Where the Birds Never Sing: The True Story of the 92nd Signal Battalion and the Liberation of Dachau

I've read several books on the war. I spent two years in Germany during the 1970s, with help from the U.S. Army. And this is one of the few books that truly brought out the sights, the feelings, the smells of what the 92nd dealt with. For me, the hardest part was the arrival at Dachau. I could visualize every bit of it, as I had been there almost 35 years to the day that Sacco and his troops arrived. I could see the wall around the camp, the river that ran through it, I remembered walking across the bridge, and seeing the ovens. I cried like a child that day and after reading the descriptions here, the tears returned again. I am thankful that Jack Sacco did such an amazing account of his father's tour into hell, and I pray we may never again relive such horror on this earth. Blessings to Joe Sacco and the rest of the 92 Sig. And to every other hero who was part of WWII. This peacetime soldier honors each and every one.

I visited Dachau in 1986. I was astounded by the silence of the place, no insect, animal or bird life. This book tells about some of the men who landed on Omaha Beach, fault the Battle of the Bulge, followed General Patton, liberated Dachaau, held onto their humanity and returned to the United States to their homes and families. I didn't want to put it down. I was sorry when I finished it. I wanted there to be a sequel, Joe's life after his return to Alabama. I highly recommend this book.

This book, written by Jack Sacco, follows his years as he is enlisted in the 92nd Signal Battalion during World War II. His friendships and training acquired during basic and following him through Europe detail that coming of age during a horrific War. For any who are history Buffs, or for so many of our younger generation who have not had the opportunity to speak with someone who served during World War II, this is a glimpse into the horror as well as the tedium of army life. While the liberation of Dachau is a major point in the book, it is the relationships between family, his lovely Monique, and his brothers in arms that carry the book. I felt as if I would be able to go up to any of them and talk to them personally about their lives, expressing my appreciation for the sacrifices they made. This book was difficult to put down. I wanted to know what happened next. Even knowing that he must have lived through the war in order to be able to write about it, I felt myself tense up at times and concern for Jack. These people are part of the greatest generation of our country and should never be forgotten.

Jack Sacco brilliantly tells the story of his father, Joe Sacco, through his father’s eyes. “Where the Birds Never Sing” reads like a novel. It flows easily and expresses emotions in a manner that makes it perhaps the finest war journal I’ve ever read. It also made me feel guilty for not having written my father’s World War II memoirs. My father proudly served in the Navy in the South Pacific during the war. Like Jack Sacco, I feel a great deal of pride in my dad’s service. Thank you, Jack Sacco, for sharing your father’s story. It is a truly inspirational account!

I am reminded again, of this greatest generation, as I read this book and watched the events surrounding the funeral of a hero of a later war, Senator John McCain. Readers of this book may know a lot of the information written about being drafted, basic training, shipping out and D Day. Sections describing the fight across Europe into Germany and especially Dachau were especially good. Having visited Dachau in 1966 I remember the smells, Sacco describes, are still there, as is the crematorium, barracks etc. actual photographs may be found throughout the book. Also included is a story of romance. Highly recommend for those interested in WWII.

This was a book I just could not put down. I am not a lover of books about war, but this one grabbed my attention and would not let me go until the very end. It is an exceptionally well written book that is easy to read. It is written from the heart as though the author had been there himself, even though it was his father's experiences he was telling about. I recommend this book to any mature adult.

I have read dozens of these types of memoirs and this is the best told one that I have encountered. A vivid depiction of an Army signalman from training in the US, embarkation to England, and the battles from Normandy to final victory. Highlights include his interactions with Patton, loss of close friends, and his depiction of entering Auschwitz. Highly recommend this book to any interested in this genre.

A few years ago I had the honor to sit in the living room of Gen. Felix Sparks and spoke to him of the war (his story is the subject of the book The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau by Alex Kershew - awesome book). Felix was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry from the 45th Division, the first combat unit to enter Dachau, and he experienced it all. His story about the event was shocking. I had to buy this book to learn what another GI experienced and how it compared. Their stories of horror and sick rage match up exactly. Felix said that nothing in his life, from being almost killed at Salerno to becoming a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, approached the impact of Dachau. He spoke of it because the story had to be told and not because of his role. Are these guys part of The Greatest Generation? You bet your ass!

The part about Dauchau was very disturbing and difficult to read. Excellent writing to depict real life. Unimaginable horror. Good to include humor among the soldiers who were friends.

The book follows an Allied, in this case an American from the beaches of Normandy to the final surrender of the Germans. It illustrates how one individual face barrages of enemy fire, the deaths of his crew members, who by now were his friends and moments of peace and quiet. We were always given the opinion that it wasn't the German people we were fighting but the Nazis and the Third Reich but this shows this was not completely true. The common German people in the streets and farms did not treat the liberating army very well and indeed they had to "watch their back" once they crossed the border. I am told there are areas where Americans are still not welcome because we bombed their cities. Say what!!!!

I've read several books on the war. I spent two years in Germany during the 1970s, with help from the U.S. Army. And this is one of the few books that truly brought out the sights, the feelings, the smells of what the 92nd dealt with. For me, the hardest part was the arrival at Dachau. I could visualize every bit of it, as I had been there almost 35 years to the day that Sacco and his troops arrived. I could see the wall around the camp, the river that ran through it, I remembered walking across the bridge, and seeing the ovens. I cried like a child that day and after reading the descriptions here, the tears returned again. I am thankful that Jack Sacco did such an amazing account of his father's tour into hell, and I pray we may never again relive such horror on this earth. Blessings to Joe Sacco and the rest of the 92 Sig. And to every other hero who was part of WWII. This peacetime soldier honors each and every one.

