First published 1960
As the war in Europe rages, a squad of fresh-faced U.S. infantrymen are thrown into the fray. Everett "Hack" Hackermeyer, a troubled youth, joins the beardless warriors, struggling to survive amid the chaos of combat. Under relentless fire, the young soldiers must grow up fast or risk losing their lives. With each skirmish, Hack discovers hidden reserves of courage and resilience, learning to value his own existence as he faces the very real chance of losing it.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, war, military-fiction, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Germany
Period: World War II
320 pages · Paperback · Forge Books
Content warnings: violence, war