One of those books; I can't seem to put down. I'm thankful I have watched the movie, Band of Brothers, for I could "picture" everything that was happening though all these pages. This Regiment was truly remarkably determined and proud to be a participant in this long relentless war. How do you understand anything, unless you were there and have gone through all the circumstances? There are so many things we don't realize or understand and this book almost took you there to see what they had to experience. To be so proud and honored is an understatement for men like these and for all of our Military.

Like the movies "Saving Private Ryan" and "Gettysburg", this book (I haven't seen the HBO miniseries) left me fighting tears of pride as I understand my country's greatness and tears of shame as I understand the individual sacrifice such greatness takes, and wonder if I have done anything (let alone enough) to deserve this sacrifice.

E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne spent two year's in training and staging, and a year in combat in Europe, landing behind Utah Beach on D-Day, then fighting under impossible circumstances in the Battle of the Bulge. The training, the combat, and the leadership of E company created indeed a remarkable bond of brotherhood not always reached under such difficult circumstances.

As one of E Company's veterans told a grandson in answer to the question "were you a hero in the war?":

"'No,' I answered, 'but I served in a company of heroes.'"

Ambroses' Citizen Soldiers: The U. S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany is also a classic. See my review there.

Bought this book for my grandfather, a Paratrooper...and he really enjoyed this book. I would have given it 5 stars, but I didn't read it myself.

I bought this for my 16 year old daughter for Christmas. Everyone (adults) we know has asked to borrow it. It has a good reputation for being a true-to-life story. It seems to be the kind of movie (mini-series) people don't mind watching over and over.

This gripping account immerses the reader in 101st Airborne's experience during WWII; all the way from training, to the eventual celebration at Hitler's nest. Ambrose primarily tells this tale through the trials and tribulations of Easy Company. Through first hand interviews, diaries, extensive research, and his own trip to the region, Ambrose is able to provide a unique and vivid narrative of war. While reading I often found myself cringing at disturbing depictions of battle, and even laughing out loud at some of E Company's quirky antics.

Although World War II was such an epic battle, and seems daunting to grasp for someone who did not live through the times, Ambrose proves that taking a microscope to the history is perhaps the best method of understanding it. Ambrose writes this piece with a passion. Based on footnotes, it is clear he developed a strong bond with the men he interviewed, yet he also retains his objectivity and supplements the first hand accounts with the exhaustive research he has performed. The enthusiasm Ambrose shows for his subject is evident on every page. 'Band of Brothers' makes for an exciting page-turner, as well as essential reading for someone looking to get a grasp on the military history of the Second World War. My only complaint is that the book didn't go on long enough. If only every history book was so difficult to put down!

The band of brothers is a make-belief-tale. It is primarily based of Major Dick Winther's personal perception of events rather than facts. Indeed, if one reads Dicks Winther's memoirs and compare them to the 'band of brothers' they are almost the same. So basically 'the band of brothers' is one persons perception of events as they unfolded in WW2. According to Winthers, who just happened to be the CO of Easy Company, then his company was second to none in 1944, which is a complete joke. While it is only natural that each man thinks his particular unit is the best in the world, it does not necessarily follows that this is indeed the case. In fact, based on a lifetime of studies in WW2, I would not even rate Easy among the top 1000 companies in the WW2. Just to take one example, the battle of Carentan is portayed in the book (and film)like the the company took the town on its own when in fact around 10,000 US soldiers attacked less than 1,000 Germans, most of whom had never ever fought before. Winthers desperately wanted a Medal of Honor for himself for Brecourt, and Amrbrose has been more than willing to follow his lead claiming that 50 'elite german paratroopers' defended the battery of 105mms in Brecourt, when in fact there nearest paratroopers were five kilometres away from Brecourt as the crow flies!!!! Personally, I think that the film is much much better than the book, because while the former is does not pretend to be anything other than one man's account (Winther's), the latter pretends to be facts. Finally, I wonder why Lieutenant Speirs is protrayed like a hero in the movie and book, when he did in fact killed unarmed German prisoners of war, thousands of Germans were executed after the war for doing just that. To the victor belongs the truth.

