“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” Speaking through the king in his play Henry V, Shakespeare perfectly expressed a soldier’s loyalty.
Stephen E. Ambrose gave the quotation relevance in his research of a group of soldiers known as Easy Company, which resulted in his book “Band of Brothers.”
The book documents how the men of Easy Company trained, fought, suffered, and endured World War II. Their company was part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in the U.S. Army.
Why should I read this book, anyway? Sounds like just another boring history book.
Their experiences in the war ranged from participating in classic campaigns such as Operation Overlord (D-Day), to airborne campaigns like Operation Market Garden, and culminated in their company being one of the first to arrive at Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain retreat.
The author’s lucid, descriptive prose transforms this novel from what could have been monotonous interviews into an exciting read. Ambrose meshes a rousing narrative and direct quotes from the veterans into an enchanting story. That the book was based on the soldiers’ actual experiences adds the spice of authenticity.
Ambrose’s story makes the reader acutely aware of the veterans’ suffering. For history buffs who understand the larger aspects of various World War II campaigns, the book presents an absorbing first-person view through the eyes of the war veterans.
Wasn’t “Band of Brothers” a television series?
In 2001, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks adapted Ambrose’s book into a 10-part HBO mini-series, the most expensive project ever for the small screen.
Of course, the television series would be much more exciting, as only celluloid can deliver the action and show the nitty-gritty of war in all its wonders and horrors. The mini-series takes a great deal of license in portraying certain events to make them more palatable for viewing.
The book is still worth the read, as it recounts various scenes in greater detail, and is more historically accurate. Even those who have already watched the mini-series would still find the book a worthy complement. Couch potato or bookworm—it’s your choice!
OK, I’m convinced. Where can I get this book?
“Band of Brothers” is available in most major bookstores in paperback and hardcover editions.
For a more literary offering of the experiences of soldiers at war, you might try Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” A collection of stories about U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, it is a powerful, poetic revelation of the most intimate scars of soldiers, people who are often reduced to statistics rather than individuals.
Stephen E. Ambrose gave the quotation relevance in his research of a group of soldiers known as Easy Company, which resulted in his book “Band of Brothers.”
The book documents how the men of Easy Company trained, fought, suffered, and endured World War II. Their company was part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in the U.S. Army.
Why should I read this book, anyway? Sounds like just another boring history book.
Their experiences in the war ranged from participating in classic campaigns such as Operation Overlord (D-Day), to airborne campaigns like Operation Market Garden, and culminated in their company being one of the first to arrive at Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s mountain retreat.
The author’s lucid, descriptive prose transforms this novel from what could have been monotonous interviews into an exciting read. Ambrose meshes a rousing narrative and direct quotes from the veterans into an enchanting story. That the book was based on the soldiers’ actual experiences adds the spice of authenticity.
Ambrose’s story makes the reader acutely aware of the veterans’ suffering. For history buffs who understand the larger aspects of various World War II campaigns, the book presents an absorbing first-person view through the eyes of the war veterans.
Wasn’t “Band of Brothers” a television series?
In 2001, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks adapted Ambrose’s book into a 10-part HBO mini-series, the most expensive project ever for the small screen.
Of course, the television series would be much more exciting, as only celluloid can deliver the action and show the nitty-gritty of war in all its wonders and horrors. The mini-series takes a great deal of license in portraying certain events to make them more palatable for viewing.
The book is still worth the read, as it recounts various scenes in greater detail, and is more historically accurate. Even those who have already watched the mini-series would still find the book a worthy complement. Couch potato or bookworm—it’s your choice!
OK, I’m convinced. Where can I get this book?
“Band of Brothers” is available in most major bookstores in paperback and hardcover editions.
For a more literary offering of the experiences of soldiers at war, you might try Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” A collection of stories about U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, it is a powerful, poetic revelation of the most intimate scars of soldiers, people who are often reduced to statistics rather than individuals.
