Band of Brothers - Stephen E. Ambrose

Band of Brothers

By Stephen E. Ambrose

  • Release Date: 2001-10-26
  • Genre: History
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 1,135 Ratings)

Description

Stephen E. Ambrose’s classic New York Times bestseller and inspiration for the acclaimed HBO series about Easy Company, the ordinary men who became the World War II’s most extraordinary soldiers at the frontlines of the war's most critical moments. Featuring a foreword from Tom Hanks.

They came together, citizen soldiers, in the summer of 1942, drawn to Airborne by the $50 monthly bonus and a desire to be better than the other guy. And at its peak—in Holland and the Ardennes—Easy Company was as good a rifle company as any in the world.

From the rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to the disbanding in 1945, Stephen E. Ambrose tells the story of this remarkable company. In combat, the reward for a job well done is the next tough assignment, and as they advanced through Europe, the men of Easy kept getting the tough assignments.

They parachuted into France early D-Day morning and knocked out a battery of four 105 mm cannon looking down Utah Beach; they parachuted into Holland during the Arnhem campaign; they were the Battered Bastards of the Bastion of Bastogne, brought in to hold the line, although surrounded, in the Battle of the Bulge; and then they spearheaded the counteroffensive. Finally, they captured Hitler's Bavarian outpost, his Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden.

They were rough-and-ready guys, battered by the Depression, mistrustful and suspicious. They drank too much French wine, looted too many German cameras and watches, and fought too often with other GIs. But in training and combat they learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They discovered that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them.

This is the story of the men who fought, of the martinet they hated who trained them well, and of the captain they loved who led them. E Company was a company of men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other, a company that took 150 percent casualties, a company where the Purple Heart was not a medal—it was a badge of office.

Reviews

  • Brothers for Life

    5
    By ASHLEYELIZABETHSMITH2023
    A must read book for every generation to understand why we refer to that generation as the greatest generation. I promise you you will not be able to put this book down.
  • A book of human destiny

    5
    By linden11
    This was a heartbreaking and encouraging story of men in war and in peace. I somehow feel honored to have read their story and were I placed in their positions during WWII, I hope I would have performed as admirably as they did. God bless America.
  • Very touching and good book

    5
    By archilny
    Must read for anyone who is interested in ww2.
  • Excellent

    5
    By Charlie Kebler
    This book is a great read. It is well versed with battlefield language that can be challenging to understand but allows the reader to be pulled into the real life action. These men will always be hero’s. I highly recommend this book to any reader who craves WW2 history. The letters, stories, and backgrounds of these men is something I will never forget. Thank you Easy Company!
  • Great read

    5
    By pkgto66
    This book was great it had more detailed than show.
  • This is the greatest book ever of the army❤️❤️❤️❤️

    5
    By Blondie 67
    And i love the army am 11 years old and i will be in the army rangers💕💕💕
  • Band of brothers

    5
    By kddhdh
    Sent chills down my spine, couldn’t put it down.
  • Band of Brothers

    5
    By Bossgolfer1
    We to this day and beyond owe these men our utmost gratitude. They cured the Hitler cancer.
  • Thank you

    5
    By Nob p
    A look at what a few good men did for our freedom. Love the time spent with this book.
  • An extraordinary read

    5
    By Evh1234
    This was a great, fascinating telling of some of the USA's greatest heroes... It is thrilling, frightening and touching in parts. More importantly it introduces us to men we have mostly now lost to old age, when they experienced three amazing years, volunteering to serve their country and watching each other's backs. The only regret I have have after reading this is that I cannot thank most of the men in this book (and believe me I'd love to send a number of letters) because I discovered their story too late. But I can at least carry the memories of what they did for me, you and our great nation forward. I'm in the debt of their service, and the great service done by the author in telling their story so it isn't lost to the ages. The Band of Brothers HBO miniseries led me to this book; both the TV eppisodes and the books are extraordinary and highly recommended. Thank you Easy Co., for your service and sacrifice in WWII!

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