History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944 -- The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War

Average customer rating:

Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944--The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War
Marine Heroism World War Two
Magnificent
An island awash in blood.
With The Old Breed

Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944 -- The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War
Bill Sloan
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0743260090

Download Description

"A Band of Brothers for the Pacific, this is the gut-wrenching but ultimately triumphant story of the Marines' most ferocious -- yet largely forgotten -- battle of World War II. Between September 15 and October 15, 1944, the First Marine Division suffered more than 6,500 casualties fighting on a hellish little coral island in the Pacific. Peleliu was the scene of one of the most savage no-quarter struggles of modern times, one that has been all but forgotten -- until now. Drawing on extensive interviews with Marine veterans, Bill Sloan follows a small group of young Americans through this incredibly vicious campaign and rescues their heroism on Peleliu from obscurity. Misled by faulty intelligence, the 9,000 Marine infantrymen who landed on Peleliu's beaches under withering enemy fire found themselves facing 11,000 Japanese embedded in an intricate network of caves and underground fortifications unrivaled in the history of warfare. At the heart of the Japanese defensive system was a maze of sheer cliffs and deep ravines known collectively as the Umurbrogol plateau. Endless strings of ridges bristled with concealed artillery, mortars, machine guns, and riflemen, making every inch of contested ground a potential death trap for Marines. Making matters worse, Japanese soldiers had been told by their commanders that they were to hold Peleliu at any cost in a suicidal defense of the island. Sloan's gripping narrative seamlessly weaves together the experiences of the men who were there, producing a vivid and unflinching tableau of the twenty-four-hour-a-day nightmare of Peleliu -- a melee of nonstop infantry attacks, ferocious hand-to-hand fighting, night assaults, and exhausting forced marches in temperatures that topped 115 degrees. With casualties in some infantry units averaging more than sixty percent, Peleliu ranks with the bloodiest battles in the Corps' history. Exemplifying these staggering losses was K Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment (K/3/5), on whose gallant officers and enlisted men the narrative focuses from the initial assault on the beaches to the horrific struggle for the Umurbrogol's crags and crevices. Surprisingly, Peleliu received little public notice back in the States even as it was being fought and was virtually forgotten after the war, despite elements of controversy that are still debated by military strategists today. The invasion was ordered by Army General Douglas MacArthur to protect his flank as he launched his campaign to recapture the Philippines. But many experts believed then -- and still maintain today -- that the bloodshed at Peleliu was needless and that the island could have been safely bypassed. In Brotherhood of Heroes, readers witness the brutal spectacle of Peleliu close-up through the eyes of the Marines who fought there. Their story will stand with Ghost Soldiers and Flags of Our Fathers as a modern classic in military history and a riveting read. "

Customer Reviews:

Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944--The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War.......2007-09-01

As a former Marine and Pacific theatre enthusiast, I highly recommend this book as an eye-opener to all. The details and background on the people involved as well as the events are presented in a way that tells a story for many to hear. It tugs at the heart and shows what a nasty business war is indeed. Motivated me as a Marine and made me feel for the men and the sacrifices they made. Proud to be among the ranks of the elite, hard charging, devil dogs! Semper Fi!

Marine Heroism World War Two.......2007-03-12

Truly an amazing book detailing this essentially useless battle that in the end accomplished nothing from the overall strategic background of the Pacific campaign during World War 2. For anyone interested in studying this campaign this is a esential book to add to your library. A definite keeper a 5 star rating, in fact I would suggest a 10 star. Anyone buying and reading this WILL not be disappointed.

Magnificent.......2007-02-07

This excellent book follows the 1st Marine Division through this unimaginably brutal battle, giving a superb overall picture while not loosing the men themselves. The author primarily tells the story through the eyes of a handful of individual Marines. These are representatives from each of the three infantry regiments that did the majority of the fighting.

I only have two complaints about the book. First, I felt that the author emphasized Company K, Third Battalion, 5th Marines (K/3/5) so much that the 1st and 7th Marines, the 7th in particular, were somewhat neglected. I would have preferred a longer book that would have treated at least one company each of the 1st and 7th as much as K/3/5 was covered.

The second issue is that the book only focuses on the Marine actions on Peleliu in any detail. To be fair, the title of the book clearly states that the Marines are the topic, but I feel the actions of the Army's 81st Infantry Division merit the same level of detail, especially given that they experienced about 3,800 casualties themselves during this battle.

Other than these two problems, this book is an magnificent account of the battle and will move the reader to tears to think of what our nation's brave Marines went through.

An island awash in blood........2007-01-03

An excellent view of the 30 continuous days of hell. I say 30 continuous days because for many there was almost no let up the entire time from the continual dangers of murderous crossfire, roving nighttime ambushes and concealed heavy artillery and an interlocked,network of snipers and machine gunners, who would make simply looking over a rock a death sentence, and often did. It would be for many their first experience with the cave like fortifications that would await Marines on Iwo and Okinawa. It was a 110 degree bloodbath that even had the added difficulty of no fresh water in the opening stages of the invasion as the potable water to the island was shipped there in improperly cleaned former gasoline drums. It also begins with the Marines miserable and crab infested existence and training on the island of Pavuvu, itself a roadless swamp. This experience helped forge them into cohesion that would see many not make it off their next stop. Casualties from many frontline regiments would see 150%.

The author draws on Eugene Sledge's excellent first hand account of this battle frequently, and uses interviews with Marines of K/3/5 mainly, Marines under the command of both Col. Chesty Puller and his stubborn, reckless, and unyieldingly inflexible commander General Rupertus, both of whom are described, especially Rupertus, of having a reckless disregard for the enormous casualties being suffered in this regiment and other frontline outfits. Rupertus was strongly suggested by fellow Marine commanders to take his Marines off the line with fresh Army Div's awaiting but he wouldnt budge. His superior, Gen. Geiger, waffled and was faced the task of relieving him or countermanding his decision to keep Army units offshore on ships, both which would have caused shock waves in Washington. Gen. Rupertus wanted this "quickie" (as he initially referred to it as a 3 or 4 day battle before it would be won) to be a completely Marine Corps affair. It would take the actions of the new overall commander of "Operation Stalemate" to relieve both Generals of the decision to remove the Marines from the line and make it himself, as Rear Admiral George H. Fort would do after a quick inspection of the 1st Div. CP. Geiger was quoted as saying "I'm glad that's over". Rupertus said very little, and was in ill health anyway, dying 6 months later from a heart attack.