A well-written, gripping story of the Screaming Eagles, E Co, 506th regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagles Nest. Stephen E. Ambrose writes with so much respect and admiration for this Band of Brothers and I was enthralled by the men of Easy Co and their story. America's greatness and spirit can be found through the actions of these men and what they did for their country. We were blessed to have them in WWII and their story is the stuff of legends.

'Band of Brothers' by Stephen Ambrose

A fabulous military chronicle that, in my opinion, was the first able to truly chronicle warfare at the company level. You're introduced to one of the finest military heroes to serve in World War II in Major Richard Winters as well as the other members of the brotherhood that was Easy Company. Trace the amazing journey of this remarkable outfit as they join the only recently assembled 101st Airborne in Camp Toccoa, GA where they were hardened in one of the most rigorous training programs the US military had to offer. Onto the pre-dawn drops into Normandy prior to the ensuing land and sea invasion which heavily relied on successful airborne mission completion. The jaw dropping adventure does not stop there: Easy Company enjoys a brief respite before being shipped out for their liberation of Holland to holding the line in the infamous Battle of The Bulge in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium. As if "The Battered Bastards of Bastogne" had not faced enough, off they trek to liberate several Belgium towns before finally crossing German soil and eventually capturing Berchtesgaden and Hitler's Eagle Nest - a prize also vigorously sought by the French & British.

If you've seen the mini-series and thought you got the full story, please read the book. Not only was the movie forced to cut out several important engagements, but Ambrose does an amazing job providing texture and depth to the many characters, small and large, participating in this truly remarkable war story. The movie, as wonderful as it is, cannot do justice to the heroes of Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne. You will not be disappointed.

Stephen E. Ambrose tells the stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, US Army, from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's nest and up to now (for some members of Easy Company). The company was established in the summer of 1942. The men came from different backgrounds, different parts of the United States. By the last evening of 1944, the company became an elite unit of airborne infantry. They parachuted into France early D-Day morning, captured Carentan, fought in Holland, held the perimeter at Bastogne, fought in Rhineland campaigne, and took Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. The company took almost 150 percent casualties.

This is a terrific read for World War II buffs.

It is an awesome book! It makes me so proud of what every soldier does for our country and so thankful for what they give up for our freedom.

The strength of this book is the knowledge and expertise of Stephen Ambrose regarding the history of WWII. Through countless interviews, vistits, letters, books and his travels, Ambrose writes the story of a close knit group of ordinary men who accomplished extraordinary things in the face of fear, cold, starvation and of course, death. By reading this book you will learn what an incredible group of men these guys were and it will make you proud to be an American. For me, this book really reinforced the fact that the freedoms that myself, along with my wife and kids enjoy did not come for free. It was paid for by the sacrifices of brave men like these.

I must say that I thought the effort involving the research in this book certainly deserved five stars. Unfortunatly the actual writing of the book was far less than that, perhaps three stars at most. I found myself having to reread things more than once trying to figure things out. I think this book may have been written for people with military experience, not the average citizen like myself. He uses a lot of abbreviations which were confusing, he never really explained the different companies, platoons, divisions, regiments,etc. so I never quite figured out who was where and why. Also the maps at the front of the book were far from adequate, which has been pointed out in previous reviews.

I still believe this is a definite four star book worth reading. It certainly could have been better if there had been more and better maps and if Ambrose would have taken his time and explained things better. He even admits in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that he had a deadline for when he wanted this book to be completed. I hope this helps you decide whether or not to read this book.

One final note: check the book for blank pages before you buy it especially the pages that come right after the pictures. I had three sections of four pages each that were left blank which resulted in missing about 12 pages of text.

I have nothing negative to say about this book. It's very easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting their journey to be a history buff as well as those already well read on the subject. I also own the mini series on DVD (probably the best WWII "film" that I have EVER seen) and have found that the two really work well together. I would read a chapter and then watch the corresponding episode. By the end you feel really close to these extraordinary men to sacrificed so much for the betterment of our country and the world. They are the definition of heroes and because they refuse to call themselves heroes makes them even more so. They, and all of our soliders, make me extrememly proud to be an American.

