Preview
  • I'm Staying with My Boys

  • The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC
  • By: Jim Proser, Jerry Cutter
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (296 ratings)

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I'm Staying with My Boys

By: Jim Proser, Jerry Cutter
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Publisher's summary

I'm Staying with My Boys is a firsthand look inside the life of one of the greatest heroes of the Greatest Generation. Sgt. John Basilone held off 3000 Japanese troops at Guadalcanal after his 15-member unit was reduced to three men. At Iwo Jima he single-handedly destroyed an enemy blockhouse, allowing his unit to capture an airfield. Minutes later he was killed by an enemy artillery round. He was the only Marine in World War II to have received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and a Purple Heart and is arguably the most famous Marine of all time. I'm Staying with My Boys is the only family-authorized biography of Basilone. Distinctive among military biographies, the story is told in first person, allowing listeners to experience his transformation, forged in the horrors of battle, from aimless youth to war hero known as "Manila John".

©2010 Jim Proser with Jerry Cutter (P)2017 Tantor
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Critic reviews

“Everyone should read this book, the story of a true American Hero. I served with John Basilone and I can hear his voice in every page.” (Thomas O. Nass, 5th Marine Division, WWII)

What listeners say about I'm Staying with My Boys

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  • Overall
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great historical story by a World War 2 Veteran.

this story captured me since it was based on a hero's life who gave the ultimate sacrifice for hos country. The battle scene descriptions were great. big 👍

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story of an American Hero

So I love the story and it was amazing to hear the true story of John Basilone but the narrator ruins it for me this narrator is the absolute worst and worst most annoying voice ! I had him on another audiobook and his narration and voice just ruin the story and experience for me ! I will not get another book with this narrator again , how does he have this job , he must really know someone . Anyway amazing story of an amazing Man !

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A book worth reading!

Should be required reading by those who think our freedom is free.

We would be speaking Japanese and German if it was not for these brave warriors.

Well told story! Funny, sad, horror, love, victory, struggle, mud, pain, blood, honor,.. you will smell and feel the battle.

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Truly the Greatest Generation

The book does a magnificent job of giving you insight about what this hero experienced. His bravery. His humility. His ultimate sacrifice for our country and freedom. He exemplified the spirit of this country during that war of wars. I truly believe that today’s youth should have to listen to books like this and be given a deeper perspective of what the true cost of the freedom we enjoy looks like. A great read. Narration is just okay.

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very very very good 😀!

Excellent book. Hated for it to end. Narrator was great. Now I want to read Chesty!


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A very side by side account

This book is a very Side By Side Account of a human being whom reacted no differently than any man bsside him in war.
John Basilone is excellently presented to us in this book as the human being he was. His courage through the Japanese attack on the Bloody Ridge is an intense side by side account of the action on Guadalcanal. I enjoyed the accounts of Basilone's life in the army in Manila boxing Navy Sailors where he earned his name " Manila John." His accounts of growing up in Jersey with his brothers and sister are heart touching and we even can relate to his childhood upbringing. His parents you almost feel like you know them thats how accurately they are portrayed! You feel sorry and great full for John while reading about His service selling war bonds after earning the medal of honor. But you feel great for him when he is allowed to train Marines and serve and die alongside them on Iwo Jima in 1945. America doesn't make them like Basilone but let this story inspire those who read it to carry a bit of his toughness and sweetness in our own lives.

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one extraordinary hard fighting Marine

a story about a great American Badass we got the job done despite the odds against him. but more extraordinary his desire to get back with his boys to attempt to be there leader and mentor and hopes that he would save some of their lives

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Don't Judge it too quick

It was very slow to start. Very slow. However, keep trucking through and you'll find that you get attached more and more. It was a good listen.

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Amazing, Must-Read, real-life Hero

My attention was grabbed from the first sentence through the last. The action and detailed experiences described in this masterful work had my undivided attention from beginning to end. worth every second. the narrator was outstanding in his first-person narrative.

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Devil Dogs!

This is not only a great story of Manila John Basilone but profiles "Chesty" Puller as CO of 1/7 on Guadalcanal. The story is about Marines in combat demonstrating the cohesiveness and mental toughness the way they're trained to perform. No better literary example that I've ever read. Semper Fi!

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4 people found this helpful