Amazon.com
As grippingly as any novelist, preeminent World War II historian Stephen Ambrose tells the horrifying, hallucinatory saga of Easy Company, whose 147 members he calls the nonpareil combat paratroopers on earth circa 1941-45. Ambrose takes us along on Easy Company's trip from grueling basic training to Utah Beach on D-day, where a dozen of them turned German cannons into dynamited ruins resembling "half-peeled bananas," on to the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of part of the Dachau concentration camp, and a large party at Hitler's "Eagle's Nest," where they drank the madman's (surprisingly inferior) champagne. Of Ambrose's main sources, three soldiers became rich civilians; at least eight became teachers; one became Albert Speer's jailer; one prosecuted Bobby Kennedy's assassin; another became a mountain recluse; the despised, sadistic C.O. who first trained Easy Company (and to whose strictness many soldiers attributed their survival of the war) wound up a suicidal loner whose own sons skipped his funeral.
The Easy Company survivors describe the hell and confusion of any war: the senseless death of the nicest kid in the company when a souvenir Luger goes off in his pocket; the execution of a G.I. by his C.O. for disobeying an order not to get drunk. Despite the gratuitous horrors it relates, Band of Brothers illustrates what one of Ambrose's sources calls "the secret attractions of war ... the delight in comradeship, the delight in destruction ... war as spectacle." --Tim Appelo
Amazon.com Audibook Review
The men of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, volunteered for this elite fighting force because they wanted to be the best in the army--and avoid fighting alongside unmotivated, out-of-shape draftees. The price they paid for that desire was long, arduous, and sometimes sadistic training, followed by some of the most horrific battles of World War II. Actor Cotter Smith--a veteran of numerous TV movies and Broadway plays--spins Stephen Ambrose's tale with almost laconic ease. Anecdote by anecdote, he lets the power of the story build. By the time the company has gotten through D-day and seized Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Bavaria, we feel we know as much about the men and their missions as we do about our own brothers. (Running time: 5 hours, 4 cassettes) --Lou Schuler
Book Description
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.
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Band of Brothers is the account of the men of the remarkable Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, these men fought, went hungry, froze, and died, taking 150 percent casualties and considering the Purple Heart a badge of office. Stephen Ambrose tells the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes, drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters.
Customer Reviews:
Band of brothers.......2007-10-08
Stephen E. Ambrose tells the stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, US Army, from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's nest and up to now (for some members of Easy Company). The company was established in the summer of 1942. The men came from different backgrounds, different parts of the United States. By the last evening of 1944, the company became an elite unit of airborne infantry. They parachuted into France early D-Day morning, captured Carentan, fought in Holland, held the perimeter at Bastogne, fought in Rhineland campaigne, and took Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. The company took almost 150 percent casualties.
This is a terrific read for World War II buffs.
BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-10-01
It is an awesome book! It makes me so proud of what every soldier does for our country and so thankful for what they give up for our freedom.
Review of BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-07-23
The strength of this book is the knowledge and expertise of Stephen Ambrose regarding the history of WWII. Through countless interviews, vistits, letters, books and his travels, Ambrose writes the story of a close knit group of ordinary men who accomplished extraordinary things in the face of fear, cold, starvation and of course, death. By reading this book you will learn what an incredible group of men these guys were and it will make you proud to be an American. For me, this book really reinforced the fact that the freedoms that myself, along with my wife and kids enjoy did not come for free. It was paid for by the sacrifices of brave men like these.
I must say that I thought the effort involving the research in this book certainly deserved five stars. Unfortunatly the actual writing of the book was far less than that, perhaps three stars at most. I found myself having to reread things more than once trying to figure things out. I think this book may have been written for people with military experience, not the average citizen like myself. He uses a lot of abbreviations which were confusing, he never really explained the different companies, platoons, divisions, regiments,etc. so I never quite figured out who was where and why. Also the maps at the front of the book were far from adequate, which has been pointed out in previous reviews.
I still believe this is a definite four star book worth reading. It certainly could have been better if there had been more and better maps and if Ambrose would have taken his time and explained things better. He even admits in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that he had a deadline for when he wanted this book to be completed. I hope this helps you decide whether or not to read this book.
One final note: check the book for blank pages before you buy it especially the pages that come right after the pictures. I had three sections of four pages each that were left blank which resulted in missing about 12 pages of text.
Powerful.......2007-07-21
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It's very easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting their journey to be a history buff as well as those already well read on the subject. I also own the mini series on DVD (probably the best WWII "film" that I have EVER seen) and have found that the two really work well together. I would read a chapter and then watch the corresponding episode. By the end you feel really close to these extraordinary men to sacrificed so much for the betterment of our country and the world. They are the definition of heroes and because they refuse to call themselves heroes makes them even more so. They, and all of our soliders, make me extrememly proud to be an American.
Salute to a great author!.......2007-07-09
Stephen E. Ambrose is probably the best history writer of our time. His documentation of Easy Company men and their extraordinary leader, Major Dick Winters is a fascinating read. Reading through the pages, is as reading ones diary. You believe you've come to know these men and a part of their experience and you become changed with the realization of what they lived through for the cause of freedom in WWII. Thank you, Mr. Ambrose for following your instincts on doing this remarkable story so that Easy and the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne will never be forgotten. Mr. Ambrose and his passion getting history down in books will be truly missed. This book is a must in any personal library collection.
Average customer rating:
- Good book on the unit, but Haney's is better...
