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Donald R. Burgett
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Seven Roads to Hell: A Screaming Eagle at Bastogne Paperback – May 9, 2000

by Donald R. Burgett (Author)
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The author, a member of the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division, describes his experiences in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and the close combat under difficult winter conditions and a lack of supplies. Reprint.
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  1. Print length
    271 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dell
  4. Publication date
    May 9, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    4.25 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0440236274
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0440236276
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
182 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and interesting. They also say the story is surprising good and interesting, but they believe it's fiction.

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StorylineReadabilityWriting quality
32 customers mention "Storyline"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline surprising good, top-notch, and honest. They also say it's a journal of incredible personal combat experiences.

"...This is why this book is so valuable. It captures a time in our history, and the experiences of young men during the second world war...." Read more

"...description of the clearing of the Bois Jacques is a strikingly gruesome but honest account of what is required of and experienced by a combat..." Read more

"A top-notch tale of a paratrooper's experience in the defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in World War 2.. This soldier lived and..." Read more

"...the time. The four books by Burgett are all a great read." Read more

18 customers mention "Readability"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written, easy to read, and earthy. They also say it provides the reader with the true account of American soldier toughness and is bold and honest in its writing.

"...after the end of the war which I believe accounts for the vivid character of the writing...." Read more

"...participated in multiple attacks and defenses and his writing of them is extremely detailed as I suppose those memories linger quite clearly...." Read more

"...but does not overburden his narrative with details. And he does take..." Read more

"...It is an excellent read and provides the reader with the true account of American soldier toughness, stubbonness and determination in the face of..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They say it's better than described and they like it as a gift.

"...This well crafted work by one who was there gives us a clear view of just how extraordinary they were and how much is owed." Read more

"Great quality better than described. Quick delivery. Picked up as gift" Read more

"The book was in good condition just as the sender said it was. I am enjoying all 5 of these books. Thank you.ghm" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Shenandoah Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent detailed account of the the Battle of the Bulge
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016
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This is one of the best WW II books that I have read. I have read "Band of Brothers" and many of the books written by the men made famous in that mini-series. Most were very good books. But this book describes a lot of the minutia of the grueling day to day, hour to hour combat conditions that soldiers endured. Burgett writes in a very matter of fact way, describing horrific conditions, things that he witnessed and moments of battle that he lived through. Over and over I had the thought, "and he was only nineteen!!". These boys were true heroes, and the remaining ones live quiet lives all around us, rarely talking about their experiences. This is why this book is so valuable. It captures a time in our history, and the experiences of young men during the second world war. Truly the greatest generation.
5 people found this helpful
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John H. Manhold
5.0 out of 5 stars Presentation of war as it actually is..
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2011
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Seven Roads to Hell, ISBN 0440236274, Dell Publishing , 1999, 271 pages, $7.99 by Donald R. Burgett is a history of the fight for Bastogne. This all-important hub transportation city was a `must take' for the Nazi army to successfully complete their mission begun with the Battle-of-the-Bulge. More specifically, it is the story of the heroic actions of the 101st Airborne Division in thwarting the Nazi advance in World War II seen through the eyes of a 19-year-old rifleman.
This legendary Division of "Screaming Eagles", just having concluded 72 days of fighting behind the lines in Holland, was sent to help stem the tide of the Nazi juggernaut that had initiated the so-called Battle-of-the-Bulge and was rolling unimpeded through Europe. The division needed medical attention, replacements of men, food, clothing, equipment, and even arms and ammunition. However, the allies had been caught flatfooted with the crème of the Nazi Army decimating and sending into flight the defenders. This depleted division entered the fray and fought the overwhelming advancing army to a standstill for a solid month in sub-zero weather, ultimately driving them into final retreat.
The telling is quite different from most accounts provided by participants in close-up battle encounters in that the descriptions are quite graphic. More usually, participants in such encounters forget, or tend to gloss-over, the grisly results. The author describes in detail the horrific action, results of tank assaults, artillery barrages, hand-to-hand fighting and the action that is required to relieve the suffering of mortally wounded men. Perhaps the recounting results from the fact that the author recorded his memoirs at the age of twenty when he had just returned from the experiences, and at a time when he had not had time to dwell on them, but rather just recorded matters as they occurred. Regardless, Burgett's presentation of this material is an unvarnished picture of the facts of warfare devoid of any of the niceties or thrills one finds in most presentations by authors or the Hollywood production piece. It also avoids all of the second guessing and political overtones so often found in memoirs of war. This is a recounting that may make men who have encountered similar circumstances a little uneasy. Reviewed by John H. Manhold, award winning fiction/non-fiction author.
4 people found this helpful
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JohninMarietta
5.0 out of 5 stars Burgett's best book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2013
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Burgett was a private in the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division who was in Company A, 1st Battalion rather than Easy Company, (Band of Brothers, 2nd Battalion) and so his story is different. Although not published until 1999, the book was written shortly after the end of the war which I believe accounts for the vivid character of the writing. His description of the clearing of the Bois Jacques is a strikingly gruesome but honest account of what is required of and experienced by a combat soldier at the tip of the spear.THE BEST account of the unique and horrible experiences of a combat soldier I have ever read.
4 people found this helpful
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John E. Nevola
5.0 out of 5 stars Down And Dirty
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2010
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The victory at Bastogne was very likely won at the battle of Noville. When Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division was posted to Noville to blunt the onslaught of the 2nd Panzer Division, it seemed like too little too late. But when Burgett's 1st Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment reinforced them, they were able to make a fight of it.

