House to House: An Epic Memoir of War
David Bellavia
Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, House to House is far more than just another war story. Populated by an indelibly drawn cast of characters, from a fearless corporal who happens to be a Bush-hating liberal to an inspirational sergeant-major who became the author's own lost father figure, it develops the intensely close relationships that form between soldiers under fire. Their friendships, tested in brutal combat, would never be quite the same. No
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
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This is one of the most powerful books we've read. Your sharing your experience with us without filtering what occurred was overwhelming. You have given us a better understanding of what the military go through and awe over the ability to return from hell and resume a "normal" life. Our utmost respect and appreciatio goes out to all of you. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Cliff and JoAnne LaBossiere | June 6, 2009, 5:08 pmThank you so much for sharing the details of your experience. So often vets keep these things to themselves, and while I understand why, it is sort of a disservice to those who want to understand. I am racked with guilt for not participating in these recent conflicts. I served in the Army National Guard for 8 years. One of my first units had just returned from Desert Storm, then I had been out for four years when my last unit had been deployed, my timing was off, and I stayed home at the pleading of my family. My unit served near Fallujah. Men who live around me were called up, and thankfully they all returned home. But I always look at them with gratitude, knowing that they took my place, and served so that I didn't have to. Thank you for taking care of business!
Posted by: Glen R. Lyman | May 3, 2009, 1:59 pmSir,
Posted by: Joe Slavin | February 19, 2009, 6:22 pmI'm a spoiled rotten civilian who can barely stand the sight of blood. When a book is too graphic I put it down. Not so with yours. I was riveted and it's safe to say the book changed my life. The unbelievable heroism that you and your brothers demonstrated is something I did not know still existed. I wish I would do more to help the veterans that come home and the families of those who have not. G-d bless you sir.
SO MANY THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY. SURE BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES.YOU ARE RIGHT NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND UNLESS YOU WERE THERE. NO NOT EVEN THE SUPPORT TROOPS. YOU WILL NOT FORGET AND YES YOU WILL THINK OF IT EVERY DAY AS LONG AS YOU LIVE. IT IS APPROACHING 40 YEARS SINCE I WAS IN COMBAT IN THE INFANTRY. MINE WAS NOT HOUSE TO HOUSE BUT IN THE JUNGLES AND MOUNTAINS OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA. I AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THE MARINES. I WAS A PLATOON SERGEANT IN 1967 IN TAY NINH PROVINCE WITH THE 3/21 INFANTRY WITH NO LT. SO YOU KNOW THAT LEFT IT UP TO ME. MY PLATOON SGT WAS 19 YEARS OLD. ART MADE E6 AT CHU LAI. I WOULD PROBABLY BEEN ROUGHER ON YOU THAN SGT CANTRELL WAS FOR RISKING YOUR SELF AS YOU DID. YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
Posted by: BILL MAYFIELD | February 11, 2009, 3:10 pmI LOVE YOU AND ALL YOUR GUYS. LIKE SGT FITTS, I AM ALSO A MISSISSIPIAN. THEM OLE BOYS WILL STICK BY YOU. SO WILL THE ONES FROM NEW YORK. NOW I FEEL LIKE ALL YOUR GUYS ARE MY BROTHERS. I SEE UNITS DEPLOYING AND ATTACKING IN KUWAIT AND IRAQ AND I KNOW I SHOULD BE THERE WITH THEM. I AM NOW 72 NEXT MONTH AND WOULD SLOW EVERYONE DOWN. I COULD MAKE YOUR GUYS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE HOT CHOW WHEN YOU STOOD DOWN. I KNOW FOR I HAVE BEEN ON THE SHORT END OF THE HOT CHOW AND THE COLD TEA. GOD KNOWS I COULD GO ON AND ON. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE WHO CARES. YOU AND I KNOW WHO CARES. SOME TIMES ONE WILL SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. MY RELPY IS I WOULD DO IT AGAIN JUST FOR YOU. I PRAY YOUR BOOK WILL DO WELL AND I PRAY FOR YOUR WIFE AND BOYS. I KNOW HOW ROUGH IT IS ON THE FAMILIES THAT STAY BEHIND. THEY DESERVE THE MEDALS AND HONOR. TELL DEANNA THAT I SALUTE HER. TOO I KNOW FREEDOM IS WORTH ALL THAT WE GAVE AND OUR FELLOW COMRADES CONTINUE TO GIVE.
MASTER SERGEANT BILLY MAYFIELD,US ARMY RETIRED. 1 MAR 76.
Simply one of the top 5 true war stories ever, and easily the best book regarding the war in Iraq. As a fellow servicemember, one who plans on doing 20, it made me proud to read this masterpiece of wartime literature. In the 3 days it took me to read this book, my palms stayed sweaty and I'm sure my heart rate was elevated as well. It almost made me ashamed for my time as a REMF, and made me happy that I am deploying again soon. God Bless the author, his fellow grunts, and all of our servicemembers who put their lives on the line for a country that is on it's way to being made a better place no matter what our national news networks may say.
Posted by: Rick Possert Jr. | August 3, 2008, 4:21 pmMy fingers have just started moving again since I finished reading your story 10 minutes ago. My pride is overflowing. I want to fly to Buffalo right now to shake your hand, mostly for your service as an infantryman, but also for taking action to share your story. Deanna, Evan , Aiden and the rest of us are blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for persevering. Thank you for putting into words the truthful description of the evils you faced and the truthful feelings we are all better able to understand with each waking day. God Bless you and all those that have fallen making our world a better place.
Posted by: Aristotle Pantelis | June 21, 2008, 11:30 pm