I finally bought the book a few weeks back. Just started reading it and not quite half through. Wanted to finish it before making any comments, but since the thread has been renewed I will comment on what I have so far.
West gives a very different picture of what was going on during that period than anything we saw on any of the media (wow, big surprise!). From what I have read in it so far, I don’t see much negativity toward the Marines or the 82nd. There may be "something left out" that would make it more positive. But I have not finished it yet.
Our troops took a lot casualties while learning and honing tactics to kill or contain a more wildly divergent bunch of murderers than we thought existed there. After getting into the "rhythm of battle", really understanding how to do the job, they had to stop and "negociate"! In other words let the bustards rearm and regroup!
That is were I am right now.
I would recommend the book just based on what I have read so far.
Semper Fi
Roy