Chesty: The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC

A must read for every Marine

Chesty is an eye opening book about the Chesty Puller you know, thought you knew, and never knew. Jon Hoffman dives into the persona that defines what the title "Marine" means, and reveals the truth behind the legend of Chesty Puller. Every Marine has heard of Chesty and knows his legends by heart, but what you don't know is just as impressive and heart warming.
Chesty's leadership is described in great detail, and the book could almost serve as a manual on how to be an effective leader. I highly recommend this book to all Marines, prior service and active duty. I was surprised at how human the man was underneath the widely known immortal warrior I learned about in my service with the Corps.
This read will fascinate you and amaze you, and at times pull at your heart strings as you are shown the true personality and compassion of this great man. It's a page burner that you will not want to put down.

Man, Marine and Legend

Most biographers end up by either glorifying or crucifying their subject or presenting such an insipid, milquetoast portrait that it resembles more a paper-doll than a person. Author Jon Hoffman, recently promoted to full colonel, shows us Lewis ¿Chesty¿ Puller as the man, the Marine and the legend---without glossing over his mistakes and flaws. The result reveals the multifarious character of ¿Chesty¿ Puller, the most famous (and possibly the most controversial) Marine who ever lived. This book is not only a well-researched and documented biography, but also a history of the modern Marine Corps from the end of WWI to the end of the Korean War. I don¿t think the true character of the man could be understood without seeing him against this background. At the end of WWI, Lewis ¿Chesty¿ Puller struggled 6 years to finally earn a permanent commission in the Marine Corps, overcoming obstacles which would have caused lesser men to give up in disgust. He fought in the jungles of Haiti and Nicaragua, through the Pacific campaign in WWII and the Korean War. Along the way, he was awarded 5 Navy Crosses (more than any other man in history) and at least one of them probably should have been the Congressional Medal of Honor. Retiring as a lieutenant general after the Korean War, he tried unsuccessfully to obtain to a combat command in Vietnam. The book also describes his remaining years of declining health and personal tragedy before succumbing to a series of strokes. Col. Hoffman, who I am sure is well on the way to establishing a reputation as significant military historian, has written a wonderful, honest biography of Chesty Puller. Anyone who is interested in military history should read this book.

A book about a Marine

I have heard of Chesty Puller throughout my 43-year Marine life, I have Chesty's own story "Marine", but I never really knew or understood this Marine until I read Chesty. A must read for all Marines.

extraordinary combat officer

An excellent biography of an enormously effective Marine. Lt. Col. Hoffman by his careful research and great writng ability has created a classic. 'Chesty' is one of those important books that grace the bookshelves of professional military , mothers and all Americans. A splendid book about a magnificent American warrior. The tender family man , the consumate professional officer, opinionated but often correct , one of the icons of his generation. A valuable ,memorable book.

The Legend, A Marines's Marine.

Chesty Puller, the Marines, Marine. A very well researched and documented story/biography of one of America's true heroes. The book gives a realistic look into the life and exploits of LtGen. Lewis B. Puller USMC. The author, LtCol. Jon T. Hoffman documents a story that lets the reader separate the myths from facts in a long distinguished career, and reveals the man as well as the legend. Chesty, the recipient of no less than five Navy Crosses has his battlefield exploits detailed to a fine degree in this well written biography. This book complements the 1962 book 'Marine' written by Burke Davis by giving a much needed objective point of view into Chesty Puller's life as a Marine. The book traces Chesty's life from his ancestry in the civil war, his time at VMI, W.W.II, the Korean war, on to his life after retirement. Having some time ago read the autobiography, 'Fortunate Son' by Chesty's son, and his prospective of his dad, I found this book to be fascinating and enjoyable reading. Chesty Puller was not only a Marine's Marine, He is a True American hero.

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