Rating: 
Summary: Wow, what an AMAZING book
Review: First of all, let me say I am not a "war buff" or "history buff." But this book helps us to get to know many people involved in that historic battle, real heroes, the everyday soldiers, and how they were affected by this event, particularly the 5 "flag-rasiers." It focuses on the human element of the war, the emotions, fears and bravery. This book would appeal to many people. After reading this book I have a richer understanding of the honor that comes with serving our country for a good cause. Someone loaned me the book, but I am buying a hard-copy edition to put in my library...this book will be treasured and read for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Flags of our Fathers
Review: This book is the most intense book I have ever read on the subject of World War II. It keeps your interest from page one until the last page.It is somewhat difficult to read fast because the emotion gets so intense that one has to sit the book down and collect their thoughts before continuing on.
Rating:
Summary: riveting account of this most famous marine battle
Review: What the reviewer from Los Angeles on October 4,2001 may not understand is that the Survivors of Iwo Jima do not talk about those days because the memories are so painful. It lives with them every day. My uncle was wounded in the battle and has carried it in his heart for 56 years. As he is growning older now, he has begun to tell his family many of his stories. He has shed more tears in the recent years and has finally come to terms with the whole experience. The battle was fierce, the casualties massive, and the personal loss tremendous. As he sees his life drawing to an end as he gets older, he has begun to tell us of his experiences. If Mr. Bradley was still alive, he may have reached that point as well. The story of those days should be told. Mr. Bradley's son has done a brilliant job of telling his father's story. He did not betray his father, he simply put into words what his father could not. Marines are a proud bunch. They never want to be singled out for heroism in the line of fire. My uncle is a son, husband, father, grandfather, but most importantly and always, a Marine. I, for one, am pleased to see their story told.
Rating:
Summary: what I didn't know
Review: I had always been familiar with Iwo Jima however never fully realized the military importance of capturing it as well as the incredible difficulty endured or sacrifice made by those who participated. This book gave me a newfound respect for not only those highlighted however all who were there. Perhaps influenced by recent events however still a must read for those not familiar. Next time you see a veteran of WWII or any war, be sure to stop and thank them. I know I will. Well Done.
Rating:
Summary: An eye opener!
Review: This is a superb book. It is so well-written that it is hard to believe that it wasn't written by one who experienced this episode in time. The picture of the Iwo Jima flag raising draws tears to any American's eyes (look what it did when compared to the WTC 'flag raising'!!) To have the privilege of learning about these brave men and their extraordinary deeds is marvelous. I personally wish every young man between the ages of 14 and 25 would read this book. Now these are heros, unsung as they were, but heroes. I loved this book and can't imagine anyone not turning into a real patriot after reading it. How sad to learn of their post-war lives but how fortunate we were to meet them and learn about them. They didn't make a million dollars a year, just saved a million lives!
Rating:
Summary: Getting It Right
Review: This is not a "battle book" (Ambrose quote on back dust jacket).
This is a book about courage, commitment, the strength of human character, terrifying war and remembrance.
And much, much more. To all wannabe authors: read this book. Learn from the author's mature vocabulary, his pursuit of meticulous detail, his tireless research and most importantly learn from his passion for his subject. James Bradley got it right. Thanks Jim. Keep the Faith.