- Not quite as good as Haney's book, but still good
- Delta Force: the Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
- High Level Overview
- Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
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Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
Charlie A. Beckwith , and
Donald Knox
Manufacturer: Avon
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Book Description
The only insider's account ever written on America's most powerful weapon in the war against terrorism
Customer Reviews:
Good book on the unit, but Haney's is better..........2007-06-27
I really enjoyed this book. It gives a great history of the formation of Delta Force, but if you are only going to read one book on the subject; INSIDE DELTA FORCE by Eric Haney is much better. That said, this book is a page-turner and well written. There's a bit of self-congratulation; but Beckwith was an impressive individual.
Not quite as good as Haney's book, but still good.......2007-05-19
If I had not read Eric Haney's book "Inside Delta Force" before I read this one, I probably would have loved it. The inherent problem is that both books cover roughly the same time frame, with Beckwith's book beginning earlier (going back to Vietnam inspirations) and ending while Haney was still in Delta. Both books provide detailed coverage of Operation Eagle Claw, which can be a little redundant, but that's no one's fault really. What I liked about Beckwith's book was the understanding it gave about where the idea for Delta came from, what his operational credibility was, and the intense opposition he faced in birthing this elite unit. Some folks will be bored with the various political machinations at work, but I found it interesting to see how something like this comes to be. Less interesting to me was Beckwith's account of Selection and the like because he didn't have to go through it like Haney did. I'd definitely recommend this book, but if you only want to read ONE book on Delta, I'd recommend Haney's first. And while there is certainly some overlap in information between the two works, I read them back to back and still enjoyed them.
Delta Force: the Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit.......2007-05-12
The book was in excellant condition, arrived on time.
High Level Overview.......2007-03-10
A great story about the birth of Delta Force from the founder himself. Beckwith takes you from the original idea, based on his experience with the British Special Air Service (SAS), through their first mission (to free the hostages in Iran).
Because of his rank and the role he played in this story, you get a high level overview instead of the view from an operator on the ground (as in Eric Haney's book - Inside Delta Force). One item that was particularly interesting to me was the test (based on the SAS) they ran prior to their first real mission to determine if their operators would actually engage the terrorist. Although it was successful, they later decided to not use this test again and surmised that the British needed to determine if their operators would fire their weapons but the US needed to create rules on when to not fire their weapons. Not sure what that says about the two cultures, but it was interesting none the less.
Beckwith is definitely a strong personality who does not compromise. You learn much about the man and the government bureaucracy he fought for so many years. In the end, he was successful and we are a safer nation because of his efforts
Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit.......2007-03-08
I read this book years ago and just had to read it again.
Book Description
In this first in the epic series, Captain Richard Sharpe, bold, professional, and ruthless, prepares to lead his men against the armies of Napoleon in what will be the bloodiest battle of the war. Sharpe has earned his captaincy, but there are others who have bought their commissions despite their incompetence. After their cowardly loss of the regiment's colors, their resentment toward the upstart Sharpe turns to treachery, and Sharpe must battle his way through sword fights and bloody warfare to redeem the honor of his regiment.
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After the cowardly incompetence of two officers besmirches their name, Captain Richard Sharpe must redeem the regiment by capturing the most valued prize in the French Army-a golden Imperial Eagle, the standard touched by the hand of Napoleon himself. "A masterful blend of fiction and historical detail."-Newsday "A totally convincing picture of warfare, of hand-to-hand, sword-to-sword, bayonet-to-bayonet fighting."-Cleveland Plain Dealer
Customer Reviews:
SHARPE FOREVER.......2007-04-07
BERNARD CORNWELL HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THIS VERSION OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD SHARPE. WHEN YOU START TO READ ABOUT SHARPE IT IS VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
This is another entry on the Sharpe series. It is fun, entertaining and very readable. Cornwell's research is as excellent as usual. He takes some licenses for the shake of the story and continuity, but this is OK. Some people are outraged by the portrait of some of the real historical characters, but historical characters are rarely depicted accurately in historical fiction, so I think this can be forgiven. Besides, usually a more serious account of these characters is given at the end of the book on the Historical Note.
Many people insist in compare this series with Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander. I don't think this is fair for any of the series, they are different entities. What they have in common is that once you start you may get hooked and devour one book after another...
And in the literary world today that is a rare and marvelous thing.
The birth of the tried-and-true Richard Sharpe formula.......2006-08-15
"Sharpe's Eagle" may have been the first Richard Sharpe novel that Bernard Cornwell wrote, but the formula of this novel permeates the entire series. For fans of "you are there" historical fiction of a military bent, that is a great thing.
I came late to Cornwell's Sharpe series, after having read many of the author's other works (the Grail Quest novels, the Warlord trilogy, "Stonehenge," and "Redcoat"). So I have been able to start at the "beginning" of the Sharpe saga with "Sharpe's Tiger" and the India trilogy. Accordingly, Sharpe and his fellow Riflemen as well as many of the commanders are familiar characters by now. It's interesting how smoothly "Sharpe's Eagle" fits into the series even though it was the very first novel.
"Eagle" recounts the British army's struggles in Spain against the French and, even more so, their Spanish allies. Look for some notorious Spain-bashing as Cornwell derisively depicts its rag-tag infantry led by lazy peacocks for officers, including a real historical event where thousands of Spanish infantry are spooked by their own musket barrage! Not much subtlety, here.
Fans of Cornwell's novels will also recognize the villain of the piece, fat Colonel Simmerson and his nephew, Lieutenant Gibbons. Sharpe, our admirable hero, has done a rare thing and won his officer's rank solely by merit, largely unheard of in the British army. Instead, most officers bought promotion after a suitable period in a given rank, and Cornwell is of the opinion, his idol General Arthur Wellesley notwithstanding, that this led to dozens of craven British officers, all of whom seem to encounter Sharpe during their career.
