Being an avid reader of military history, and knowing someone with eyewitness knowledge of Audie Murphy's wartime exploits. I'd categorize the film as being fairly true to the autobiographical book, even if a bit "Hollywoodized" by a theme song written for especially the film, and by the sometimes hokey acting of Murphy's supporting characters. Murphy was, indeed, a hero. A hero who saw and experienced indescribable horror while still in his late teens. His persona was forged by many months of combat, and his eyes - the eyes of a man who'd seen too much - reflected that in all his films. I recommend the film as entertainment, and also as a piece of history. The story of a man from "The Greatest Generation" who gave so much. Perhaps too much.

Very interesting true story of Audie Murphys life, how he grew up supporting his mother and siblings from the age of 12, signed up in the army after many rejections from the various services. He distinguished himself in battle with honours all the time with humility and bravery and consideration of his comrades. He educated himself through courses during his service. On early retirement from services to due injury he had to come to terms with the loss of a promising career. He made this movie of his life and then went on to make wonderful western movies. Audie Murphy is a legend

Audie Murphy's story is one of incredible courage and tragedy. The most decorated American soldier who ever lived -- the 2nd most visited grave at Arlington National Cemetary after JFK -- his war experiences would leave with him with nightmares for the rest of his life. One of his wives once said that Murphy always slept with a .45 automatic under his pillow and would have nightmares where he called out the names of dead buddies. SGT York is revered for basically one battle. Audie Murphy was involved in every campaign from North Africa to Germany. While the movie depicts real events, some are somewhat toned down. While he did shoot down the German who killed his buddy in real life Murphy fired so many rounds into the guy that he literally blew him to pieces. His final action, jumping on a burning tank and holding off a German advance does not quite show the incredible courage of this soldier. He held off that attack for nearly an hour. This is why he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Still, a very good movie with Murphy natural playing himself and solid performances from Marshall Thompson and Jack Kelly.

"To Hell and Back" is an amazing account of Audie Murphy's real-life military service during WWII. As far as the writing style it definitely lacks flare and, at some points, you feel as though you need to put it down for a while just to take a break the from the abuse of English grammar. However, this man's heroics and peril he endured during the course of his service is so compelling that it far overshadows any literative misgivings. To think that the man (almost boy actually) came back and was able to be even somewhat normal is nothing short of a miracle. It's not only worth the money but should also be required reading by every high school history student in this country. This is what it means to be free and what price we sometimes may have to pay in oreder to stay that way.

This is on of the best books ever written about war. I'm a NCO in the Army and I believe that this book should be a preferred read on any soldiers list. I've served in Iraq on the front lines and the emotions that Audie Murphy writes about in this book are still identical in today's war.