I was interviewed for this book and while it may come across as a bit self-serving, I thought the overall concept was great and the other, cross-generational stories very interesting. I could see where some people might disagree with the running commentaries, but I thought it kept the stories flowing well.

Well written with solid facts and "war stories".

James Brady has seen the elephant and his credentials add to the book.

This great non-fiction book from James Brady that should be required reading for all Americans especially anyone thinking of joining the USMC. This book really puts into perspective the current and past combat times we have seen in this county. Thank you JB for another great book

I had read the coldest war also written by Brady and found it to be an honest description of a part of the Korean war true to the title.This on the other hand did not to my mind keep the promise of the title.Personally I did not even finish it.Save your money

as a young Marine I was looking forward to "Why Marines Fight", but this book just talked about things ive already learned and been trained to know. talks alot about Marines from the past.

As a former Marine combat Grunt, I was looking forward to reading this book. However, after enjoying Brady's novels about the Corps, I found this non-fiction work to be less than expected. From the guy who is listed as the "Corps' poet laureate", this work is much less that expected.

The title asks the question, "Why do Marine Fight"? However, the question is not answered. Rather, Brady writes a series of vignettes about people he apparently knew, none of whom deal with the issue - why DO Marines fight?

From my personal experience, Marines fight for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is the brother Marines to their left and right, for the Corps and for their country. Marines fight because, as volunteers, they are and always have been trained to fight since 1775. Never giving up a piece of ground without an argument, Marines fight ferociously because that is what is expected of them. They took "impossible" positions in WW I and "impossible" island fortresses during the pacific campaign in WW II, never yielding, but always on the offensive, even when cut off and without support, as at Guadalcanal. What makes a man go forward into almost certain death? Again, it's his fellow Marines, those who have also been trained to close with and kill the enemy, and protect their comrades, which is why so many Marines have been awarded the Medal of Honor for selfless acts such as covering a grenade with their own body to protect fellow Marines.

Brady had a good idea, but in the writing it fell way short of his objective. Marines fight because that is what we are trained and expected to do. It is also because we have leaders and NCOs who are trained to lead and lead from the front, not from a desk. Every Marine is a rifleman and every Marine is trained to taker command, if needed. That's why and how we fight!

Our motto says it all: Semper Fidelis! ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

As a Marine, the material on Marines of different generations is interesting but Mr. Brady's constant narrative injecting himself, his politics, his place of residence and the restaurants he frequents makes it sound like the book is all about him. It's almost like he trying to have some of the valor of his subjects rub off on him.

This book gives unique glimpses into the personal lives of Marines past and present--rightfully portraying the average Marine as the unknown hero next door. They were not described as the celebrities that we put on pedestals but have no substance, but as an incomparable breed of men and women that bare the weight of our freedoms--to which we at least owe our gratitude.

From an outsider's perspective, this work is an eye opener and will leave you in awe that people willingly go through hell for other Americans--even for those that turn right back around and spit in their faces.

What would have made this book an epic is if the author would have kept his political opinions out of it. He agreed with one Marine that he quoted, saying that war is purely apolitical. Yet sprinkled throughout the book [and laid on pretty thick in the last chapter] were his personal opinions that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are--in his words--silly. This discredits the objectivity of his work, reducing it from greatness to a good book from a guy with an ax to grind.

Beyond the bias, though, this really is a good book worthy of reading.

Purchased & read right away - couldn't wait. Bogs down every chapter with unnecessary and long winded info on each Marine. Specifics concerning company assignment, etc made this a long read. Got the point why Marines fight, but it seemed to be an afterthought rather than the theme.

I really enjoyed this book. As a Marine myself, I thought it was great to hear, in their own words, Marines from various generations describe their combat and life experiences.

While the prose, apparently direct from interviews, could at times be a bit grating, I liked Brady's introductions and running commentary.