A Death in San Pietro

The Untold Story of Ernie Pyle, John Huston, and the Fight for Purple Heart Valley

De: Tim Brady

Narrado por: Paul Boehmer

By the time Mark Clark's Fifth Army reached the small village of San Pietro north of Naples in the first week of December 1943, a tough but rapid sweep through Sicily came to a muddy halt. On the slopes of a distant mountain, the death of a single platoon captain, Henry Waskow, epitomized the struggle.

A Death in San Pietro chronicles the quietly heroic and beloved Captain Waskow and his company as they make their way into battle. Waskow's 36th ("Texas") Division would ultimately succeed in driving the Germans off the mountains; but not before eighty percent of Waskow's company is lost in action.

For Americans back home, two of the war's most lasting artistic expression brought horrified focus to the battlefield, already dubbed "Purple Heart Valley" by the men of the 36th. Pulitzer Prize-winner Ernie Pyle's dispatch about Waskow's death and filmmaker John Huston's award-winning documentary of the battle rivets - and shocks - the nation, bringing, as if for the first time, the awful carnage of world war into living rooms across America.

©2013 Tim Brady (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Good Read

i discovered Ernie Pile. He was a good man that loved the soldiers that defend freedom.

A powerful story of the humanity of war

I read almost exclusively about WWII. This is a very well written and superbly performed work. It is the story of war correspondent Ernie Pyle and his timeless piece about the death of 36th Infantry Division company commander Henry Wasko. It is well researched and will hold you listening. Although many know the fate of Pyle and Wasko, I learned more about these fascinating men. A great addition to history buffs and those you like a well told story.