Scarlet Fields Audiobook By John Lewis Barkley cover art

Scarlet Fields

The Combat Memoir of a World War I Medal of Honor Hero

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Scarlet Fields

By: John Lewis Barkley
Narrated by: Bob Souer
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A reconnaissance man and sniper, John Lewis Barkley served in Company K of the Fourth Infantry Regiment, a unit that participated in almost every major American battle. The York-like episode that earned Barkley his Congressional Medal of Honor occurred on October 7, 1918, when he climbed into an abandoned French tank and singlehandedly held off an advancing German force, killing hundreds of enemy soldiers. But Barkley's memoir abounds with other memorable moments and vignettes, all in the words of a soldier who witnessed war's dangers and degradations but was not at all fazed by them.

Unlike other writers identified with the "Lost Generation", he relished combat and made no apology for having dispatched scores of enemy soldiers; yet he was as much an innocent abroad as a killing machine, as witnessed by second thoughts over his sniper's role, or by his determination to protect a youthful German prisoner from American soldiers eager for retribution. This Missouri backwoodsman and sharpshooter was also a bit of a troublemaker who smuggled liquor into camp, avoided promotions like the plague, and had a soft heart for mademoiselles and fräuleins alike.

©2012 The University Press of Kansas (P)2017 Tantor Americas Military United States Wars & Conflicts World War I War Solider Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Barkley was one of the war's outstanding heroes and his memoir is one of the most readable and detailed accounts of an American soldier's experiences to emerge from it." (Edward M. Coffman, author of The War to End All Wars)
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I Really enjoyed this book. A lot of detailed fighting and gritty imagery. The intro/lead up into his time overseas was a little long but I understand it’s an important part of getting to know the man. Definitely worth the credit and read.

Great book

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Sad that Barkley didn’t get the recognition he deserved. He was a great soldier. Great number or stories covering raids. Lots of action but light on the sensory imagery some of these war books contain. No long descriptions of dead body’s and churned up mud. Just straight story telling. Highly recommend if looking for a infantry WW1 memoir. First class.

Fantastic story

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I am so glad I had an opportunity to listen to this story and amazing read more amazing is that it was not a hit when it came out in the early thirties

Missouri's Sergeant York

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As a Missouri boy and retired military member I was quickly pulled into this book. As the story unfolds you can really get wrapped up in it and the story of his struggle to join and serve his country. I would recommend this book for anyone who serves or who loves this country.

Great book from an American Hero.

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Very good. Fast paced and to the point. Gives a good perspective on what it was like to serve in an intelligence/recon role in the US Army during WWI. Started this after reading about John Lewis Barkley’s exploits in To Conquer Hell (about the Meuse-Argonne Offensive). It’s incredible what he went through and the initiative and proficiency he showed multiple times during the war, not just during his Medal of Honor action.

Excellent

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It was so nice to find a first person telling of WWI. This is a well told, no holds barred personal account. Well worth the time!

A hidden treasure!

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