Band of Brothers

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

De: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrado por: Cotter Smith

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.©1998 Stephen E. Ambrose, All Rights Reserved; (P)1998 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved; AUDIOWORKS is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Outstanding!<br />

Loved the series, the book is much more in depth. A great performance by the
narrator.

Where is the unabridged version?

Great read, great listen, just disappointed there is no unabridged version. Cannot give 5 stars on an abridged version.

good audiobook, better book.

I will never forget till my dying last breath! sacrifice must be made for freedom

Read the Unabridged Version

This is an excellent story that spawned the HBO miniseries (also excellent). But, LISTEN TO THE UNABRIDGED VERSION. That wasn't available when I downloaded this many moons ago.

I recently re-listened to this and I was confused by the HUGE chunks of the story that were removed from this version. There is no reason whatsoever to go with this version. We're talking about a relatively short book anyway folks.

So, nothing to see here. Just move along to the unabridged audiobook. Off you go now.

5 Stars for the Story, 4 Stars for the Narration

I purchased this audio book after having watched the miniseries many times. I love the story. I love Stephen Ambrose. I love Stephen Ambrose's voice (he narrated D-Day). The narrator of this book does a respectable job, but no one can follow Stephen Ambrose.