Stephen E. Ambrose is probably the best history writer of our time. His documentation of Easy Company men and their extraordinary leader, Major Dick Winters is a fascinating read. Reading through the pages, is as reading ones diary. You believe you've come to know these men and a part of their experience and you become changed with the realization of what they lived through for the cause of freedom in WWII. Thank you, Mr. Ambrose for following your instincts on doing this remarkable story so that Easy and the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne will never be forgotten. Mr. Ambrose and his passion getting history down in books will be truly missed. This book is a must in any personal library collection.

This is a great book. Stephen E. Ambrose was a great historian who recently passed away. This is his time period and this is one of the best World War II books I have ever read. It was eventually adapted into an HBO miniseries so if you don't want to read the book, watch the miniseries because the miniseries sticks very close to the book. The book is not that long, nor is it that dense but the reader comes to know and love the 101st Airborne Easy company. Those men were so brave and did so much for our country and that shows through this book.

The Band of Brother book is the more complete story of Easy company focusing much more on the personal details of the idividuals as they journeyed towards the occupation of Germany. Anyone who was intrigued by the movie will enjoy this book as it expands on many of the details of battle from the personal point of view of the soldiers who experienced it. The book weighs heavily on LT. Winters who commanded Easy company and much on Pvt. Webster due to his eloquence with desribing war despite the fact that he was not in the Bastogne campaign for which the 101st became infamous.

Over all it is good and captivating read but if you are looking for the ultimate story of battle for the 101st read the Donald Burgett series of books (4 in all) that describe his personal exploits in A company of the 506th.

I don't know which I liked better. The book or the TV movies. Both had there good and bad points.
The movies had lots of "Hollywood" action, and fudged the truth a little. The book didn't seem to go deep enough.

The book the marvelous Band of Brother's mini series was extracted from is one great read. I've always trusted Mr. Ambrose histories and this is one of his best. A strongly reccommended read and I highly recommend watching the mini series Band of Brothers also. Excellent.

OK, I am not done with it yet, but will be in the next day or so. I have never found a book to keep my interest very long, even small books, but this one is a great book to read, action, true life experiences, and very informational. I have not seen the series in order yet, just when i can catch them on tv, but plan to after i finish this book. I would recomment this book to anyone.

I got this as a gift for my husband. He is really hard to buy for, but I struck a winner with this gift. He said that he really enjoyed listening to the cd. As he was listening, he could see parts of the movie in his mind.

This book rules. I should read a lot more Ambrose, but I haven't. His command of the subject and the beautifully edited quotes create a multi-voiced narrative with depth and subtelty which nevertheless follows a stirring storyline. The book takes a little less time than the series, which is terrific, with complete excerpts of events such as the taking of Foy and the drop into Normandy. In terms of historical narrative, this is absolutely tops. One of the best-written nonfiction books I've ever read. I'm not terribly interested in WWII, but this book gets me really stoked to read more.

Great book! We need to remember what these men went through for us!

I watched the entire television series first. Then I bought the book and found it to be much better, in that it developed the characters more fully and the situations that they got into.

I have read alot of WWII history books, so therefore I am very familiar with Ambrose's work. While it may be hard to say which one is his best because he always did a fantastic job of telling "the story", maybe this is just one of the best stories he had the chance to tell. This book is a personal inspiration; I have given it to many friends to read and they are always in awe when they return it. While this book has obvious appeal to any WWII buff, it is such an amazing story that anyone can enjoy it. Then I saw the HBO series, and oh boy did the story ever "come to life". Read the book, watch the series, and just be prepared to deal with the overcoming urge to drive to the recruiting center!

This is an outstanding account of individual experiences during such an important historical time. It's great to read if you have seen the HBO series and if you haven't you must!

Before you read Band of Brothers read All the Way to Berlin: A Paratrooper at War in Europe. Book is much better even though it might not be as sexy of a book.

Watch the mini series, skip the book.

If you are a fan of history, and I'm certain you are if you're reading this review, skip this book. Read Rick Atkinson, or Dick Winters' account, anything, just skip this book.

