So who has read the books?

I read both books not long after seeing the shows. Both are excellent reads if you like war stories. I really loved Leckie; James Badge Dale did an excellent job, showing him to be a somewhat flawed character, but a brave marine. When he started crying after his injury I cried along with him. The story of Sledge was more of what you'd expect. He has to deal with the horror of war and is changed when he returns. The movie followed his book from start to finish.

Red Blood, Black Sand was written by Chuck Tatum & was also used for the Basilone story. Haven't read it yet but Tatum & Basilone are mentioned a lot in Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, which is a Fantastic book. Better than the movie, which was great

I read both books prior to watching the show. Two of the absolutely best to come out of the war in the Pacific.

I just watched the show and am now reading "With the Old Breed", which is excellent. I plan on reading "Helmet for My Pillow" when I done with it.

I have read all of them, including Tatum's book. All are great in thier own way and highly recommend reading all of them to anyone who has an interest in the real stories (not the partially fictionalized ones shown in the mini-series). I had read them all before the Pacific was ever released and I guess that is why I have a jaded opinion of the mini-series. I flat out love the premise, I HATE the screenplay because of all the changes. The fact they created some sort of fictional bond/relationship between all the main characters is hard to take. With the exception of Sid Phillips/Sledge's factual friendship/relationship there was no contact between Leckie, Basilone and Sledge outside of the fact they all served in the 1st Marine Division. There is no Johnny Reb in Leckie's book, that's fiction. They also over condensed the Guadalcanal episode(s) by spending too much time of the Melbourne story. They never really showed just how bad it was, they really just glossed over it and it's a real shame.

Read With the Old Breed; brutal beyond imagination. Totally understand now why they were forced to drop the bombs. Utmost respect and appreciation for Mr. Sledge and his selfless brethren, unquestionably our greatest generation.

Wish I was able to discuss this with my Gramps, who gave all on Okinawa.

With the old breed was super amazing! Might read it again and I also got a copy of helmet for my pillow which I should come around to read