Airborne

By: Ian Gardner

Narrated by: P.J. Ochlan

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Some men are born to be warriors, and Ed Shames is one of these men. His incredible combat record includes service at D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and Bastogne and finally in Germany itself.

He was the first man in the Dachau concentration camp and captured Hitler's infamous Eagle's Nest. Shames appeared in Band of Brothers, but now, with the comprehensive support of the man himself, the full story of his life and experiences can be told. Written by the author of Tonight We Die as Men, this is a searing account of the combat career of a remarkable young lieutenant serving at the sharp end of World War II.

His insistence on high standards together with a perfection of tactics and techniques did not always win him friends, but that was never the intention. His aim was to win each encounter, each battle, and ultimately the war itself with a minimum loss of life among his men. He was once told by one of his subordinates, "Shames, you are the meanest, roughest son of a bitch I've ever had to deal with. But you brought us home."

©2015 Ian Gardner (P)2015 Recorded Books

Band of Brothers Fans will Love it.

Although this mimics most all of these Band of Brothers it truly expands on many of those characters we've heard about all these years. Wynn, Strohl, Guth, Sisk, Gordon, etc. BofB fans will love it.

Interesting people live in interesting times!

What a great read! This unit has to have the most written about it than any other unit in US Army History. From the leading commander’s , their NCO’s to the enlisted men. It’s amazing to hear each ones story and how they interpreted through their own eyes. I thank them for sharing their story & opening up to what life was like in a PIR Infantry Unit in WWII. There record serves as a reminder of how freedom is never free & to remember those who did not survive but gave all.

Read it

This is a great addition to the 101st trove of knowledge. A different view and adds details and context outside of the BOB lens. Really so good and seems quite honest. Try it!

The Story of Ed Shames WWII Hero

This book is a first hand account by Ed Shames of his WWII exploits from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle Nest. From winning the U.S. Military's 19th Battlefield Commission during the Normandy Invasion to an amazing number of accomplishments during the War, Ed Shames was involved in a wide range of heroic actions and became one of the 101st best military leaders. This is a great read of one of the original members of the the 101st Band of Brothers.

WWII History

If you have followed the ETO history for World War II and 101st airborne,then this is a must read or must listen to account...very informative on items left out of the HBO mini series BOB's & S.E.Ambrose book of the 506th PIR.

Most enlightening

This book is a good companion to the band of brothers, as I for one know that everybody in a combat situation will come away with a different version of the same story. Very good read.

Let down

Very dry. I love war stories especially WW2 and the Airborne. This was very hard to focus on

brilliant book. well worth a listen.

this was the basis to the Bob story.
ed seemed very driven.
id recommend this

A great "read".

Wonderfully told story of WW2 paratrooper experiences. And so nice to listen to an American who doesn't boast or "slagg off" his Allies.