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Aaron B. O'Connell
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Underdogs: The Making of the Modern Marine Corps Kindle Edition

by Aaron B. O'Connell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 76 ratings
Exploring the growth of the Marines from disadvantaged to elite force, this history “offers an excellent analysis of how the marines became the Marines.” (Publishers Weekly)

The Marine Corps has always considered itself a breed apart. This undying faith in its own exceptionalism is what has made the Marines one of the sharpest, swiftest tools of American military power.

Aaron O’Connell focuses on the period from World War II to Vietnam, when the Marine Corps transformed itself from America’s least respected to its most elite armed force. Venerating sacrifice and suffering, privileging the collective over the individual, Corps culture was saturated with romantic and religious overtones that had enormous marketing potential in a postwar America energized by new global responsibilities. Capitalizing on this, the Marines curried the favor of the nation’s best reporters, befriended publishers, courted Hollywood and Congress, and built a public relations infrastructure that would eventually brand it as the most prestigious military service in America.

But as O’Connell suggests, the Corps’ triumphs did not come without costs, including a culture of violence that sometimes spread beyond the battlefield.

“A significant and original contribution to both the military history of the Cold War and the ongoing conversation about the militarization of American culture.” —Beth Bailey, author of America's Army: Making the All-Volunteer Force

“Takes readers inside the culture of the Corps.” —Nathaniel Fick, author of One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer

“Insightful.” —Library Journal

“A powerful account of the relationship between fighting war and preserving peace, viewed through the lens of the stories that built support for both.” —Kirkus Reviews 

“Absorbing.” —The Wall Street Journal
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  1. Print length
    398 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harvard University Press
  4. Publication date
    October 29, 2012
  5. File size
    5.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"O'Connell offers an excellent analysis of how the marines became the Marines." ---Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Aaron B. O'Connell is lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and the author of Underdogs: The Making of the Modern Marine Corps. Most recently, he was associate professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

A classically trained actor, director, and teacher with many regional Shakespeare plays to his credit, Danny Campbell has narrated over 150 titles and directed at least that many. He is a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award winner and was named one of AudioFile's Best of the Year 2017.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BSLD4PJ4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press (October 29, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 398 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0674058275
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 76 ratings

About the author

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Aaron B. O'Connell

Aaron B. O'Connell

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Aaron B. O’Connell is Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Underdogs: The Making of the Modern Marine Corps (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2012). He was previously a professor of American history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he taught courses on American military and diplomatic history. From 2016-2017, he worked in the White House as Director of Defense Policy and Strategy on the National Security Council. A native of Norwalk, Connecticut, he lives in Austin, Texas.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
76 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's historical accuracy, with one review noting its well-researched coverage of Marine Corps culture. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability, with customers noting it's well-written by a former Marine. Additionally, customers appreciate its pacing, with one review highlighting its vivid detail.

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23 customers mention "Historical accuracy"23 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's historical accuracy, with one customer noting its meticulous research and another highlighting how it provides historical and factual context to the Marine Corps' mindset.

"...how the Marine Corps is the way it is today, giving historical and factual context to the mindset and functionality of the fiercely loyal and highly-..." Read more

"...the history and the author's view on the larger picture to be very enlightening...." Read more

"...of the Marine Corps as an insider while offering unflinching, honest analysis as a scholar and cultural critic...." Read more

"A well written, well researched recent history of the Corps, surfacing distrurbing realizations of the human cost of maintaining the services image..." Read more

18 customers mention "Readability"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written by a former Marine, making it a must-read for Marines, with one customer noting it is mandatory reading for USMC officers.

"FOR A marine VIet -Vet like Myself,it was a terrific Read and book I will keep Handy For Referance..." Read more

"I found the book to be very readable. I served 2 years in the Marine Corps, and I enjoyed the insight into the culture of the Marine Corps...." Read more

"...Underdogs raises tough questions in the context of a well-told, if poignant, story." Read more

"A well written, well researched recent history of the Corps, surfacing distrurbing realizations of the human cost of maintaining the services image..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one review noting its vivid detail and objective approach.

