Rating: 
Summary: Unique and a Must-Read But . . .
Review: This book is fascinating and well worth reading, but the research is a bit sloppy. For example, the author says that the expression "issen go rin" means one yen, five rin, but it actually means one sen, five rin. The sen was 1/100 of a yen (the yen is slightly less than a penny at today's exchange rates), and one rin was 1/10 of a sen. Because of extremely high rates of inflation around the end of WWII, the sen and and rin are no longer in use in Japan. One of the author's statements reflecting Japan's historical inflation rates is grossly inaccurate and he even indicates that there were wild parrots flying around in Hawaii during WWII. Parrots are not native to Hawaii and if by chance there was a loose one or two, they had escaped from a cage. These are probably good indications that accuracy was not the authors' strong point, but nevertheless the book contains a unique and historic tale and is well worth the reading.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: What a great story. This was a book I could not put down, it made me appreciate the bravery of these men. Awesome
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Summary: History as it should be written...
Review: There's really not anything more that I can add that all the previous reviewers haven't already said, but I did want to include my 5 star rating. I didn't know much about the specifics of Iwo Jima (just another Pacific theatre battle to get to Japan), but after reading this classic, I'm again re-enforced with the feeling of sacrifice that occured and the utter chaos of the WWII trenches. This will definately give you the feeling of being there and, coupled with the opening scene from "Saving Private Ryan", are all you need to understand war and specifically WWII.
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Summary: If you know nothing about the Pacific war - WWII
Review: If you know nothing of the Pacific war during WWII this is the work to get you started. War may be H___, but this Island surpassed this statement. Speaks to what Americia is and how Americian fighting men look after one another. Truley a wonderful read. Americia is number one because of our veterans.
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Summary: Moving...and one of the best battle books ever written...
Review: Flags of our Fathers is an incredibly moving book. It is the story of the 6 flag-raisers on Iwo Jima. The story begins with their all-American baseball-and-bicycle depression-era childhoods, their enlistment in the armed services, their training, the battle of Iwo Jima, the flag raising, and their lives after the war. The battle chapters are absolutely staggering. The losses on Iwo Jima dwarf even D-Day on Normandy. This was a monumental clash between 2 incredibly determined forces, and a battle that will never be forgotten ever. The Marine losses on this island in 1 month were about 1/3 of the entire Pacific war. The perspective is told from one of the sons of one of the flag-raisers. His insight into the photo, their lives, and the aftermath are fascinating and moving. I can hardly believe that anyone could read this book and not be on the brink of tears on at least 3 occasions...it is that moving a book.
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Summary: In One Word: Unbelievable!
Review: There's very little I can say about this book that hasn't already been said, but all the same, I will tell you that this is one of the greatest war narratives currently in print. Bradley's telling of his father's story, and that of the entire 5th Marines, of which my grandfather was a part, with a focus on the flag raising is both inspiring and tragic. The peril these men had to overcome, the pain they felt in their hearts and the truly American manner that defined their living are all described fluently and powerfully. The meaning of sacrifice may never be truly understood by someone who's never been to the midst of hell for their country, yet this book takes you there as closely as you can get without bullets and bombs littering your existence. There's no way one can put this title down without taking a moment to merely internalize the magnitude of this book's impact. This is why those people were truly the greatest generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Beyond The Photograph and Memorial...
