Amazon.com
As grippingly as any novelist, preeminent World War II historian Stephen Ambrose tells the horrifying, hallucinatory saga of Easy Company, whose 147 members he calls the nonpareil combat paratroopers on earth circa 1941-45. Ambrose takes us along on Easy Company's trip from grueling basic training to Utah Beach on D-day, where a dozen of them turned German cannons into dynamited ruins resembling "half-peeled bananas," on to the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of part of the Dachau concentration camp, and a large party at Hitler's "Eagle's Nest," where they drank the madman's (surprisingly inferior) champagne. Of Ambrose's main sources, three soldiers became rich civilians; at least eight became teachers; one became Albert Speer's jailer; one prosecuted Bobby Kennedy's assassin; another became a mountain recluse; the despised, sadistic C.O. who first trained Easy Company (and to whose strictness many soldiers attributed their survival of the war) wound up a suicidal loner whose own sons skipped his funeral.
The Easy Company survivors describe the hell and confusion of any war: the senseless death of the nicest kid in the company when a souvenir Luger goes off in his pocket; the execution of a G.I. by his C.O. for disobeying an order not to get drunk. Despite the gratuitous horrors it relates, Band of Brothers illustrates what one of Ambrose's sources calls "the secret attractions of war ... the delight in comradeship, the delight in destruction ... war as spectacle." --Tim Appelo
Amazon.com Audibook Review
The men of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne, volunteered for this elite fighting force because they wanted to be the best in the army--and avoid fighting alongside unmotivated, out-of-shape draftees. The price they paid for that desire was long, arduous, and sometimes sadistic training, followed by some of the most horrific battles of World War II. Actor Cotter Smith--a veteran of numerous TV movies and Broadway plays--spins Stephen Ambrose's tale with almost laconic ease. Anecdote by anecdote, he lets the power of the story build. By the time the company has gotten through D-day and seized Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Bavaria, we feel we know as much about the men and their missions as we do about our own brothers. (Running time: 5 hours, 4 cassettes) --Lou Schuler
Book Description
As good a rifle company as any in the world, Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, kept getting the tough assignments -- responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. In Band of Brothers, Ambrose tells of the men in this brave unit who fought, went hungry, froze, and died, a company that took 150 percent casualties and considered the Purple Heart a badge of office. Drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters, Stephen Ambrose recounts the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes.
Download Description
Band of Brothers is the account of the men of the remarkable Easy Company, 506th Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Responsible for everything from parachuting into France early D-Day morning to the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, these men fought, went hungry, froze, and died, taking 150 percent casualties and considering the Purple Heart a badge of office. Stephen Ambrose tells the stories, often in the men's own words, of these American heroes, drawing on hours of interviews with survivors as well as the soldiers' journals and letters.
Customer Reviews:
Band of brothers.......2007-10-08
Stephen E. Ambrose tells the stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, US Army, from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's nest and up to now (for some members of Easy Company). The company was established in the summer of 1942. The men came from different backgrounds, different parts of the United States. By the last evening of 1944, the company became an elite unit of airborne infantry. They parachuted into France early D-Day morning, captured Carentan, fought in Holland, held the perimeter at Bastogne, fought in Rhineland campaigne, and took Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. The company took almost 150 percent casualties.
This is a terrific read for World War II buffs.
BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-10-01
It is an awesome book! It makes me so proud of what every soldier does for our country and so thankful for what they give up for our freedom.
Review of BAND OF BROTHERS.......2007-07-23
The strength of this book is the knowledge and expertise of Stephen Ambrose regarding the history of WWII. Through countless interviews, vistits, letters, books and his travels, Ambrose writes the story of a close knit group of ordinary men who accomplished extraordinary things in the face of fear, cold, starvation and of course, death. By reading this book you will learn what an incredible group of men these guys were and it will make you proud to be an American. For me, this book really reinforced the fact that the freedoms that myself, along with my wife and kids enjoy did not come for free. It was paid for by the sacrifices of brave men like these.
