First to fight: an inside view of the US Marine Corps

Originally published: Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1991.First to Fight" is a very good book. It is sort of three books in one. The first story is about the post-WWII defense reorganization and attempts by some to eliminate the Marine Corps or fold it into one of the other service branches. It is important history and often interesting. Gen. Krulak has a hard time hiding his feelings for then-General Eisenhower, and his push to leave all fighting on the ground to the Army. Gen. Krulak discusses the will of the people being reflected in the decisions of Congress to maintain the Marines as a separate fighting force. The middle part of the book was the development of equipment and techniques for amphibious operations and close air support, names like "Howlin' Mad" Smith pop up in their pre-WWII roles. Lastly, the Vietnam chapters were highly readable but also sad. Gen. Krulak does an excellent job in providing the Marines' perspective on the Vietnam war.