Colonel Simmerson leads his battalion, including Sharpe, to the ultimate disgrace - losing their battlefield colors. Foisting the blame onto Sharpe, Simmerson hopes to avoid shame himself as well as to send Sharpe to a death sentence serving in the disease-infested West Indies. But Sharpe has another idea - salvage the battalion's pride by doing the impossible - stealing one of Napoleon's eagle standards from the juggernaut French infantry.
An action-packed novel, "Sharpe's Eagle" also finds time for Sharpe to have a little romance, but this element of the story is entirely secondary to the main focus, which is Cornwell's unrivaled mastery of depicting a battle scene. A mere 270-odd pages, "Sharpe's Eagle" will defy your efforts to put it down.
I highly recommend reading these books in chronological order, and this was the recommendation of the good people over at Bernard Cornwell's website as well. Get reading!
Sharp story.......2006-05-03
Napoleonic wars are not my thing but one day I picked up this book and for want of anything to do I read it.
Didn't know some British officers were promoted from the ranks during this period. Always thought they purchased their commissions.
These things got pitched aside with this delightful story.
Richard Sharpe, a man who has literally crawled up from the ranks to a commission, finds himself in a bad place with a bad superior officer and there is only one way for him to extricate himself from it.
This novel is well worth reading.
The Horatio Hornblower of the Infantry.......2006-04-09
I enjoy these military historical fictions books normally and this one was a pleasant surprise. The author does a good job of mixing the personal drama with the tactical/military aspects of the period. It was an enjoyable read without being a dry text book on Napoleonic combat.
Amazon.com
America's fighting men have turned to Once an Eagle as a sourcebook for the military's core values since its publication at the height of the Vietnam War. The novel, following the careers of virtuous Sam Damon and opportunistic Courtney Massengale, is required reading for all members of the United States Marine Corps and frequently taught in leadership courses at West Point.
Book Description
Once An Eagle is the story of one special man, a soldier named Sam Damon, and his adversary over a lifetime, fellow officer Courtney Massengale. Damon is a professional who puts duty, honor, and the men he commands above self interest. Massengale, however, brilliantly advances by making the right connections behind the lines and in Washington's corridors of power.
Beginning in the French countryside during the Great War, the conflict between these adversaries solidifies in the isolated garrison life marking peacetime, intensifies in the deadly Pacific jungles of World War 11, and reaches its treacherous conclusion in the last major battleground of the Cold War -- Vietnam.
A study in character and values, courage, nobility, honesty, and selflessness, here is an unforgettable story about a man who embdies the best in our nation -- and in us all.
Customer Reviews:
A cliche, but this is a must read for those interested in military life........2007-08-03
This novel follows Sam Damon, a decent-to-the-bone Nebraskan, over the course of a U.S. Army career stretching over much of the twentieth century. The major conflicts are between Damon and his wife, Tommy, who is thoroughly sick of the military, and between Damon and a self-promoting officer named Massengale.
There is not a cardboard character anywhere in this well-written work and its chapters are chock-a-block with memorable phrases. A reader's loyalties to the characters will likely change several times before the final page. The author's consideration of duty -- and conflicting duties -- and the costs is unsurpassed.
A military epic for all time.......2007-07-02
I just finished reading this book for the second time and loved it just as much as the first. This is definitely an anti-war book because it takes an honest look at war and its savage effects - and Myrer should know as a Marine who served in WW2 and got wounded in the Pacific.
Myrer does an amazing job of characterizing a military man and his family/friends in both war and peacetime.
Many of the military/political ideas continue to be valid as America finds herself in another ambiguous war.
Though Once an Eagle is a historical novel it packs a realism most histories (or even military novels) don't possess. It should be required reading for anyone in the military whether active or reserve, enlisted or officer.
Great Book.......2007-01-10
A book that regards morals and values is a rare commodity these days. It was an excellent and fast paced read. Highly recommended
Interesting.......2006-08-17
On literary merit alone, this book would get about 3 stars. It is a competently written popular novel. Myrer did have an ambitious aim, to lay out the history of the US Army from WWI up to the 60s. His protagonist, Sam Damon, is a young Nebraska man who enlists in the US Army prior to WWI, receives a battlefield commission in France, and then becomes a career officer. Myrer uses Damon's career to show the development of the Army. Myrer does a good job of showing the relative amateurishness of the US Army during WWI, the very constrained interwar period, and the huge expansion of the military just before and during WWII. The battlefield scenes are said by many to be realistic and are the best parts of the book. Damon's character and career are contrasted with those of a unprincipled careerist officer whose actions through Damon's meritorious actions into high relief. This book is certainly not outstanding literature but is generally written competently. The themes are good ones. While the characters are reasonably well developed, the contrast between the hero and the bad guy are is too strong to be creditable. Damon is really too good to be true and his opponent is not only a callous careerist but also a coward, a sadist, and sexually inadequate.
This book has some sociological interest. It is very popular in the military and has been used in courses for officers. The edition I read was published by the Army War College Press. The hero is generally held up as an example for young officers. I suspect this book is going to experience another surge of popularity among the military. One of the hero's last acts is an attempt to forestall greater American involvement in a thinly disguised version of Vietnam, presented clearly as a principled act of leadership in opposition to powerful but uncritical political and military leaders. There appears to be quite a bit of disatisfaction among the officer corps about the complaisance of the military leadership in the runup to the invasion of Iraq. Myrer's Sam Damon is again going to be seen as role model for officers.
