Comrades : Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals

Rating:
Summary: Give it a 10.0 on the creep-out scale
Review: This might be the creepiest book I have ever read. Actually the only thing preventing it from being the creepiest book I have ever read is the fact that I have not read it. My friend warned me about how touchy feely this book is. The only items in the index were hugging, embracing, males, awkwardness, and heebie jeebies. When I found out that the book had actually offered to give my friend a back rub, I decided it would be best to blacklist this book.

Rating:
Summary: Give it a 10.0 on the creep-out scale
Review: This might be the creepiest book I have ever read. Actually the only thing preventing it from being the creepiest book I have ever read is the fact that I have not read it. My friend warned me about how touchy feely this book is. The only items in the index were hugging, embracing, males, awkwardness, and heebie jeebies. When I found out that the book had actually offered to give my friend a back rub, I decided it would be best to blacklist this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Perspective in Time
Review: This sensitive book by Stephen Ambrose was a bit of surprise on first encountering it and delving into its pages. I felt the subject that Ambrose chose was a fragile one. Stephen Ambrose can take chances by his mere stature, not even taking into account his great literary ability. I think this book makes a statement that he had to make about himself, his family and the mid-20th Century American male in general. I think it gives us insight not only on the subjects he writes about but perspectives on how he writes about them. Even saying that I found the book to be very entertaining on an almost voyeuristic level giving us an inside story of that slice of what it meant to be an American during that period in history.

Rating:
Summary: Ambrose Identifies a Need in Today's World
Review: When I began listening to this on tape (unabridged) I fully expected a series of war stories emphasizing the bonding which takes place under combat conditions. Instead I found a riveting description of how important it is to value the friendship of those you love. In a world when close friendships are questioned because they are consdidered old fashioned, Ambrose examines personal friendships from his own experiences, including his relationship with his father, as well as historical friendships which he researched. These included famous military men, explorers, and most meaningfully friendships he developed himself in his various lives. The description of friendship found at the end of the chapter on Lewis and Clark is one of the best I have ever read. In a helter-skelter world appreciation for friendship and the close bonds contained therein is a glaring need which we all feel. It is far more than just a series of vignettes about "the guys" but more importantly a fascinating look into the need to be a friend and to enjoy the friendship of those who mean the most to you.