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noahreadsome's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
meghann328's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
johnthebiker300's review against another edition
3.0
Ask is my custom, I look at Goodreads reviews after I have read a book and not before.
Most of the reviews were very critical of the Ambrose style of writing and jingoism. I did note this throughout the book and put it down to fandom. Very rarely was my other country or people praised. He liked the Dutch and find the German POW soldiers very efficient and organised.
Saying all of the above I found the book riveting reading and I did enjoy the roundup of how soldiers fared after the war.
I have not seen the HBO miniseries but I look forward to the opportunity.
Most of the reviews were very critical of the Ambrose style of writing and jingoism. I did note this throughout the book and put it down to fandom. Very rarely was my other country or people praised. He liked the Dutch and find the German POW soldiers very efficient and organised.
Saying all of the above I found the book riveting reading and I did enjoy the roundup of how soldiers fared after the war.
I have not seen the HBO miniseries but I look forward to the opportunity.
beingsimba's review against another edition
4.0
Being a fan of the miniseries, I was eager to read the book it was based on. Overall, I'm glad I read it. While many of the stories were familiar from watching the show, the book offered new details or went more in depth. Plus it was interesting reading first-hand quotes from the men of Easy Company.
As someone who has very little familiarity with any military, let alone American military, I wish there had been appendices included with maps or more explanation of ranks, meaning of medals, etc. While the book is still readable without it, I found sometimes my lack of understanding had me skimming more than I would have liked.
Another situation which had me slightly uncomfortable and trying to distinguish why is in the manner Ambrose takes a certain "boys will be boys" attitude towards the men and their behaviour, particularly as the war is wrapping up. Now, I have never experienced war first hand and can never claim to understand the horrors these men lived through. But at times Ambrose indirectly talks as if, because of their heroics, they are above reproach. Again, having never lived through their situation, I don't want to make too many judgements but I was surprised at how it sat with me through the last few chapters.
Overall, a very good account of a company of paratroopers who did extraordinary things.
As someone who has very little familiarity with any military, let alone American military, I wish there had been appendices included with maps or more explanation of ranks, meaning of medals, etc. While the book is still readable without it, I found sometimes my lack of understanding had me skimming more than I would have liked.
Another situation which had me slightly uncomfortable and trying to distinguish why is in the manner Ambrose takes a certain "boys will be boys" attitude towards the men and their behaviour, particularly as the war is wrapping up. Now, I have never experienced war first hand and can never claim to understand the horrors these men lived through. But at times Ambrose indirectly talks as if, because of their heroics, they are above reproach. Again, having never lived through their situation, I don't want to make too many judgements but I was surprised at how it sat with me through the last few chapters.
Overall, a very good account of a company of paratroopers who did extraordinary things.
wittyraven24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
pages_and_papercrafts's review against another edition
A very solid retelling of the hardships and camaraderie gained that the E Company of the 506th Airborne Division, US Army experienced during World War Two. It made me very nostalgic in remembering the one and only time my paternal grandfather talked to me about his experience in the war-he slept on crates of apples in Belgium because they were softer than the dirt. (I do not rate non-fiction or memoirs)
historybooksandtea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75