A tale of a soldier's soldier.......2006-06-06
I could never do justice to the story by trying to describe it in a few words here. Suffice it to say that I read it right after Myrer's death while stationed overseas, and it enthralled me with it's powerful statement about duty and loyalty as opposed to power and its misuse. The book was lent to my buddies and I unfortunately forgot it when I flew back to the world, but have never forgotten its message. I've tried to instill the same values in my son while he is in Army ROTC in college. Even if you've never served; never plan on serving; or cannot serve anylonger, (as in my case), read this book for its story and characters. I will stand this book alongside any other for pure story telling and believability.
Book Description
Skip O'Neill lies dying of leukemia in a New York hospital, determined to live until the new millennium. His wasted body shows scant evidence of the man he once was—an Air Force fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran.
O'Neill's first assignment as a young lieutenant places him among hard drinking World War II—and Korean War—era fighter pilots who quickly teach him their ways. He almost washes out of pilot training but is persistent and manages to graduate. In Vietnam, he proves to be a skillful and courageous pilot who faces dangers of all kinds with equanimity. But the greatest—and most deadly danger—materializes years after O'Neill volunteers to be an observer at an atomic test site.
In the end, O'Neill decides that when his time comes, he will dash at it fearlessly. He anticipates being greeted by departed friends—but what awaits him is something totally unexpected.
Download Description
Skip O¿Neill was just twenty two when he volunteered to participate in an atomic test. He did so willingly, certain his government would not put him in harm's way. Afterwards, he served his country honorably and with courage, retiring as a Colonel and combat decorated fighter pilot. Years later, he learned the awful truth...he was dying of leukemia, most likely due to radiation exposure. While Skip is fictional, his story unfortunately is not. More than 400,000 troops were exposed to radiation during atomic tests or as POWs in Japan. Fewer than 20,000 are still alive. Most are over seventy five. Many have cancer. "I participated in an atomic test at Yucca Flat, Nevada in August, 1957." Standerfer told an interviewer. "Standing on an observation platform eight miles from ground zero, I watched the detonation of an atomic bomb with a yield of 44 kiloton...more than twice the size of the one dropped in Nagasaki. Needless to say, it was an experience I never forgot and it weighed heavily on my mind when I wrote the book." The Eagle's Last Flight is a journey through a nearly forgotten era when the Cold War veterans were place in harm's way by our government and routinely lost their lives due to the carelessness and mismanagement of their leaders. Given the current controversies over adequate protection for our troops in Iraq, it is likely that readers who take that journey will learn a lot about how things used to be, but conclude that nothing much has changed.
Customer Reviews:
An AF Pilot's Turbulent Wake.......2007-09-13
Explosive! The Eagle's Last Flight, a highly-charged, human drama is told with consummate skill and intrigue - filled with gripping twists and turns a pilot must execute for survival. It's a revealing slice of memorable air force life served up close and personal. This one's definitely an all-nighter. For the serious aviation buff, Ron Standerfer, a veteran AF pilot is eminently qualified to pen this rare, must-have book.
By -- Bill Guenon, author: SECRET And DANGEROUS - Night of the Son Tay P.O.W. Raid
Should be added to your library.......2007-03-02
Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (2/07)
As a work of fiction Colonel Standerfer has produced a book that places his readers well within the realm of reality. It is the story of a decorated combat pilot who is dying of leukemia. The story takes us through his training (which he nearly fails to complete) to his association with veteran World War II and Korean War fighter pilots. These friends take him under their wing and teach him the realities of combat flying. He is assigned to combat operations in Vietnam and proves himself and capable and heroic pilot. Colonel Standerfer's writing skill puts you in the cockpit with pilot Skip O'Neill as he maneuvers and engages in aerial combat. The fact that the author himself flew 237 combat missions in Vietnam provides the background and real knowledge and skills to take the reader with him back into the fight.
Following his combat experiences O'Neill volunteers to be an observer at the testing of atomic bombs. Without the knowledge of radiation and the proximity to the detonation, O'Neill is exposed to what will become lethal doses of radiation, over time. He contracts leukemia and the story follows his treatments and reflections of his experiences. As the disease progresses, O'Neill decides to accept his fate with courage and dignity. He reflects over his life and career experiences while deciding how to meet his end. Colonel Standerfer creates and ending for the book which is both surprising and emotional. This review will not reveal that ending as the reader needs to experience it alone.
For anyone who reads, "The Eagle's Last Flight" should be added to your library. It is a well-composed and well-written story, and certainly worth your time and expense to get and read it. I have to tell Colonel Standefer very well done sir, very well done. Be proud of this work.
Standerfer Stands Stellar.......2006-07-08
Standerfer follows the life of a young fighter pilot caught up flying the F-100 jet fighter during the war in South East Asia. Interwoven into this main theme are several sub-themes that dove-tail beautifully into overall scenario. Action is crackling, fast and breathtaking. Get this book and witness how difficult it is to put it down, once started.
Wannabe.......2006-06-18
If you wannabe a fighter pilot, read this book. If you always wanted to be a fighter pilor and never were, read this book. If you were or are a fighter pilot, read this book. I guarantee enjoyment. This is one of the best books about flying fighters, life in the military, war and the humans who do it, all with the best of characters shrouded in history, mixed with realism, sex, joy, tragedy, sadness, mystery. I could feel the Gs, taste the martinis and smell the perfume. I felt like I knew the characters, or someone just like them, and saw every fighter pilot in "Skip" and every fighter pilot's wife in "Christy" - go get this book NOW - and put it on the top of your stack - you won't be disappointed - Don Shepperd, author and CNN Military Analyst
Charles Severns, Great book.......2006-03-24
I can vouch for one chapter in the book. Tchepone, Laos, April 1, 1969. This chapler is baised on fact. I was the FE on the Jolly Green that rescued "Skip" Ron Standerfer from Laos that day. We really were low on fuel. When we started our penetration for the rescue, we dumped down to 30 minutes fuel and requested a tanker meet us at 1,000 feet on the way out. We rescued both pilots, and hooked up with the tanker at 32 minutes.