I visited Dachau in 1986. I was astounded by the silence of the place, no insect, animal or bird life. This book tells about some of the men who landed on Omaha Beach, fault the Battle of the Bulge, followed General Patton, liberated Dachaau, held onto their humanity and returned to the United States to their homes and families. I didn't want to put it down. I was sorry when I finished it. I wanted there to be a sequel, Joe's life after his return to Alabama. I highly recommend this book.

This book, written by Jack Sacco, follows his years as he is enlisted in the 92nd Signal Battalion during World War II. His friendships and training acquired during basic and following him through Europe detail that coming of age during a horrific War. For any who are history Buffs, or for so many of our younger generation who have not had the opportunity to speak with someone who served during World War II, this is a glimpse into the horror as well as the tedium of army life. While the liberation of Dachau is a major point in the book, it is the relationships between family, his lovely Monique, and his brothers in arms that carry the book. I felt as if I would be able to go up to any of them and talk to them personally about their lives, expressing my appreciation for the sacrifices they made. This book was difficult to put down. I wanted to know what happened next. Even knowing that he must have lived through the war in order to be able to write about it, I felt myself tense up at times and concern for Jack. These people are part of the greatest generation of our country and should never be forgotten.

Jack Sacco brilliantly tells the story of his father, Joe Sacco, through his father’s eyes. “Where the Birds Never Sing” reads like a novel. It flows easily and expresses emotions in a manner that makes it perhaps the finest war journal I’ve ever read. It also made me feel guilty for not having written my father’s World War II memoirs. My father proudly served in the Navy in the South Pacific during the war. Like Jack Sacco, I feel a great deal of pride in my dad’s service. Thank you, Jack Sacco, for sharing your father’s story. It is a truly inspirational account!

I am reminded again, of this greatest generation, as I read this book and watched the events surrounding the funeral of a hero of a later war, Senator John McCain. Readers of this book may know a lot of the information written about being drafted, basic training, shipping out and D Day. Sections describing the fight across Europe into Germany and especially Dachau were especially good. Having visited Dachau in 1966 I remember the smells, Sacco describes, are still there, as is the crematorium, barracks etc. actual photographs may be found throughout the book. Also included is a story of romance. Highly recommend for those interested in WWII.

This was a book I just could not put down. I am not a lover of books about war, but this one grabbed my attention and would not let me go until the very end. It is an exceptionally well written book that is easy to read. It is written from the heart as though the author had been there himself, even though it was his father's experiences he was telling about. I recommend this book to any mature adult.

I have read dozens of these types of memoirs and this is the best told one that I have encountered. A vivid depiction of an Army signalman from training in the US, embarkation to England, and the battles from Normandy to final victory. Highlights include his interactions with Patton, loss of close friends, and his depiction of entering Auschwitz. Highly recommend this book to any interested in this genre.

A few years ago I had the honor to sit in the living room of Gen. Felix Sparks and spoke to him of the war (his story is the subject of the book The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau by Alex Kershew - awesome book). Felix was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry from the 45th Division, the first combat unit to enter Dachau, and he experienced it all. His story about the event was shocking. I had to buy this book to learn what another GI experienced and how it compared. Their stories of horror and sick rage match up exactly. Felix said that nothing in his life, from being almost killed at Salerno to becoming a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court, approached the impact of Dachau. He spoke of it because the story had to be told and not because of his role. Are these guys part of The Greatest Generation? You bet your ass!

The part about Dauchau was very disturbing and difficult to read. Excellent writing to depict real life. Unimaginable horror. Good to include humor among the soldiers who were friends.

The book follows an Allied, in this case an American from the beaches of Normandy to the final surrender of the Germans. It illustrates how one individual face barrages of enemy fire, the deaths of his crew members, who by now were his friends and moments of peace and quiet. We were always given the opinion that it wasn't the German people we were fighting but the Nazis and the Third Reich but this shows this was not completely true. The common German people in the streets and farms did not treat the liberating army very well and indeed they had to "watch their back" once they crossed the border. I am told there are areas where Americans are still not welcome because we bombed their cities. Say what!!!!

Enjoyed the narrative of service from the soldier's point of view, but I expected more description of the actual situation at Dachau. For me these eyewitness descriptions were the reason for ordering this book.

I have to be in the mood to read. Call it a short attention span, technology over-saturation, whatever. But I cannot put this book down whenever I pick it up again. "Where the Birds Never Sing" is in my top 3 favorite WWII books of all time. I am a fervent WWII buff and this narrative keeps me spellbound page after page. I have easily read it close to a dozen times now and the characters are so familiar to me they feel like old friends. Jack Sacco has crafted an absolute masterpiece of historical record, wartime brotherhood, and the sometimes heartbreaking/sometimes humorous reality of day to day life for several American GI’s in World War II. My grandfather was in the Battle of the Bulge and this book was by far his favorite WWII account. I recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for insight into a tumultuous period in world history with a unique point-of-view, or even just an escape from ordinary day-to-day life one page at a time. This book is truly a national treasure and a gleaming reminder of why "the greatest generation" is called "the greatest generation.” Pick it up! I guarantee you won't be able to put it down!

I really liked this book, perhaps a bit superficial at times, but a great read and has some very interesting insight into a different arm of the army in Europe after D-Day. It does talk about the emotions being fostered by Patton, how he fired up his army and what the army actually experienced as it moved across France and into Germany. I enjoyed the book and hope that you will as well.

