Band Of Brothers

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Summary: A gripping and emotional ride of fact - not fiction...
Review: One word: Intense. That sums up my feelings about this tremendous account of an extraordinary bunch of guys who made up company E of the 506th PIR an attachment of the legendary 101st Airborne Division (the Screaming Eagles). Better known as "Easy Company", I was instantly drawn into their story from the first PREVIEW of the excellent Band of Brothers series that aired on HBO this past fall. I actually wish there were more than 10 episodes to Band of Brothers, I found it that well written and that compelling. To my surprise I later learned that one of the men of Easy company, Bill Guarnere, was a friend of my grandfather. I vaguely remembered my grandfather refer to Bill through the years - recalling the crazy stuff they did together "in those days", but it wasn't until Band of Brothers that I realized how significant Mr. Guarnere's experiences had been. It was a very interesting discovery.

This book is a perfect read for anyone even remotely interested in history. Many of the tales recounted in the book were told by the men who lived them - through interviews, diaries they wrote and other documentation - all painstakingly researched by the author and brilliantly written in an easy to follow format.

Put it this way - the first day I began reading this book I read 106 pages in one sitting. That's a personal "record" for me, for the longest time I ever spent reading a book in a single sitting.

And I read *ALOT*.

Chances are slim to none that any of the surviving members of Easy Company will see this review but if they do....I salute you gentlemen...thanks.

-One Proud American

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Summary: Must Read!
Review: Despite all the recent publicity surrounding accusations of plagiarism against Ambrose (none of which I even begin to believe), this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I read it early in the fall in anticipation of Tom Hanks' HBO miniseries. It details WWII through the eyes of a Parachute Infantry company, from their formation and training in the southeastern US, to their fighting from Normandy to Berchtesgaden. How fitting that the Eagle's Nest should be occupied by the 101st Screaming Eagle Division. Reading this book made me glad that I had decided to become a paratrooper. As an added bonus, I found out after I had devoured it that General Eric Shinseki, the Army's Chief of Staff, has put this book on his list of must reads for just about every soldier in the Army.

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Summary: Ron Skirkanish's Review of BAND OF BROTHERS
Review: THIS BOOK TELLS THE FASCINATING STORY OF THE MEN OF EASY COMPANY,101ST AIRBORN DIVISION, U.S. ARMY. IT FOLLOWS THEM FROM BASIC TRAINING AT FORT TOCCOA,GA. TO THEIR HISTORY-MAKING ASSIGNMENTS: PARACHUTING INTO NORMANDY ON D-DAY TO THE TAKE-OVER OF HITLER'S "EAGLE'S NEST" IN AUSTRIA.

THIS BOOK IS A MUST-READ FOR ANY WW2 BUFFS. THW AUTHOR IS VERY ACURATE AND HE REALLY MAKES YOU FEEL THAT YOU PERSONALLY KNOW THE BRAVE MEN OF EASY COMPANY.

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Summary: Powerful account of WW2
Review: Stephen Ambrose has created yet another epic WW2 book that delves into the everyday soldier. This time he follows a company from the 101st Airborne from their training through the liberation of Hitler's Eagles Nest at the end of the war. If you've seen the mini-series on HBO, this makes for a great companion!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I read this book in 3 days, having waited to watch any of the HBO show until I had finished reading the story behind it. I have yet to watch the show, but I hope it is better than the book. While I usually enjoy WWII books, this one disappointed me. The stories set around individual soldiers or small groups were quite good, being told from the stories that Ambrose gathered from those very men. Where the book falls short is in the description of the major movements of the troops. His descriptions are confusing and he uses some abbreviations that a person not familiar with the military may be confused by. Ambrose could have put a little more effort into better explaining these battles. Adding the maps into the chapters they applied to would also have helped. Would have like to see more photos also. It is still a decent read, but disappointed me.

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Summary: History is much more interesting than fiction
Review: The best book i have ever read about soldiers in war. The thoroughness of the research and the writing completely envelop you in the action, the lives and the deaths of these men.

For a generation looking for our own heros, here is a good look back onto other men that foot the bill in a time of crisis.

Inspiring.

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Summary: Spellbinding. Finished it in 3 days.
Review: Major Winters is a great leader. The story is told beautifully and always entertaining and exciting. You will also learn a lot about tactics, leadership, and unit management. I read this book after watching Band of Brothers on HBO. You won't be disappointed.

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Summary: Just Not Like Ambrose
Review: I was disappointed. This book is just nothing like Ambrose.

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Summary: Simply One of the Best WWII Books Ever...
Review: Ok, it started for me when I watched the HBO series: Band of Brothers. Back around October of last year (2001), I eagerly watched every episode and got a small glimpse into the world of Easy Company. If you are a military or WWII buff and were not fortunate enough to watch the movie then you have to get the book. I have read a lot of "military novels" and for the most part they tend to be over technical and lose the reader with details that only Tom Clancy would want (sorry Tom). Ambrose writes Band of Brothers from the facts drawn from the actual Easy Company men and delivers a fantastic portrayal of the historical battles Easy was apart of. From the D-Day operation eliminating the German guns barreling on the beaches to the Capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest, Band of Brothers captures it all.

A great read that you wont want to put down.

Thumbs Up.

As per the last lines of the book: "...my grandson asked me if I was a hero...I told him no but I was surrounded by men who were."

Rating:
Summary: Best of the Best
Review: I viewed both the HBO series and read the book Both were faithful to each other and to the brave soldiers of the 506th Inf Regt and the rest of the 101st Division. The book is a "must buy". When the video becomes available, that will also be on my "must buy" list.
Sam Carlson
US Army (Retired)