In 2000 through contacts that my PJ on the mission had, we linked up with Ron on the internet. That was an exciting day. Ron is the only survivor that I was involved with rescuing that I have made contact with, and know how thier lifes turned out.
The book isn't 100% correct but it is based on fact.
Book Description
The arresting sixth novel in Simon Scarrow’s epic series of the Roman army
It is spring ad 45 in Rome, and Centurions Macro and Cato, dismissed from the Second Legion in Britain, are waiting for an investigation into their involvement in the death of a fellow officer. It is then that the imperial secretary, the devious Narcissus, makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to rescue an imperial agent who has been captured by pirates operating off the Illyrian coast. With him were scrolls vital to the safety of the emperor and the future of Rome.
But Narcissus also sends Vitellius, an old enemy of the two centurions. The three officers set out from Ravenna with the imperial fleet but the pirates are forewarned and the Romans pay a heavy price. Outnumbered by the enemy, surrounded by rumors of treachery, and endangered by Vitellius’s desire to redeem himself, Centurions Macro and Cato must find the pirate base to avert a disaster that could destroy the emperor and the very core of Rome.
“[A] rip-roaring, thoroughly entertaining tale of swashbuckling adventure from one of the most exciting writers of historical fiction.”---Scottish Daily Record
Customer Reviews:
Good Fun.......2007-06-17
Scarrow has turned in another solid work. While not as good as some of his other Macro and Cato adventures, this one packs a fair amount of intrigue, action, and harrowing escapes.
Scarrow seems to stretch at points, having characters do things that seem to contradict expectations, but overall has delivered a fun story. The focus is on Cato for most of the story, with Vespasian figuring prominently later in the book. I recommend it as a quick summer read.
another good book in a great series.......2007-01-16
This book is a very enjoyable read, but not quite as good as some of the others in the "Eagle" series, which are some of my absolute favorite books. The action is, as always, very well described, and the plot moves along well. There are a number of convenient coincidences in the plot that make it a little less believable than most of the previous novels. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the book and will eagerly read the next installment.
The story of the two Romans continue.......2007-01-05
This time the battles are set at sea. Well written. Cato is growing up and doing more on his own.
Simply irresistable.......2007-01-01
I have read all of mr. Scarrow's books, and maybe the last two from the series (The Eagle in the Sand and this one) are the best so far, even though I enjoyed them all. Maybe it's because the plot is not taking place in Britain, as usual, but maybe it's just because you simply have to like Macro and Cato more and more with each new book.
Some critics have said that mr. Scarrow's books have plots like comic books because of the non stop action, but I have to disagree. His books are thoroughly researched, and characters of Macro, Cato, Vespasian etc. are not two dimensional, but are gaining in depth in each sequel.
Besides, along with first rate action, one can see how mr. Scarrow compares politics of Ancient Rome with politics of today's world, and how he tries to make us understand not only moral values of the time, but pros and cons of an expansionist policy of a Roman Empire as well.
If you like novels about ancient Rome run and buy this book. You'll not be able to put it down till you're finished.
Cato and Macro leave Britannia.......2005-12-16
Scarrow's sixth novel featuring the adventures of the grizzled centurion Macro and his able sidekick Cato takes them out of their comfort zone of the Augusta II in Britannia and plonks them in Rome. It was only a matter of time before we saw how Scarrow would deal with Rome and he neatly avoids it by having a quick trip to the races where their remaining monies are lost in a cloud of crash dust one hundred feet from the finish line and describing a squalid room in the the Subaran district. Other than a final visit to the imperial palace to see Narcissus, Scarrow avoids the place entirely.
It's a few months after the heroic efforts of `The Eagle's Prey'. Macro and Cato finds themselves penniless, out of commission and still under an execution order unless they obey Narcissus and lead a covert operation off the Ravenna coastline to recover three missing scrolls of immense value to the Empire that have been stolen by a group of pirates lead by the Greek, Telemachus and his son, Ajax. Thrown into the mix is the ever unctuous and viperish Vitellius, who has been appointed Prefect of the Fleet. The immediate antagonism followed by military ineptitude in a battle at sea results in a heavy loss for the Roman fleet and Vitellius' attempt to blame Cato in official dispatches. Cato's rewriting of the dispatch results in Vespasian's arrival on the scene to direct a proper assault on the pirate's lair, ensuring Cato and Macro are firmly thrust to the fore as the leaders and saviours of the Delphic scrolls.
During the course of the novel the scheming Vitellius somehow manages to land on his feet (and presumably Scarrow will eventually have him meet his historical destiny come A.D 69), Macro finds his long lost mother and also the marine that stole her away from his father (there's a nasty oedipan twist at the end) and Cato continues to mature into a fine leader of men. The paternal relationship between the two characters perfectly suits the rough and ready nature of Macro to his intellectual junior and as a pair they are formidable indeed.
