MWSA Book Review

Nobody Comes Back

Author:  : Donn Pearce

Publisher:  Forge Books

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

MWSA – The Best Military Novel of the Year – 2005!

The public has waited over 30 years for author Donn Pearce (who wrote the successful book and the movie screen play “Cool Hand Luke”) to come out with another blockbuster novel—and now the wait is over! “Nobody Comes Back” is another masterpiece by a master novelist! What is evident is that this tale about World War II is destined to become another classic war novel. This story is told with all the emotions and intensity of a combat veteran. It is a book about courage, the coming of age, suffering and hope. It is so much more then just about life and death on the battlefields—you will never read another story like this about any war. You will not sleep until you finished it!

This is the most riveting and powerful novel about “The Battle of the Bulge” that has ever been written—and that is saying a lot.

MWSA Rating: FIVE STARS!

2005 Best Military Novel of the Year Award!

Reviewer: Joe Fabel – MWSA Review Board

We have read about The Battle of The Bulge. Many have seen the film depicting the terrible event. Donn Pearce provides a personal tour of this frightful World War 2 engagement.

His main character is a very young man seeking excitement by joining the military. Basic training is completed quickly due to the need of replacements at the front lines. Immersed into the grinding machinery of battle, the young man faces one hardship after another without too much personal control of events.

The author vividly portrays the many unavoidable foibles of war: needed supplies missing, poor planning by the brass, sudden death and injuries of companions, capture by the enemy, life of the POW, escape and recapture, eventual haven behind friendly lines, disturbing questioning by our Military Police.

War is so much more than aiming a weapon at the enemy. It is demanding, it is confusing, it is physically and mentally insatiable. The young soldier of the story’s beginning has grown into an angry, questioning battle hardened individual. When you pick up this novel, you will discover real war without the trappings of Hollywood.