James Carl Nelson

Note: this is a review of the audiobook version from Gildan Media. The hard copy may have had useful maps and images (and footnotes) that I am not aware of.

I Will Hold is a history book following future Commandant Clifton B. Cates and the 96th Company of the USMC during their campaigns in France during World War 1. It is *NOT* a biography of Cates, even if you wanted to frame that as a "biography of Cates focusing on his time in WW1" (although it's close to that). Similarly, it is *NOT* a history of the 96th Company (although, again, it's close to that). It splits the difference between these two things, which makes it something of a tweener; not enough of either aspect to be great. As a quasi-biography, I learn a lot about what Cates did and who he was, but not a lot enough about what he *thought* and how his experiences in France shaped him for the rest of his career and life. As a quasi-unit history, I don't learn enough about the formation of the unit and its role in the larger war to properly appreciate it as a unit history.

With that said, it's still a fine book and a good read (and for the audiobook, very nicely narrated). It feels like it could have been something more, though.… (mais)

Journalist James Carl Nelson's grandfather never said much about his experiences in World War I. Nelson knew that his grandfather was wounded, and that each year he spent the anniversary of the day he fell on the battlefield in a quiet retreat with his wife. After his grandfather's death, Nelson wanted to learn more about his grandfather's experience in the war. Most researchers would be satisfied with their loved one's service record, and perhaps stories from a local newspaper mentioning their loved one's service. In order to put his grandfather's service into context, he broadened his research to his grandfather's company. He learned about each of the men that made up that company - their lives before the war, their experiences during the war, and their fate.

The book wasn't quite what I expected. I anticipated a little more focus on the individual soldiers and their families before and after the war. For the most part, however, the book reads like standard combat history. I also expected the focus to stay on the members of Company D. However, it was easy to lose track of Company D during the descriptions of battles since many other companies made up the larger units of which Company D was a part. Finally, Nelson provides an account of American actions during the engagements in which Company D participated with very little analysis or discussion of German actions. Nelson's tone seems to suggest that the sacrifices of the men of Company D were wasted. That may be true, but I'd like to look at the German perspective before drawing conclusions. What was going on behind the German lines during these engagements? I would have liked a little more context than Nelson provides. Now I'm looking for another book or two that will provide a more balanced analysis of the American participation to add to my World War I reading list.… (mais)

I’m quite grateful to Andrew, who a little over a year ago, challenged the review I wrote for Five Lieutenants: The Heartbreaking Story of Five Harvard Men who Led America to Victory in World War I, by James Carl Nelson. It wasn’t really a review, but rather a rant about stereotyping of the south and Southerners that was in my mind happening at that time. Five Lieutenants made a great anvil for that purpose.

Having now read the entire book, I was glad I stayed open to it, even if reluctantly so. I found the story riveting, and the esteem felt for these gentlemen in the hearts of the men who served with them made it a very poignant story as well. To read about men fighting a war with 20th century technology, and a 19th century mindset was truly horrifying. That any culture could accept carnage on that scale is beyond understanding.

I found myself embarrassed by how little I know about the First World War. The players I can name occupies less than one hand. Anger quickly followed as I thought about the world’s leaders doing so little to make that war what was claimed at the time – a war to end all wars. Two decades latter an even bloodier battle raged, and this time it consumed soldiers and citizens alike. The war’s destruction to bodies and property were eclipsed towards the book’s conclusion, when craters in the minds and souls of the survivors became visible. Thank God the term “shell shocked”, and shame it carried have been replaced with an understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and treatment. Though, as we now know, we are still falling short in helping the men and women returning from today’s war.

Today’s war is now being fought for over a decade, and by volunteers no less. Sadly, our society has in many respects advanced very little, if at all, when we think about our willingness to allow the continued sacrifice of so many. Memorial Day weekend is a great time to ask ourselves if we can truly say we've honored the lives of these five men, as well as the thousands who perished with them, if we have allowed millions to follow them in the century since “the great war”?

First Review (March 2013)
Admittedly, my dislike of this book could be a simple case of historical transference.

Any implication, inference, or suggestion that because of their education and life potential the sacrifice of five Harvard graduates were somehow more honorable or significant than others who served is offensive. Pall Mall, Tennessee rests just on the horizon of where I work and live, and is the birth place of Alvin C. York, a Medal of Honor recipient and arguably the most storied American soldier of World War I. Though a smart, devote, and earnest man, Sgt. York was virtually uneducated even by the standards of his day. Yet what he accomplished with his life during the war, and most especially after the war, is inspirational on any level. His glory on the battle field was exceeded by his humility and concern for others, especially the children of his rural Tennessee valley, throughout the remainder of his life.

I feel better now.… (mais)