This latest effort by Scarrow shows just how far his writing has come. His novels have gradually gained more and more bulk, substance of character, action and plotline. Action sequences are longer, more descriptive and thus possess more reality to them. Our two main characters have grown with Scarrow and possess immense likeability, his plotlines are clean and crisp and, above all, gripping. Reviews of his earlier novels complained about historical naivity and factual inaccuracy but that doesn't matter with Scarrow (unlike Iggulden). These novels are quite simply superb.
Read them.
Book Description
Seven days in hell
In June 1944, the Allies launched a massive amphibious invasion against Nazi-held France. But under the cover of darkness, a new breed of fighting man leapt from airplanes through a bullet-stitched, tracer-lit sky to go behind German lines. These were the Screaming Eagles of the newly formed 101st Airborne Division. Their job was to strike terror into the Nazi defenders, delay reinforcements, and kill any enemy soldiers they met. In the next seven days, the men of the 101st fought some of the most ferocious close-quarter combat in all of World War II.
Now Donald R. Burgett looks back at the nonstop, nightmarish fighting across body-strewn fields, over enemy-held hedgerows, through blown-out towns and devastated forests. This harrowing you-are-there chronicle captures a baptism by fire of a young Private Burgett, his comrades, and a new air-mobile fighting force that would become a legend of war.
Customer Reviews:
Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy.......2007-09-05
Very well written book, hard to put down, when reading book you feel like you are actually with the soldiers fighting in France.
Great story.......2007-08-04
Good work. A truly remarkable story. Well written and told up to standard. Anyone who has pulled on "risers" will appreciate this book.
An amazing war story!!! Lancaster,Ky.......2007-07-30
This is one of the best war books I've ever read. It is a first hand account of a 101st Airborne soldier telling when he parachuted into Normandy on D-Day.The Author did a really good job putting everything into detail from training to combat and the horrors of war. He talks about people being blown to pieces and mg42 machine guns almost tearin soldiers in two. He talks about a bayonet charge they did on the Germans. This is an excellent book full of intense action. You can't do a whole bunch better than this. I can't wait to read his sequals,Road to Arnhem A Screaming Eagle In Holland,Seven Roads to Hell A Screaming Eagle In Bastogne,and Beyond The Rhine A Screaming Eagle In Germany. I'm Sure these are great books to. If you like world war 2 books buy this. You won't be sorry
The book I took to Normandy June 6th, 2004........2007-06-15
While most young men today are thinking about "getting a leg over" or what kind of car they should drive, Don Burgett went to war. This is his story.
He wanted to join the army at seventeen but his mother balked at the idea. So he filled out a voluntary induction notice and on his 18th Birthday he joined the army. He promptly volunteered for an exciting and new form of combat by joining the paratroopers.
This book chronicles the daily life of a man whose body and mind where forged to form one of the finest fighting men this country ever produced. He served as part of the legendary 506h PIR of the 101st Regiment.
This book is a priceless gem of American history and a priceless first person account of D-Day from the perspective of a common soldier. It is outstanding in every way. It's an easy read with a gripping story first published in the 1960s.
Among the more interesting aspects of this book are the harsh training in Georgia, the pre-assault preparations, and the assault. Burgett's descriptions are vivid and compete including mention of a Japanese officer's body (I'm still trying to figure this one out), bloody bayonet assaults, Germans entrenched in the hedge rows of Normandy, a charge by horseback and ghastly wounds.
This book is the real deal. If you only read one first person account of the war, then this is the book to read. I've read the series three times and it never gets old.
Mr. Burgett if we ever meet, dinner is on me. Including the Calvados, sir.
Outstanding!.......2007-04-21
Still stands the test of time as a true World War 2 classic! No glamour, just gritty and truthful experiences from an 18 year old who jumped into Hell and lived to tell about it.
This book has been understandably used as source material for other World War 2 books. A must have for any library!
Book Description
The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division (fictional Private Ryan's unit) were ready for some well earned rest and recuperation. Following their combat in the Normandy Invasion, the division had been mauled during Field Marshal Montgomery's ill-fated Operation Market Garden, the campaign for the bridge too far immoratalized by Cornelius Ryan.
Customer Reviews:
Great book, buy the series of 4.......2007-08-10
Donald Burgett gives a great view of WWII through the eyes of a 101st airborne paratrooper.
Should get six stars.......2007-06-15
It has taken me far too long to review this book. But what I should say is, this book was single handedly responsible for sponsoring my adoration of military history books and the history of the Second World War.
It is very well written, easy to read, accurate to the finest detail without ever losing the story. It stands alone as one of the finest examples of a first person account of the war by an American paratrooper of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. It would have been a classic by itself, but it the companion piece to a priceless series of four part series by Burgett.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of battles so clearly written I'm sure you could find the streets today. The story of destroying German tanks in the dead of a fog is gripping as anything that happened during the epic Battle of the Bulge.
The impact of this book was one that made me want to be a paratrooper, helped spawned a life-long (over twelve years at this point) love affair with history, one trip to Europe and lead to my BA in History. My copy has been dog eared, read three times and kept in a place of honor among my over 250 World War Two history books.
My only regret is I haven't met the author.
Winner take all.......2006-11-04
The real story of how a few ill equipped, but determined Allies held the line and were victorious over one of the greatest war machines ever assembled. This truly was the "Greatest Generation"!
The Siege of Bastogne.......2006-06-29
"Seven Roads to Hell" is paratrooper Donald Burgett's memoire of the defense of Bastogne by elements of the 101st Airborne and 9th Armor Divisions during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Burgett, a member of A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has captured the foxhole-level details of the heroic defense of that key Belgian crossroads.
