Great view in to the modern brotherhood forged in battle against an enemy unlike any we have ever fought before
580335
I am a huge fan of all military documentaries, biographies, nonfiction and even fiction having to do with any of the wars the US has participated in throughout the years. This particular book does an outstanding job of characterizing for the reader, exactly just how difficult our troops have it in Afghanistan; working with corrupt officials and interpreters, utilizing equipment that is old and run down and facing an enemy that is not clearly defined. The tactics Lt Parnell utilizes throughout his leadership of the Outlaw Platoon show just how far outside of the box he and his team had to think, not only to succeed, but to just survive.

This was an exciting read, thought provoking, and deeply emotional on many levels. At times I found myself mesmerized, laughing, crying and not so silently cheering on the Outlaw Platoon as they fought against almost insurmountable odds to prevail.

If you enjoy factual military history and are inspired by the courageous exploits of todays armed forces, this book will have you hooked from the beginning!
2769120
Each of the three brothers represented a part of the Navy battles in the Pacific.  Their stories put a human face on the amazingly detailed descriptions of such a complicated war. The brothers themselves showed admirable strength, morality, grit, determination and compassion.  Their experiences drove the story of the war. At times I read with a map alongside the book. It was a very fulfilling experience.
262211
I enjoyed very much reading what the everyday soldier must have thought and felt as he endured the ordeal of war.  The author does an outstanding job of conveying the terror and fear and relief after the battle these soldiers experienced. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the sequel to learn of Isaiah's fate .
1527269
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the backbone of american society as we know it today, it was and extremely brutal fight that originated in the belief that people should not be kept as slaves! this in turn changed the entire outlook of modern america and by default the world as the US is one of the major leading forces in our world.

I especially enjoyed the chapter about the battle of Gettysburg where it details the bloodiest battle and the turning point of the entire war.

This book is written in a very interesting and inspiring way - I'd gladly recommend it!
1863586
Before I purchased this book I read the reviews as I always do and I remember someone saying "I had to remind myself I was reading a non-fiction book. I have read several books on Iraq and Afghanistan as a military spouse I read them to get a better understanding and insight into what my husband and our beloved troops endure and we should know and understand that intimate and brutal truths of what they endure for our freedoms.
This book was just incredible. You really do have to remind yourself you are NOT reading fiction. The heroism of these men is just, well there are no words. The strength these amazing men showed and the resiliency after the horrors of which they encounter is just awe inspiring.
The book did however leave me upset with what occurred and the fact that a mission such as this was ever even ordered. What was even more amazing is that the soldiers even though they knew it was not right took it on anyway and the story that unfolds is just, well I am still almost speechless.
I could not put this book down, I read it in two nights laying next to my husband and realizing how greatful I am that he has come home in one piece but he wounds and marks on the inside will always be there.
I think the writer for doing such an amazing job at brining the reader into a soldier's world for a short amount of time and get a glimpse of what true brotherhood is and the amazing fight, spirit and unbreakable strength of the American Solider.
393860
Very well written. Ambrose tells an absorbing tale of what the war was like to men who fought it. I could not put it down.
This book is a good compliment to Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers." In that book, Ambrose takes a look at the condition of the G.I. in Europe as a whole. While offering interesting personal accounts, it is intended as a survey of all soldiers and as such is somewhat impersonal (although very good).
Band of Brothers, on the other hand, is intimate and personal. By following one command (E Co., 506 / 101st Airborne) across France and into Germany, we get to see a discrete group of soldiers adjust to changing conditions brought on by different seasons, terrain, offensive and defensive actions, their own increasing battle savvy and fatigue. I like this approach. By personalizing the experience of a few front-line soldiers, the impact on the reader is enhanced because one comes to know the characters. They are not just "some soldiers who experienced frost bite," they are individuals we've come to know who looked with the pride of conquerors as they stood in Hitler's Eagle's Nest, a fitting end to their fatigue, loss and heroics in liberating a continent.
This outfit in particular offers lots of adventure, which is I am sure why Ambrose chose them. Part of the 101st Airborne, E Co., was at Utah Beach, the Battle of Arnhem, the Battle of the Bulge, helped liberate a concentration camp in addition to securing Hitler's Bavarian retreat.  As we get to know these Americans through their battles and experiences, we more fully appreciate how our "regular guys" helped conquer self-designed supermen bent on world domination.
This book moves very quickly, is highly entertaining and moving. Watch out, you may want to read this ground level WW II account in one sitting.
1953216
The author has given us a fair and even handed look into a time that is little known in modern culture. The Crusades bring out strong but mostly uniformed emotion in today's society. It is the first thing most people bring up to show bad Christian behavior. The author has done a great job of showing the true side of the crusade. Good, bad, and a lot of opportunists on both sides. The reasons and motivations for going on crusade are brought forth and give us an understanding into a troubled time in history. That truly is the gift of historic fiction, you get a closer look into a specific time. Chronicles gives you that and I look forward to the next two books in the series.
2727548
This is an exciting true story that shows what modern war is really like.
3926584
The moment I saw this book advertised on an internet site; I knew I had to check it out for myself. This definately opens your eyes about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Any preconceived ideas are blown away as you read Mosab Hassan Yousef's account of his life and the inner workings of Hamas. It also makes me realize how true the command to love your enemies and to pray for them is relevant these days. I definately highly recommend this book to those of us with preconceived ideas and prejudice we may have. I am very glad this book was written and thank Mosab for having the courage to write this gripping tale. I pray too that God protect him as he continues to live for Christ.
2388542
In this blinding, dizzying portrayal of platoon of our modern warriors, Sebastian Junger gives an intimate look at internal aspects of combat.  Unlike many tales of war which either glorify or rebuke combat, Sebastian Junger brings us inside the violence, drama and danger of combat from a personal and journalistic perspective.  The reader is left to draw their own conclusions.