What took 30 days for these Marines to kill 10,000 well concealed and armed Japanese it would take 6 weeks for relieving Army troops to mop up the remaining 1,000 Japanese. On an average it has been determined that it took 1,589 rounds of some type from U.S. guns to kill every Japanese who would die on the island.

Like many retelling's of stories such as this one, Sloan tells a riveting story of bravery, hardship, and death that forges the title of his work We learn about the many in these Marine Corps regiments, from simple enlisted to junior officers, and we see many of them die before the books conlusion, such was the nature of this bloody struggle. Many of these talented officers were deeply respected for their leadership and bravery by these enlisted men, and many would be killed. Spreading this info. of their loss had a noticable effect on the enlisted men, one of combined sadness and shock at such terrible news, men stretched to their breaking point already, and led many to fatalism they would survive it another day. (Some, like Sledge, were incredible rarities of this battle, he being one of a tiny few who escaped the continual combat with barely a combat wound to show for it)

With The Old Breed.......2006-11-04

Out of the many authors who write about WWII, Bill Sloan is one of my favorites. "Brotherhood of Heroes" is yet another book by Mr. Sloan that I just couldn't put down, thanks in part to another book I had read previously: "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" by Eugene Sledge. "With the Old Breed" is probably one of the best WWII memoirs ever written, from either theater, and it was that book that led me to seek out more material on the battle for Peleliu, a God-forsaken piece of rock in the middle of the Pacific ocean that was the site of what many of the Marines considered to be the worst battle of the entire war. Yet this battle has been largely ignored by history, in part because it was of dubious importance to the overall strategy in the Pacific (Gen. MacArthur insisted the attack on Peleliu was necessary to support his invasion of the Philippines, a claim that was proved to be untrue in hindsight). "Brotherhood of Heroes" brings this battle back to the forefront in the pantheon of battles from the Pacific theater of WWII. The sights, smells, sounds, and emotions experienced by the Marines on Peleliu are all brought vividly to life in this book; while people like myself who have never experienced warfare cannot pretend to truly understand what those brave men went through, this book does an excellent job of giving us an idea of what that hell on earth was like. This was the first time that the Marines experienced a "defense in depth" when fighting the Japanese; the Japanese made them fight for every inch of ground through overlapping defensive positions that would exact a ghastly toll on the men involved. If not for the lessons learned on Peleliu, the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa would have been much more costly to the Americans; while Peleliu took a terribly bloody toll on the Marines who fought there, it ultimately saved more lives down the road through the lessons learned. While we today look back and marvel at the sacrifices made by the young men of the Greatest Generation for their country, those Marines will tell you that they fought not only for their country, but, more importantly, they fought for their brothers in the Corps who were doing the same thing for them. Those men would rather have died than let their buddies down, men who they considered to be closer than blood relatives yet who were complete strangers just two or three years prior; these are the bonds forged by war, something that this book highlights in spectacular fashion.

"I'm Staying with My Boys..." The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC

Average customer rating:

A MUST READ ! ! !
It sounds so prophetic
A must read
Excellent
An Extraordinary Biography and Full Frontal View of War

"I'm Staying with My Boys..." The Heroic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC
jim Proser , and Jerry Cutter
Manufacturer: Lightbearer Communications Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Reference & Collections | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0975546104

Product Description

I'M STAYING WITH MY BOYS... is a first-hand look inside the life of one of the greatest heroes of the greatest generation. Sgt. John Basilone was lauded by General Douglas MacArthur as ...A ONE MAN ARMY and awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic defense of a vital airfield early in World War 2. It was the turning point of the war and Basilones foxhole was the site of the turning point in that battle. Distinctive among military biographies, the story is narrated by Sgt. Basilone himself allowing readers to experience the development of Johnny Basilone, the aimless youth, into Gunnery Sergeant MANILA JOHN Basilone, the clear-eyed warrior, undefeated light-heavyweight boxer and nationally revered war hero. This publication is the only family-authorized biography. The story is woven with surprising personal details such as Sgt. Basilones uncanny premonitions. Three times he confided to his family unlikely visions of his future. All three times the visions came to pass - including the final one that foretold his death. In spite of his final revelation, and true to his unwavering dedication to his men, he returned to battle and was killed on the beach at Iwo Jima - an emotional true story

Customer Reviews:

A MUST READ ! ! !.......2005-09-15

My friend loaned me this book to read and I must say that it gave me a new found appreciation of what those men and women did for us in WWII. This book was very easy to read, and should be included in the curriculum of every Recent American History course taught in High School or College. I HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy of this book. I have already purchased a copy for myself after reading my friends copy.

It sounds so prophetic.......2005-01-26

He knew he was going to die, and he just kept on fighting. He never abandoned his marines and thats just what he should have done. Its how the writer makes this so real that is so inspiring, not that his deeds werent great, but there have probably been thousands who have done just what he did, they just werent famous. But overall this is a good book. I like how it takes us to a time when being "patriotic" didnt get us arrested or sued.

A must read.......2005-01-06

Wonderfully moving and well written insight into a true American hero. It is a must read for all patriotic Americans and almost a responsiblity for us all to be aware of one of the US Marine's best.

Excellent.......2004-10-25

If you are interested in a personal story of WWII, then this is an excellent book. Rather than getting into the details of the conflicts this book focuses on the personal story of John Basilone - one of the handful of true American Heroes from WWII.

Written in the first person with an ample dose of personal details from his family, this book truly brings Manilla John back to life for many. I've been studying WWII for only 10 years and have read my share of the technical assessments of the important battles in WWII. This book stands out in my mind because it puts the reader in touch with the qualities of America's best young men and women of the 1940's; selflessness, courage, a supreme sense of duty, and in Basilon's case, a supreme sense of destiny.

Highly recommended for anyone with a passing interest in WWII, or for anyone who wants to learn about what made America's young people "tick" 60 years ago.

An Extraordinary Biography and Full Frontal View of War.......2004-08-28

Author and Film Producer Jim Prosser has created a richly detailed, raptly written, devastatingly powerful book about the life of American War hero John Basilone. This book is especially pungent at this time in history because it revives a lost tradition of the country's view of maritime heroism. Since the atrocities of the Vietnam mistake to the present harrowing details of a similar (or worse) war in Iraq the concept of war is now very much in a negative light. Even the words 'war hero' seem an oxymoron, so strident are the feelings about America's latest aggressions. But to appreciate this fine book requires a return to the mindset of the US during World War II when not only was Europe under the vile threat of Hitler and Mussolini, but the Japanese warriors were annihilating China, Korea, and ultimately the Philippines in the mission to own the Pacific Ocean. And even in those early years the threat seemed frightening but distant until the Japanese successfully decimate the US Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941. That incident unified the country, creating a fighting force and support system at home that eventually resulted in the defeat of the massive evil outside the borders of the USA.