The writing was high school quality, a poor job by the editors (apparently the atomic bomb was "dripped" on Hiroshima), and the story is short on the details that make reading historical accounts interesting.

Enjoy the mini series, but if you're interested in this topic, find another book.

After watching the movie first, then reading the book, I wished I've read the book first. This book is one of the best I've read and I don't read a whole lot. What those men went through during the war, I can't compare to my experience's. I to was in two different wars, Vietnam and Gulf War. The hardships they endured along with the good times can only be discribe by those who were there. To Major Winters and his outfit my hat is off to you all. I just wish I could meet with those gentlmen and shake their hand and tell them thank you for sacificing so much in order that we can stand proud of our country and the freedom we have today.

This book is a great read. A poignant account from a group of WWII airborne veterans, not high-ranking staff officers, that experienced the inhuman realities of war. But more than that, the underlying message, as the book was appropriately titled, was a group of young men with eclectic backgrounds and aspirations came to be brothers. I would be doing the book injustice if I tried to write an accurate synopsis of it, and by accuracy not only do I mean the historical facts but also the human emotional triumphs and travesties that is conveyed in this work. I'll let the author and accounts from the various members of Easy Company, speak for themselves. Get this book, it's definitely one to add to your library.

I'll just say it's a good read before (or after) you see the movie Band of Brothers. The book is very detailed and of course as in any book, you learn more of what goes on in the training and battles, for example.

I read Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose first 1996. This is one of the most read and popular books in the last ten years due to the HBO mini series based on the book. The book is better than the mini series. It tells the story of Easy Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that ultimately became part of the 101st Airborne Division. I enjoyed the book because of the focus on the people in the unit. It has reached cult like status.

Read and reviewed by Jimmie A. Kepler.

Stephen Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" is a powerful testimony to the singular effects of battle on a company of American paratroopers in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. As Ambrose tells it, the only thing deeper than the change they wrought on the outcome of the war was the change the war wrought on them.

After heavy training and embarkation to England, Easy Company of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division dropped in just beyond Utah Beach on D-Day, helping clear the Carentan Peninsula of German forces. Later, during Operation Market Garden, they helped secure the Dutch village of Son. A period of scheduled rest became their toughest combat experience yet when German forces launched a surprise attack across the Ardennes and the company pitched in to defend Bastogne. Finally, the company made it to Austria and encamped in Hitler's mountain redoubt at Berchtesgaden.

"Anything was better than the blood and carnage, the grime and filth, the impossible demands made on the body - anything, that is, except letting down their buddies," Ambrose writes.

Published in 1992, 50 years after the war, Ambrose's book was a giant step forward in national recognition for the men who fought for the United States during World War II. Ambrose writes with obvious admiration and conviction, yet he also tells some uncomfortable truths. Presenting real heroes to an age with few of its own can be awkward unless it comes with a certain amount of candor.

The "brothers" we read of here are not without their flaws. Ambrose describes such ugliness as looting from civilians and shooting German POWs with an unflinching eye. At the same time, you feel an awe for these men beyond words, their willingness to endure hardship and the likelihood of death.

After D-Day, Pvt. David Webster writes his mother about her wish he not be in the van of the attacking army: "If the country all had your attitude, nobody would fight, everybody would be in the Quartermaster. And what kind of a country would that be?"

Tough words for a worried parent, but they resound through the years to our softer if not war-free time.

Ambrose's strong identification with the subjects of his book make for a complicated read. He seems at pains to echo their views about their commanders, pro and con, their grousing about the frustrations between the combat, and especially their sense of specialness, to the point where he seems to suggest Easy Company was no mere elite cadre but the greatest unit who ever walked the earth, exerting more energy in a single engagement than football players would if they played three 60-minute games in a row.

"The 101st Airborne was the most famous and admired of all the 89 divisions the United States Army put into the Second World War," Ambrose writes, an arguable point to present so matter-of factly. [What about the Big Red One?] He goes on: "Ever since, men have worn that Screaming Eagle on their left shoulders with the greatest of pride."