In abandoning current  "journalistic standards" of phony objectivity, he brings us his personal experience with fear, hope and pain while trying to remaining an observor from the actual combat.  I am reminded of the great works of war corrospondents in years past that freely provided personal narrative.

The stories of conflict, horror fill the pages like a raging firefight and the reader is shellshocked. Some have complained that the story is hard to follow but I rather think it is the point. War is hell and chaos.

Junger has created a lasting monument to the modern soldier that should be required reading for every leader who puts our men into conflict.  "War" does not take a political side, it simply records the truth of a warrior's life.

Highly recommended
978787
If you like a glimpse into the spiritual warfare that is part of the Christian life, this book will give you that. I love that the characters are from different backgrounds and from different "church" affiliations, but that they all have one thing in common.  That one thing is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Their faith in Him and their willingness to stand firm against evil no matter what is one of the compelling parts of the book. From a smoking, drinking Priest, to a tattooed, pierced female Lutheran pastor to an ex football player non denom bishop to their sidekicks, this book carries you along on their fight with evil both human and demonic. Unity of the body is shown even though they are all so different.
4101977
This is a detailed account of the battle of Sperwan Ghar in Afghanistan, supposedly one of the largest NATO actions ever and a crucial behind the scenes battle that gave both the Taliban and the Allied forces a taste for each other on the battlefield. There are several things I love about the book - Bradley knows what he is talking about and can communicate it well. The quality of writing is not of literary genius but it is good and you feel as if you are in the center of the action. I now have a better idea of what it is like to be in a cauldron where you are exposed to fire and/or the possibility of an explosive end every minute. I am also filled with immense admiration for Bradley and his team and others like them. Whatever your views about the foreign policy that put these individuals there you cannot but admire their professionalism and cool under fire. Can certainly understand the training and tactical brilliance that made the OBL raid into Pakistan possible. I am grateful that these highly trained warriors are on our side. There will always be aberrations in battle but, despite their profession being killing, they have a lot of respect for human life.

You get a great understanding of how each small unit has members with clearly defined roles, of how practically anyone can dispense rough but life-saving medical attention right there in the thick of action, how they cover for each other and the strength of the bonds they develop.

What you do not get is any feel for the other side. There is some description of the bonds forged with Afghan troops who, BTW do not have the equipment and back-up that Bradley and his contingent take for granted, but nothing at all about the Taliban and little about the population. The antagonists are almost cartoon characters like the pop-up figures on a shooting range. You do not understand why they fight as ferociously as they do and what the dynamics of engagement look for the. There is also some demonization of them with gratuitous comments comments about their "values" which the author takes as a despicable given.

So this is a great war tale and gives you a real feel for what our troops are up against on a daily basis. It gives you no insight on why we went there, why we remain there and whether we should and what needs to be done to move from war to lasting peace.
1604500
Came to this after reading Cleaver's other book The Frozen Chosen. Like that one we're painted an evocative portrait of battle from all levels service. An impressive amount of detail shines lights on crucial elements of the campaign I wasn't even aware of. My favorite parts were probably the gripping aerial combat scenes. Overall, a very interesting read that gave me a lot of pride.
3090891
On the 200th anniversary (2015) of the Battle of Waterloo, David Ebsworth brings a compelling look at the war, the time and two women who are embroiled in the events.  I was not expecting the depth of character displayed in Marianne and Liberte, nor the compelling perspective that juxtaposes against some of the truly epic battle scenes.

Ebsworth brings a sense of humanity and softness to the very omnipresent threats posed by the ongoing battles, and Marianne, Liberte and their families are neatly woven throughout, moving the sense of time forward between battles and jockeying for position for the next battle.

What I didn't expect was to find such compelling characters in all aspects of the story: while Im not in any way a fan of war and battle strategy, there was a beauty in the presentation of the battle bits that gave the struggle its own flavor and presence, almost creating a character from the historic events that are the setting of the story.

What emerges is an intimate look at lives as they struggle to move forward and find a sense of safety amidst ever-present danger, as it lies bare for readers the wishes for life, hopes for future and even how to survive after unthinkable events: how those change both determination and outlook, and whether survival is even possible in the new and changed landscape. Paralleling that struggle for the ages is the clearly researched, graphically presented and strangely compelling story of the battles and struggles on the battlefield  all solidly tied to real events, with clear research informing the authors retelling.

In what is one of the more unique historic fiction tales I have read, Ebsworth has skillfully manipulated fact and fiction with deft characterization, demanding the readers empathy and emotional investment in a story that could have easily been a clinical and dry recount of June 1815.

I received a copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
2866104
Sometimes I'm more interested in the people of a story than the story itself. Jack Campbell has managed to create a character that embodies the best of humanity, while fighting battles within his domain, and fighting the enemy.

It was difficult to put this book Down before the end. The people of his fleet are real and can be found in everyday life. The space battles are real and not with over powering weapons, but with intelligent decisions. I'm sorry I didn't read this book earlier, but I can jump to the next book with the push of a button.
717263
This book is an incredible story of the gallantry and courage of a small group of men, and one in particular, of the German Luftwaffe. In spite of the evil that was consuming their nation during WWII, they struggled to uphold both their honor and obligation to the German people (not the National Socialist Party), and stay true to the common humanity that unites all brothers-in-arms and fellow brothers and sisters. It is a story well worth reading and reflecting on how taking these men's taking the perilous path of following their conscience at the risk to their own safety and security was, as it ever is, the noble and right thing to do. The story is well told and difficult to put down. Highly recommended!
4813672
Excellent story of fear, strength to overcome, redemption, and unexpected love. I can't wait to read the other stories about the rest of the brotherhood.