Given that atmosphere of over a half century ago, author Proser has created one of the most convincing portraits of a military hero in literature. And the intensively researched and detailed approach results in a biography that fully restores the ambience of WW II. John Basilone was a nice Italian boy form Raritan, New Jersey, a lad who quit school to follow his recurring visions. He caddied for Japanese businessmen at a country club, seeing in his prophetic mind that at some day he would be at war with Japan. After trying multiple jobs he finally enlists in the Army, makes the best of boot camp by gambling and boxing, and is shipped to the Philippines where he spent time waiting, boxing (becoming a champion nicknamed Manila John), running a little bar with his Island sweetheart, and finally returning home. Frustrated once again with the boredom of work and the embarrassment of not having finished his education, Basilone finally returns to the military by signing on with the USMC, trains hard at Quantico, Cuba, and other US training camp swamps, and finally is shipped to Guadalcanal where his brilliance and dedication to his commanding officer ("Chesty" Puller) through one of the most devastating battles in the Pacific arena earned him not only the respect of his men, but also the Medal of Honor - the highest commendation offered by his country. Returning home form this mission he ride the waves of adulation form the American people, hobnobs with movies stars, sells War Bonds, and falls in love, only to be shipped out once again to the Pacific where he is killed in action in the battle for Iwo Jima.

The amazing (that is, ONE of the amazing) aspect of this book is that Proser has elected to write it in the first person of John Basilone. Everything is told as Basilone perceives it, lives, feels, and survives it. Rarely has a story been written with such clarity and perception: we truly feel that Basilone has written his memoirs. The language of the period is exactly right, the descriptions of the various battles and conditions of being a soldier under tremendously adverse conditions are vivid, and the soldiers' mentality of being in the thick of war are written with such bulls-eye focus that no matter what the reader's opinion of War might be, this book makes it all understandable form the point of view of the soldiers who fought. Some of the battle passages are tough to read: "On October 23, a light tank and infantry attack across the mouth of the Matanikau ran right into the teeth of Vandegrift's defenses. It was chewed up in short order with over 600 Japs killed, many of them trapped in a jungle clearing where US tanks just drove over them instead of wasting ammunition. They ground the poor bastards up like sausage under the tank treads until the entire clearing was covered in gore and left to rot in the sun." And a soldier's impressions: "We all heard a lot about the bravery of the Japanese soldier before we got on the island. They were supposed to be the most fearless warriors ever to fight. But I kept thinking what kind of bravery it was that sent them, one after the other, right into the same guns that mowed down dozens before them. I don't know if that was bravery. I don't know what it was. Either they were crazy or they just didn't care. So I didn't care either. They weren't even men anymore. They were dumb animals who wanted me dead and had killed all my friends."

Proser very cleverly weaves snippets of Iwo Jima from the opening of the book to its finish, which in an act of brilliance makes the whole story more pungent in retrospect. There is little doubt the Sgt. John Basilone was an extraordinary soldier and military hero along with the thousands of others who lost their lives in the incomprehensibly vast WW II. I think this is a very important book that everyone should read, and I say that as a pacifist, as a Vietnam Veteran convinced that war on any level is simply not an option. This book is vastly important, well written, and contains a story and moment of history we all should face and incorporate. And perhaps then we can all better empathize with soldiers form throughout history to the very present. Recommended without reservation!

The Surgeon and the Shepherd: Two Resistance Heroes in Vichy France

Average customer rating:

Th Surgeon and the Shepard

The Surgeon and the Shepherd: Two Resistance Heroes in Vichy France
Martha (Meg) G Ostrum
Manufacturer: University of Nebraska Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Suite Francaise

ASIN: 0803235739

Book Description

Of the thousands of people who escaped through the Pyrenees during World War II, at least one hundred owe their lives to a daring scheme that Belgian Charles Schepens masterminded in Mendive, a remote Basque village near the French-Spanish border. The story of this near-miraculous resistance effort, an epic undertaking carried out in plain view of the Nazis, is recounted in full for the first time in The Surgeon and the Shepherd, an incredible, true tale of wartime heroism.

In 1942, in coordination with the Belgian resistance, Schepens stage-managed a highly secret information and evacuation service through the counterfeit operation of a back-country lumbering enterprise. This book traces Schepens’s gradual transformation from an apolitical young ophthalmologist into double agent “Jacques Pérot,” and his emergence in the postwar period as a modern folk hero to the residents of Mendive. Woven into the account are the stories of a remarkable international cast of characters, most notably the Basque shepherd Jean Sarochar, regarded as a local misfit, with whom Schepens formed his most unlikely partnership and an enduring friendship.

Part biography, part spy tale, part cultural study, The Surgeon and the Shepherd is based on more than ten years of oral history research. The saga of a Belgian “first resister” who, by posing as a collaborator, successfully duped both the Germans and the local French Basque population, it offers a powerful and illuminating picture of moral and physical courage.

Customer Reviews:

Th Surgeon and the Shepard.......2006-11-06

The interaction of the local French working with a brave person combined to make this story of individual bravery inspiring. The unoccupied area of France during the first part of the Second World War provided opportunity for some to resist against Nazi oppression. It took those who were willing to take risks for the benefit of others that provides the satisfaction of the read.

A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II

Average customer rating:

Honor Richly Deserved
Forgotten heroes and victims of WW2
Short and long-term memories by everyone
True Honor
A Treasure for Avaition and History Buffs. A Great as well as an Emotional Read!!

A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II
Lynne Olson , and Stanley Cloud
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Eastern | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Poland | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0375411976
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Book Description

A Question of Honor is the gripping, little-known, and brilliantly told story of the scores of Polish fighter pilots who helped save England during the Battle of Britain and of their stunning betrayal by the United States and England at the end of World War II.

Centering on five pilots of the renowned Kosciuszko Squadron, the authors show how the fliers, driven by their passionate desire to liberate their homeland, came to be counted among the most heroic and successful fighter pilots of World War II. Drawing on the Kosciuszko Squadron’s unofficial diary–filled with the fliers’ personal experiences in combat–and on letters, interviews, memoirs, histories, and photographs, the authors bring the men and battles of the squadron vividly to life. We follow the principal characters from their training before the war, through their hair-raising escape from Poland to France and then, after the fall of France, to Britain. We see how, first treated with disdain by the RAF, the Polish pilots played a crucial role during the Battle of Britain, where their daredevil skill in engaging German Messerschmitts in close and deadly combat while protecting the planes in their own groups soon made them legendary. And we learn what happened to them after the war, when their country was abandoned and handed over to the Soviet Union.