Review: Having only the cursory knowledge of Iwo Jima from the immortalized "photograph" and monument near Arlington National Cemetary, reading "Flags of Our Fathers" was an eye-opening experience. Born in the late 60's, I grew up in with war and its after-effects having little impact on my own personal life (somehow my immediate family escaped any time in the military). In this deeply personal account of the events surrounding Iwo Jima, James Bradley gives the reader a detailed account of the famous battle that no high school history class lesson could do justice to. From the "underground city" of Iwo to the facts surrounding the quite accidental photographic capture of the incidental second flagraising, the book is both educational and fairly quick read. I was a little put-off early in the early stages of the book. In leading up to the actual battle, Bradley seemed to have already elevated the six flagraisers to godlike status. But having finished "Flags," one can easily forgive the author for the high reverence he holds for these individuals now knowing how each of their stories ended. Having recently visited Washington, I stopped at the US Marine Corps Memorial near the end of my trip. I did not know the names or stories of the men behind the impressive statues. Reading "Flags" made me initially regret what, at the time, had been a fairly unemotional visit to yet another DC monument. While that changed as I read "Flags" (I pulled out the photos I had taken several times while reading), I ultimately believe that the surviving flag raisers (particularly the author's father, John Bradley) would be quite happy that I did not associate them with the celluloid or bronze images that dogged them for the remainder of their lives. It is heartening to see the success of this book. While not a scholarly historical work, Bradley has done a great service in recording these men's stories and the brave efforts of all who have ever fought for their country.
Rating:
Summary: Trained to die
Review: Flags of our Fathers is an impressively written book, despite some factual errors throughout. The book is written by a proud son who wanted to find out about his father's participation in the Battle of Iwo Jima. His research led him to understand why his father rarely mentioned his military service. The unveiling of the dark secrets is done so well that by the end of the book, I understand why a veteran of any such battle would be hesitant to relive the horror or brag about the fight. The author's father is clearly a decent man who became a hero because he was dedicated to the Marines he served. It is clear that the author is telling a proud story of his father. It is a domninant theme of the book, but along the way he gives an important insight into the spirit of the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima and were trained to die without questioning the order. Flags of our Fathers gives some insight into the Japanese warrior culture that was forced upon the Japanese people in preparation for their conquest of the Pacific. They believed they were invincible and the Americans were weak. The U. S. Marines proved them wrong for all time. What impressed me most about this war story, is not the story of the flag, or of the strategic significance of the battle for Iwo Jima, or the number of casualties, but the insight into the Marine spirit - the training, the fierceness, the physical endurance, but most of all, the dedication to companion soldiers in the field. That was their power on Iwo Jima. The author develops the characters of the flag raisers as in a Shakespearean drama before the action unfolds. By doing so, he makes the point that heroic Marines come from many walks of life. The men who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima were a cross-setion of America, trained to be Marines. The spirit of a Marine is first the American spirit, raised in freedom that is often taken for granted today. Flags of our Fathers may make you take another look at American freedom and how is was won for us in the last century.
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Summary: A Story That Haunts and Inspires
Review: I finished this book five days ago, and it has moved me in ways I cannot explain - how did these boys (all who served, not just those in the photograph), from such diverse and ordinary backgrounds, find the courage to face what they faced? How did so many mothers survive the ultimate sacrifice? How did our nation find such resolve? In telling the story of the six men in the famous flag-raising photograph, James Bradley eloquently, yet simply answers those questions. People did what they had to do. This book's power is not in the specific story of these six men. Instead, it's power comes from the realization that these six could have been any of the millions who served during WWII. In focusing on the lives of these six, Bradley gives a face to every fighting man. One realizes that 'but for the grace of God', it could have been me. And I wonder how I would have responded. I would hope, but cannot imagine, that it would be with the courage and valor demonstrated throughout this book. The story, read in the comfort of a safe and secure home, is haunting. It is no wonder that a man who lived it would weep in his sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story of very brave men
Review: I have always been interested in World War II, but I never paid attention to the Pacific Theater. This book has piqued my interest, to say the least. I don't know how much of the book was written by Ron Powers, but the writing is dynamic and draws a graphic image of the true horrors of war. This book would make a terrific movie, although I don't know how much audiences could take of the neverending violence. I am glad that this book was written, the people of America need to be reminded (me included) of what those men sacrificed. This is one of the few books that brought tears to my eyes. If you have any sort of interest in World War II, you should buy this book. I promise you won't be sorry. I can empathise with James Brady as far as not knowing what his father went through while he was alive, my grandfather served in the European Theater and never talked about it either. He died in 1982 and I wish I had questioned him more about his service. Our fathers and grandfathers made sacrifices that should never be taken for granted.
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