Burgett picks up the story as his unit goes into a rest area after the fierce fighting of Operation Market-Garden in Holland. His unit has been decimated by weeks of combat, and desperately needs rest and refit; instead, the tired and poorly equiped paratroopers are rushed to the front in the Ardennes to help stem a sudden German offensive. The paratroopers lack winter clothing, food, water, and ammunition, but with the elan of the airborne, undertake the defense of Bastogne against German tank and infantry units.
Burgett has provided some commentary on the larger picture, but sticks largely to telling the story as it was visible to him. Burgett is nothing if not honest in his telling and graphic in his details. He and his fellow paratroopers freeze, starve, fight, and strive to make sense of the chaos that is ground-level combat. Burgett's prose is straightforward and he has a terrific eye for details. There is no sense here of the false heroic; Burgett and his mates are fighting for each other.
This book, like Burgett's earlier book on D-Day, is highly recommended to the reader with an interest in the Second World War and especially in infantry combat. Those present and former members of the 506th Infantry may find it an especially inspiring piece of regimental history.
'Going amongst them' with Able Company.......2005-09-06
This is the finest account of paratroopers in the Bulge that I have ever read, barring none, including Ambrose. That is not to say that Burgett is a better writer - Burgett does a fine job for a former free-lance roofer - but Don's story in Seven Roads to Hell is so utterly captivating, so riveting that I found myself unable to stop reading and read the entire book in a single night.
Burgett will help you feel the overwhelming futility of brave men, who after the Battle of Noville, after their unspeakable losses, being told just two days later that they must go into action again. Burgett will stab you with the lonely bitternes of exhausted men, scrambling for a hot meal over a small cooking fire, being ordered out to clear the Bois Jaques Woods of a battalion of Germans and then returning the same day, with more losses of heroic men - the dead men's un-claimed mess kits by the cold fire.
Surely these are some of the most touching images ever laid to paper.
I should add, that if you have never read an account of the battle of Noville and Bois Jaques Woods, you must buy this book. Buy it for this reason alone, and love it for so many others.
The personal heroism of the American paratrooper looms into full focus in these pages, framing the phrase, "The greatest generation" like nothing else can.
The sacrifice of these great Americans is more carefully and painfully detailed here than in any other book I have read.
We all indebted to Don Burgett. And not just for his fine book.
Book Description
The Luftwaffe’s maritime role ranged from anti-shipping operations and Uboat liaison and transport duties across great expanses of open ocean, to coastal reconnaissance and short-range patrols. Among the aircraft types featured in the two volumes which make up this series are: the Arado Ar 196A, Dornier Do 24, Blohm und Voss BV 138, Heinkel He 115, Ju 88, four-engined Fw 200 Condors and He 177s and the Do 217s used by KG 30/40/100. This volume also include studies of some of the more interesting weaponry used by German bomber units operating in such a role, such as the Rheinstahl PC 1400 X ‘Fritz X’ radio-guided bomb and the Henschel 293 rocket-driven remotely-controlled ‘stand-off’ missile used against destroyers in the Mediterranean. Alongside the photographic content, much of which is previously unpublished, and color artworks, the books also include first-hand reminiscences from Luftwaffe pilots of the era.
Customer Reviews:
Luftwaffe Ship Killers in Action, Pt. 2!.......2007-04-11
Chris Goss wraps up his two-volume history of Luftwaffe anti-shipping units with this wonderfully illustrated history that covers events from 1942 to war's end. Like the first volume, this book is great value for the price, offering coverage of the varied units and airmen that sought to cripple Allied shipping in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters.
The timeframe covered in this volume would witness many initial successes by Luftwaffe anti-shipping units followed by defeat after defeat. In 1942 crews equipped with Junkers 88s, Heinkel 111s and Focke Wulf 200s savaged Allied convoys, especially those headed for Russia. Churchill even labeled the FW 200 the "Scourge of the Atlantic." Yet, in large part, those convoys lacked adequate escorts and the individual merchantmen were poorly armed with AAA weaponry. When more escorts were provided, especially escort carriers, the Luftwaffe's dive- and torpedo-bombers suffered ever increasing losses in the far north and the Med as well.
Goss does a fine job of charting the rise and fall of the Luftwaffe's ship killers, covering both major battles and behind-the-scenes organizational and technical developments. His narrative includes many first-person German and British accounts of convoy attacks and aerial battles.
The text is illustrated with over 180 color and black & white photographs, maps and diagrams. FW 200 afficiandos will especially appreciate the large number of Condor photos. Tim Brown contributes 13 nicely done color profiles of Heinkel 111s, 115s, 177s along with Condors and Ju 88s.
The role Luftwaffe anti-shipping units played in World War II has largely been ignored. Chris Goss' book is a well written summary of those airmen and aircraft who once posed a significant danger to Allied merchantmen and warships alike.
A Lot I've Never Seen Before.......2007-02-07
The activities of the German U-Boats during World War II are well known. While not as great a threat, the activities of the Luftwaffe in attacking shipping in the Med and in the Atlantic has been one of the ignored subjects of the war.
Chris Goss's series of two books with Volume 1 (Pages 1-96) covering 1939 to 1941 and Volume 2 (Pages 97-190)covering 1942 until the end of the war changes this picture. These are largely photograph books, covering the equipment and some of the men involved.
I had heard of the use of the FW-200 Condor in this role, and had also heard that it had had a lot of problems when forced into military usage. On page 122 there's a picture of a Condor broken in half by a hard landing. On page 135 there is a picture and a description of the extra fuel tanks carried inside the fuselage where the chance of fire had to be great in case of an attack. There are lots of Condor pictures here.
