MacDonald's text is the original non-scholarly texts written on this battle, he does however reference many Allied and German war records and unit histories as well as personal accounts of troops who were present. His credentials as a military historian are also well established adding significant value to this work.
This text is very well written and is the origin for many of the theories that are often repeated with regards to this battle - specifically that it was a useless use of manpower and that it never had the proper goals or objectives (the Roer River Dams specifically). Indeed, MacDonald quotes German commanders puzzlement about why the Americans were making such strong attacks into the forest.
Hindsight makes us wonder why the attack into the forest was pressed Division by Division with the loss of armored, artillery and air support and indeed the forest and the Germans extracted a heavy toll. Indeed one wonders why an airborne attack at the Roer River Dams coupled with a an armored push north (the Aachen Gap) and South (to the Roer) was not used to isolate the forest defenders, especially when one considers what was accomplished in the Falaise and Roer Pockets by the Allies or in the numerous encirclements achieved by the Wehrmacht on the Ostfront. Instead it appears that Eisenhower's broad front strategy condemned many soldiers to slugging it out yard by yard in the forest.
Regardless of the opinions or analysis aided by nearly 60 years of time - this is an excellent text and well worth reading as an insight into some of the hardest combat the allies saw in the ETO.

Charles MacDonald covers a lot of the same ground in "Siegfried Line" and "Three Battles", and those books have nicer maps. This book has the advantage of focusing on the Forest only (up to the Battle of the Bulge), and is fair and readable in the typical MacDonald style. For what the book is meant to be (i.e. popular history), it's superb. Other sources will have more detailed descriptions of certain battles and better maps.

The late Charles B MacDonald served as an officer of infantry in World War II and later became a civilian historian in the U.S. Army's historical division. His memoir, _Company Commander_ has enjoyed classic status. He also contributed three volumes to the Official History of the U.S. Army in World War II, commonly known as the "Green Books." This work, first published in 1963, still holds a valued place in World War II historiography.Although such recent authors as Gerald Astor (The Bloody Forest, 2000), Edward G. Miller (A Dark and Bloody Ground, 1995) and Robert Sterling Rush (Hell in Hurtgen Forest, 2001) have contributed new studies that take advantage of the latest sources, they all owe a debt of gratitude to MacDonald. MacDonald was the first to argue that the American planners failed to appreciate the importance of the Roer River dams as a primary objective of the Huertgen Forest campaign. He was also the first to state the Huertgen Forest was a wasteful squander of American lives and should have been avoided. Again, he was the first to criticize the American leadership for not fully comprehending the detrimental affects of the rugged terrain, the staunch German defence, and the harsh weather conditions that was indicative of the slaughter in the Huertgen Forest. These three basic themes would provide a basis for Astor, Miller, Rush, and others attempting to provide any future analysis of the campaign. MacDonald places the initial probes into the forest in September, 1944; the failure of the 9th Division in October; the decimation of the 28th Division in early November; and the final breakout in late November in overall perspective. MacDonald also provides a summation of Eisenhower's "broad-front strategy", a wide sweeping advance into the enemy's heartland, coupled with a strategy of annihilation, that of destroying the enemy and his ability to wage war. With this overall strategy in mind, what then was to be done with the Huertgen Forest? How were the Roer River dams to be captured when the heavily fortified town of Schmidt, and the better roads it provided for German armor and infantry, was continually denied to one American division after another? MacDonald does not tell us, nor, for that matter, does Astor, Miller, or Rush. The mistakes of generals are oftentimes evident; alternative solutions come harder.Yet, as a comprehensive narrative of the Huertgen Forest campaign, MacDonalds book was, and still is a solid foundation from which to build insight into what is perhaps the most difficult and bloody campaign in American Military history. A must for anyone interested in this terrible fight.

This is an excellent regional photography book. It covers the general fauna, flora and topography of the Big Horn mountain region of Wyoming in a very artistic fashion. It is not intended as a comprehensive review but as an ex-Wyoming native it sure reminded me of the glorious beauty of the last frontier.