Ambrose seems less a historian and more a cheerleader at moments like this. Ambrose's understandable pride in the exploits of his countrymen causes him to shed much of his professional decorum. In his Acknowledgments, Ambrose even notes he has been made an honorary member of Easy Company; it's clear he is writing many times with a greater sense of duty to his subjects than to his readers.

At least Ambrose gets something back for this; a trust from his subjects he puts to good use as they become our pathfinders for discovering war as the great adventure and bloody travesty it is.

Stephen Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" is a powerful testimony to the singular effects of battle on a company of American paratroopers in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. As Ambrose tells it, the only thing that ran deeper was the change they wrought about the outcome of the war was the change the war wrought on them.

After heavy training and embarkation to England, Easy Company of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division dropped in just beyond Utah Beach on D-Day, helping clear the Carentan Peninsula of German forces. Later, during Operation Market Garden, they helped secure the Dutch village of Son. A period of scheduled rest became their toughest combat experience yet when German forces launched a surprise attack across the Ardennes and the company pitched in to defend Bastogne. Finally, the company made it to Austria and encamped in Hitler's mountain redoubt at Berchtesgaden.

"Anything was better than the blood and carnage, the grime and filth, the impossible demands made on the body - anything, that is, except letting down their buddies," Ambrose writes.

Published in 1992, 50 years after the war, Ambrose's book was a giant step forward in national recognition for the men who fought for the United States during World War II. Ambrose writes with obvious admiration and conviction, yet he also tells some uncomfortable truths. Presenting real heroes to an age with few of its own can be awkward unless it comes with a certain amount of candor.

The "brothers" we read of here are not without their flaws. Ambrose describes such ugliness as looting from civilians and shooting German POWs with an unflinching eye. At the same time, you feel an awe for these men beyond words, their willingness to endure hardship and the likelihood of death.

After D-Day, Pvt. David Webster writes his mother about her wish he not be in the van of the attacking army: "If the country all had your attitude, nobody would fight, everybody would be in the Quartermaster. And what kind of a country would that be?"

Tough words for a worried parent, but they resound through the years to our softer if not war-free time.

Ambrose's strong identification with the subjects of his book make for a complicated read. He seems at pains to echo their views about their commanders, pro and con, their grousing about the frustrations between the combat, and especially their sense of specialness, to the point where he seems to suggest Easy Company was no mere elite cadre but the greatest unit who ever walked the earth, exerting more energy in a single engagement than football players would if they played three 60-minute games in a row.

"The 101st Airborne was the most famous and admired of all the 89 divisions the United States Army put into the Second World War," Ambrose writes, an arguable point to present so matter-of factly. [What about the Big Red One?] He goes on: "Ever since, men have worn that Screaming Eagle on their left shoulders with the greatest of pride."

Ambrose seems less a historian and more a cheerleader at moments like this. Ambrose's understandable pride in the exploits of his countrymen causes him to shed much of his professional decorum. In his Acknowledgments, Ambrose even notes he has been made an honorary member of Easy Company; it's clear he is writing many times with a greater sense of duty to his subjects than to his readers.

At least Ambrose gets something back for this; a trust from his subjects he puts to good use as they become our pathfinders for discovering war as the great adventure and bloody travesty it is.

I came to this book after having already seen the excellent miniseries and read Larry Alexander's wonderful bio of Major Winters, and while the story was still great, the presentation just didn't measure up to what I'd been expecting. All of the great dramatic tension, emotional intensity, and character development in the miniseries and the other biography just weren't there for me. It is a quick easy read, and it is a fascinating true story of a truly unique and heroic company, with just as many interesting things happening outside of the battlefield as on it, but a lot of passages seemed kind of like a highschool term paper, relating facts, figures, and direct quotes, yet not going much deeper, filling in the narrative between the lines, making it a more personal account of history. This is probably the first time I've preferred the movie to the book. For example, I'd been hoping for even more detailed accounts of certain scenes in the miniseries, or for even more information on some of the soldiers who didn't get a lot of screen time, and that just wasn't there. Things that were so much more detailed and emotional in the miniseries were often just glossed over in the abovementioned "just the facts" style, or even left out entirely. And I agree that some passages did seem to have rather different styles, uncomfortably calling to mind the plagiarism charges that have been leveled against Mr. Ambrose.