I must say that I thought the effort involving the research in this book certainly deserved five stars. Unfortunatly the actual writing of the book was far less than that, perhaps three stars at most. I found myself having to reread things more than once trying to figure things out. I think this book may have been written for people with military experience, not the average citizen like myself. He uses a lot of abbreviations which were confusing, he never really explained the different companies, platoons, divisions, regiments,etc. so I never quite figured out who was where and why. Also the maps at the front of the book were far from adequate, which has been pointed out in previous reviews.
I still believe this is a definite four star book worth reading. It certainly could have been better if there had been more and better maps and if Ambrose would have taken his time and explained things better. He even admits in the acknowledgements at the end of the book that he had a deadline for when he wanted this book to be completed. I hope this helps you decide whether or not to read this book.
One final note: check the book for blank pages before you buy it especially the pages that come right after the pictures. I had three sections of four pages each that were left blank which resulted in missing about 12 pages of text.
Powerful.......2007-07-21
I have nothing negative to say about this book. It's very easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting their journey to be a history buff as well as those already well read on the subject. I also own the mini series on DVD (probably the best WWII "film" that I have EVER seen) and have found that the two really work well together. I would read a chapter and then watch the corresponding episode. By the end you feel really close to these extraordinary men to sacrificed so much for the betterment of our country and the world. They are the definition of heroes and because they refuse to call themselves heroes makes them even more so. They, and all of our soliders, make me extrememly proud to be an American.
Salute to a great author!.......2007-07-09
Stephen E. Ambrose is probably the best history writer of our time. His documentation of Easy Company men and their extraordinary leader, Major Dick Winters is a fascinating read. Reading through the pages, is as reading ones diary. You believe you've come to know these men and a part of their experience and you become changed with the realization of what they lived through for the cause of freedom in WWII. Thank you, Mr. Ambrose for following your instincts on doing this remarkable story so that Easy and the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne will never be forgotten. Mr. Ambrose and his passion getting history down in books will be truly missed. This book is a must in any personal library collection.
Book Description
Hard cover, large format (9"x12"), 650 pages, approximately 200 pages of text, 50 diagrams, 40 pages of color artwork and more than 700 photos, most of which are previously unpublished and a great many of which deal with the Ferdinand and the Jagdpanther. If you enjoyed Münch's previous work on sPJA 653, you'll love this one. The complete battle diaries of the battalion are provided and complement the text which covers the unit from its formation through its receipt of the Ferdinand and its fighting at Kursk and, later, the Jagdpanther and its employment in the West. More great Ferdinand photos and, if you're tired of seeing the same old photos of the Jagdpanther, this book will be especially enjoyable for you. There are at least 100 photos of the rare beast, of which about 90% are previously unpublished.
Customer Reviews:
Very interesting book for modelers and historians.......2007-06-27
I have not yet finished reading this book,but I have allready spend a lot of hours studying the huge amound of pictures concerning this unit and her vehicles and reading about her history.
Early war pictures with "doorknocker" 37mm AT gun, Ferdinand and Jagdpanther. This book is a musthave for everyone interested in WW2, modelers, and armoured vehicle enthousiasts.
And the stories and pictures of the men who served in it make it extra worth buying.
Combat History of the 654th Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung.......2007-01-11
Another Fedorowicz gem, nicelly put together! Karlheinz Munch does not disappoint. The photos in this massive 650 page book are great, some 700 of them, plus color plates.
You can follow the unit in different operations on day by day acounts, as well as unit history . A good book for historic and armor enthusiats This book is a welcome addition to my Library.
654 Schwere Panzerjager .......2006-11-06
this book is about as detailed as anyone could expect and covers the unit in great depth - well worth getting though the price of it seems to vary a lot from one supplier to the next
WORTH EVERY DIME, OUTSTANDING REFERENCE!.......2006-10-11
Five stars isn't enough for this mammoth book. If you're an enthusiast of German armor, this is a must-have volume. It's huge, filled with fantastic photos, veterans' first-hand reports, combat reports, you name it, it's in here. Worth every nickel!