"...The scholarship contains many interesting anecdotes to reveal an objective look at how Marines perceived themselves in the past versus reality...." Read more

"...gives the story of the shaping of the modern Marine Corps in vivid detail with interesting analysis of the underlying causes...." Read more

"Fantastic book that ooutlines the making and maintaining of the ......" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer S.Stefan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great History of Our Marine Corps
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    FOR A marine VIet -Vet like Myself,it was a terrific Read and book I will keep Handy For Referance
    I had a very close Friend(Who has since passed away).He Was a Vet of Inchon Landing and Chosin
    Reservoir.He went in 47 and some of The stuff He told Me ,I thought Might Be "Sea Stories" They
    were 100% true.I am a Proud Marine and if anything this made Me More-so I will recommend This book to All.
    S/F
    S.S.
    Helpful
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  • Strong John
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unprecedented authoritative cultural study does what "First to Fight" never could
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    O'Connell's cultural history of the modern Marine Corps takes great efforts to explain how the Marine Corps is the way it is today, giving historical and factual context to the mindset and functionality of the fiercely loyal and highly-celebrated fighting force. The scholarship contains many interesting anecdotes to reveal an objective look at how Marines perceived themselves in the past versus reality.

    Most intriguing to me was the story of Marine Corps public relations efforts and government networking during World War II and the Truman and Eisenhower administrations. The hyperaggressive, focused lobbying effort guaranteed the Marine Corps not only survived, but prospered and made significant gains during the armed services unification efforts.

    Much of the research is secondary, so O'Connell's many arguments need further qualification. However, it is a HUGE step in the right direction. Nothing like this has ever been attempted, and I believe no other book about the Marine Corps addresses the heart of the organization so thoroughly and objectively. If you want to know solid facts about the Marine Corps rather than the tall tales learned in boot camp, this book is for you.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Dean McGrew
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, very enlightening about the Marine Corps culture.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I found the book to be very readable. I served 2 years in the Marine Corps, and I enjoyed the insight into the culture of the Marine Corps. The thoughts on Boot Camp and training rang true with what I experienced. I found the history and the author's view on the larger picture to be very enlightening. The author is a Marine veteran, but I thought he gave a balanced perspective.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Senorita Overdrive
    5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific read! Well-researched cultural history of the Marine Corps
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A great military history, but also a great cultural history of the military in the late 20th century. I appreciate that Lt Col O'Connell approached the personalities, ethos and the mythology of the Marine Corps as an insider while offering unflinching, honest analysis as a scholar and cultural critic. Underdogs raises tough questions in the context of a well-told, if poignant, story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Daniel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I think I've learned more about the Marine Corps through this book than many other resources including many first hand experiences as a Marines. It addresses many of my speculations concerning the history or the Marine Corps and it validates many of the values I attribute to the Marine Corps and its awareness of public conception.

    Great book, I would recommend to all Marines past and present, as well as to their spouses, families, and friends.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stephen F. Layton
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Eye Opener
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A well written, well researched recent history of the Corps, surfacing distrurbing realizations of the human cost of maintaining the services image and espirit de corps. As a proud former Marine serving in the late 50's, I was not aware of the events occuring at the time in Washington. This read opened my eyes to a much broader understanding of what it has taken to grow and keep the Marine Corps alive and well.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Emily
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Best regarding the Marine Corps
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book for my husband who is a former marine. He's read a gazillion Marine Corps books but says this is one of the best he's ever read. He loaned the book to a former Marine Corps General who also liked the book so much he is going to buy his own personal copy.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Marine49John
    5.0 out of 5 stars great info.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Author did a superb job of identifying and relating many unknown facets of our Marine Corps.
    I have an extensive library of USMC non-fiction books, but this is the first one that
    goes beyond the known battles and describes just how the Marine Corps has survived.
    A decorated, Recon Marine buddy, (now a Navy Captain) had loaned me the book.
    Once I started it, I just had to get my own copy.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • syrn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting. I am a Vietnam era veteran. From talking to other veterans the myth persists. I would recommend this read.
    Report
  • Mr. Richard Connell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Critical Analysis
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Comes closer to the Corps I served in 1951-1956 than most. He misses out or over emphasizes a few of the wrong things
    about the Korean War period.
    One person found this helpful
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