At the back of the book are a few pages on the special glide bombs and air launched torpedoes used by the Germans. These as well I've never seen before.
All in all, a welcome addition to the literature.
Book Description
The most dangerous mission of their military careers awaits two heroes of the Roman army in Britain.
In the epic fourth novel of Simon Scarrow’s series, it’s ad 44 and Vespasian and the Roman Army’s Second Legion are forging ahead in their campaign to seize the southwest. Centurion Macro and newly appointed Centurion Cato are ordered by Vespasian to provide Verica, aged ruler of the Atrebates, with an army. They must train his tribal levies into a force that can protect him, enforce his rule, and take on the increasingly ambitious raids that the enemy is launching.
But open revolt is brewing. Despite the Atrebates’ official allegiance to Rome, many are wary of the legions and want to resist the Roman invaders, and Macro and Cato must first win the loyalty of the disgruntled levies before tackling the enemy without. Can they succeed while surviving a deadly plot to destroy both them and their comrades serving with the eagles? In the midst of this highly volatile situation, Macro and Cato face the greatest test of their army careers. Theirs is a brazen tale of military adventure, political intrigue, and heroism, as only they stand between the destiny of Rome and bloody defeat.
“A relatively new master of the genre.”---Booklist
“Simon Scarrow’s stories of Roman military action . . . have gathered quite a fan club. Plenty of bloody thrills and spills. . . . Scarrow’s latest book will prove irresistible.”---Living History (UK)
Customer Reviews:
Military Romance.......2007-09-24
The series from which this book comes is a military version of the kinds of romances purchased by the pound by women romance fans. The writing is pedestrian, and the kinds of military details and references to Roman history are cliched and repeated in each book of the series for the sake of new readers. The unimaginative use of an older centurion sponsor of a younger, ambitious sidekick can be found in any "buddy" novel or moview. Unless you're really hooked on this kind of men's romance novel, give it a miss.
Enjoyable though light read.......2007-07-22
Simon Scarrow's The Eagle & The Wolves is an enjoyable light read, worth reading to the end but not worth rereading. It is what it is.
Scarrow's series of Roman military history has been well received, as more people develop an interest in the time period. It helps in the case of this book that Scarrow, a British teacher and writer, bases the action in Britain during the time of Caractacus' uprising, meaning English readers in particular may be more drawn to the topic. Besides the historical character of Caractacus, here spelled alternatively `Caratacus', who did in fact lead a guerrilla campaign against the Romans after the Claudian conquest of 43 AD, there is also Vespasian, who will go on to become Emperor himself (the final victor during the civil wars in the Year of the Four Emperors, 69 AD. The main protagonists are Cato and Macro, who are tasked with training a small allied local tribe, and have to wend their way through tribal politics, successions, murder, guerrilla attack, and the like.
Scarrow is best in describing camp and village life on the micro scale, topics not often brought up in books on the time. I liked the training regimen, learning to handle the weaponry, and teaching some typical legionary tactics. The author displays his depth of knowledge for his subject without writing condescendingly, and I thought this was the best of the work. Also nicely done is the sense of the action taking place in a very dangerous and uncertain part of the world, far from Rome, with inadequate communications and constant danger outside the walls. Less well done were the internal politics of the village, the conclusion of which seemed pretty predictable and not especially deep or complicated. The book is not strong on plotting. It's okay, it's just not Scarrow's strong suit. Finally, what to me was least interesting was the dialogue. Writing good dialogue can be very difficult; when one is replicating dialogue from almost 2000 years ago one has to decide just how modern or contemporary to write. Scarrow's choice has been to write as though his characters were speaking to one another in British English, especially slang, about 15 minutes ago. The story line is clear, he gets his point across, but for this reader anyhow it detracted from the period feel he is trying to get from the rest of his narrative. "Bloody" this, and "f-ing" that; no doubt the Roman legionaries had their phrases to describe precisely this kind of thought. But it just seems a little bumpy.
The book makes for enjoyable reading. When it was done I was ready to move on to something a little deeper.
Hot Space.......2007-01-15
Oh yeah, this one has the good's. It's like what Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) said about Queen's Hot Space album; they have the proper spacings of space between the pulse of the music. Scarrow's tale has the grist turning throughout counterbalanced by the ominous silence of future developments. Forgive another simile so soon but it's like the third album of a favorite band: the first album is heavy, the second album incorporates a horn section and 20 backing vocalists as the artists want to 'explore', and then the artist return to their straightforward format of undiluted music on their third attempt. Scarrow strips it down to guitar, bass, and drums here. They instruments know when to thunder and when to restrain. Read this book for sure.
Great History of Romans in Britain.......2006-03-27
Simon Scarrow has written a great novel based on history. At first, I was somewhat surprised with the rough language he used during conversations between Macro and Cato, both Centurions of the Second Legion of Vespasian. Mr. Scarrow's writing style is very similar to Bernard Cornwell's. The plot is quite straight forward. This novel is also very easy to read. I did not find heavy issues poured into either the plot or characters. If you are looking for a "heavy" historical reading, this is not the book.
Other than the Roman cultures being exploited by the author, Britain's cultures were also described in (gory) details. The Romans in this novel was depicted to be a highly advanced civilization, compared to Britain. Thus, a reader can vividly imagine all the livelihood of people in his novel.
A four-star read. Keep up the good work, Mr. Scarrow.
Life in Roman occupied Britain.......2005-08-14
Well researched view of Roman army life and conditions in first century Britain. The characters are interesting and the plot moves quickly. I would recommend it to students of Roman history and to those who just like a good story.
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