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Summary: I'll never look at the flag the same.
Review: This book not only gave me a new appreciation for what we have in this country, but it has also triggered a fascination with the WW II era. A well written book, and it amazes me what those Marines went through on that island (and what they went through afterwards). I recomend it to anyone who loves this country and is thankful to what those before us have gone through.
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Summary: GUILTY
Review: AS A MEMBER THE RANKS OF THE RETIRED SERVICEMEN, I WAS AWED BY THE COURAGE DISPLAYED IN THIS BOOK. THE SERVICE I TENDERED WAS DURING A DIFFERENT PERIOD IN OUR HISTORY, BUT NOW I FEEL PANGS OF GUILT FOR HAVING HAD SO MUCH FUN WHILE DOING IT. WHAT I READ WAS "MIRACHULOUS VALOR"
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Summary: Incredible, Learn the story behind the photograph
Review: Flags of our fathers is a book that brings out strong emotions on mutiple levels. It provides great insight into an image that is recognized by many but understood by very few. The book explores the human costs of the battle of Iwo Jima in addition to the costs of that famous photograph on the men and their families. The brutality of that battle and of war are brought vividly to the forefront while evoking strong patriotic feelings at the same time. Once again, the "Greatest Generation" earns its name.
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Summary: common man, uncommon valor
Review: with the exception of Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of Sgt. Mike Strank's Marines raising the second flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima was a forgotten pivotal battle in the island hopping campaign to Japan. this book is a grand reminder of the thankless sacrifices our Grandfathers, Fathers, Uncles, and Cousins made during the war. As a baby boomer, every father in my neighborhood served in WWII, and the Korean War. Yes, some were at Iwo Jima, Chosin Reservoir(Korea), Battle of the Bulge etc.. Like the author's father, they rarely spoke about it, and felt the real heroes never came back. This book is a poignant reminder of the courage, devotion to one's fellow soldier, and the tenacity required of our father's to win the war. this is a must read!
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Summary: The Slovak and the Flag
Review: A gripping and heroic tale of the men who raised the flag over Mt. Suribachi. Though a biographically accurate account, there is one consistent error throughout. Czechoslovakia was composed of two ethnic groups: the Slovaks and the Czechs. Contrary to the book, Sergeant Mike Strank (nee Mychal Strenk), the "Marine's marine", and leader of the detail that raised the flag, was a Slovak immigrant, not a Czech. In 1993, the two peoples agreed to part peacefully and form separate nations. Strank's birthplace, Jarabenia (Jarabina), is in north central Slovakia, east of the High Tatra mountains, about 25 kms. northeast of Kezmarok, only few kms north of Stara Lubovna, near the Polish border.
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Summary: Don't take your freedom for granted!
Review: What a powerful reminder of the enormous sacrifices made by so many, so that we may enjoy freedom today. Especially important as election day nears. Thought-provoking and so powerful, I found myself going back to stare at The Photograph many times.
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Summary: Somewhat interesting book, poorly read in the audio version.
Review: While I think the book itself was interesting, the reader on the audio version of this book was downright annoying. The author read the introduction, and I think it would have been fine if he had read the entire book. The guy who reads the rest of the book uses a really deep voice and tries to sound really profound and dramatic while reading passages that are very simple and require no drama whatsoever. It reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit where they mock America's Most Wanted and overly dramatize a really simple event. Now, maybe they pronounced some military terms differently back in WWII, but the way the reader mispronounced things like "corpsman" (he says "corzman") really irritated me. Please don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to detract from the amazing battle the Marines fought on Iwo Jima. Yes, those who fought on Iwo Jima sacrificed a lot for our country and demonstrated incredible acts of heroism. The author cites statistics such as the casualty percentages and number of medals given out which are staggering. That was the interesting part of the book. The life story of each of the six guys who raised the flag was rather mundane. I would have been satisfied with one cassette about the landing and the battle over the island. The extra three cassettes worth of talking about what ordinary average guys the flag raisers were I could do without. My recommendation: If you've got some time and nothing else better to read, then read the book, but don't waste your time with the audio version.
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Summary: Magnificent Courage and Sacrifice By the Greatest Generation
Review: On February 19, 1945, over 70,000 United States Marines began hitting the beaches of Iwo Jima a small eight square mile island just 650 miles from the capital city of Japan. Four horrifying days later six American fighting men worked their way to the top of Mount Suribachi and took part in the flag raising whose image was to become the symbol of valor and heroism for the entire nation. James Bradley, the son of flag raiser John "Doc" Bradley, pulls together the diverse stories of each of these men and relates the the circumstances which led them to this moment in history and for some the moment of their death.This is a book which will stay in your thoughts a long time after you have finished reading it. You may think, as I did, about your own sons and thank God that they didn't have to endure the horrors of the combat which Bradley describes in such terrifying detail. You may reflect with pride on the heroism and self-sacrifice displayed by the boys who survived and those who died on that island. You may wonder if your generation has what it takes to persevere as that generation did. You may contemplate the price paid by others for the feedoms you now enjoy. You may cry with the families over the loss of their precious sons. You may rejoice in the love of son for father that permeates this book. What you won't do is quickly forget this book. This is a magnificent book! You owe it to yourself to read it soon!
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Summary: POST: Required Reading
Review: If you ever wondered how you ever got on this planet, this book will explain it. Although fifty-five years is not a long time, the struggle for Iwo Jima in the Great War is developing into one of the most famous battles of mankind. These two authors tell of the Japanese mindset (victory or death)---US determination (overly-optimistic and under-estimating the enemy)---and the youthful Marine indoctrination ("I did it for my buddies") that led to more heros and medals than any other engagement in history. Words can not describe the agony and pathos that the combatants, and especially the survivors of this battle endured. Bradley, one of the icon photographed flagraisers, was truly one of the surviving heros who tried to forget as quickly as possible. This book will become a classic in this millenium, and will be required reading for every highschool student in the world. I will fund it, if necessary.
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Summary: Required Reading - One for your children and grandchildren
Review: This book should be required reading for every high school student in firmly establishing what costs have been paid for freedom. Just as important is the poignant lesson of what young men are capable of accomplishing, given the circumstances. Bradley successfully portrays courage and leadership beyond our wildest imagination as we turn each page. You can't help to pause occasionally to mentally compare the young men to our own lives at that same age - and wonder. I was humbled and motivated. After finishing the book, I stopped three older men the same day and asked them if they were veterans. They were, and I thanked them.
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