A Question of Honor also gives us a revelatory history of Poland during World War II and of the many thousands in the Polish armed forces who fought with the Allies. It tells of the country’s unending struggle against both Hitler and Stalin, its long battle for independence, and the tragic collapse of that dream in the “peace” that followed. Powerful, moving, deeply involving, A Question of Honor is an important addition to the literature of World War II.

Customer Reviews:

Honor Richly Deserved.......2007-10-12

The story of the Kozciuszko Squadron is important on so many levels it is difficult to know where to start. Poland fought WW2 from the first day to the last, on every front in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ten million Poles perished and, in the end, those who survived were betrayed by their own allies. Yet here we have a story of heroes, brave men who battled almost insurmountable odds, with only one objective in mind - to get back into the fight and defeat history's greatest tyrant. It is a vital story, told by Olson and Cloud with the grace, style and precision it deserves. When you finish this you will definitely want to know more about the courage and resilience of Poles during the war and I highly recommend, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II

Forgotten heroes and victims of WW2.......2007-05-16

Very important and critical book. Can be compare to Richard C.Lukas "Forgotten Holocaust". Should absolutely be translated into other european languages, especially french and german!

Short and long-term memories by everyone.......2007-02-02

It is amazing how Winston Churchill was mad at Neville Chamberlain for selling out Czechoslovakia and yet, he did the very same thing with Poland. It is also amazing how naive Churchill and Roosvelt were about the history of Poland and the Russian occupation of Poland during the reign of Catherine the Great and the Russian Tsars. Furthermore, both men naive about Stalin would have a free Poland despite the fact that the Poles and the various British and American officials reported the many heinous acts that were committed by the Russians when the Russians occupied half of Poland in 1939.

For there part, the Poles did not seem to have a good memory about how the U.S. and Britain failed to come to Poland's rescue when it was being divide up several times. The Poles did not seem to understand American and British history on those two countries expanding their terrorities at the expense of the native populations, so the Western powers were no better when it comes to respecting other people's rights. After what happen to Czechosolovakia in 1938, and Poland in 1939, you would think the Poles would not trust the British again.

I am amaze that the Poles had one of the best intelligence and resistance movements in the world apart from the Russian and Yugoslavia resistance movements. It is amazing the Poles create one so quickly and that their intelligence system extend into Hungary and Romania. It is also amazing that they were smuggling people and goods in and out of Poland by land, sea, and air. It downright astounding that the Poles like the Irish maintain their culture under foreign occupation despite various attempts to destroy it. Genocide of any kind occur long before the Nazis came into existence, and it keeps on occuring long after the Nazis Party was destroy.

They could had a few more aerial combat stories about the Polish fighter squadrons from 1943-1945 especially about the Kosciuszko Squadron and the other 12 Polish fighter squadrons.

The way the author was describing how the Germans were killing the Poles indiscriminately and randomly in the city of Warsaw sounds alot like our towns in California, Kansas, and other American states during the Old West era and during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s and 30s. People in those time periods were killing each other for no logical reason at all. It is like our country today where citizens and criminals particulary street gangs are killing people for no reason at all.

True Honor.......2006-12-07

The accounts of Polish Air Force contributions in the Battle of Britain are absolutely gripping. I could not put this book down. The authors describe the brilliant tactics of Polish pilots very well, going beyond the statistics of their unparalleled performance in the Battle of Britain and bringing us to the front seat of the action. It was so excellently researched, well written and exciting. The story includes much history of the entire war from Poland's perspective, including the betrayal by Roosevelt and Churchill toward the war's end. I recently read Norman Davies Rising '44 about the Warsaw uprising in 1944, which was an excellent book, but it left me hungering to know more specifics about the courageous Poles who fought in WWII. A Question of Honor went very far in satisfying that desire.

Anyone who is Polish should read this book and be very, very proud of your country's contributions to the allied cause. The book highlights the incredible treachery of Stalin and mean gloating of Molotov, and the lies told by Churchill and Roosevelt to American and UK citizens, apparently to try to foster allied unity (and in Roosevelt's case to garner the vote of 6 million US Poles). The book also discusses Zegota and other Polish/Jewish efforts to save Jews from the Nazis. Poland was the only country in WWII where the Nazis officially made hiding Jews punishable by death. Zegota, which saved approximately 75,000 Jews by the war's end, was commemorated as "righteous among nations" by Yad Vashem in 1963.

A Treasure for Avaition and History Buffs. A Great as well as an Emotional Read!! .......2006-04-27

Thank you Lynn Olson and Stanley Cloud for a clearly written and insightful book about the "Forgotten Heroes of WWII." The fearless and talented Polish pilots of the 303rd, that downed more German aircraft then any other squadron during the Battle of Britain, was wonderfully researched and truthfully told.

Not only do Olson and Cloud reveal facts about the aviators, but the connection to the American founder of the 303rd Kosciusko squadron, Merian Cooper, was detailed as well. I have had the honor of speaking with American pilots who flew with Witold Lokuciewski, Jan Zumbach, and Witold Urbanowicz and they all confirmed that they and their colleagues were the most talented pilots they have ever seen. These three and many other's harrowing personal stories have been told in the book. There are chapters that also describe the political situation regarding Poland and the terrors inflicted upon the soldiers and citizens by Russia and Nazi Germany (including a detailed account of the Katyn massacre).

Everyone who is interested in the WWII as well as American history should read this book.

Average customer rating:

Poor knowledge of detail
just a great historical book about an impossible mission
Great History of the Doolittle Raid
The First Heroes is a must read
Not researched but well embellished

The First Heroes
Craig Nelson
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

World War I | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0670030872
Release Date: 2002-09-26

Book Description

The Doolittle Raiders, as they became known, were a squadron of eighty scarcely trained young men led by the famous daredevil aviator Jimmy Doolittle. Their mission-the daring World War II bombing raid of Tokyo and other cities in April 1942-was successful until Japanese spies forced most of the squadron to crash-land in enemy-occupied China, where pilots were ferried underground across the country to safety. One plane landed in the Soviet port of Vladivostok, where the crew was eventually smuggled out of the country through Persia. Others were captured by the Japanese, confined to years of imprisonment and torture. The fact that 90 percent of the men involved came home alive was little short of a miracle.

