Rating: 
Summary: Informative and inspirational!
Review: As the son of a Marine Sargeant who fought in the Battles of Tawara, Saipan and Eniwetok, I was very interested to read "Flags of Our Fathers", a view of the Battle of Iwo Jima (and others Pacific battles) written from the viewpoint of a son's chronicle of his father's exploits as a Marine corpsman. Compared to what I have read in other books and from first-hand information given to me by my father, I believe that this is a well-researched book. The reader is able to gather a real sense of what the War in the Pacific was like from the florid scenes of bloodshed and death. The odd combination of fear, bravery, and fidelity that these men displayed during these tense times gives the reader a warm spot in the "patriotic" part of his/her heart. The book is written primarily about the author's father, John, and the other five "flagraisers" of the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Short overviews of how these men happened to come together at that fateful time add to human interest part of the book. In addition, a few little known facts about the "flagraising" are included which help to make this a throughly enjoyable reading experience. The problem that their notariety creates for the three surviving members of this elite group is well documented throughout the last quarter of the book. Fame did not bring happiness to these three men! Recommended for any WW II history buff or anyone interested in stories about victory of the human spirit. This book is guaranteed to give you a few emotional tugs at your heart and make you feel glad to be an American. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: If this book doesn't make a patriot out of you, nothing will
Review: The second flagraising ("...the second flag?" Yes, the second flag. Read the book!!) atop Suribachi on Iwo Jima during WWII produced what is one of the most reproduced photographs in history, one that inspired the memorial at Arlington National Cemetary and created an image that has come to symbolize the American spirit. James Bradley pulls you through the biographies of the six young soldiers who raised that flag. He follows the men from their homes as boys, through their training, and all the way to their last days. Bradley's father was one of those flagraisers. Although this book is certainly a tribute to his father, it is much more than that. It is also a tribute to the supreme sacrifices made by the American forces that took Iwo Jima - even the ones that DID make it home. It is a true story about the friendships the men developed in training and combat, and why that was of pivotal importance to victory. It is a broad historical look at WWII, and a granular look at what led to battle at Iwo Jima. Bolster yourself to read the book, though. Bradley does not romanticize war or death on the battlefield. You will wonder how all the soldiers were able to face what they did - achieve victory. You will think more about those who gave all for their country. You may look differently at our nation's flag. It may even change your life.
Rating:
Summary: On Every American's Bookshelf
Review: A captivating book that tells a story while unique to these six individuals can be retold time and time again for an entire generation that passed from adolescence to adulthood during WWII. "Flags..." details the horrific battle for Iwo Jima and the camaraderie, bravery and selflessness that were exhibited by the American soldiers (U.S. Marines, Navy corpsmen) during the month-long fight for the island. And how do we, today's Americans, pay tribute to the sacrifices that were made? We should honor these men every day by being the best spouses, parents and children we can be, and remember them every night by thanking them for another day of freedom. This book belongs on every American's bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Best WWII book I have Read
Review: This is a must read for the serious student of WWII or the laymen wishing for a good story. This book, which chronicals the lives of six Americans depicted in the most famous photograph of all time, moves forward in a steady pace to give the reader a glimpse of each of those men's hearts and souls. Halfway through the book I could identify each man in the picture by name; I knew where he came from, what he was interested in as a child, and, to a lesser extent, what he was like as a person. The actual history in the book is detailed and precise. Bradley covers many events leading up to that brutal battle to give it context and placement in the greater picture. The unfortunate fates of many of the men in the picture are heart breaking to read, but adds to the weight and power of this book. Read this to learn about WWI, the Marines, Iwo Jima. Read it to learn about six ordinary Americans thrust into fame, or read it to witness one of the most brutal battles in our nation's history. But read it.
Rating: 
Summary: An amazing story, but amazingly written??
Review: This book made me cry. Many times I'd be reading this book on the bus to work and I'd have to stare out the window for a while to try to keep back the tears. It's a touching book. And it's an amazing story. You can read someone else's review for the stats, but there was an amazing amount of courage, bravery, valor and heroism on Iwo. But I was put off at many points by the writing. He'd introduce characters as friends of the the six flagraisers and peripherally tell their stories as well --which is all fine and good --but then he'd go off and tell stories of various unrelated people that he hadn't introduced. It was like he had these great stories that he collected in his research for this book, but when he was writing the book he forgot what he was writing about and who was relavent and who was totally unrelated to the story. The book was also lopsidedly written towards his father, which is to be expected, but it gets out of hand occasionally. At points, though, it seems like he's using the book as a therepist, to say things to and about his father that he wants to get off his chest. My summary: a touching story, but somewhat childishly written.
