This was a hard book to finish. First, Peter Shelton’s account of the 10th Mountain Division is thorough and impressive. What these men accomplished in the short amount of time they were activated plus the losses they suffered is astonishing. The men of the 10th not only served their country well but when they came home, they committed to making it better.
Most of the ski resorts today have a direct link to someone from the 10th Mountain Division. The rope tow and chair lift were used in battle to first save men. Great insights and stories.
However, I do have to be honest and say that the initial excitement I had in learning about the 10th Mountain quickly faded. Shelton’s first two and last chapters were amazingly well written with a story-tellers heart. Something happened in the middle and it began to read like a… well… a history book. And I don’t mean that in a good way.
What’s frustrating is that all the pieces are there, the research, the personal stories, how they fit in the whole of the 10th Mountain story, even the epilogue. But for whatever reasons, it doesn’t flow like a story. It’s a great resource and well researched. I just wanted more story out of it.
Tags: 10th Mountain Division, book reviews, Climb To Conquer, Peter Shelton, World War 2
Would you recommend this book even though it becomes slow in certain areas?
Hmmmm…good question. I loved the info and parts of the book. Then there were parts that just drug on.
I wouldn’t read this particular book again but I am looking for another book on the 10th.
How’s that for a non-committal answer.