Extensively researched, including interviews with twenty of the twenty-seven remaining survivors, The First Heroes vividly recreates America's first great victory of World War II. Craig Nelson follows the Doolittle Raiders from their secret training on a Florida airfield to their tense days in transit across the Pacific to the bombing itself and finally to their courageous accounts of survival against astonishing odds. This story of America's striking back at its enemies after a vicious surprise attack will resonate widely with the general public today and is sure to appeal to all readers of Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation.

Customer Reviews:

Poor knowledge of detail.......2007-08-30

I really, really wanted to like this book. I'd just finished Hornfischer's outstanding "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" and wanted some more inspirational reading. I'm about half finished listening to this book in its MP3 version, and have noted the following:
1) the author has no - and I repeat no - required knowledge of the US Navy. There are many, many small, factual errors that are really annoying - referring to the HMS Repulse as a "cruiser", describing the Japanese torpedoes as "two feet long", etc, etc. Anyone with even a basic knowledge of the US Navy in WW2 should have been given an opportunity to preview this book before publication.
2) Overuse of military jargon - bombs referred to as "cabbages", torpedoes as "eels" by such a rank amateur was just too much.
3) this really doesn't apply to the book itself, but the reader on the MP3 version had no idea regarding correct pronunciation of naval terms - (en-sine, indeed.)
I find that when there are so many factual errors in an area that I'm familiar with, I have a tough time accepting the new - often interesting on its face - data that an author brings up. It's too bad that such a terrific topic couldn't have been treated more professionally. I read "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo" as a kid and really was looking for some new information. I blame the editors completely for this second rate attempt.

just a great historical book about an impossible mission.......2007-01-22

This book is wonderful! Gives a sense of the courage needed after pearl harbor and how it was met by young americans. Harrowing!
I can't recommend it any more than A MUST READ. I have sent many to soldiers and friends!

Great History of the Doolittle Raid.......2006-07-23

Here's a compelling and well told history of the daring Doolittle Raid of 1942. Nelson does a good job recounting America's first offensive action against Japan in WWII.

More of a morale booster for America and a psychological defeat for the Japenese, the raid did little actual damage. It did however prove to the world that the Japanese were vulnerable.

This story of the daring men who went on what amounted to a suicide mission is riveting. Nelson takes us through the training for the ultra secret mission, to the actual raid itself, and the following crash landings in China.

Nelson does a very good job of placing these events in the overall context of WWII and follows the fates of all involved up to the present. A little slow at first, The First Heroes rewards persistence. Recommended for anyone interested in WWII.

The First Heroes is a must read.......2006-03-23

The First Heroes by Craig Nelson is a must read for anyone who is interested in history, especially World War Two. It is the story of America's finest pilots getting their first vengeance after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The task seemed impossible: fly bombers off of an aircraft carrier in the Pacific, drop bombs over Tokyo and somehow land in China. The mission didn't go as planned. Only one plane made it to Allied soil and the other 15 crashed in Japanese occupied China, but not before dropping their payload over Japan. It was a daring move but it paid off in the end. The book is full of first hand accounts which bring a sixty year old story back to the present times. It was so good that I read it in about two weeks. It had me from the first page. Instead of focusing on just one main character, Craig Nelson tells the stories of all 100 men involved, giving this unique event many different angles. I only read non fiction books and this one read like a work of fiction, with lots of suspense and surprises at every turn. It shows human suffering and how humans can overcome physical and mental suffering if they have the will to do so. I was also amazed at how the Japanese treated their prisoners of war. They had little respect for anyone who was not their own, something that the western world has a hard time fully understanding. This is a must read for anyone interested in the aviation of the Second World War. Craig nelson weaves an intriguing story.

Not researched but well embellished.......2006-03-04

I was only able to read as far as page 146 before I was turned off by the author's lack of knowlege of the subject. For instance, on the page mentioned above he quotes Lt Joyce as saying "my rear gunner was firing." He did record the fact that the tail guns had been removed and replaced by broom sticks. Where was his editor? Other reviewers have also pointed out other glaring errors committed all before page 146 such as diesel engins, "Billys", and B's taxiing, and so on. The first half of the book left much to be desired, I will not read the rest of the book.

The Forgotten Heroes: The Heroic Story of the United States Merchant Marine

Average customer rating:

Unfortunetly a poorly written book on a worthy topic
Excellent WW11 Merchant Mariner Book
Good Subject, Bad Book
Interesting but flawed book
UNREWARDED LOYALTY

The Forgotten Heroes: The Heroic Story of the United States Merchant Marine
Brian Herbert
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0765307073
Release Date: 2005-04-21

Book Description

T he United States Merchant Marine has a tradition of beingat the forefront of every American military action and has served with distinction in every conflict. New York Timesbestselling author Brian Herbert chronicles the amazing exploits of these gallant seamen, assembling a fascinating array of data from historical documents, government records, diaries, and interviews with surviving veterans.

Customer Reviews:

Unfortunetly a poorly written book on a worthy topic.......2007-07-26

I admire Brian Herbert's attempt to fill a void in military history. I'm a cadet at one of the Maritime Academies in the U.S. training for my license as a 3rd Assistant Engineer, and no one knows better then I that the history of the U.S. Merchant Marine (USMM) is grossly overlooked. However He could of been well served by having a historian co-write his book. I normally have trouble putting down a history, but this one I struggled through. The chapters and stories are poorly organized. For example, less then half the the chapter on the Russian Gauntlet was actually about the Murmansk Run. He could of used to embellish or give extra detail to the individual narrative he writes, most are only a paragraph long and give the reader nothing more then a taste of what happened. No doubt there were many acts of uncommon bravery on the merchant ships plowing through the North Atlantic and Pacific; however, simply saying does little to validate that. He tells of how a merchant seaman rescued sailors from another ship, sunk by a German U-Boat or Japanese I-Boat, but doesn't tell what the man did to save the desperate sailors or give more information other then the rescue happened. Another time he tells about was a merchant ship ramming a French sub. He mentions essentially no more then that, he doesn't tell how or why the sub was rammed (was there fog, did the sub suddenly surface in front of the ship...), he simply mentions it happened and moves on. Additionally he tells the same story multiple times throughout the book. I constantly found it frustrating that he would begin telling about an incident and then direct the reader to a future or previous chapter where the actual narrative is contained. While it is obvious that he has passion for the story of the USMM, the book reminded me of a high school or college history student trying hastily a paper and give is some weight with few sources and poorly conducted research: rambling, ill-organized and incoherent.

