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Three Best Quotes: ‘Against All Odds’
What a Medal of Honor winner prayed for as he led his men in a desperate battle — and what made Gen. Eisenhower ‘fighting mad’
This is the first in an occasional series of “Three Best Quotes” posts that give brief, memorable lines from new or recent books I’ve read but can’t review, either because I lack time or have a conflict of interest or other obstacle in my path. This series also may include the best lines from older books I have reviewed or — for your entertainment — “Three Worst Quotes” posts with lines from literary clinkers, ever-popular when I’ve done similar stories for other media (what does that say about books or about my followers?).
What does it take to earn America’s highest award for military heroism?
Journalist Alex Kershaw interweaves true stories of Medal of Honor winners in his popular history Against All Odds: A True Story of Ultimate Courage and Survival in World War II (Dutton, 2022). Kershaw follows the storied 3rd Infantry Division from North Africa through the German surrender, focusing on four of members who survived some of the most horrific fighting of World War II. He also offers glimpses of generals who sent them into battle, including Dwight Eisenhower, Lucian Truscott, and Mark Clark.
Here are three of the best quotes from the book.
