Flags of Our Fathers

The book, story and history are worth reading, but this wan, dreamy, pablumesque narrator/reader is annoying to me. I feel that a story regarding such a high level of heroism, intensity, life and death struggle, sadness and joy, deserves a reader who can give the words some life. Instead the story is dragged along and monotonously smeared before you to the point you are wondering if the reader even understands the meaning of any of the words he
is reading.

My memories of history lessons from school revealed nothing like the exciting, wonderful tale told in this book!

The author is certainly not worthy of a Pulitzer prize, but he had a desire to find out about an event in history for which he had a personal connection. And then he wrote a book about it. This book provides us with information we have not had prior to his telling it. There are a number of sources for the horrors of the battles in the pacific, no less on Iwo Jima. But this book tells more than just the story of a particular battle.

I found it fascinating and important that the author set out to discover these "boys" and why he insisted on using the term "boys" rather than men. When that picture was taken, they were boys. It does not gloss over thier faults of human nature. And yes, maybe the author does idolize his father a bit heavily. But for me, I would rather see that than the opposite! How many more "Mommy Dearest" books do you need on your shelf?

As for the narrator, I was thrilled to see Stephen Hoye on this title. In fact, that was probably the decision maker as to whether I would get this book or not. He expresses the emotions of the book and is a master of that! If he sounded sappy, that is because the story was sappy at that point. But if the story became strong, he delivered strength in his voice.

The book gave me history: knowledge of the difficulties the soldiers faced, the differences between the war in Europe and the war in the Pacific; an explanation of war financing differences and what war bonds really were; and so on. But it told all that in a novel-like fashion about six people who happened to be caught in a photograph: their lives before, during and, for those who survived, after the war. Marvelous.

I have not seen the movie yet, but like any other comparison between book and movie, I know the book will be better hands down!! Isn't that why we all have a membership here at audible.com?

The story is powerful despite the weak prose of the writer and the too sentimental lilt of the narrator's voice. I found listening difficult, but the raw courage and spirit of the marines in the story and the horror of the almost endless battle on Iwo Jima kept me listening. The stories of the lives of these "typical" American flag-raisers made the entire story personal and painful. The irony of the truth behind the "real" flag raising paled in contrast to the declaration that this flag raising symbolized and heralded a moment of victory on the island when the battle went on for day after harrowing day. It's worth the listen, but it should have been better. Those amazing men deserve a better telling.

Excellent account about real people in an unreal situation: Famous for doing something they had no idea would be seen as significant. This is an brilliant addition to any military history enthusiast's library. 'Flags of Our Fathers' brilliantly encapsulates how history and myth are created. History as an agent of people and their own agendas, so far removed from 'facts and figures'.

Other reviews have criticised the narration. I can't understand why. The narrator's voice is varied and interesting, with reasonable characterisations and accents. Is is certainly appropriate for any audiobook in this genre.

The story itself is somewhat nostalgic, but given the fact that the author is the son of one of the men involved, this is to be expected when significant parts of the story are auto-biographical of their family. Still, these elements blend seamlessly into a thorough account of these men's lives and help greatly to build up a clear account of the men and their experiences.

The story was tragic and a tragic narration is what is given. Very monotone and lifeless. It was difficult for me to finish this audiobook but I did finish to 'honor' the memory of these soldiers.

As a child of the Vietnam era, I really didn't expect to like this book. I was very wrong - this is an amazingly revealing account of the extraordinary and often awful things "average" American "boys" accomplished in the Pacific in WW II - and the impact those events and their roles had on them and their families. Powerful.

Best book I have listened to yet.

while I agree that the reader is a little maudlin, his tone actually matches the tone of the book quite well. And while the author clearly idolizes his father and may wax poeitic a little bit too much at times, the book overall is one of the most moving peices I have read. More than any other book, it exemplifies the shear role of serendipity in life. who lived, and who died among this group of men was shear chance. And I am sure we cannot conceive of what these men went through. furthermore, the history of this picture which we all recognize exemplifies the nuances and chance outcomes that make great history.

I found it a wonderful book that was very very well read.

I saw the movie this weekend and was about half way through the book at the time. I just finished the book tonight and the book is so much better than the movie. It is a "must purchase".

The narrator's voice was perfect for this story. A story that most of us thought we knew, some of us probably thought we knew it well. I had no idea of the hell that was Iwo Jima. This story told me for the first time who I really am as an American who has been so richly endowed with Freedom that others would have viciously taken from me if they had the chance. EVERY American needs to read this book before they open their mouth about World War II, and the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I had no idea of the slaughter of Chinese before we entered the war, but it gave me an idea of our fate had it not been for the brave Marines and Marine Corpsmen of Iwo. Semper Fi!

The personal introduction to each of the flag bearers.

No, but he was PERFECT for this book.

It made me very solemn for days. I don't have the right to cry, for I wasn't there, but I will always have a place of honor for those that have served and serve today because of this book.

Thank you Mr. Bradley for writing this book. Thank you for your careful research, and the respectful way that you told this story. Your father would have been proud.

Yes, the story is very good. We have all met these types of people, and to know how they made it through such an unbelievable endeavor, and their perspective on what they and their comrades did, is very interesting.

Not sure I have read one quite like it.

Not sure, very sappy. Perhaps this is the author's intent, but very sappy.

I have been to Iwo Jima, and have felt the presence of ghosts on that island. When he read about the flag raising, and talked about the young men who raised it, the Marines and Civilians were wet eyed. The story was great, but the presence in that place, who could stay dry eyed. It is an amazing place.

A great read, though the perception of boy's is somewhat misleading and overplayed. While young and innocent in many ways, these are young men. The situation in the world, at the time they lived is tragic in many ways. The things they endured were superhuman, but that does not make them "boys". They are young men, and as stupid and foolish as young men can be, it is a testament to each of them that they continued to do what they do, when asked to do so by their country. I love the men, I spent time with them as a young man, and I hope we never have to endure this type of conflict again.