The Beardless Warriors

A Novel of World War II

Richard Matheson

Forge Books

Download Image Richard Matheson The Beardless Warriors

Available Formats

BookeBook
In 1944, long before he wrote such classic novels as I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come, author Richard Matheson served as an eighteen-year-old replacement in the 87th Division during the latter part of the war in Europe. His tour of duty there inspired this acclaimed novel about a group of equally young and inexperienced soldiers thrown into the fury of combat.

The Beardless Warriors are a squad of teenage U.S. infantrymen fighting their way across Germany during the final weeks of the war. Under fire and in over their heads, the fresh-faced young men must grow up fast if they ever hope to see home again.

Everett Hackermeyer is the latest soldier to join the squad, "Hack," a troubled youth from a hellish family background, faces a new kind of inferno on the front lines, only to discover hidden reserves he never knew he possessed. Ironically, he doesn't come to value his own life until he runs the very real chance of losing it.

Connect with the Author

Richard Matheson

Related Links


Sign Up for
Author Updates

Book Excerpts

Read an Excerpt

DECEMBER 8, 1944
 
When Hackermeyer joined the second squad of the third
platoon of C Company, the first thing he heard was Sergeant Cooley blowing his top.
Hackermeyer had been sitting in a crowded truck all night and most of the morning and he ached. His legs and arms were stiff. His feet were almost numb. He hobbled to the tent of the company commander who passed him on to Assistant Platoon Sergeant Wadley. Wadley escorted him across the bivouac area, telling him what a rugged outfit he was joining.

Read the full excerpt

Back

Reviews

Praise for The Beardless Warriors

"Not just another war novel; it is one of the finest books that has come out of World War II or any other."--The Detroit News

"One of the most shocking accounts of war ever written . . . reminiscent of Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage."--Miami News

Reviews from Goodreads

Placeholder
Kevin  rated it  
Jun 7, 2011
Another classic book from Richard Matheson that really impressed me. This is not like his typical horror stories but the cross over is perfect. A really good story that has a lot of character growth and an excellent account of what it was like in WW II. I felt it was every bit as good as I am le ...more
Placeholder
Steve  rated it  
Aug 29, 2011
I liked this book alot, It was kind of like Holden Caulfield Goes to war. ...more
Placeholder
Maureen  rated it  
Apr 25, 2011
VERY slow start. I wasn't sure I would like it. An often vivid picture of a soldier's life during WWII. ...more
See all Reviews
Back

About the Author

Richard Matheson

Richard Matheson is The New York Times bestselling author of I Am Legend, Hell House, Other Kingdoms, Somewhere in Time, The Incredible Shrinking Man, A Stir of Echoes, The Path, Seven Steps to Midnight, Now You See It…, and What Dreams May Come, among others. He was named a Grand Master of Horror by the World Horror Convention, and received the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has also won the Edgar, the Spur, and the Writer's Guild awards. In 2010, he was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. In addition to his novels, Matheson wrote screenplays, and he wrote for several Twilight Zone episodes, including “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” based on his short story. He was born in New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn, and fought in the infantry in World War II. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. He lives in Calabasas, California.

Richard Matheson

Beth Gwinn
Richard Matheson

Back

Buy the Book

Available Formats and Book Details

The Beardless Warriors
A Novel of World War II
Richard Matheson

Trade Paperback

Trade Paperback
Tom Doherty Associates
Forge Books
May 2001
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780312878313
ISBN10: 0312878311
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$17.99

Mass Market Paperbound

Mass Market Paperbound
Tom Doherty Associates
Tor Books
April 2008
Mass Market Paperbound
ISBN: 9780765361196
ISBN10: 0765361191
4 3/16 x 6 3/4 inches, 320 pages
$4.99

e-Book Agency

e-Book Agency
Tom Doherty Associates
Forge Books
April 2007
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429913676
ISBN10: 1429913673
320 pages
$4.99
Back

From The Publisher

Forge Books

Latest on Facebook

Latest on Twitter

Back