I also was a bit bothered by his frequent personal opinions and judgments, which seemed really unprofessional in a work of non-fiction. It's not objective history when you're injecting your own personal beliefs into what should be a balanced narrative account, particularly when you're dealing with such a complex subject as war, and with a period in history that already has so many equally valid perspectives because of how many sides and units were involved. It's one thing to have gotten very close to the material and to justly point out all of the amazing things this company did, but entirely another to seemingly cheerlead for them alone, without giving credit to other just as heroic companies who also helped in winning the war and taking back strategic areas. There also should have been some sort of a glossary; not all readers are going to be familiar with all of these military abbreviations and terminology that Mr. Ambrose keeps casually dropping without definitions or explanations.

I did like how we got to know more of the men in the company than the miniseries allowed, such as Sgt. Earl Hale, who got medical permission to not wear a necktie after getting his throat slit by a German, Cpl. Walter Gordon, who was paralysed but eventually was able to walk again, and Sgt. Wayne "Skinny" Sisk, who first dealt with his horrific war memories by drinking but later was inspired, through the words of his 4 year old niece, to pray for forgiveness and ended up becoming ordained. However, given that there were so many men in the company, and not all of them can figure onto every single page, it can be a bit hard to keep track of or remember who's whom. I also began to feel rather annoyed by how often Pvt. David Webster was quoted, and at such length. I'm certainly not discounting his bravery in the service, nor how much the company really meant to him, but I didn't get the impression that he ever really did anything so noteworthy that merits his being constantly quoted on practically every single subject. He was a private for the entire war, never volunteered for anything, had a rather cynical attitude toward what he was doing, seemed to be involved in the war so he could write down his observations for a book instead of for more practical reasons, and was wounded and in the hospital from October of '44 till mid-January of '45, which meant he missed out on some important battles and events, particularly the ordeal at Bastogne. So how again did he merit monopolising so much of this book, while more interesting and involved fellows like George Luz, Leo Boyle, and Earl McClung weren't really covered in that much detail?

Overall, this was a good book, and it did fill in some of the missing pieces I'd wondered about. The shortcomings in the writing style and some of the more dubious historical claims can be overlooked to a point because the meat of the story, the story of this amazing company and what they went through together, this bond forged in fire, is the compelling thing driving the narration forward. I just wish it had gone into more detail, gone deeper, and carried the same emotional intensity that the miniseries did, really making the reader/viewer feel that s/he personally got to know these men and went through these intense experiences right along with them, instead of just reading a more or less purely descriptive account that one would expect from a term paper, not a professional piece of historical non-fiction.

Excellent! Ambrose has written an 'easy read' which eliminates the military 'strategy/tech-talk', and brings the hardships of WW2 down to his 'Citizen Soldier' level best; On almost every page, one can feel that very special bond becoming stronger among this special 'band of brothers'...start to finish.
Seems even more meaningful and real if read within the context of the 'war stories' many of us have heard from relatives and/or friends who served anywhere in the ETO (As did my own father).
Read the book, buy or rent the VHS/DVD HBO series, then read the book again. Well worth it.

Steve

I BOUGHT THIS AND MY WIFE'S SUGGESTION BECAUSE I WATCH IT WHEN IT COMES ON TV EVERY TIME. SHE SUGGEST I BUY IT AND WATCH IT ON MY OWN TIME SO NOT TO TIE UP THE TV IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN SHE HAD RATHER US WATCH SOMETHING WE SHARE MORE IN COMMON. WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA FOR BOTH OF US.

Historian Stephen Ambrose's 1992 account of Easy Compnay, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has become a classic of the Second World War, inspiring an absolutely superb HBO mini-series and a small cottage industry of additional accounts by members of the unit. In a gripping narrative, Ambrose recounts the company's journey from its birth at Camp Taccoa in 1942 to the airborne jump into Normandy on 6 June 1944 through Holland, Bastogne, and into the heart of Nazi Germany. Ambrose's account is detailed and candid, capturing the thoughts and fears of members of the unit and the alternating horrors and boredom of combat.

