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just a person

this will be a better book.

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2015

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As others have said, this is mostly a rehash of stuff you probably read or watched elsewhere. One thing that bothers me about most of these post-BOB books is the dialog always seems to match the mini-series just a little bit too well, as though someone decided, "Hey, I can write a book about that guy, since I watched the series six times." OK, maybe the books and BOB used the same sources and they are both highly accurate, but I can't help thinking otherwise. There are some factual errors (such as when casualties occurred- at least I believe other sources are correct, since I was not actually there.) and once again, we have not a single map, despite dozens of locations being discussed.

On the bright side, the book is well-written and the life of Dick Winters after 1945 is a welcome change of scenery. If the errors are corrected and a few maps are added to the next edition, this will be a better book.

AvdRedr

Mostly a retelling, but brings part of the personal story to light. Worth the read, with caveats.

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020

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Having read "Band of Brothers" and other books on the 101st Airborne Division during the D-Day invasion and beyond, this book is but a retelling of a story most readers will be familiar with. What the author brings to the story that is new is more on Deck Winter’s life before and after the war. Here Winter’s faced many of the problems adjusting to civilian life that I’m sure many returning servicemen faced. The personal story of the love story that wasn’t and the one that was is as telling about the man and his characteristics as those forged by his war experience. The book will raise the question in the reader’s mind of what have they done with their lives that could measure up to Winters. Larry Alexander is obviously a fan as well as an author of Winter’s story. Leading to considerable needless detailing of events that occurred after the war and in getting the "Band of Brothers" written and the HBO miniseries filmed that followed. The book could have used some editing to reduce the frequent repeats of the same information provided in previous chapters. With those caveats in mind, still an interesting read.

Kindle Customer

For those who admire a real hero

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2021

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I read this book because I admire all the members of Easy Company and the 506 PIR. I suppose if you are reading it for any new material not found in the tv series you might be a bit disappointed. Nevertheless, judged on it own merit the book is well told with Major Winters emerging as a human being. It is quite satisfying to me that this work added little pieces and bits to the whole story of Band of Brothers. A strength of this book is fleshing out Major Winters' life after the war. Just read it to round out further what sacrifices these men made, and then you will be happy. I am glad I bought it and happy the author wrote it.

Maribeth B

Excellent biography!

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2017

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A great book about a truly great man. Yes, the material dealing with Easy Company during the war *will* be familiar to anyone who's read or seen Band of Brothers (or read Major Winters' outstanding memoirs), but it's all told from a fresh perspective and includes several stories that didn't make it into Ambrose's story or the miniseries. The chapters about Winters' childhood, early manhood, and his life after the war are especially satisfying.

My only disappointment lies in the fact that my paperback copy doesn't have any photographs, even though the first page claims the book is "full of never-before-published photographs." Maybe the photographs are only included in the hardback version? I don't know. I wish I had the photos, but the book is still wonderful.

G. Terceiro

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2020

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Excellent biography of Major Dick Winters of Band of Brothers fame. While coverings a lot of the same ground as Ambrose’s Band of Brothers, this work focuses on just Winters’ perspective. This book also gets into more of his personal life. The later part of the book, dealing with the writing of the book, filming of the HBO series, and reaction to both, is quite interesting.

Judi

Could not put it down

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020

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Many great books have told of the courage of those of the “greatest generation” both on the battlefront and the homefront, but this in depth story of Major Richard Winters captured the whole man not just his battle activities but also his his emotional and tactical thoughts both inspired and led the famous Easy Company of the 101st Airborne.

Timberforester

Excelent book for sure.

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2017

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Given the subject mamner and quality this has to be a 5vstar book. It had me re watching a few episodes of the Band of Brothers series. Some inconsistencies but its close. Overall its a top notch biography and likely represents a number of situations from the war. Recomended book for sure.

L. Martin

well done biography of an amazing man

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2015

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There aren't many like him. He took his job, as a officer, seriously. His ability to instill loyalty from his men, by being genuinely interested in their wellbeing and making sound tactical decisions in combat, produced some of the best infantrymen in the U.S. Army in WW2. Reading about Dick Winter's life before, during and after the war is an interesting read. He embodied many honorable attributes a lot of us aspire to.
Even though I'd read " Band of Brothers" and seen the HBO series, this book is still exciting. As a veteran myself, I can honestly say how rare it is to read about an officer, in the U.S. military, who knows how to earn the kind of respect that he did.

