Band of Brothers

E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Tim Jerome

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.

a must for history buffs

one of the best history writers of our time.... gripping
I listen to audio books on my hour commute each way to work. many times I have sat in my driveway unable to turn off the car.

The history presented is sometimes biased and in conflict with well documented historiagraphy

The history presented is sometimes biased and in conflict with well documented historiagraphy

Not completely biased, but it could have been better

An example is the author states that Eisenhower “quickly agreed“ with Monty on theextremely dangerous com Plex and risky plan of market garden. On the contrary, if you study our most respected historians you will find that Eisenhower argued against this plan very strongly over a period of weeks, and finally gave in to a plan that was significantly simplified and less ambitious. It still failed spectacularly.

There’s many other examples. The author should’ve spent more time with our most respected Academic historians. He did OK, but should’ve done better given his excellent reputation.

This is my husband's review.. FANTASTIC HEROISM

Would you consider the audio edition of Band of Brothers to be better than the print version?

It's the best WWII story ever told. These men are true hero's. Lt. Winters is my hero.
I couldn't put it down.

One of the greatest stories of World War II.

The unique thing about this book is that it's so focused on individual people that you get to come to know, instead of the typical approach of battles, strategies, and leadership like we find in so many other books on the subject.

A Company of Heroes

An enthralling story of an amazing group of men. They are inspirational characters with an incredible story that is better than anything Hollywood could have invented. The men come alive through their exploits and their brotherhood was real and heartfelt. Almost all gone now but as with all those who answered the call they must never be forgotten.