What raises "Band of Brothers" above hundreds of other similar accounts is Ambrose's moving exploration of how tough training and good leadership built Easy Company into a nearly unbreakable fighting unit, excelling in every mission. Ordinary men, working together, became capable of extraordinary accomplishments under difficult, even impossible conditions, refusing to let each other down. Ambrose describes how individual soldiers meshed into the company and how unit chemistry evolved under a series of leaders. Ambrose is especially candid in describing why some men succeeded and other men failed the tests of leadership.

"Band of Brothers" is very highly recommended to the general reader looking for the story behind the phenomenon and to students of history looking for a superb small unit history and an exemplar of the airborne tradition from the Second World War.

I've seen the miniseries, I've read the book. The book is much more interesting. First, the direct quotes and sources comparing it to other books written about comradeship, or being a soldier in general are indespensible as a way to not only know what you are reading is the way it was (not a director's interpretation), but to gain more knowledge that was not supplied in the book itself. Second, there is more in the book than the show. Last, and most important, when concieving a picture about what it was like with Easy, it is more fun and entertaining (in my opinion) to first think of it the way your mind takes you. I do reccomend watching the show surely, but read the book first, it is fun to see how your perceptions match up to that of the show and its producers plus, if you know what and how everything happens, the book is easily ruined and your picture of what it was like in your mind is nullified.

P.S. I'm a dude.

I know this is a lot. Overall, read the book. Before the show if possible. Watch the show as well. One of my favorite books of all time. Five stars.

With the exception of Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, which is fiction, I've never read a book on World War II before. And aside from my interest in Cold War/atomic culture, war isn't normally on my bookshelves. But after seeing a couple of the final episodes on repeat on the History Channel of "Band of Brothers," the miniseries based on this book, I gave it a go.

Rather fascinating go it was, too. We follow the famous 101st Airborne's Easy Company from training to shortly after the war. But what we follow is not so much the events, but the people who trained, fought and were shaped by events greater than the whole. Band of Brothers gives war not just a face, but a whole company's face, and we move through the latter stages of World War II through their eyes. Ambrose's prose is as effective as the memories of those men of Easy Company who lived to tell the tale.

I really can't add much to the reviews already written except to say that 'Band of Brothers' is a must read for WWII buffs or anyone interested in the brave acts that bring young men to perform totally without thought to themselves, but rather to their comrades. As we have come to expect from Stephen Ambrose, the book is well written, well researched, and will keep you interested from cover to cover. As I have said in some other of my reviews, "This one will make you want to go out and fly that American flag proudly."

I watched the mini series first, and then listened to the audio CD. The mini series is amazing, and the book that it is based on just serves to enhance that fact. It has some details you miss in the mini series, and some background on some of the soldiers, which is nice. It is nicely written, entertaining, and really helps complete the Band of Brothers experience.

Before I read this book I had heard so many great things about it and was so excited to read another World War Two ACTION book.
What I didn't know was how graffic and real this book was going to be. I am only fifteen years old and this book totaly changed my thought of how war is so intense and bloody. I just could not get over how Easy Company was able to make it through fighting in Europe. This book taught me that war is such an ugly thing with people involved in it that never wanted to kill anyone.
Stephen Ambrose did extremely good research and organized it so well into a book that keeps the reader awake and aware of what is going on. The book gives every little detail of Easy Company's violent tour of duty in Europe.
This book is so great it is hard to describe and I guarantee you will be satisfied when you are finished reading it.

Lordy, Lordy.....I don't know which is better the book or the 10 part, 5 CD series!! I watched the HBO series at least twice before reading the book. Amazing as I read the book, how the film would come to mind and actually create a picture to visualize the words of Ambrose. Watch the film first then read the book, OR read the book then watch the film. Either way, you will enjoy, and be horrified that the human race has such destructive skills, anger, and stupid stupid leaders. That said, congrats to Ambrose on his penmanship, rest in peace. Congrats to Tom Hanks and David Frankel on directing a very indepth almost documentary like film, that followed the book almost page by page! David in California

