by poor writing and a lack of maps. The story of Alvin York and his journey from a backward Tennessee farmer to religious pacifist to the ultimate American hero of World War I remains fascinating after more than a century. Th......more

Goodreads review by Brendan

The York Patrol focuses on a narrow subject - the life of Alvin York and his heroic day in the Argonne Forest - and covers it thoroughly. It's an interesting story that explains how York was both appropriately feted for his heroism but also received excessive credit because his squad also was involv......more

Goodreads review by Jason

For someone who knew very little about York, like me, this was a good introduction into his life before the war, his accomplishments during the war & the difficulties he faced after war in living a life with unwanted fame being forced upon him.......more