Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle Nest
Stephen E. AmbroseOverview
As good a rifle company as any in the world, Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, kept getting the tough assignments — responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. In Band of Brothers, Ambrose tells of the men in this brave unit who fought, went hungry, froze, and died, a company that took 150 percent casualties and considered the Purple Heart a badge of office. Drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters, Stephen Ambrose recounts the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes.
They fought on Utah Beach, in Arnhem, Bastogne, the Bulge; they spearheaded the Rhine offensive and took possession of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden. This gripping depiction of Easy Company re-creates some of the most critical moments of WWII and offers insights into the commanders and regular soldiers--the heroes who manned the battlefields. Photos. Maps.
Synopsis
They came together in the summer of 1942. It was as good a rifle company as any in the world. Here is the story of E Company -- men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other -- from the rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to their disbanding in 1945.
Publishers Weekly
Ambrose (Pegasus Bridge) narrates in vivid detail the adventures, misadventures, triumphs and tragedies of a single U.S. Army infantry company over its span of organizational life. Formed in July 1944 and deactivated in November 1945, E Company was one of the most successful light infantry units in the European theater. Its troops saw their first action on D-Day behind the Normandy beachhead, took part in Operation Market Garden in Holland, held the perimeter around Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and were the first to reach Hitler's Bavarian outpost at Berchtesgaden. The book is enlivened with pertinent comments by veterans of "Easy Company,'' who recall not only the combat action but their relations with their officers (one company commander was a petty tyrant of the worst type, but his oppressive ways had much to do with the unit's impressive esprit de corps ) and their impressions of the countries through which they campaigned (hated the French, loved the Germans). This is a terrific read for WW II actions buffs.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
Stephen Ambrose's classic work of military history, Band of Brothers, is now available in a new edition that is a companion to the September 2001 HBO ten-hour mini-series, executive-produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. This edition includes cover art from the series, as well as a new foreword by Ambrose himself.Easy Company, one of the toughest rifle companies in the Army, was always being sent on the most important and dangerous assignments. Then, they were asked to parachute into occupied France in the early morning hours of D-Day, their ultimate goal the capture of Hitler's Eagle Nest at Berchtesgaden. Who were the intrepid men of Easy Company? Stephen Ambrose presents the soldiers' story in his legendary, compelling style.
From the Publisher
San Francisco Chronicle A first-class explanation of what crack infantry troops are like...Addicts of military history will relish its finely detailed account....Stephen Ambrose's thorough research and clear organization have produced a highly readable account of the heroic service of this "band of brothers" he so unstintedly admires.The New York Times Book Review As a member of just such a unit...I am impressed by how well Mr. Ambrose has captured the true essence of a combat rifle company.
The Times-Picayune A valuable and fascinating record...In these pages, the reader can vicariously walk with the men of E Company, suffer and laugh with them.
Publishers Weekly This is a terrific read for WW II action buffs.