Anyone with a little practice can take nice, well composed photographs. What makes a photograph art, like all art, is its ability to speak to something deeper inside, to draw you into it, to evoke an emotion. Esther McWilliams is an artist and her photographs are pure art; a feast for the soul as well as for the eye. Her ability to fine beauty in the little things that most of the rest of us overlook is also a delight.

We have quite a large library of books and this one is of a quality that National Geographic might have their name on. Not only is it well put together, the photo's capture the beauty of the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, and the animals, birds, and flowers, at varioius seasons of a year, it does so in such a way in makes one want to visit and see it first hand. And it is an interesting book that one can set out to be viewed without any concern if a child looks through it.

I read your book and it was a very well written story on your life. I learned a couple of years ago that the smoking companies were always out to get us teenagers. Your story just helped me in the sense that now I really understand just how they do that. Now I see the inside of the tobacco companies and that the people who work in them don't smoke, well at least some don't. And that they only advertise smoking and that they don't do it. I hope your book helps alot of teenagers and kids understand that smoking isn't all that its cracked up to be. Good Luck!

This is a great book! I started reading it and couldn't put it down! I consider Dave Goerlitz a friend, but this book really gave me an insight into Dave's life and made me appreciate his motivation to speak out against tobacco.

Rick Bender, Snuff-Free Activist and Jaw Cancer Survivor

Ally and I couldn't put the book down. She read it in one evening; she just couldn't stop reading it!

I thoroughly enjoyed it; it's very real; I wouldn't change a thing!

Brian Charles, Tobacco Fighter

The national forest's trails and wonders are revealed by authors who've hiked the trails most of their lives. 100 of the most scenic, strenuous hikes are described in a guide which requires strong walking skills and access to North Carolina wilderness region.

This is an execellent book that provides helpful descriptions of each trail and how to find them. Especially helpful that it uses USGS maps instead of printing their own. I highly recommend this book.

This book details some wonderful hikes in the North Carolina mountains. Experienced hikers and casual strollers alike will find ample adventures mapped out in this excellent book. The authors, all natives of NC, have certainly put much time and energy into creating a book that would reflect their love of the outdoors and their special fondness for the western section of NC. I highly recommend this guide. Enjoy!

I have all of Maurice Pledger's sticker books: Bobby Bear, Billy Bunny, Olivia Owl, and Oscar Otter. I think they are well written, beautifully illustrated, and through the very generous number of stickers noted to match particular pages in the story, offer a tremendous interactive experience. I have four children between the ages of 2 and 7 and they all enjoy them at their own level. I have also probably bought more than 25 copies as birthday or other occasion gifts and they are always a hit with both children and parents. I definitely recommend this and any of these books.

My 2.5 year old LOVES this book. I was amazed at the beautiful illustrations and the quality of the stickers. Each page includes a short story and stickers are provided to enhance the learning experience. For example, the first page introduces Bobby the Bear and tells of his life in the forest. It goes on to tell of Bobby's forest friends. Stickers of his forest friends are provided and the reader is able to put them on that page so that they become acquainted with other animals that live in the forest. This book also teaches/enhances matching and sorting skills. I'm planning on buying all of these sticker books. You can't beat the price.

My 2 1/2 year old just loves this book. It combines the things kids this age love - a story book and stickers and it's educational too! She needed adult supervision to do the stickers properly but it was alot of fun to do with her since the book is well written and so beautifully illustrated. I would recommend this book for toddlers and older. The stickers can be reused up to a point and given the quality the price is a value. Highly recommend it.

As a professional in the environmental area in Central America, I applaud Vandermeer and Perfecto's explanations of the workings of man in the humid tropical forests of our region. These are not easy issues, yet they manage to leave the reader with a sense of the urgency without oversimplifying or becoming preachy. This book is best for someone who is really interested in the political ramifications of US policy in the tropics, or for someone interested in working in the environment overseas.

