Brotherhood

Author: Ambrose
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2004-07-01
Features: A heart-stirring, precious recollection of fighting across Europe; A great spiritual history that peeks into the complexities of human nature in war. Even in the face of the greatest cruelty, we still have the primal instincts of love, hate, and fear, just like every soldier in Band of Brothers. Band of Brothers refers to E Company of the 101st Airborne Division, the same unit Ryan belonged to in Saving Private Ryan, composed of the finest combat elite of the U.S. military in 1942. In April 1944, the U.S. sent all 6,700 paratroopers of E Company's unit to the front lines. Due to air attacks, almost none of the paratroopers landed at the designated locations. Thus, E Company searched for its members while engaging in arduous battles, with casualty rates as high as 150% (because those who were replaced after being wounded died again in action). Nevertheless, they surrounded Hitler's headquarters in Zitgesgarten. The youngest surviving soldier of the company, Les, shared his unforgettable experiences of the Allies in Normandy and the precious memories of his fallen Band of Brothers comrades with Stephen Ambrose, a WWII historian who had served as the historical consultant for the film Saving Private Ryan. After conducting lengthy interviews with survivors and referencing the diaries and letters of the soldiers at the time, Ambrose wrote the book Band of Brothers. The book microscopically describes the entire process of this historically renowned paratroop unit—from its formation, training, combat to its disbandment—from nearly three years of combat life, their sights, actions, thoughts, joys, frustrations, and perseverance. The book has been optioned by Tom Hanks for television rights and was adapted into a highly acclaimed television film directed by the renowned American war filmmaker Spielberg for HBO.