Sgt York A Book Review of Sergeant York and the Great War

York is perhaps one of the most recognizable in modern American history. But perhaps few connect this name to the man's humble life and remarkable war-time accomplishments. The text attributed to Tom Skeyhill and published in 1998, Sergeant York and the Great War helps to bridge the gap between York's name, his legend and his life.

The book is an adaptation of York's famous autobiography, pieced together from the military legend's own diary during his draft and rise to prominence in World War I. In addition to reproducing York's journal in its entirety, Skeyhill splices in the historical background required to help the reader navigate York's story. Skeyhill's contributions serve as companion of explanations for the geographical, military and historical implications of York's reporting. This is complete with information about military strategy and photographs. These additions to York's diary offer the reader a combination of...

This distinctive feature is especially evident in York's descriptions of war-time experiences such as the scene on the battlefield. Here, York takes the reader directly through terse and vivid sketches of a battle, moment by moment. In the section where York describes his famous heroics against the Germans in France, for which he ultimately received a medal of honor, the author attempts to take the reader directly into the trenches with him. Here, York reports that "they was to give us a barrage. So the time came, and no barrage, and we had to start without one. So as we started over the top at 6:10 A.M., and the Germans was putting their machines guns to work all over the hill in front of us and on our left and right. So I was in…