Rating:
Summary: You ordinary guys -- you heroes of Iwo Jima
Review: I just finished this book. When I was done, I just sat there for awhile, trying to digest everything I'd read. This is the most powerful and human book about World War II I've read, while at the same time taking an unflinching look at the brutality and horror the Marines at Iwo Jima -- for the most part young men in their late teens and early 20's -- endured while taking that small volcanic island in the Pacific. Iwo was taken under fierce resistance from an enemy they couldn't see -- fanatical Japanese soldiers who were bunkered underground. The book tells the story of The Photograph -- the most famous photo of the 20th century -- the flagraising on Iwo Jima which was eventually immortalized in bronze at the Marine Corps memorial in Arlington Cemetery. Through Mr. Bradley's powerful writing, I felt like I got to know the six flagraisers on Iwo -- "Doc" Bradley (Mr. Bradley's father) a Navy corpsmen (medic) who was awarded the Navy cross for his heroism in treating Marines on the battlefield, Sgt. Mike Strank, a "Marine's Marine" who put the welfare of the men under his command before himself and who had a wild sense of humor, Franklin Sousley, a country boy from Kentucky who probably never kissed a girl, Harlan Block, a football player from Texas who struggled with his Seventh Day Adventist beliefs about killing while on the battlefield, Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona who fought his own demons by taking to alcohol after the war, and Rene Gagnon, a millhand from New Hampshire who happened to be in the right place at the right time. And I also got to know a lot of other guys who were on Iwo -- including Iggy. This book tells the flagraisers' story from boyhood on -- up to the battle of Iwo Jima, where three of them lost their lives -- and then of the effect of The Photograph on the remaining three lives. Through it all, a common theme runs through -- these guys did not consider themselves heroes. "The real heroes of Iwo Jima are the ones who didn't come back," Doc Bradley told his son on one of the few times he talked about it. "We were just ordinary guys doing our jobs," one of the survivors told Mr. Bradley during an interview. I beg to differ -- if there was one common virtue shown, it was that the Marines would lay down their lives for each other, and thus showed "uncommon valor." This book is hard to read at times -- especially about what happened to "Iggy" -- Doc Bradley's closest friend on the battlefield. Like I said, I got to know them, and I grieved when some of them died on the battlefield. This book is essential for anyone who wants to understand the sacrifices that have been made for our country. I loved it -- and I'm sure I'll read it again. Thank you, James Bradley, for a work of love, and for a human, awe-inspiring, and powerful story. I agree with the last two sentences of your acknowledgements -- they said they were just ordinary guys. They were "you ordinary guys -- you heroes of Iwo Jima."
Rating:
Summary: Brave men
Review: This is a great book. I am a U.S. Navy Corpsman. I have served with the U.S. Marines 5 of my 8 years. John Bradley is a corpsman legend but until this book came along there was very little information available about him or the men he served with.
I am gratful to James Bradley for telling the tale about the duty that his father preformed for this country and his Marines. Very few people know the esprit de corps, of being a Corpsman with the Marines. It is special felling and the bonds that you have with your Marines. This books brings to light so many things. That men don't go to war to win medels or be called heros. They do they things they do for there buddies in the end. The man that lays in a foxhole could be the one to save your life and that even the people that live though war are often the casualties the same as the men who died.
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth reading
Review: "Flags of Our Fathers" is well worth reading, even if just to learn more about the incredible battle for Iwo Jima. What makes this book special is the extent to which Bradley focuses on the individuals involved in the famous flag raising on the top of Mt. Suribachi. Who were these men? Where did they come from? What did they think? These are the kinds of questions Bradley is asking. And I think he finds some good answers. Researching their childhoods and backgrounds, he puts a human face on these six Marines. This is what I desire to know when I read about World War II. I'm not so much interested in memorizing battle tactics or maneuvers. I want to know what people who experienced the war thought about it, then and now. Bradley catches the essence of these questions with this work.
Rating:
Summary: Flags Of Our Fathers vs. Band Of Brothers
Review: Having read both Ambrose's Band Of Brothers and Bradley's Flags Of Our Fathers, I've made some comparisons which I'd like to share. For a number of reasons, I think Bradley edges out Ambrose here. I'll tell you why:
One, FOOF goes into further character depth. FOOF covers the battle of Iwo Jima and all the companies and platoons, but focuses in depth on just 6 individuals. Bradley covers these 6 in greater detail than including their childhoods, enlistment, training, and action.
Two, FOOF is a much more intensely personal account. Written by one of the sons of the flag raisers, the book is electric in intensity and emotion that Ambrose can't match no matter how good a historian he is.
Three, FOOF makes better use of symbols. Granted, the flag raising is not just a literary symbol of the author's contrivance but THE most famous symbol of not just the Pacific theatre but of the entire war. Bradley's focus on the flag raising and flag raisers adds a literary focus not found in BOB. Both books are excellent accounts. You should read both BOB and FOOF; but if you only have time for one, choose Flags.
|
