If you are really interested in the Marine Corps or WW2 History, this is something worth buying. Instead of just making 'Red Mike' Edson a saintly hero of great virtue and courage, the author describes Edson the man with warts and all.

My only complaint about the book (it wasn't that big because the rest of the book is excellent) was that book didn't go into as much detail about Bloody Ridge (the pinnacle of Edson's combat leadership and which won him the CMH) which is surprising considering how much detail was spent describing the fight against the Sandinistas between WW1 and WW2.

"Red Mike" Edson was one fearless warrior. His frontline exploits on Tarawa, Saipan, and Guadalcanal (where he won the Medal of Honor and probably saved the campaign) are the stuff of legends, but he was also, improbably, a first-class staff officer.
This unusual talent for organization brought him two stars and a role in the highest echelons of the Corps, but it also took him into the fierce politics of the Pentagon and may have indirectly caused his death.
The history of this fine Marine is well told in this outstanding biography; with photos, bibliography, and index. Highly readable; essential for Marine Corps readers and of great interest to general military history readers and WWII buffs.

(The numerical rating above is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

Don't buy this book expecting the definitive history of the United States Marine corps. Think of it more as reference book. Every single significant event that a date can be attributed to is listed, in that sense the book is great. But it does not give the reader a true sense of "Esprit de Corps"

Lieutenant General Lewis B. ("Chesty") Puller has an almost mystical quality for all who have borne the title "Marine." Lt Col Hoffman has written the definitive biography of Chesty Puller. The hero of Guadalcanal and the Chosin Reservoir is also criticized for his record casualties at Pelileu. General Puller's perserverance overcomes poor performance in various schools, scorn towards staff officers and controversial viewpoints that shortened his career. His story is one for all students of military history to enjoy. I recommend it with the utmost enthusiasm.

Boy was I suprised to see "Chesty" on a feature table in our local [store]. Although Chesty Puller wasn't that well known outside his beloved Corps, his combat record is well known to all Marines. Col. Hoffman's extensive research of Chesty's military career has lead to an exceptionally fine biography. Covering a span of over seventy years and three major wars this book reads more like a novel. Much like Geoffrey Perret's "Old Soldiers never die" (MacArthur's biography), every detail is included and well documented. Sure to be a historical reference for many years.

Col. Hoffman has written the definitive biography of the greatest Marine hero of them all. "Chesty" is in the same league as William Manchester's biography of Douglas MacArthur, "American Caesar". It's that good. Any future biographer of Chesty Puller will have to pass through this vibrant, meticulous work.

This is no mere hagiographic saga that ignores or dismisses General Puller's faults. Nor does it repeat as gospel some of the more outlandish tales that have sprung up around the General. These flaws doomed a previous biography ("Marine", by Burke Davis) to obscurity. Rather, "Chesty" is that rare thing, a scholarly book that reads like a novel.

Chesty Puller was the ultimate grunt's grunt, always leading from the front and never asking his men to do anything he wouldn't. He was, and remains, revered, literally a legend in his own time. Col. Hoffman has captured the essence of both the man and the legend.