To me it seems that he let his passion cloud his work; good portions of the book are nothing more then rants about how the government hung the merchant sailors out to dry after the war and how merchant sailors were regarded as bums, drunks and draft dodgers. While the first part is true, merchant sailors were denied many of the benefits enjoyed by those serving in the armed forces, he could of easily dedicated the beginning chapter to this subject, and used the rest of the book to show why the sailors deserved them through the story of the USMM in WWII. Instead he keeps coming back to it, and using the same stories, or versions of those, chapter after chapter to try to prove his point. At times his opinion is so vehement that you can picture the frown on his face and feel his blood pressure rise.

He seems so intent on making a connection with those merchant sailors that he gives the example of one, Dean Beaumont who's father was a noted painter of naval images, to his own life, where is father invented the Dune series set in "vast deserts with dunes like the waves of a great sea, and monsters beneath the sand that are worse than anything Ahab ever faced." And says that "Frank Herbert even 'invented' containerized shipping; thus my family had a connection with the Merchant Marine long before I met Dean Beaumont." Unfortunately it is obvious that that "connection," as far stretched as it is, is not enough. His nautical knowledge is sorely lacking, he often refers to a ship's speed as "knots per hour," redundant if nothing else.

Finally, while I don't doubt the accuracy of his research, he notes very few sources throughout the book, such as the tale of the merchant ship noted above that rammed a French sub. Which, besides making it harder to uphold, also gives an interested reader no place to turn for more information on the skimpy narratives he offers.

If your simply looking for a book with lots of small tales of men in the merchant marine, but not a lot of substance, this one would fit the bill. I would not recommend it however to someone looking for a history of the USMM in WWII, either interested persons, historians or students.

Excellent WW11 Merchant Mariner Book.......2007-01-10

This book really opened my eyes to the plight of the US Merchant Mariners and their value to the WW11 effort and how they were treated.

Good Subject, Bad Book.......2006-08-18

This a good subject and I have much respect for the men who served in the Merchant Marine. But this is a badly written book. I'm sorry to have to say it, but it's true.

Interesting but flawed book.......2006-08-14

Brian Herbert's motivation for writing this book is fine. The U S Government treated the merchant marine (which suffered a higher death rate than any military branch) shamefully during and after WW II. Second only to the way it treated the women pilots who were kicked out without even bus fare home. For that reason alone, I hope a lot of people read this book.

But Herbert makes the argument over and over again - seemingly on every second or third page - until you get really sick of reading it. Also the book is an example of awful editing. With typos on nearly every page, the publisher should be ashamed for serving the author so poorly.

And one final complaint: Any author who presumes to write about the sea should know better than to use the phrase "knots per hour." A knot is a measure of nautical miles per hour. To say, "ten knots per hour," is to say, "ten nautical miles per hour per hour." Anyone who uses the term "knots per hour" is immediately and justifiably presumed to know absolutely nothing about the sea.

UNREWARDED LOYALTY.......2006-02-17

In the Introduction, the author, Brian Herbert, writes "Under precarious conditions these merchant seamen performed extraordinary acts of bravery, they were the lifeline of the Allied forces, making victory not only possible, but inevitable." In a strict sense they were not members of the armed forces. However, in World War II, the Merchant Marine suffered 8,380 battle deaths or 3.899 % per-capita; that was greater than the Marine Corps that suffered 2.949% battle deaths per-capita.

A brief account of the buildup of the American Merchant Marine is given. Starting in 1936 with a vigorous ship building program, of which the liberty ship designed for rapid construction, was a key design. The U.S. Merchant Marine grew rapidly. In 1942 the U.S. Navy attempted to take control of the Merchant Marine, which the ship owners and maritime unions successfully defeated only to pay a high post war price for winning.

A somewhat disjointed text narrates the World War II perils and accomplishments of the U.S. Merchant Marine which suffered horrendous losses of men and materials. Several examples of wartime merchant marine engagements are given; many will be familiar to readers of WW-II maritime history. Merchant Marine officer, Dean Beaumont, purser on the liberty ship SS Brander Matthews is one of the WW-II narrative vehicles as the text follows his ship in the Pacific until Dean suffered a nervous break-down and was returned home.

Upon returning home, Dean Beaumont found that he, along with all merchant seamen, was not eligible for any medical benefits nor for the educational and/or financial benefits of the GI Bill. Had they been under the control of the U.S. Navy as proposed in 1942, they would have been eligible. Regardless of their heavy losses and merchant marine participation in all the major invasions including Normandy, the merchant marines in the post war period were treated as noncombatants, not allowed to participate in parades with armed force members, provided no benefits and were often treated as second-class citizens. Consequently, some ex-merchant seamen became homeless and many could not participate in the postwar prosperity. This book is a plea for justice for these men who gave the county their full loyalty, often giving their life.

The text also includes a brief outline of the Merchant Marine history dating back to the Revolutionary War when the Merchant Marine was also the Navy in the form of privateers.

If the reader has access to the DVDs now available of the 1952 TV series titled "Victory at Sea", they will find that viewing the episodes "Sealing the Breach" and "Guadalcanal" while reading the book will make the text more meaningful. Regardless of its somewhat jumbled text, this book is worth reading.

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes

Average customer rating:

great WW II book
Very Moving
Brothers in Arms, Aptly Subtitled "Forgotten Heroes" - African-American Tankers Honored in Prose
Not worth it.
Mistakes Mistakes Mistakes

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , and Anthony Walton
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0767909135
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of Flags of Our Fathers, Brothers in Arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first all-black armored unit to see combat in World War II.

Download Description

A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of Flags of Our Fathers, Brothers in Arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st "Black Panthers," the first all-black armored unit to see combat in World War II.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first learned about the battalion from family friend Leonard "Smitty" Smith, a veteran of the battalion. Working with acclaimed writer Anthony Walton, Abdul-Jabbar interviewed the surviving members of the battalion and their descendants to weave together a page-turning narrative based on their memories and stories, from basic training through the horrors on the battlefield to their postwar experiences in a racially divided America.

Trained essentially as a public relations gesture to maintain the support of the black community for the war, the battalion was never intended to see battle. In fact, General Patton originally opposed their deployment, claiming African Americans couldn't think quickly enough to operate tanks in combat conditions. But the Allies were so desperate for trained tank personnel in the summer of 1944, following heavy casualties in the fields of France, that the battalion was called up.

While most combat troops fought on the front for a week or two before being rotated back, the men of the 761st served for more than six months, fighting heroically under Patton's Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge and in the Allies' final drive across France and Germany. Despite a casualty rate that approached 50 percent and an extreme shortage of personnel and equipment, the 761st would ultimately help liberate some thirty towns and villages, as well as the Gunskirchen Lager concentration camp.