I almost never give a 5 star rating. But, This book is just that good. From the start the story this goes through the life of men preparing to go to war, the long trip to England, and into the fighting. The only part that troubled me was when they entered Dachau. This was told as if you were there, and that was not nice. The horror of why we went through these battles to stop this kind of treatment of humans, well, there are just not words. This book puts you there.

This book was an easy read and I loved how the author wrote in a way that I felt like I was right there, he captured the different personalities of the guys very well. I couldn't imagine what he felt like once they walked into Dachau, but I caught a glimpse of it by the way he described it. I am glad I read it.

This book was well written, incorporating a lot of good-natured humor into a very trying time for young men. The author is able to put you shoulder to shoulder with not only his father but with some of the other men in the company. It is hard for those of us who were not actually in the European Theater to fully appreciate the pain and horror these young men went through only to come home and continue on with life. I applaud their fortitude.

My father was in the exact same area at the exact same time as Joe Sacco. This well written book filled me in on so many questions I should have asked my Dad but didn't because he didn't share much about his war experiences. Thank you Jack Sacco for writing this book. I felt my dad would have enjoyed my reading it and understanding how it was.

I liked it all! I've wanted to read this account of the war in Europe for a long time. My father was in Europe during the same period of time. He told me and my sibs many stories of Omaha Beach on the third day, walking thru France, getting drunk in bombed out bars and the liberation of Dachau. In this book I see him there everytime I read "army infantry". Good work Dad!! If you want to read about winners you'll want to read this book.

ok,I'm a 71 yr old woman. Wife,mother,grandmother,former nurse and daughter of a WWII soldier. I bought this book to read about the war from a soldiers view(like my Dad) . I was almost afraid to read it after I read the reviews about "every swear word even spoken" boring detail etc. This book is wonderful! I was not offended by the swearing. My God people these were 18.19 .20yr old guys going to a foreign country to a war in which they may die. Of course they are not going to be says "Oh Shucks" Read it you will be amazed.

What a great book! It is funny, heartbreaking , horrific and uplifting. It shows why they are called The Greatest Generation. It has an unusual title, but after reading it you will understand.

This is a well written story of a young soldier's experience from the time he was drafted until he finally made it home after going from Normandy to Germany during WW 2. It empathizes the close friendships bound by the jobs they were assigned to do to defeat the Germans. It also gave this group the reason they had to defeat the enemy since they witnessed some of the horrors the Nazis committed.

If you're in to actual history...this is the book for you. Read it in one sitting, it's absolutely wonderful, eye opening, and you'll learn things you would never have thought about before. God Bless this generation!

Having an older brother return from WWII with stories about his time as a medic made this book vivid. Our young people today know nothing about the message in the book. Should be required reading.

That would have been the title of my book if I'd written it about my father, uncle, Filipino "father, and father-in-law's experiences in bother theaters of WWII - the smell of Dachau... witnessing the tragedy of friendly fire...POW camp...being in the underground, etc. John Sacco has put it together for his dad, very well, indeed.

Battle action, war time experiences, description of events after U.S. army enters Dachau concentration camp, true love during the war, and other events described based on the experiences of the author's father, and collected stories others who served in the 92nd Signal Battalion. The reader is in on the action of war from the perspective of the what one is reluctant to call the "common soldier." There isn"t anything "common" about the men in this story.

It's a war story. And war stories don't make you feel good. However, this book is different and well written. It not only brought back memories of my service, it went on to touch just about every aspect of military duties from basic to fighting for your life to coming home. A well written and graphic rendition of military service. Read it and see for yourself

Bought this book because my Dad is in it Very factual in every respect Learned things about my Dad that he would never talk about.... Thank you Jack Sacco!!

The story was very interesting and exciting and I liked that it was told in the first person by the soldier's son. At times it was also overwhelmingly sad, as war always is. My dad was in the Army Air Corps during WWII, and my uncle was a marine in the Pacific. However, the author, according to his foreword, fictionalized the conversations of his father and his soldier buddies and the profanity was sickening. I often was reminded of movie producers who hope to insert enough objectionable material to get an R rating. I'm aware of military profanity but I choose not to be entertained by it.

If you want to get a look into the day to day realities of our troups during the European theatre of war, read this book, told in the first person.

The author is an excellent storyteller. I enjoyed the humorous stories as well as the heartbreaking ones. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the realities of what World War II was all about. Definitely worth the read.

This book is not only informative but it holds you attention as you follow this young GI and his friends as they land in Normandy and end the war in Salzburg Germany. Witnessing not only the horrors of combat and war but also the horrors of the Holocaust as they liberated The infamous Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.

The only thing wrong with this book is that it has ended. Absolutely loved this book. Even though the subject matter was sad, Mr. Sacco inserted a lightness at times that had me laughing out loud. Such a wonderful tribute to a wonderful father.

Truly, frightening for all young men & women.....so young but so very brave....laughter can & did help them get through a hostile & inhuman War....Sadly, it can either make or break our fellow Soldiers....happy to have the opportunity of this book for my Kindle & will share it with others....God Bless our Military Servicemen...now. & in the past....God Bless America....HOO Yah....!!!

Thank you for writing your dad's story, couldn't put it down, a fast read and very thought provoking. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in WWII from a single soldiers perspective.

Commercial historical books in my humble opinion are often laced with propaganda....slanted one way or the other. Jack Sacco simply writes of what he knows. He claims his opinions and his memories without any agenda. World war IN soldiers....warriors like no others.