Seven Roads To Hell recounts the bloody 2 day battle for Noville where out manned and outgunned American forces held off vastly superior German forces giving precious time for the defenders of Bastogne to dig in. American tank destroyers made the German Panzers pay dearly for every inch of ground while the paratroopers and armored infantry engaged the Germans at close quarters, sometimes hand-to-hand, fighting.

While to book goes on to recount the fighting in the Bois Jacques Woods, the lifting of the siege of Bastogne and the reclaiming of lost territory, the battle and withdrawal from Noville are the most illuminating and compelling parts of this book.

Burgett is as graphic and explicit in Seven Roads to Hell as he is in his other books and this lends a gripping sense of realism to his writing. The book contains some period photographs and very good maps, which help explain the dispositions of the forces involved.

The withdrawal from Noville is featured prominently in my historical novel and Seven Roads To Hell contributed substantially to the background of that section of The Last Jump.

John E. Nevola
Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II
3 people found this helpful
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flakhappy
4.0 out of 5 stars Superior story-telling
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2013
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A top-notch tale of a paratrooper's experience in the defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in World War 2.. This soldier lived and fought through the entire battle and remembered what he and others did, and then wrote it down, action by action, bringing the reader to the point of attack. Readers can almost feel the cold and sense the misery of soldiers fighting in the worst possible conditions.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Vittoria Mannalese
5.0 out of 5 stars Un recit de premiere main saisissant
Reviewed in France on August 14, 2017
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Le froid, la peur, la solitude sont peut-être encore mieux rendus dans ce troisième tome des mémoires de Don Burgett, jeune soldat d'à peine 20 ans, déjà vétéran du D-Day et de l'opération Market Garden (en Hollande). La tension monte progressivement depuis le cantonnement de Mourmelon, où son régiment récupère, jusqu'à l'arrivée à Bastogne, dans les Ardennes belges, alors que les Allemands, ce 16 décembre 1944, viennent de lancer une contre-offensive éclair et meurtrière sur les positions alliées. Le style de Burgett est clair et précis ; subitement, une phrase claque, comme un coup de feu. Bastogne est la position stratégique que les Américains doivent tenir pour freiner les Allemands : s'ensuit une guerre de position à laquelle les paras d'élite de la 101e Airborne ne s'attendaient pas, eux qui pensaient avoir pour mission d'être largués derrière les lignes ennemies... J'ai trouvé que ce volume était le plus fort de tous, celui où l'on comprenait et ressentait la misère du soldat dans des conditions extrêmes, soldat qui, pourtant, ne se plaint pas (ou peu) et qui fait son devoir vaille que vaille. Assorti d'une certaine fraîcheur de ton, très factuel, c'est un témoignage qui m'a bouleversée.
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T. Schopflocher
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2014
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An excellent book. Tells it like it really was.
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Tony1962
5.0 out of 5 stars You feel as if you are there
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 11, 2003
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The third instalment in the series. It reads like a novel but is a true account of the author's experiences at Bastogne. His language is down to earth. His descriptions make you feel that you are there! You also feel a sense of pride and thanks for the soldiers who gave so much during the war. Don Burgett is a truly amazing man, as is anyone who has the guts to fight in a war. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WW2.
16 people found this helpful
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FairlieBrae
5.0 out of 5 stars Quite spellbinding
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2010
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This is a tale of bravery, imbued with modesty. There was a constant expectation of being killed, yet, the bravery to fight shines through.His story was very eloquently told. This is an absolute read for anyone interested in WW2 or indedd the realities of war.
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Mr. D. Rudd
5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal as always - a Must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2013
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You just have to read all 4 if you are interested in the subject. Brutal & honest, how he remained sane after the war I will never know
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