Having seen the series on DVD (more than once), I was interested in delving deeper with Ambrose’s book. I was not disappointed: as with the series, Band of Brothers follows Easy Company’s WWII tour from Basic Training, (running Curahee under the petty and demanding Captain Sobel) and their drop into Normandy, through moments of incredible bravery and tactical brilliance (and moments of human and bureaucratic failing) to their eventual arrival in the German Alps.

There is a compromise between the book and the TV series: Ambrose’s book contains more information and more historical accounting; with the TV series, of course, Hanks and Spielberg had more of a license to entertain and build stories (the discrepancies were startlingly rare, a testament to the fact that the producers began their research with the book). That’s not to say that Ambrose doesn’t engage the reader in the character and individual stories of the men; indeed, given the number of men involved, the book encompasses an impressive overview of the war as seen by the men of the 101st, and Easy Company in particular.

The history of E. Company is harrowing, incomprehensible on any real level to anyone who had not been in combat; what Ambrose manages to do which is so important, is bring the war that these men experienced to the reader in an accessible, unpatronising way; he gives us not only the facts, but the reactions as relayed by the men themselves, evening a few well-placed excepts from books on the psychology of war, and post-war responses, opening up the emotional world that lay under the day-to-day bombardment and skirmishes.

To someone who could not imagine having the bravery necessary to jump out of a plane, the strength of character and resourcefulness of the majority of E. Company’s men in the face of every conceivable war-time threat of the time is humbling. The matter-of-factness with which they faced each new situation, the amazing leadership (at both ends of the scale) that they followed into battle, the humour and comradeship that got them through is inspiring.

This is a remarkable story, well told. I would recommend seeing the series as well, but although rather dryer, the book Band of Brothers is a page turner, an education and a reminder that our soldiers – today as much as then – are human beings tested beyond the edge of endurance often with only the twin incentives of remaining alive and not letting down the man beside them. ( )

Great book that detail the 101st Airborne Regiment during WWII, form thier time in taining camp, to D-Day, Holland, Bastogne, Liberating a concentration camp, and taking Hitler's Eagle nest. This book goes above and beyong HBO's miniseries that was based on this book. The telling engages the reader to give one uinsight into the troops that fought for Europe's freedom. A must read for and History buff and WWII enthusiast! 5 stars! ( )

Band of Brothers, by Stephen Ambrose follows Easy Company of the 101st Airborne in World War 2. Interviewed in the 1990's, the surviving men of Easy Company share their stories. Stephen Ambrose does an incredible job capturing the scenes from men like Dick Winters, Nixon, Malarkey, Webster, Compton, Guarnere, and Shifty. Known as the greatest rifle company of their time, Easy went from rigorous trainging at Toccoa to dropping behind enemy lines at D-Day, taking towns such as Carentan and Foye, and reaching the Eagle’s nest. With a 150% casualty rate, Easy Company seemed to get all the tough jobs. I recommend this book to everyone and especially World War 2 fans. TA

A compelling story that is as good a small unit account as exists. It has received tremendous (well deserved) acclaim due to the mini-series. Ambrose is first rate at telling the story of the American soldier. ( )

I read this book twice and plan to read it again. It is easy to become attached to the characters as they bond through various situations and pull together into a tightly knit, cohesive group. It's an amazing book because instead of viewing the war from the strategist board where men are plastic markers to be shoved about, they become alive and suddenly their struggles to survive bring home the reality of war. There are many amazing tales told here and one cannot help but fall in love with Major Dick Winters. ( )