As you start the book it seems like just a soldier's war story. It's much more than that. It's about humanity in spite of all the evils of war. Thank you to Joe Sacco for what he did in the war, and thank you to Jack Sacco for telling his story to us.

a book about History that should NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

very descriptive, knowledgeable and interesting

I just finished this book, and I plan on purchasing it for my dad. As I read this book, I laughed out loud. I especially enjoyed the back and forth between the soldiers in Sacco's unit. There were also times I felt like crying because of the sorrow Sacco experienced when a loved one or a comrade from his unit died. I would compare this book to the books about the band of brothers. This book is very reader friendly. It focuses on the experiences of one young soldier during WWII.

When we have slept the good night. When we embrace our loved ones, it was the tremendous sacrifices borne by the greatest generation.

A young man from Alabama survived the war from Omaha beach through France, to Dachau. Helped liberate the prisoners at Dachau, then made it back to Alabama. Unforgettable and horrifying experience for a young man.

Gripping story, great read of a truly momentous event in the story of the greatest generation. Must read for any fan of Band of Brothers.

Jack Sasso has brought to life each of his real characters in a way that made me care for them like no other book has done for me in some time. The camaraderie was so real, so endearing, that at times I blushed at their conversations. There are a few men whom I know that would thoroughly enjoy reading the book for that alone. My emotions ran the gamut of the spectrum, laughing aloud as I read what men really discuss, to the sadness evoked through his vivid description upon finding just why they were fighting this war. This author is truly gifted in translating the spoken word to the written without losing the impact of it.

This is a wonderful book I felt like I was right there with the soldiers. Beautifully written. I wish they would make a movie. I loved it and am telling all my friends about it.

A really great book about the life and experiences of a young soldier in WWII. Funny, touching, heartbreaking and all of it real. No novel can beat real life like this.

A compelling story told with clarity, laughter and a genuine ring of truth. I couldn’t wait to turn the page and became thoroughly invested in Joes life. Thank you for sharing. And with all due respect I hope Monica and Joe are holding hands.

Enlightening, engrossing ,gripping view of men in war that I had never known . Time in history that was never really taught in classes nor spoken about by vets until recently. Could not put the book down!

Wonderful tribute to author's father and to the greatest generation who fought in the second world war. Easy to read with powerful insights into the strong friendship, humor and irritations of living and depending so much on each other. Classic!

I had a hard time putting this book down. As a war vet myself, I know there are times when you just have to laugh. Some parts of this book had me laugh out loud. But other times it had me cry. Such is the nature of War.

His description of liberating Dachau was beyond heartwrenching. It was great to read the perspective of a combat soldier. Overwhelming gratitude to the soldiers who served. Great read!

Good read about WW2 and the tribulations all the men and women had to endure.

I rarely find a book that I can't put down, but this one is very compelling to know what is going to happen next. This is the very true story of a man from our Armed Forces who experienced first hand what life was like for the "FRONT LINES" IN WWII with the Germans. These U.S. Forces battled every single day on the front lines for three years in a foreign country away from their families, friends and loved ones, not knowing from hour to hour, if this would be their last day on this earth. And they did this for our beloved country This was back in the days when once a young man reached an age of 18, he was called or drafted into the military, no matter what he was doing. Farmed young men were exempted who lived and worked on a farm, as were the men who came from a family whose son was the only male member of that family. The Author of this book, was such a man, in fact he was actually exempted on both accounts. He was raised on a farm, and lived on it at the time of his draft as well as he was the only male member of his family. However, he never learned of this until after he fulfilled his duties in a real and violent war. The war that changed America forever. His group was the first ones of the Army to arrive at Dachau Concentration Camp. It is what they found there that will forever remain in your memory. The soldiers realized once and for all, why there were there to fight the battle for others in another country far away from home.

This is a great book. I am a female and never thought I would ever read a war book. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. The writer, which is his son put you right there in the action and there in the story. It reminded me of my father which is deceased. I felt like I got to know my dad in a complete different manner. I gained respest for our service men and women. Excellent read you wont regret reading it...…………………...

I have read many WWII stories but this one touched my heart. Five of my nine uncles were in that war and Joe reminds me so much of them. The story was based on real people, real events and gives a very intimate view of the boredom and terror of a war. Especially this war .

This was a very good account of one person experience in World War II. It covered his feelings, hardships, thoughts and trials throughout his training and fighting throughout the war. It is good to know what the individual soldier endured and what his feeling during his experience in the army.

As a retired Army Signal Officer, I found this book describing the WWII experiences of a Signal Soldier and immediately bought it. It is an excellent book, one that you never want to put down. It covers some very serious aspects of WWII not really discussed in detail elsewhere. Not so spoil the read, I found material talked about here that I have not read about any where else and I have been reading about WWII history for decades. I strongly recommend this book.

This book describes the daily life of a soldier in Europe during WW II. I was captivated from the first chapter, and enjoyed the honest telling of the sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking experiences.

It is a very good book with the author experience with II World War. It tell us about the horrors of the war the most terrible experience when the troops entered the holocaust camp at Dachau. Men can be monstrous.

I was in the Army so I enjoyed the first 75% of the book for that reason. The Dachau part was more than sad. The end of the book was very sad and then ended on a high note.

I expected more than one chapter on the Liberation of Dachau. Most of the book dealt with the 92d and their role in advancing and battle and not enough info on the actual liberation and the operation of the camp. Stillma good read and I can recommend the book to those who explore WWII.

From the start you are there. You feel everything they are feeling and seeing everything they are seeing. I could not put the book down. Thank you for sharing this srory.

