Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, Ron Powers
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Book Reviews of Flags of Our Fathers
Book Review: Enjoyed the knowlege - but sad nonetheless
Summary: 5 Stars
Spending the better part of my childhood with The Photograph painted on one of our living room walls, I now have a better understanding as of "why". This book was very interesting to me. My father was a Marine that fought in the Korean War and reading the book gave me great insight into why my Dad felt the need to join the Marines when he was just 17 in 1945 - just about the time the Iwo Jima photograph frenzy made it's way around the country!
My Dad suffers from dementia now which is really sad also because I would like to discuss the information about how cruel the Japanese soldiers were and how being a Marine in those days must of filled him with pride.
I enjoyed the fact that I learned that was the second flag planted on Mount Suribachi and that Joe Rosenthal just happened to snap the 1/400th of a frame that will live on in history as the meaning of patriotism and valor that this country once had. Very well documented data of the six men that performed such a menial duty that became the country's symbol of heroism for WWII.
This book has a great story behind the Photograph and brings it to my heart anew.
Book Review: A Masterpiece of History!
Summary: 5 Stars
My grandfather fought on Bougainville and Guadalcanal which are both mentioned often in this book. To this day grandpa does not speak of the war. After reading this book, I understand why. This book embodies the human spirit and the fight to uproot evil at its core. It is interesting that such a brutal fight took place on an island that had no real life... just a desolate island of ash and embers that emulated a place of death. Deep within the bowels of the island held a garrison of approximately 22,000 Japanese that were determined to fight to extinction and that is what they did.
Bradley and Powers do a wonderful job describing the Marines training as well as the actions on Iwo Jima. The fact that I came away from reading this book more knowledgeable about the self-sacrifices all Marines made on Iwo Jima, makes my own service in the Marines (1993-1997) a worth while endeavor that I hold near and dear to my heart.
Semper Fi to those that served and especially to Ron Powers and James Bradley for taking the time to research and write an unforgettable and accurate masterpiece of history!
Book Review: Book Better Than Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley is the basis of Clint Eastwood's movie by the same name . James Bradley was one of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima in World War II. This book tells the story of the men who fought in the battle and who came together for one of the most important events in United States history. The flag raising on Iwo Jima was captured on film and may be the most famous photograph of all time. The raising was not staged; however, the picture was not taken of the first flag on the top of Mount Suribachi . When the first flag was placed, Mount Suribachi was not yet cleared of enemies; however, the officers wanted a flag placed "So Every Son of a Bitch on This Whole Cruddy Island Can See It!"
The six men made famous were Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, Jack Bradley, Harlon Block, Mike Strank, and Rene Gagnon. Of these 6 men, only 3 survived the battle and Jack Bradley was hit by shrapnel.
I have seen the Clint Eastwood movie and it was pretty good. I still prefer the book over the movie though.
Book Review: A must read, but it's an emotional 5 Stars
Perhaps the best book I've ever read. This book captures the action, the drama, the immense human sacrifices paid by the soldiers, their courage, the brutality of war, the history of the era and the war, the biographical background of the young soldiers and their families both before, during and after the war. Superb isn't strong enough to describe how well written this book is as it tells an amazing story about our young men who go off to war to save their country and the world from ruthless military dictatorships. The stories are gut wrenching and tear jerking. You will travel into the belly of the beast that is war and be nourished by the courage and committment to the mission's success and be emotionally devastated by the carnage and loss of life and limb that followed these poor souls 24/7. The men and women who fought in WW2 truly were American's greatest generation. Read this book.Book Review: Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first saw this book I never imagined the depth behind it. Some of the things in this book are hard to believe that it actually happened.
The flag that was raised on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima on top of Mt. Suribachi became to be known as a symbol that America was winning the war and that everything was going well over seas. That was almost the exact opposite of what was really happening.
The Japanese had a belief that death comes before dishonor, meaning that they didn't care if they died as long as it was for Japan. They never surrendered because that was dishonorable. They also tormented captured marines it is a very graphic book.
I recommend this book to anyone who like true war stories but can handle profanity and graphic violence content. The book is very serious and should not be taken lightly.