The racism that shadowed them during the war and the prejudice they faced upon their return home is an indelible part of their story. What shines through most of all, however, are the lasting bonds that united them as soldiers and brothers, the bravery they exhibited on the battlefield, and the quiet dignity and patriotism that defined their lives.

Customer Reviews:

great WW II book.......2007-08-13

I really did like this book and found it to be very well done; I couldn't put it down. Kareem abdul-jabbar did a great job of tying the history of the unit into is his life (one of the main characters was friends with his father). It wasn't only intresting because of the whole Black Soldiers in WW II subject area, but was also a great read concerning WW II tankers in general (not just black tankers). Mr. Abdul did an outstanding job and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Very Moving.......2006-07-07

Not knowing where to start, let me say this was a very moving book. It was very dishartening to hear how American Soldiers were mistreated by fellow Soldiers and the American public. It really speaks to their character that they were willing to fight for a country that did not recognize them as first class citzens. Before reading this book, I had no idea that there were all Black tank units. Even when reading other books about some of the battles that the 761st fought in, I never incountered mention of the 761st or that there were even all Black units fighting in the same battle. This book was a real eye opener.

I am not a historian or even a history enthusiast, so I was unaware of the errors that were in the book. Nevertheless, I feel that the story is about the Soldiers of the 761st, and that the book is not meant to be a treatise on WWII. This is just my opinion, so if you are someone who cares about the errors, then you will need to read this book with a grain of salt.

Brothers in Arms, Aptly Subtitled "Forgotten Heroes" - African-American Tankers Honored in Prose.......2006-03-01

Despite being quite intrigued by the story of the 761st Tank Battalion this reviewer was initially quite leery about picking up this book, for the same reasons articulated by Lt. Col. Mark Reardon in his review of Brothers in Arms - why would we expect a historical work developed by a former pro-basketball player to be of particular value beyond a novelty? However, Reardon gave Brothers in Arms a quite positive review and thus this reviewer decided the time commitment to read it was justified. Having said all that this reviewer found Brothers in Arms a compelling, easy and informative read.

It is worth mentioning that Abdul-Jabbar's tale of the 761st is not the first or only documentation of this storied battalion; previously published accounts include T.W. Anderson's "Come Out Fighting" (1979) and J. Wilson Jr.'s "The 761st 'Black Panther' Tank Battalion in World War II (1999). Yet, Abdul-Jabbar's account is a well-written and engaging story, targeted to a wide audience. The prose set forth by Abdul-Jabbar starts with a brief description of why the author chose to take on such and project and why the reader should be engaged and interested. Abdul-Jabbar then introduces the three gentlemen who anchor the story of the 761st as he tells it, the pre-war lives of these men and what led them to volunteer for the Tank Corps. Within this section of the book and the next section dealing with the training of the 761st, Abdul-Jabbar provides considerable insight into the racial discrimination that these American heroes suffered in 1940's American culture, including the US Army - which at the time was still a quite segregrated institution, as was American culture in general. These discussion points (which are also brought out in subsequent sections of the book) are the real selling points for this book - ALL Americans should read this book for this contrast in sacrifice of the men of the 761st to the respect and honor they received for their sacrifices.

The major portion of the prose is dedicated to discussion of the combat situations in which the 761st found themselves. The 761st was one of several independent Tank Battalions that was not permanently assigned to any Division, but rather attached to various units, Armored or Infantry, as needed. Thus the 761st functioned to large extent as a 'fire brigade' to deal with recalcitrant combat zones or details. While no clear evidence exists to suggest that this was an overt discriminatory act of the US Army to sacrifice African-American versus white troops is difficult situations, Abdul-Jabbar makes a compelling case that this could have in fact been true. The combat history of the 761st is indeed impressive both for its scope of action and depth of nearly impossible situations into which they were placed by rear command decisions. Despite the adversities facing them the men of the 761st were generally successful in their assigned tasks.

The last section of the book deals with what happened to the men of the 761st from V-E day onwards. While these stories are themselves fascinating, it is the injustice and prejudice these American heroes suffered after the combat was over that really capture the readers attention. In fact, it took decades for African-American soldiers who carried arms in the Second World War to be recognized for their acts of heroism. Abdul-Jabbar does a fair honest tribute to these men in his writings.

So how well done is the military history in Brothers in Arms? OK but not perfect; some errors are simply too silly to believe. Two examples illustrate this perfectly: First, in multiple places Abdul-Jabbar refers to the Tactical Air Command as the Air Tactical Command. Second, on p. 240 the following statement is made: "Hitler's propaganda minister, Hermann Goering, had a castle on a high bluff just beyond Neuhaus." Goering did in fact own a castle at Neuhaus [Burg Veldenstein, now a hotel] that was given to him by the widow of previous owner, Dr. Hermann Von Epenstein, Joseph Goebbles, not Goering, was propaganda.

Problems aside, Brothers in Arms represents a fun, entertaining and educational read, not perfect in historical content but sound enough to merit a look by serious and casual history buffs. 4 stars.

Not worth it. .......2005-03-18

"Brothers In Arms" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton. Subtitled "The Epic Story Of The 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes". Broadway books, New York, 2004.

Studying History gives you exposure to the overall events of World War II, and the general ebb and flow of the European Theater of Operations, such as which unit attacked which enemy unit and the results. After an MA in History, I am always seeking more interesting personal accounts, i.e. personal reminiscences, describing what really happened. This book, "Brothers In Arms", appeared to be just that: the personal memoirs of black soldiers in a tank battalion in the EOT, with all those daily minimal details, woven into a real and personal story of the men who served. Even more interesting, these soldiers were black.

Unfortunately, however, the book did not live up to its promise. The stories about the individuals involved, with the possible exception of Leonard "Smitty" Smith, did not, in my humble opinion, bring those individuals alive. Even the nice repetition , (but disrupting to the continuity of the book), of Baseball's Jackie Robinson's wartime experiences were not truly a personal remembrance.

Then there are the unnecessary mistakes. As other reviewers have mentioned the worst gaffe, the German word for panther, is "Panther" and "Panzer" means, basically, armor or tanks. See page 47. The Luftwaffe's rotund Hermann Goering is probably rotating rapidly in his grave since this book identifies him as the skinny Nazi propaganda minister. On page 45, the authors state that in the Pacific theater, in 1942, "American and Japanese forces were at a stalemate". Sorry! The Battle of Midway, June 1942, was the turning point and it was downhill for Japan after that. The "stalemate" characterization was wrong. On page 70, the authors have General George S. Patton being born in 1895; he was born in 1885. Just as another example, the book states that the German "Teller" Anti-Tank mines had about one pound of explosive in them. I could not understand why a "Teller" mine should threaten a Sherman tank, so I went on the Web. There I found that the early models of the German Teller mines had about 23 pounds, or about ten kilograms, of explosive. I could see that this concentrated explosive force could do damage to some parts of the Sherman. My complaint is the book's authors let this poundage gaffe go into print.