An outstanding story of WW2. I couldn't put it down. Made me laugh, cry, got angry, but had a good ending. Congratulations Jack Sacco.

This is such a good book. I would recommend this book especially to young men 13-20 years of age. Because of the young men named in this book and the many other veterans, America didn't have to experience the horrific destruction of war. Quick and easy to read!

I love this book. Very moving memoir of his father. Highly recommend it.

I really liked this book a lot. It kept my interest from the first page to the last. Disturbing story about the past but well written.

Most books I read seem like they take almost half the book to start to get interesting. Not this one. I have enjoyed it from the very beginning. Mr Sacco does a, excellent job at painting extremely vivid pictures with his words that made me feel like I was almost there. Full of great content, and what a story!

Interesting read telling WW11 European front story of war through the eyes of one young man's journey and his presence at the liberation of Dachau prison camp.

A well written gripping account of one man's journey through one of our nation's worst times. A story that will make you feel, happy, sad and furious as you read it.

I really enjoyed this "first hand" account of one man's experience during the war. Well written and engaging!

Great book by by/about a member of the Greatest Generation! Seemed very true to life. We can never repay them for their sacrifices.

I only allowed myself to read a few pages at a time with this book. I felt that there was more to it than just historical facts and I wanted it to soak in and stay with me. This wasn't a book that was in my head today and then gone tomorrow. I carry it with me everyday. The author, Jack, made me feel as though I was right there, on the side of his father, seeing that horrible time through his eyes. I've never read a "war story" before and this went beyond my expectation, finishing it on Christmas Day. Thank you, Jack, for this great gift to us all.

Well written account of one soldier's experience in WWII. From boot camp through France and on into Germany, and Dachau, the reader feels like they are riding along through the shelling and bombing.

This story of WWII through the eyes of a young soldier tells us about their day-to-day life as opposed to big battles. It gives us a rare sense of trudging through the mud while history is being made. I feel like I truly know who those guys were and what they were going through. The writing style is such that there was no sense of time passing or how many pages I had read. I could hardly wait to get to the next page. It ranks right up there with "Band of Brothers" as an excellent insight into the Greatest Generation and what WWII was like.

Excellent memoir. This is the story of a soldier's war, from basic training through the end of the war in Salzburg. It is well written, with life of a soldier told well.

Could not put the book down. I had never read anything about the brave troops who fought WWII. I often pray for Silverman, and Chandler. I was so sad for them. Tremendous book, should be required reading in all US High Schools.

This is a great story and read. I've read many books regarding WWII. This is one of the best.

Stories told but not believed because of the belief that not one country and it's people wasn't capable of doing unspeakable acts.😥

loved it....great reading about unity, brotherhood, love, raw terror, and heartbreak., and the wounds from warfare.

Once I started this book could not stop. I am a 2 generation Jewish American born 1/10/36 in the state of Alabama. I felt that have know as t

Great read. Well written which kept my interest to the very end. So glad the author took the initiative to relay his father's experience

Amazing book, I feel like I went through tha whole war experience with Joe!

A compelling read. I couldn’t put it down. One is horrified at the unspeakable cruelty man is capable of.

Emotional and powerful. I felt like I knew these men. Excellent writing and a great story. I highly recommend it.

Good book about experience of a soldier in WW2-,gives realistic picture of D day ! Photos of the author and his buddies added to the story !

This story was simply the best first-person account that I have ever read . I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was walking alongside Pvt Sacco and his buddies. Read it -you'll love it!

The grassroot life and description of the signal corps struggles life. The detailed description of talks between the soldier's, the ongoing misery in their fight against the germans, the sad ending of endeavour to reach Monique.

An easy read and an amazing story

A good read! Very enjoyable easy to read! It was good to see another perceptive of the war! War is still hell!

Finding the meaning of life through adversity and tragedy.

this was a good story on the brave young men

I am grateful to Jack Sacco for undertaking this book. My own father served in WWII and could have followed the same path. He was in the signal corps, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was in Dachau of April 29, 1945, and ended his tour in Austria. My father did not talk much about his war experiences, but I surely understand him better for having read this book. Joe Sacco's story is riveting.

It felt like being there. I learned things I hadn't known about the war -- and I have read a lot. The Dachau (spelling?) chapter was horribly revealing....Thank God that war is over!

I wanted to find a book that gave a first person account of the Battle of the Bulge. This did a great job of doing that! Very enjoyable!

My Dad was in the same unit and He 2ROT Great personal account of one soldier's story. It was a page turner!

I got this for my girlfriend . She loved the book and she wanted it because her last name is Sacco

What an experience ! The greatest generation , I am humbled by this story of WW ll and American men accomplishments .

Great book about a real person who enlisted in the Army and fought all the way from Normandy to Munich

A brillant account of a soldiers view of the war. I laughed and cried. It was very moving and an excellent read.

Describes 18 year old who enlists in time to land on Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Liberation of Dachau.

I bought this book because I heard the author speak and was very impressed. It took me a few weeks to find time to start the book, but I finished it within a week. I learned so much about that time period, about war, about young men, and about myself. He did an excellent job of writing from his father's perspective. I laughed and cried. And would recommend it to anyone. Well, anyone who can ignore the harsh language. It does have alot of bad words. Overall, I loved it. A great story about a great and terrible time in our world.

The author came and spoke to our book group. Outstanding!

The horrors of the war are well presented. This was a time in history that should never be forgotten. Thank you for writing this book.

Fascinating information in this book concerning the realities of world war 2 from the innocent eyes of a soldier and his military friends from basic training through the completion of the war.

