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Flags of Our Fathers: A Young People's Edition |
Author: James Bradley
Published: 2005-04-12 |
List price: $6.50
Our price: $6.50
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As of: January 07th, 2009 02:40:57 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 EXCELLENT!
Great book! Has more detail than the movie of the same title. I've also read WALKING THROUGH FIRE: AN IWO JIMA SURVIVOR'S REMEMBRANCE which follows another Iwo Jima survivor from a different perspective. I recommend both of these books.
 great youth book
I bought this book for my 14-year-old son, but needed something to take along with me to the doctor's office and got hooked. I have not read the "extended version", but this youth version is very good. In my opinion this book is about any 6 men who served in the Pacific Theater...I think the selection of any other random men could have brought to light similar stories. This is not to lessen or trivialize the struggles or heroism of the men whose stories are told in this book, but to reiterate what the author says, that "uncommon valor was a common virtue".
Better then the movie
Anybody who has read about or has had relatives in the war knows about Iwo Jima. Many sadly get their "knowledge" from TV and or movies. However, the movie made from this book is not bad. Even though Hollywood took a little and made other marines experiences and stories part of the subjects of this book.
James Bradley did a great job with this book and succeeded in putting a human face on the men of the famous picture. Mr. Bradley has the "misfortune" of learning their father or grandfather did much more in the war then they let on. As in the authors case, finding his fathers Navy Cross after he died.
Another good aspect of the book is the picture of battle and the rather horrible deaths that many marines faced on Iwo. I would go as far to suggest it is one of the better battle stories I have read so far.
Iwo was a very nasty affair much more then the fabled "Sands of Iwo Jima" that many of us has seen at one time or another. At least Clint Eastwood's movie does a much better job about presenting what these men went through.
Mr. Bradley also does a good job trying to explain the mindset of the average Japanese soldier of the day. Iwo was the first Japanese soil invaded by the US. It was to be defended no matter what and General Kuribayashi created a brilliant defensive system. He also seemed to understand the American psychy as he decreed that each of his men was to attempt to kill 10 men before he dies. Kill enough American soldiers and the people will loose heart.
However, the Esprit De Cours of the Marines carried them through battle even with the slaughter that went on. Even a nurse once commented that the men she took treated were not beaten no matter how bad their wounds.
One thing that many people (until the movie) did not know was the fact fighting went on after the flag planting. The Marines would loose about 7000 dead with over 14000 wounded. Much higher figures then the blood bath that was Tarawa and the 5 months of Guadalcanal. Even of the flag planters, three would die.
One aspect I did not know about was the lives of the men after the war to where they were basically controlled the photograph for many years. Living with being called Heros when they didn't want to be called that.
This is a great book for any library!
A complete history of a Important period of history
As a teenager at this time I really didn't realize the depth of the struggle in the Pacific. This book really points out the reason for dropping the atomic bomb to end the war.
Apart of History Everyone needs to know
A fascinating look at a part of our history. It provides an in depth look at the American psyche and the how and why the US was so well served by the young people of that era. A glimpse of the real brutality of the Japanese and why Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the ONLY options for defeating a fanatical army command that espoused no surrender.
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