This was the first book that I read from Mr. Ambrose, after I saw the HBO series. And the book blew me away, even there was not much the book brought forth, because the series was quite a truthfull adaption of the book. My grandpa, who died in the early 80`s, was also a paratrooper, unfortunately on the side of the Germans. All I knew about the war was, that he and his comrades had to endure a very hard training (they were kicked out of the plane, if they didn`t want to jump etc.). So it was very interesting to read what it was like to jump fro a plane sometimes into hell itself. Unfortunately Mr. Ambrose isn`t still with us , so that I could thank him personally for the information which I couldn`t get from my grandpa, because of his early death. A must read for everybody who`s interested in WWII.

I got this book after watching the DVD series of the HBO miniseries for about the 3rd time.

The book is wonderful if you feel like you can't get enough of the story of these remarkable men.

It is books like this that have turned me off to fiction, entirely. The things in this book are too great to seem real, yet they happened.

If you loved the miniseries and/or are fascinated by military history you will love the book.

I purchased this book in Normandy and began reading by Utah Beach. Being in that location reading this very real book was amazing. By the book's end of I found myself attached to the members of E company. WWII has always been a fascination to me and this book gave me something that I haven't found in other places--it put me on the front lines. Ambrose brought the members of E company to life in a way that I never expected. I watched the series after reading the book and it was not the same. The series gave me a clearer picture of what happened, but the book connected me to the men. Because of this book I can honestly say I will never touch another WWII combat simulation.

The novel "Band of Brothers" by Stephen E. Ambrosse was a well thought out, entertaining read. The author does a great job explaining the battlefield front in excruciating detail. He also states the close relationship between the regiment and how they bonded very well. The author also incorporates the troops foreshadowing of what the battle will be like in the future. My favorite part of the story however was the detail of the conditioning and training each of the soldiers hasd to do for the war. The book was a valuable and facinating record about how the military was back then. It gave readers a first hand experience of the battlefield and taught you to make prdictions on what your inner premonitions tell you what will happen next. I really enjoyed this novel. I would recommend it to all readers.

This novel was absolutely stunning. I read it as I watched each episode of the corresponding miniseries, and found that it fleshed out the plot and characters much more than the miniseries alone. The language was descriptive and fluid, with each character being developed nicely. What made me unable to stop reading was not the action, but the relationships that these men shared, living in foxholes and becoming closer than family to each other.

A must read for anyone interested in World War Two history.

If you have seen the series by the same name then you simply must read this book. I have seen this series on several occasions and believe it is the best docudrama ever put to film. While the producers of the series tried to stick to the facts as much as possible they could not resist adding a little hollywood to it. By reading this book you get past the hollywood parts. You also get a little bit more depth than the series can put on film while maintaining its flow.

In the series Sobel is a major prick. In the book he is still a prick but not quite so bad. In the series Lt Dike dies behind the haystack. In real life he gets a promotion and lands a cushy job. Webster is not resented by his Company when he returns instead he is always seen as dependable. He may not volunteer for anything but he never tries to shirk his duties. In fact he is turns down promotion on several occasions because he just wants to be a normal soldier.

There are several more examples of this throughout the series. Some are variations of stories. Some are actual occurrences condensed into other people because there was not adequate time to introduce all the relevant people. Most of the occurrences are forgivable and I stand by my 5 star rating on the series in spite of hollywood trying to improve upon actual history.

Just the fact that the story is true all in itself is just awesome. All the things these guys went through together, is just amazing. The way this story was worte it really keeps you on the edge the whole time. I could swear i could actually see things as they were happening as I was reading it. Very well written book. Stephen Ambrose did a fantastic job telling the story of these mens lives. Best book Ive ever read, start to finish!!!

Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers is a wonderfully written book. It is easy to pick up and hard to put down. I watched the HBO mini-series before reading this book and so much of this book was new for me, expanding on many aspects of the series. If you can't get enough of the series, read the book because it truly is more. There are more characters, battles, and sideplots. I've read this book twice and am considering reading it again very soon. Experience the real life saga of the men of Easy Company, 506th Reg, 101st Airborne. It is the best war book I've ever read. Thanks for reading.