Written in first person narrative, this book give real inside thoughts and feelings of a young man who was in the front lines. A MUST read!

I am so proud of what this man went through for my country. I often wondered what it must have been like being the first on the scene at the concentration camps, and this put into words the horror. This should be assigned reading in the schools.

Enjoyed the book the author has to have an excellent imagination to write all of what his father and his friends talked about.

engaging story about a soldier's ordeals in WW2.

Just started, but it is an interesting read so far. RECOMMENDED

All in all this is a good read, it’s uncomplicated and honest. As a history teacher I found some very interesting gems of new information.

Loved the narrative, the photos were blurry. Disappointing. Very readable and personal. Liked the story from the soldier's viewpoint. Recommended.

Well done.

Simply powerful! Beyond words.

Great book very well written

interesting and poignant story

I have always looked for stories about World War II and this one was great. I had three Uncle's that served in the Army. The stories they told were just as this book was told. Did not disappoint.

This is a very moving story that really holds your attention. I have never read a book that was so full of facts and yet held my interest so well.!

One of the very best books I have ever read. Bought this one for our tiny Library in Dalton, Nebraska. Have gotten many people to read this. A book everyone should read. It so honors so many, who gave so much.

Beautifully written story about the author's father's journey through WWII. Compelling story from beginning to end.

I enjoyed this book about the American Soldier liberating the concentration camps during WWII ...it was well written and an easy read ..I would recommend this to any history buff

Easy read and one that pulls you in right at the beginning. Lets you understand the changes the GI's went through.

Well written personal story of a young Italian immigrant who fought for America during Ww2. Good reading.

Well written, excellent accounting I think of a sad time.

Beautifully written. I could NOT put it down. I literally felt like I was right there with them. And parts of it brought me to tears.

My uncle was in the same signal battalion, but never talked about it. I can see why.

I loved the book. Very well written account of the entire WWII experience. It documents much more than the horror of liberating Dachau. It encompasses the entire military experience of a very young man. I think we forget how young these soldiers were that were taken from their homes and thrust into hellish situations. Worth every minute of time spent reading this book.

Intriguing all the way to the end... Read for a college class and couldn't put it down.

I loved the book. I felt as though I was fighting along side the soldiers. The author made me feel all of the emotions that the soldiers experienced.

Our fathers are so important to who we become in life. It was such a moving experience. I felt like I was reading a story about one of my uncles. Molto bene!

Excellent book. I couldn't put it down. I felt as if I were there.

A fascinating story of war and the real men who were involved in it. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the true story of the war in Europe.

Awesome book - bought as a gift for a 95 year old WWII flyer!

Like,

Gave as a Christmas present

Thank you for a great book that explores the relationships soldiers had during the most difficult of times. I felt as I had been given the chance to spend time and hear the stories of an atrocious war from the men who survived it. A wonderful tribute to your dad and so many other dads in the war. May we never forget their sacrifices...

Good story!

Where the Birds Never Sing is a must read for World War II historians. An Alabama farm boy takes you through his experience in the war.

Jack has put the life of his father in words that a child of the 60's can understand. His story of the boys of the 92nd was outstanding and kept me up at night to finish the book. Jack Sacco has hit a home run with this book.

This is a true story of an American Hero that was brave and saved the lives of several other military men trapped in a war zone. Very interested read. Very well written.

An excellent read. I'm surprised he survived the war.

Includes an abbreviated description of the drive through Germany and what happened in Dachau. It understates what happened there. You only know having seen it yourself. It was horror beyond belief and I saw it myself.

Yes, it was wartime and yes bad language goes with the package. But this really took it too far - in fact I was disgusted by the time Idecided not to read further. I have wasted my money....

Every person should read this, it should be required. Especially now since there are so many injustices going on now.

Some interesting experiences but didn't need all the trash talk between other soldiers in his group.

I wasn't completely disappointed with this book, but I was expecting more significant detail. Instead it was full of individual personal detail, not many action scenes.

This book might have been good with fifty percent of it removed. It is recreated dialogue sixty years later It's good first person account but you have to go from basic training and fight your way across Europe to get one chapter on Dachau.

A wonderful book. My husband was also a GI that was involved in the liberation of Dachau. A kind way of telling about an ugly period of our history

A good historical account of WW II in Europe following D-Day. It's a shame that the author found it necessary to include every profane word that was spoken or heard during his tour of duty. When will authors learn that the use of such foul language is not needed to accurately and passionately portray what took place?!

There is one significant problem with this book that I simply could not overlook: it is written in the first person, by a third person, based on interviews with the persons involved, probably 50+ years after the fact. Thus at least 95% of the dialog and daily details must of necessity be fabricated. This was simply too large of a hurdle for me to ignore.

I was so looking forward to reading this book that featured such a historical, authentic narrative account of one of the worst atrocities in human history. Although the read was so very engaging and the author was very talented in his research and writing of a very difficult, disturbing subject, I was sorely disappointed with the numerous profanities, lewd innuendos, and expletives in almost every other speaking narrative between the characters that were featured in his writing. Even if it could be argued that the book was based on real life accounts from primary sources and accuracy of events and conversations of this time period engaged in such offensive communications, I felt that these expletives could have been omitted, which would have made this book a much more enjoyable read for the audience. I also felt that this book had enough validity and merit on its own without including offensive language. Omitting these expletives and lewd conversations would not have distracted from the essence and integrity of the book! I've read enough historically accurate books and novels that didn't need to include expletives, lewd conversations, or lascivious innuendos to engage the reader in its historical context. Therefore, because of this, I had to stop reading this book after the first couple of chapters. I tried to overlook the offensive writing but it was too distracting. This book that otherwise promised to be a very memorable, enjoyable read, sadly received two stars from me.