Rating:
Summary: Flags of Our Fathers
Review: I was one of the Marines from the Green Bay, Wisconsin I&I Staff that were called upon to lay Mr John "Doc" Bradley (one of the flag raisers) to rest. James Bradley (his son) mentioned the countless letters and photographs that were found after his father's death to us the afternoon of the funeral. When I herd about his book I had to read it. This book is a powerful account of six very different men who came together in a moment that will live forever. To his family, John Bradley never spoke of the photograph or of the war. But after his death at age seventy, his family discovered closed boxes of letters and photographs. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley draws on those documents to retrace the lives of his father and the men of his company. Following these men's paths to Iwo Jima, James Bradley wrote a classic story of the heroic battle for the Pacific's most crucial island, an island riddled with the Japanese tunnels and 22,000 fanatic defenders who would fight to the last man. The most interesting part of the story is what happened after the victory. The men in the photo, three were killed during the battle, to become reluctant symbols. For two of them, the adulation was shattering. Only James Bradley's father (John "Doc" Bradley) truly survived, displaying no copy of the famous photograph in his home, telling his son only," The real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn't come back". This is the best book I have ever read!
Rating: 
Summary: Bradley's son betrays DAd
Review: Over and over Bradley tells us that his father was reluctant to talk about this. What would his Dad think about his incessant chattering. Half the book is statements like "..and yet Dad never talked about it," or "when reporters called he would turn them away" Bradley is just profiteering from what his Dad did not want-publicity.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, sad, and heartwarming
Review: I knew the battle for Iwo Jima was horrific in terms of casualties, but I never knew the reasons why the island had to be taken. Bradley's book explains the history of the battle, and how the marines prepared. We learn that the 5th Marine Division was put together at Camp Pendleton, and trained for six months specifically for the battle of Iwo. But what makes Bradley's work so great are the names, faces, and personal histories of these six men who, in 1/400th of a second, became a permanent fixture in the memory of millions of Americans. History becomes more interesting and relevant when we learn about the people who actually made the history. Bradley, whose father served on Iwo Jima as a Navy Corpsman, never talked of the battle, in part because of modesty, and in part because of of one event in particular that truly disturbed him. So modest, infact, that he never told his family of his being awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima. The reader learns about six ordinary boys growing up in geographically diverse parts of the country. Telling the story of each boyhood is so important because it tells us who these men were, and what they were like. The hardships of growing up in the great depression, the childhood pranks, the awkwardness of being around girls, and the pride of being marines. Bradley captures it all. It's history and story telling. It's anecdotal. Funny at times, and painfully sad. Bradley's work shows us that behind pivotal events, such as the battle of Iwo Jima (aka Sulphur Island), there are ordinary boys who, once you get to know them, are truly extraordinary. Books like this are so important because with the passing of each person who lived through these events goes another chance to learn. Instead of going to see the movie "Pearl Harbor", read this book, then you'll understand why the people of this era are called the greatest generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Flags of Our Fathers
Review: First, I have the highest regard for the veterans of World War II. The soldiers and sailors did a fantastic job and deserve our love and respect. Having said that I am greatly disappointed in this book. I am glad I borrowed it from the library and did not purchase it from a store. I did not finish the book because I could no take it any more. The story of the flag raisers is a very good topic but the author ruins the story. The number of cliches in this book are too numerous to mention. The background information on the war in the Pacific is full of errors and folklore. The author says and claims that the US Marine Corps won the war in the Pacific. He also claims that the US Marines are the greatest soldiers to ever walk the earth. I respectfully disagree. Jim has bought hook line and sinker the propaganda of the Marine Corps. I will not go into he numerous times the US Army performed deeds of upmost bravery. The Marines did a great job in the Pacific but they did not win the war. The Marines suffered undue casualties in many landings; Iwo being one of the worst. James Bradley basically says that the Army and Navy was full of cowards. Wow, didn't the 8th Air Force in Europe suffer the heaviest combat losses percentage wise of any armed service in WWII. Please spare me the semantics about the Marines. I think it is ironic that Jim's father is a corpsman in the Navy who helped raise the flag yet he is part of an organization who is full of cowards. There are other books on Iwo Jima, try one of them and get the real story. They tell a balanced story. By the way if Stephen Ambrose says this is the best battle book he has ever read then he has more reading to do.
Rating:
Summary: Very Poignant , Haunting and Thought-Provoking!
Review: While I don't read a lot of non-fiction, Flags Of Our Fathers is a book that that was difficult for me to put down. The authors' ability to describe in such a poignant and haunting manner the lives of the six men attributed with raising the flag on Iwo Jima before, during and after the event left me spellbound. Further, it made me once again appreciate a generation of Americans that Tom Brokaw refers to as the "greatest generation." Flags Of Our Fathers should be read by all Americans, and especially the younger generations, who have an interest in understanding the terror of war and the impact it has on those lucky enough to survive it.
| 
