The "sound and wise counsel" referred to has long been appreciated by readers of "The Forward Edge," General Newman's column in ARMY magazine. This book is a collection of that most popular feature and a rare combination of a soldier's recollections, anecdotes, and incidents - all illustrating methods of training, how to get a job done whether it is making a bed, cleaning up the mess hall, learning a skill, or getting the men to follow their commanding officer into battle.

General Newman was the G2 of the 24th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when the nation entered World War II. Before the conflict ended he was that unit's chief of staff on three separate assignments. He commanded the 34th Infantry Regiment during the invasion of Leyte Island in the Philippines, and received the Distinguished Service Cross after the invasion.

The famous poster painted for the war's U.S. Army in Action series actually depicts the then Colonel Newman rushing forward through a hail of Japanese bullets, exhorting his men to "follow me." What he actually said, as reported in the division's official history, was "Get the Hell off the Beach. Get up and get moving. Follow me."