"Where the Birds Never Sing" touched my heart. This beautifully written book takes us by the hand from Joe Sacco's home in Alabama to the gates of Hell, Dachau. Having visited Dachau a few years ago, I felt every step Joe and his army buddies of the 92nd Signal Battalion took as they were confronted with sights, sounds. and smells no man should ever encounter. These brave men, just a bit older than boys actually, changed the outcome of WWII and made the world a much better place and for that we thank each and every one of them. This is a story of adventure, bravery, love, and terror, and of devastating loss too. Thank you, Jack Sacco for this amazing book.

Even if you are not interested in WWII, read this & you will be. Very well written, it is a journey through Europe, you will be right there in the thick of it, these brave, wonderful people will become your brothers too. You are right there with them, bombs exploding around you. You will feel the fear, grief, loss & pain. Even the hatred. You will feel their laughter, joy, & happiness in the rare moments it is experienced. Until the end, when you will experience their victory. I am an AVID reader & I hate to admit it, but at the end of a book, the Acknowledgments where authors thank everyone under the sun for their part in publishing of a book? Well normally my eyes glaze over & I end up quickly skimming through it & not absorbing a thing. This is the first time I have actually read completely through that part, as even it was interesting & heartfelt. Thank you for sharing your grandfather’s story with me & the world.

In a straight forward story of duty and sacrifice, Joe Sacco gives us one more reason to appreciate the contributions of the greatest generation who fought with honor, devotion, and sacrifice during the Second World War. So many of these men volunteered early in the war. They came from all over the U.S., many from rural America. From such simple backgrounds, we assembled a formidable war-fighting machine that, after a long struggle, brought forth a new era of peace and prosperity to the continent of Europe. The story of Joe Sacco, as told by his son, is just as compelling. From his simple immigrant family background in rural Alabama to newborn G.I. Joe, we get a humble soldier with a devotion to honor and duty. His story of struggle and loss is, I am sure, typical of the soldier’s who fought against the Nazi war machine. At the end of the book, we get an account of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. This is a very important part of the story as these men were able to bear witness to the tragedy of the Holocaust. As so many of these men are at an age where they are dying off in greater numbers, it’s important that we remember them for their devotion to duty, and, the great gift of freedom that they gave us, the Baby Boomer generation. So, let’s remember Joe Sacco.

I typically read "Based on a True Story" World War II novels - where the facts are based out of history but the characters are made up along with some of the nerve-wracking components. The nonfiction WWII novels I had attempted to read always came across as nothing but regurgitation of dates and places and names. I didn't perceive personality, effects of experience, or emotions - all quite dry and therefore, uninteresting to me. Where the Birds Never Sing is beautiful. I connected with the story, the characters, the events. I felt the emotions: the fear, the love, the sadness, the hope. This book is a very real snapshot: each event described with such detail, I had no trouble picturing it in my mind. Joe Sacco was a remarkable man during an incredible time in history and this book is worth every moment in reading it.

I started reading this book prior and during my recent trip to Europe, including Auschwitz. The book accounts Joe's life prior to being drafted and throughout his battles in the European theater in WW2 including the liberation of Dachau concentration camp. Though the book is serious, it is peppered with occasional laughs regarding the wisecracks and pranks of his fellow soldiers during the times of the war. It is very well written to the point and at no time did I feel any of it was dry.

One of the best books I have read in many years. Extremely well written not over burden with unrelated dribble. It’s quality equal and better than Band of Brothers, and other similar books. Filed with humor, intense events, love, and family. Many, many a different types of scenes emotions and events each well written and effecting with their moods. Jack Sacco is equal in ability to Folliet, Wauk, and others. I found it very difficult put the book down. I am no one special but do read a lot and quite a variety of books. I have only given 5 stars twice this one of them.

It’s a book that all ages should read. The young will gain better insight into both the horrors of and basis for war and most importantly, the almost incomprehensible occurrence of mankind’s holocaust. Those of us whose lives have been touched by war or personal bias/prejudice hardships will be moved by this book most of all. I knew the book was going to be different from all of the other dozens of books on this subject, when I saw the title. The word picture that forms in the reader’s mind... brilliantly insightful writer’s touch. This book is extremely well written, grabs and holds the reader’s attention on every page, and is a book that the reader will remember and think about for a long, long time. Bravo.

Having been to Dachau several times, this book caught my eye as i wanted to learn about its liberation. The book was so much more. I couldn't out it down from start to finish, being totally caught up in it. The book is beautifully written. I've read many books on WW11 and the Holocaust but never from the standpoint of the GI's. I found it to be a while other side I'd missed. The book written by the son of the GI took him from his family farm in Alabama to his discharge Stateside and arrival home. It was easy to get caught up in the life of Joe Sacco and his buff following them through Europe. I had a whole new,if belated appreciation for these men who fought to end that dreadful war. I highly recommend this book.

This recollection of a son’s heartfelt story of his father’s fighting in WWII is on target and heartbreaking. The studies, interviews of former soldiers, and ability to put in all in words is beyond what I expected. The horrors these young men went through just to live to see another day with courage and (some) humor opened my eyes to what they really went through to destroy the Nazis while fighting across Europe. Their liberation of the Dachau concentration camp was so shocking and saddening. To see it through their eyes....it was something I was not expecting nor the soldiers who saw it firsthand. A must read for anyone who knows anyone who has fought in a war and the stories they keep in their hearts.