Top reviews from other countries

Tony Hodson

Essential reading for fans of Band of Brothers!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2019

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IF you enjoyed the #airborne #BandofBrothers mini-series featuring Damien Lewis & read the book about Easy Company’s journey through #DDay #Bulge #Arnhem during WW2. I strongly recommend you read the #BiggestBrother a biography of Major Richard ‘Dick’ Winters experience in his own words. An outstanding read, great detail, very enlightening. Highly recommended. Check out the 'used' book options on Amazon. My hardback copy described as 'very good condition' cost £1.02 plus postage from World of Books.

Paul Campbell

great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2012

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If like me you have watched band of brothers and also read stephen ambrose's original book which the series was based on, and you want to learn more about the individual men of easy company, then this book is well worth consideration.

It centers on major winters, easy companies third and generally considered finest co. Winters had succeeded sobel and meehan (who was was killed along with the rest of his plane on d day). If you have watched the series, you will find many of the battles such as the taking of the three heavy guns on d day, Cartenge and Bastonge, familiar. However, dont let that put you off. If anything it creates a greater insight into these events and the man who seemed like such a fascinating enigma in the series, simply because he was such a quiet unassuming man, though a fine leader.

I found myself cross referencing the events and some of the lesser focused on characters with the tv series, watching the series as I read about each particular action. Here I noticed a certain degree of artistic license being used in the tv programme. It would have been impossible for a ten part series to cram in all the characters, event and actions accurately. Therefore, certain actions where condensed or combined or certain characters said or did things that in actual fact others had said or done. Therefore, reading how winters saw it gives a more accurate slant on the action. However, the book also gives us a potrait of winters prior to the war, expands on his family and relationships, such as his adopted british parents who he was billeted with prior to deployment and also picks up on his post war years right up until meeting ambrose and the process of writing the book and the release of the series.

It gives a remarkable potrait of a man rightly regarded as a hero, his stoic but quiet bravery and the pride he took in his men, especially the sergeants who were the backbone of the company. His opinion of his superiors were also worth a look and the reasons why he became such a good tactical commander are explored. (Winters simply puts this down to going to the classes that others skipped prior to deployment)

I read this book in a week, even with going over certain passages. This is quite good going for me. I found the writing engaging yet accessible. If there are any gripes, its only that there arent any maps of the areas fought in, though I suppose Ambrose's book has more of them. Also, I was expecting more in the way of photographs. There are some, but some of them are the same photographs used in Ambrose's book. Perhaps winter's autobiography has more. There are a couple of enigmas as well. Such as a chap called Punchy Diel who was winter's first company sergeant, but was promoted and transferred to another company where he was killed (There was no mention of him in the series.)Winters also didnt seem to talk much about two of the main characters in the series: webster and sergeant john martin, which leads me to beleive he may not have known these two as well as the tv programme suggested. I believe ambrose also used webster's writings for his research and martin was the sergeant in charge of his platoon.

Anyway, I cant recommend this book highly enough, especially if like me the series just left you wanting to know about the men and winters in particular.It's sad he has now passed away, but after the war he lived the quiet life he desired, and in his latter years much of his time in the appreciation he so richly deserved. Curahee!

Dave Clarke

Great read, great man

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2020

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I have read and watched Band of Brothers and thought they were brilliant and always wanted to know how true it portrayed Major Dick Winters and this book does that by the bucket load and more he was a brave and great man and I thank him and his men and all those who served in WW2 so we can live our lives in peace God bless you all

C. S. Hodge

Good story of WW2

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2020

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Good read, excellent service too. Thanks

Mrs. K. Loomes

Another dimension from which to view a great leader of men

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2013

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The JOB drama series, Band of Brothers, so impacted me that I started on a book buying frenzy of all things Easy Company. One of my faves is Maj. Winters autobiography, which I read after finishing Ambrose's Band of Brothers. I didn't think anyone could add to Easy's or Maj. Winters' story...I was wrong. I especially loved reading about Maj. Winters life immediately following the war; his and Ethel's love story, DeEtta's heartbreak...and how he threatened to shun Tom Hanks! Awesome read and I can't recommend it enough!!! My only gripe: why doesn't the Kindle edition include pictures?!?!?! UGH!

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