I was drawn to this book because of the foreword by Vandana Shiva. I kept reading it. It does a good job of looking at several of the different variables causing rain forest destruction and keys in on land and food as major factors. Clear and easily read. Not to long or overly verbose.

Vandermeer and Perfecto step forward with a review of a difficult and complex subject. Their analysis does not show the one-sided perspective that many do; they address the root causes of the problem of Deforestation in Tropical America. The book is excellent in its readability, depth, and human approach to what too many scientists try to explain as a purely biological problem. Gerald R. Urquhart Ph.D.

I live in Texas, and I have so for all of my life, but it is sure is surprising to find out how big Texas exactly is. In this book you get, in detail, a listing of state and national parks and forest for the 4 regions of Texas. Being that Texas is so big, each region tends to have all different types of camp sights compared to some of the other regions. The nice thing about this book is it gives you information about OTHER parts of Texas, perhaps that you haven't visited yet. I love to camp but tend to stick to those areas near me, or that I visited as a child. This book should give you enough information to maybe visiting some new sights.

I operate a year round therapeutic camp for teen boys. The camp goes on many trips, from day trips to extended trips. This book by Mickey Little is an invaluable resource in planning the trips for my staff and 30 boys. Lots of maps, descriptions on campsites and group sites, and of course, activities for the kids once we get there. I would'nt plan a trip without Mickey.

Although it includes many commercial campgrounds also, this book is superb for selecting, contacting, and describing the many state parks in Texas...we have found no better!!

This is a wonderful soul searching book. Arjuna Kumar shows a great deal of courage by writing such an in-depth and personal story.

This is the book that makes you think, about love, relationships, and how you view the world. The author lets us into his world for a unique view of life and love lost. I highly recommend reading this book.

This book hits right to the point of love and relationships. The author holds nothing back in letting us into his life and world. I recommend this book for everyone.

Elsa Beskow is classic! What a wonderful book deeply explorative of the Earth. Elsa is accurate with her botanical drawings. She has such a beautiful mind! She places fairy children and elf children as the helping hands to Earth's changes. As the insects and bugs are preparing for Spring's entrance, the children paint and polish them. Perfect book for ages 2-6. Innocent, perfect for homeschooled children.

Adorable tale about a miniature family, mother, father, two daughters and two sons who live in the forest. Children play and go to school with forest animals. The animals and children speak to each other. There are several morals taught in the course of the story. Follows the family from one season through the next. The children help the parents work, harvest food for winter, etc. It is nice to see the children happily working with the family rather than just existing to be entertained. The children have several adventures and lots of different fun activities playing with the animals in the forest. The book is formatted with text on the left page with one or more black and white illustrations above and/or below it, and the right side of the book is one big full color illustration. The book is a large format. The illustrations are gorgeous and offer much to look at, many details, rather than just mimicking the exact words of the text. I wish there were more books of this high quality available today. If there are more 100 year old books like this, I wish they would be republished. The story is lovely and the adult will enjoy reading it over and over.

This is a wonderful book which has been in my family for generations. This book has adventure, educates children about nature and animals, family bonding, etc. The detailed pictures can be explored for hours toghether with your children.

Thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous photography of my childhood haunts- I went to grammar school in the Cook Forest area and not long ago when a friend was planning to visit for the first time I handed her this book (I work in a library) as a preview-she was hooked. Mr. Cook has captured all the untouched magic of Pennsylvania forests and packaged it up so we can all carry about a bit of solitude in our busy lives.

This beautiful book of photographs is begun with a fascinating description of the forest's history. I didn't realize that Pennsylvania had such a dramatic history involving the early timber industry and later with conservationists. This book quickly makes you realize how lucky we are to have old-growth forests in America.

You'd never guess from reading this bookthat Anthony Cook was not a professional author or photographer. As a long time visitor to the cook forest, I can testify that the author has beautifully captured the spirit and history of these magnificent woods.