Young men from across the United States get assigned to the 92nd Signal Battalion and find themselves serving in England, France, Germany, and Austria during WW2. The majority of this book tells the story of the men as they train stateside and travel across Europe. Only 10% of the book at the end talks about the liberation of Dachau. Personally, I am disappointed by this book. It does tell the true story of life as an American soldier during WW2, but I was hoping for more information about the liberation. Also, the language and sexual content is offputting.

This book is not an average war story. Instead of highlighting the heroics and specific events of battle, it highlights the heroes. The author does an impeccable job at helping you see and hear the people, understand who they are and, most importantly, what this war did to them. We are so fortunate to live in the USA. Thousands of people died for us and our freedoms and this story helps you to feel a piece of the weight that bears. I’m not a very emotional person, but I was tearing up at times. The heaviness of witnessing Dachau, the pain of watching a brother die in battle, Jack Sacco expertly conveys the intensity and depth of those moments. Read this book. You’ll be glad you did.

I didnt expect to like this book..I thought at the beginning that it would relate the tragedy of Dachu. It did that in depth,horror and sadness that cut into my heart. It also,thru the telling of the stories of these young soldiers, their training, their varied backgrounds, their friendships and courage and commitment and compassion showed the true soul of the soldiers and let me see them and their sacrifice and pain in a mucher deeper way. A profound accounting. Thank you.

As a combat veteran of Vietnam I especially enjoy the stories of comradre felt by the group of men that come to be like brothers from a different mother. Fifty years later some of us still stay in contact with each other. If every human being, with any compassion at all, could spend a week in actual combat,and see the torn and mangled bodies of the dead and wounded, war would be banned worldwide But as long as there are men of evil intent such as Hitler, Asad, ISIS and dozens of others war cannot be eliminated. Great story.

A very interesting semi-first person account of time spent in the 1944-45 WW2 European theater as a signal man in the US Army. Told from a 19/20 year old's point of view (as an Alabama Italian farm boy), it's very descriptive of what happens to him from basic training stateside to his post D-Day exploits in France/Germany and finally to a brief chapter on the description and liberation of Dachau. This book is mostly about descriptions and interactions, which are quite good, but very little on any analysis afterwards. That may be because of the author's young age, and the fact that all this was happening to him/them 'right now' which did not give pause for reflection when your ass is literally on the front line daily. Still it was a very good read, I just wished there had been a summary chapter at the end detailing or integrating how his service and Army adventures impacted his life as years went on.

Thank you for this glimpse into your father's war experience. The later chapters about liberating the death camp made me cry. My heart felt so heavy and sad for all the young men serving our country already suffering so much and then to see, hear, smell the evil done upon innocents broke my heart. The loss of Monique and his buddies was very tragic. To live thru all he and his fellow service members did at such young an age is a blessing. When their stories are told we must listen.

This is a compelling story of young men who went and did their jobs admirably,. They had never been away from home They had no idea what to expect in war, the blood, destruction and brutality. To liberate Dachau was not only horrific but heroic! Witnessing the brutality and vengeance of the SS soldiers against their prisoners was beyond comprehension. I could not stop reading it. Thank-you for sharing your father's story.

This is such a good book and in my opinion expertly told in the first person. You will forget this is a story of events being written by someone who did not live it. I found myself not reading a book, but living the experience. Down to earth, it runs the gamut from funny to sad and exciting to normal day-to-day. Then there is the unexplainable and miraculous. The saddest thing of all is the thousands of true life stories that never get told. Thank you for the leap of faith and hard work to share this precious and beautiful story.

This book is one of the best stories of WW II that I have read and I have read a bunch! It tells how a farming from Alabama went to war, found a band of brothers, became a man and returned home to lead a happy productive life. If you enjoy reading a well written book about the war in Europe you will like this one. The way the guys in the 92nd talk and treat each other reminds me so much of my friends while we served during the Vietnam era. Goes to show that things do not change all that much in thirty years.

I was unable to put this book down. Joe Sacco and the men of the 92nd Signal Battalion weave a story of duty and patriotism with grit and emotion. I visited the Dachau concentration camp some 50 years after Sacco entered the camp, unprepared for the visceral feeling that evil happened there. Sacco and his comrades no doubt saw, smelled and felt the horror and inhumanity that enveloped me as I walked through the camp. But their journey was more than their experience at Dachau. They were battle tested from Normandy to Austria and did their duty well, taking their rightful place among the Greatest Generation. Damn, it was a good read!

My dad served in WWII, yet he was silent about his experience there. A scrapbook appeared the day he died which stopped me cold because one photo indicated that he had liberated a concentration camp, the last one in the scrapbook. Where the Birds Never Sing gives me and likely many others a possible example, for the first time, of what my dad experienced in this war. I am grateful for this historical record of the war, and I highly recommend it. I am grateful that the author's father shared his story. God bless him and all who serve in our military. It is a great sacrifice.

Since I am planning a trip to Dachau in a few months, I searched for books regarding the camp. I was very lucky to come upon this wonderful story. Presented in a manner of utmost respect, the book tells of young American soldiers and their journey through Europe. The liberation of Dachau is a small part in what the book covers. I found the book to be extremely well written, wonderfully humorous - with the added ability to make me cry for several days in a row. The horrors of war must never be forgotten - I will go to Dachau with the memories of these young men and a better insight of the tragedy that unfolded here. As the author says in his introduction "we must stand vigilant against such inhumanity ever being allowed to happen again" - it is our responsibility!