The Heart of Hell

The Untold Story of Courage and Sacrifice in the Shadow of Iwo Jima

By: Mitch Weiss

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

The Battle of Iwo Jima, a major event in the Pacific Theater of World War II - and one of the bloodiest in United States history - began on February 19, 1945. But what happened two days earlier has largely been a footnote - until now....

On February 17, Landing Craft Infantry 449 was among a dozen gunboats helping to prepare the area for their invasion two days later. US military leaders thought that they had weakened Japanese forces in the area. However, from the towering slopes of Mount Suribachi, Japanese forces opened fire, forcing the US commanders to recalculate battlefield plans. They shelled and bombed the newly discovered enemy positions. It was a move that saved countless lives two days later, when tens of thousands of marines stormed the beach.

The Heart of Hell is the untold story of the crew of Landing Craft Infantry 449. Based on 130 exclusive interviews with sailors who survived the battle, the families of the men killed in the fight, and more than 1,500 letters the sailors mailed to loved ones during their long months at sea, this is a story of duty, brotherhood, love, and courage.

©2016 Mitch Weiss (P)2016 Tantor

Excellent and heartbreaking story

This is an excellent book that shows the war from the perspectives of the sailors of an oft forgotten unit of the Navy, the LCI-Gs. By the end, you will have a new respect for those who served upon the LCIs and probably feel a little bit of the heartbreak of war.

Heroes all of them

I am amazed each time I read of these heroes of WWII. How they gave their all to win the war. My heart aches for both the dead and the wounded. They are heroes, all of them! All gave some, some gave all!

The Best WWII History I have read

While the story line was great, the development of of the men was what made this book.

Truly an Inspirational story

A little known heroic battle that deserves to be better known given the selfless sacrifice of men who deserve to be recognized.

Fantastic Book !!!

Fantastic book very well written and very riveting !! The book flows very well and keeps you excited. Knowledge of US Marines and IwoJima is beyond GREAT . Highly recommend !!!

Touching the Heart

Without a doubt, the best book I have ever read regarding World War II.
A straightforward, honest and touching account of real people caught up in a dark time. Weiss so articulately recounts the stories and let’s the stories speak for themselves. No embellishments, no over-dramatization. Sensitive and respectful.

Haunting!

So vivid and detailed in its descriptions on the lives and happy moments of these young men. Their bravery and horrors of their final moments is compelling.

Important History, but Not a Compelling Story

First, let me say that what happened to these sailors during the Battle of Iwo Jima was horrific. I am not discounting their tragedy one iota.

However, this story is essentially a summary of family and love letters that document the feelings, fears, and emotions of the men of Landing Craft Infantry 449 as they prepared for the Iwo Jima invasion. Their actual time at "battle stations" was about nine minutes. So, essentially, twelve of the fourteen hours of this audiobook is a recitation of what is contained in those letters sent home and those sent to the sailors of Landing Craft Infantry 449.

I listened because I respect and honor the work these men did in supporting UD Teams, but as a recapitulation of the Battle for Iwo Jima, this book is not an important work. It is a history that binds together human dramas outside the battle zone (other than the nine minutes of terror).

Listen to this book if you want to know the intimacies of about a dozen men. If you want a book that documents Iwo Jima as a strategic target and the men who fought to take that island I suggest, "Flags of Our Fathers," by James Bradley and Ron Powers.