Brotherhood

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Features: A heart-stirring, precious recollection of fighting in Europe A great spiritual history that peels back the complexities of human nature in war Even in the face of the greatest cruelty, we still retain our primal instincts of love, hate, and fear—just like every soldier in Brothers at War. "Brothers at War" refers to Company E 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 Company E's unit to the front lines. Due to air attacks, nearly all the paratroopers failed to land at their designated locations. Thus, Company E fought through arduous battles while searching for their lost comrades, with casualty rates as high as 150% (as those who were wounded and replaced later were also injured and died again). Despite this, they surrounded Hitler's headquarters in Zitgesgarten. The youngest surviving soldier of the unit, Lester, shared his unforgettable experiences of the Allies in Normandy and the precious memories of his fallen brothers with Stephen Ambrose, a World War II 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 Brothers at War. This book provides a microscopic account of the famous paratroop unit's entire journey—from its formation, training, combat operations to its disbandment. It details their lives, actions, thoughts, joys, frustrations, and perseverance over nearly three years. The book has been optioned by Tom Hanks for television rights and was adapted into a highly acclaimed television movie directed by the renowned American war filmmaker Steven Spielberg for HBO.