So , for the personal memoirs, I gave four stars. For the mistakes , (too many!) and evident lack of knowledge about the History of the EOT, I gave zero stars. Average: two stars.

Mistakes Mistakes Mistakes.......2005-02-23

This book is filled with interesting stories. It is also filled with many, many unforgiveable mistakes. Previous reviews have pointed out the mistake of Panzer means panther in German...come on! But towards the end of the book it refers to Hermann Goering as Hitler's propaganda minister. Wow, where was the editor on that one. I think Joseph Goebbels would have something to say about that. And if Goering was hard at work on propaganda, who was running the Luftwaffe? It moves on to talk about Hitler's suicide by poison in the Bunker. Except that Hitler shot himself in the temple, prefering a soldiers death. Yes Hitler did have a poison pill in his mouth, but that was only as backup in case the shot was not fatal. The book is filled with stuff like this.

I started reading this book with great excitement because the subject matter is fascinating and I have not heard about the 761st Battalion. I was hoping this book would be breaking new ground. But instead I find myself NOT trusting any of the information in this book since they obviously don't even know who Hermann Goering was.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 761st Battalion should get an apology from coauther Anthony Walton and the Editor of this book.

War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (War Stories)

Average customer rating:

Great insight into WW2
A Must Read For WWII History
Heroes tell their stories
The Personal Stories of Real People
Overivew of WWII with many personal stories of those who fought it, and a DVD

War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (War Stories)
Oliver North
Manufacturer: Regnery Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1596980249

Book Description

War Stories III with free DVD included, brings to life the massive battles that finally defeated Nazi Germany--and the incredibly heroic American servicemen who saved the world from Nazi tyranny.

Customer Reviews:

Great insight into WW2.......2007-08-10

Col. North does a great job of intermixing strait facts of history with the first hand accounts of the men and women who were there. It really helps bring the historical facts to life.

I think this should be required reading for WW2 history classes, and is great reading for any history buff.

Added bonus- it comes with a great DVD.

A Must Read For WWII History.......2007-06-05

This book does, for the war in Europe, what 'War Stories II' did for the war in the Pacific. It is an excellent,complete account. Of course, the input of actual participants only enhance this great read. Don't miss reading this one.

Heroes tell their stories.......2006-07-25

Oliver North has a great affection for the men and women who fought to keep our country free. This book covers the European theater of World War II, and contains a multitude of stories told by those who fought in it. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine what these folks had to go through to defeat a very determined emeny, and those of us who are the inheritors of that legacy of freedom should always honor them. My own father was one of these people (although he died many years ago), and I thank him, and these others, every day for the life of liberty I, and my family, enjoy because of their sacrifices.

The Personal Stories of Real People.......2006-03-06

We are reaching a time when the members of the greatest generation, those that fought against the Nazi's and the Japanese are rapidly leaving us. It is good to see this series of stories from individuals who were there. By capturing their stories it may be possible for us to catch just a glimpse of what it must have been like to live when the country was more together than at any time before or since.

As with the other books in this series, this book presents a rather eclectic collection of stories. All services are represented. And the story tellers are as different as they can be. Bob Dole relates the day he was wounded with the 10th Mountain Division. One of the Tuskegee Airman relates the story of a 'colored' pilot during the war. Chuck Yeager tells of being hit by German cannon fire and the propeller of his airplane coming off.

This is a series of personal stories. It does not ahve the broad expanse of an integrated history, it's about real people.

Overivew of WWII with many personal stories of those who fought it, and a DVD.......2006-01-19

I am enthusiastic about the book and want the book read generally rather than on special merit. Why do I want the book read? Well, there is a whole rising generation for whom WWII is so old and far gone that they really know NOTHING about it. This book is a fine quick overview and quite readable. It doesn't get bogged down in the details of tactics, strategies, or troop movements.

What it does offer that is very inviting is what makes the TV show a success and is suggested by the title. It has the war stories of many individuals to flesh out the brief summaries of aspects of the war. These stories include regular soldiers, people who have since become famous like Senators (and Presidential hopefuls) Dole and McGovern, and Chuck Yeager. There are also stories from women, people who were children at the time, several women including a Russian woman who fought against the German, and a German pilot. As you can tell, these are not the political leader, the generals, or important commanders in the war. The events they participated in were not the key turning points of the war, generally. However, they help us understand how the war was experienced by some of the millions of individuals whose participation in it made the defeat of Hitler possible.

My hope is that young people will read this book and not only learn about the war, but will also become interested enough to move on to other books on World War II and American History. This material is easy to read and is far from being comprehensive or complete, but it does tell its stories well and can be the springboard to something more.

The book also comes with a DVD with three of the episodes of the TV show that inspired this book. Several of the stories in the book are included on the DVD. So, maybe the DVD will spark someone to then read the book.

Warriors Who Ride the Wind (American Heroes)

Average customer rating:

FABULOUS BOOK!
Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride
A true story told by a real American hero
Live with the Flying Tigers
Fascinating autobiography

Warriors Who Ride the Wind (American Heroes)
William F. X. Band
Manufacturer: Castle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0916693201

Customer Reviews:

FABULOUS BOOK!.......2000-11-25

This is a fabulous book! Incredibly good! Buy this book!

G. GORDON LIDDY

Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride.......1999-09-29

Bill Band has managed to capture the essence of a bygone era and make it live for those of us who weren't there. An exciting read.

A true story told by a real American hero.......1999-07-22

Bill Band has told this story in a manner in which the reader understands what went on in this little understood albiet important theater and why it happened that way. It is a personal account which is engaging and well told. I'll bet Mr Band has more stories to tell .. and I hope he does.

Live with the Flying Tigers.......1999-07-20

This story takes you back to a time when the world was a much larger place. Men and machines were the means to accomplish great deeds. Computers did not tell you how and when to do everything. Men actually flew by the seat of their pants and when they made a mistake they were quite often the only one's who ever knew. Laugh at the funny side of combat and feel the heat of tears when a friend is lost. Don't miss this wonderful story.

Fascinating autobiography.......1999-07-19

A colorful, engrossing story where real life is far more interesting than fiction as the author helps us relive his exploits. For war/aviation buffs, an adventure not to be missed.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books