Brute
The Life of Victor Krulak, U.S. Marine
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4.5 • 41 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
From the earliest days of his thirty-four-year military career, Victor "Brute" Krulak displayed a remarkable facility for applying creative ways of fighting to the Marine Corps. He went on daring spy missions, was badly wounded, pioneered the use of amphibious vehicles, and masterminded the invasion of Okinawa. In Korea, he was a combat hero and invented the use of helicopters in warfare. In Vietnam, he developed a holistic strategy in stark contrast to the Army's "Search and Destroy" methods -- but when he stood up to LBJ to protest, he was punished.
And yet it can be argued that all of his these accomplishments pale in comparison to what he did after World War II and again after Korea: Krulak almost single-handedly stopped the U.S. government from abolishing the Marine Corps.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Coram (Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War) clearly admires Krulak (1913 2008), a contentious Marine leader, and most readers will agree. Son of Jewish immigrants (a fact he suppressed), he attended Annapolis to obtain a free education. After observing Japanese naval operations as a young officer in 1937, he worked tirelessly to promote his design for what later became the Higgins boat, which proved essential for WWII amphibious operations. A decade later, he fought for acceptance of the helicopter. Krulak won numerous decorations for courage and rose to high command, where, Coram claims, his Marines enjoyed greater success than the army in Vietnam, although bitter quarrels with superiors and President Johnson over the war's conduct denied him his dream of becoming Marine Corps commandant. Despite Coram's high regard for Krulak and worshipful view of the Marines, he reveals innumerable details that Krulak suppressed, distorted, or invented in oral histories. Coram portrays a driven, fiercely outspoken. but creative warrior who probably deserves his legendary status. 8 pages of b&w photos.
Customer Reviews
Brute
A book that every Marine should read. This should be on the Commandants reading list
Great Read!
Awesome book...couldn't put it down. Semper FI
Brute
A read for every Marine. The story of the determination and dedication of a Hero of the Corps. A remarkable revelation of the life and intellect of a great Marine.