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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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".

I'm very glad I read this because I learned a great deal. I've always respected and appreciated those who fought in WWII, but this thoroughly researched narrative of the battle of Iwo Jima brought home even more how truly heroic all the marines in this nightmare battle were. I appreciate the author's work, but wish he had edited out perhaps a third of the manuscript, as he goes overboard in telling us how heroic his father and companions were, how non-heroic they felt themselves to be, and how relentless the media and public pursuit of them was. If he had related these perceptions only once, rather than literally dozens of times, I think the impact would have been greater. The narrator was excellent, though with a text that overdramatizes some ideas to the point of nausea, it's difficult to subdue the sappiness. I find it ironic that Bradly put so much into researching his father's experience and views, and in the process repeats the mistaken adulation that his father so disliked. I can imagine ol' Dad shaking his head and muttering, "Geez, Son, didn't I leave you with any sense of perspective?" Even with these irritations, the book is an admirable attempt to share the impact of this amazing battle and the incredible spirit required by those who lived and died in it.

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.

This is a very powerful and moving book. Although I had heard the story and had seen the statue, it really hadn't stuck with me. I actually shed tears over the book. It is such a wonderful book and story which is absolutely true. Everyone should read it but better yet to listen to it. God Bless those brave men.

Everyone should read this book. I learned so much about the battle at Iwo Jima and aspects of WWII. The author does an amazing job of providing details of history in a fun and personal manner. He also gives you the opportunity to see into the lives of the men that were involved with such a historical event. I found it difficult to stop reading/listening. The narration of this book is also amazing and it draws you into the live of these men giving you a glimpse of some of what they experienced and how this event affected them personally, there families and America as a whole.