Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed but worth the read
Review: BOB is not a bad book, but still I was disappointed. Though I believe the 506th to be regular airborne infantry, respectfully (no more-no less) I don't believe he did these men justice. Ambrose never reached within to learn of their true insight and left a hole by not allowing the men to tell a more gripping tale, one that was no doubt gripping but...Ambrose doesn't put it across as such. I feel I must add something else about good books. Having read Ambrose's BOB I take issue with other readers that believe it to be the finest book on small unit actions. While in Baghdad several months ago my platoon leader found a loose copy of The Black Devil Brigade by Joseph Springer. Unlike BOB it covers the history of the 1st Special Service Forces in the words of the men themselves. I bet it's still somewhere in Baghdad teaching someone else to survive.
Rating: 
Summary: A compelling strory that will stay with you for ages!!!
Review: I have always been interested in WWII. I've read books such as Pegasus Bridge, Curahee, and I'm now reading D-Day by Stephene Ambrose. These books all have given good facts and first person perspective, but none of them capture the brotherhood of war, except Band of Brothers.
The book follows Easy Company through the training, the horrors, and the laughter. You the reader, will feel all the emotion Easy Co. felt, the comotion during the jump into France, and you will hear the bullets whistling in the air.
This ladies and gents is the best war book ever written and will definitely be hard to top.
Rating:
Summary: One of a kind unit history
Review: This is one of the only well written books that focus on a single unit and follow it through a conflict. Ambrose brings his excellent prose this readable volume. A great account, recently made into a movie. These men stormed the beaches at nromandy and went on to breach hitlers Western Wall. THey suffered ungodly casualties. An amazing story.
Rating:
Summary: Ambrose's Tribute to the Screaming Eagles
Review: After reading the late Stephen Ambrose's book about D-Day, I became an instant fan of his books about American soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. Ambrose's focus on the GIs is, throughout his books, balanced with glimpses of the larger picture, giving the reader a fascinating insight into what the last 11 months of World War II were like for the soldiers. Band of Brothers tells the story of a single company of paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division from training in the United States and England to the end of the European campaign in May of 1945. The book depicts Co. E's personnel with an unblinking eye, depicting its first commander as a humorless martinet who nevertheless made Easy Company into a unit. It also tells how Richard Winters, the exec, took command of the company after its second commander became a casualty. From Normandy's hedgerows to Hitler's Alpine hideaway, Ambrose follows the 120 or so men of this small elite outfit, taking readers along on an unforgettable journey.
Rating:
Summary: Ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things
Review: "Band of Brothers" is very well-researched and well-written. But I'm giving it five stars mainly for the reason that the subject matter is so fascinating and worthy of notice. Ambrose, as usual, skillfully tells the personal story of those who fought the war in Europe, particularly the members of the 101st Airborne. It really takes the written word to convey just what these men endured, both in training and in battle, to help achieve victory. In essence, Ambrose tells the story of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things. He consistently tells the reader that these soldiers were pushed beyond the limits of what they thought they could endure. As such, we learn what these men went through for our country and our freedom. We also learn that there is something within each of us, something that the men of Easy Company were able to find, that helps us to overcome any trials that come our way. For this, I thank Stephen Ambrose for writing this book, in addition to his other books. In fact, I would say that this is a theme in his other books, and not just his World War Two books. He mentions in "Undaunted Courage" how Lewis and Clark were able to push themselves to the limits of human endurance throughout their trek across North America. I recommend the HBO mini-series based on "Band of Brothers." However, by reading the book first, the reader will have a better understanding of the battles and the individuals who fought in them.
Rating:
Summary: Airborne All The Way
Review: Mr.Ambrose's book is both educational and compelling. It gives the reader a very detailed account on how the airborne forces were trained and used during the European war. It's historical content however does not over shadow the sacrifices made by these men during the war. After reading this book and seeing the companion DVD by Tom Hanks and Steve Spielberg you truly understand why they are called the "Greatest Generation".
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I don't find a need to summarize this book. However, I will say the book is excellent! One of the best books I've read about the common soldier in Europe. Ambrose's writing is superb - he makes all of the characters come alive as we follow their induction into the Army and their arrival at Fort Toccoa and their training with Capt. Sobel. We follow the guys to England as they get ready to depart for Normandy. The book continues with their jumps into Holland and later, Bastogne. Since we've followed the troops and have come to know them well, there is a sense of sadness at the war's end that these band of brothers are disbanding. The "where are they now" at the end of the book is quite poignant. The book is not heavy on facts and is somewhat light reading but it's one that is hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Ambrose At His Best...History At Its Best
Review: I am fortunate enough to have taken four history classes given by Dr. Ambrose at the University of New Orleans from 1988-1990. Despite the claims of plagiarism in some of his works, this particular book has not been the target of such allegations and is extrememly captivating in every way. Dr. Ambrose, I am forced to admit, is not the most articulate writer in the world. No, his excellence as a historian lies in his ability to grab issues by the throat and inflict the reader with first-hand accounts of events rather than painting broad brushes of second-hand historical slop. I also must admit that the HBO miniseries gives more credence to the international effort of WWII. The HBO production is a work of art. Being an American author, however, it is understandable that Dr. Ambrose would give favoratism to the Yanks-many of whom he interviewed first hand or through family members. Dr. Ambrose worked harder-often tapping students like myself-to compile first hand accounts from veterans of WWII. Be it by letter, tape or video, Dr. Ambrose was more tenacious than any historian I am aware of in the desire to encapculate the WWII experienc. (The fruit of his labor is the D-Day Museum in New Orleans.) On balance, a brilliant read, especially for military buffs.
Rating:
Summary: American Heros
Review: This was my first W W 2 book to read and it set the bar for eney other book I have read . I even compare Vietnam books to this one. Mr.Ambrose has out done himself on this one. It's like he takes you ito the war with the men of easy company almost like you went to CURAHEE and beyond with them.
Rating: 
Summary: A strong look into what it means to be a WWII soldier
Review: Stephen Ambrose wasn't the greatest writer in the world - he won't dazzle you with his prose here - but he was adept at giving the reader revealing glimpses of life as a soldier in World War II. That's exactly what he does here in Band of Brothers, which inspired the dazzling 10-hour HBO miniseries of the same name. Crisp and fast-paced, Band of Brothers does not get as bogged down in detail his other best-known works WWII, D-Day and Citizen Soldier. For the researcher that may not be a good thing, but for the reader (especially the casual reader just looking for some WWII insight) it provides a good read that educates AND entertains. That's a valuable mix in bringing history to the masses. Those who have read both Citizen Solider and D-Day might appreciate the brief dip back into Ambrose waters, but they might also be turned off by the anecdotes from those books repeated here. It appears much of the research that went into those books was also used for Band of Brothers. That's not to say there is nothing new here. There is. This is a book smaller in scope because the focus is on one company - Easy Company of the 101st Airborne. Band of Brothers is a good, solid World War II read that should satisfy all save the most scholarly of WWII readers, who are better off avoiding this in lieu of a tome more dense with information. At its core, Band of Brothers is a book that allows a bunch of WWII vets to recount old war stories. And that makes for some enjoyable reading.
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