Combat History of the 654th Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung.......2005-08-31
Great book,the follow up book to 653th Schwere Panzer battalion by the same author,packed with rare and never seen before photos,over 500 pages,700 photos,30 odd pages of brillant colour art work,20 pages of organisation charts,one fanastic book at a bargin price right now.
Average customer rating:
|
A Monstrous Regiment of Women
Laurie R. King
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Sherlock Holmes
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Women Sleuths
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
King, Laurie
| ( K )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
( K )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Sherlock Holmes
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Women Sleuths
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Suspense
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
A Letter of Mary (Mary Russell Novels)
-
The Moor (Mary Russell Novels)
-
O Jerusalem (Mary Russell Novels)
-
The Beekeeper's Apprentice
-
Justice Hall (Mary Russell Novels)
ASIN: 0553574566
Release Date: 1996-12-01 |
Amazon.com
In The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Laurie R. King came up with a completely original story that had Sherlock Holmes as one of its principal characters but was in no way part of the Holmes canon. The focus of that book was a young woman, Mary Russell. Now in
A Monstrous Regiment of Women, Mary Russell's adventures as a student of the famous detective continue. A series of murders claims members of a strange suffrage organization's wealthy young female volunteers, and Mary, with Holmes in the background, investigates, little knowing what danger she personally faces.
Laurie R. King is also the author of the Edgar Award-winning novel A Grave Talent.
Book Description
The dawn of 1921 finds Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes’s brilliant young apprentice, about to come into a considerable inheritance. Nevertheless, she still enjoys her nighttime prowls in disguise through London’s grimy streets, where one night she encounters an old friend, now a charity worker among the poor. Veronica
Beaconsfield introduces Russell to the New Temple of God, led by the enigmatic, electrifying Margery Childe. Part suffragette, part mystic, she lives quite well for a woman of God from supposedly humble origins.
Despite herself, Russell is drawn ever deeper into Childe’s circle. When Veronica has a near-fatal accident–and turns out to be the fourth bluestocking in the group to meet with misadventure after changing her will–Russell and Holmes launch a quiet investigation. But the Temple may bring the newly rich Russell far closer to heaven than she would like.…
Customer Reviews:
MMO Sharp 1.......2007-07-14
I have meticulously read every one of the Sharp series and also some of the TV series. The books could almost be standard reading on the Napoleonic & Indian wars for history buffs.
Well written, details not just of the battles but also gives a good insight into the army of those days in the 1800's. The map layouts are great, you can get a better picture of the terrain.
Lightweight villains prevent "Regiment" from joining upper echelon of series.......2007-05-24
A four-star review for one of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels is a bit unfair. Taken as a whole, the Sharpe series is one of the best fictional series ever. Meticulously researched, well-grounded in the 19th century, and chock full of some of the most thrilling battlefield carnage ever put to paper, the Sharpe novels have earned their honored, dog-eared status in thousands of private libraries.
So why does "Sharpe's Regiment" fail to ascend the heights of the other novels in the series?
Not for its plot, to be sure. This is one of Cornwell's more original efforts. Sharpe's beloved South Essex regiment is dying a slow death in Spain as Wellington's battles take their toll. But where are the recruits to replenish the regiment? Nobody seems to know. Sharpe and his right-hand man, the hulking Irish sergeant Harper, are sent to England to find out.
Sharpe uses his cunning and some old acquaintances to track down the mystery - crimpers. The hated, cowardly Lt. Colonel Henry Simmerson, who lost the South Essex's colors, has set up shop with a craven officer and a high-placed Lord to practice the old military tradition. Instead of raising recruits and sending them where the army needs them, crimpers raise the recruits and auction them off to desperate commanders who are willing to pay through the nose for more bodies.
Sharpe and Harper disguise themselves as lowly recruits to infiltrate the crimping scheme, only to find themselves at the mercy of a murderous tyrant who is only too willing to kill off any troublesome recruit. And along the way, Sharpe gets to experience the lunacy and debauchery of the British court first-hand. Oh, and he reunites with Jane Gibbons, who just may be the love of his life.
So why does "Regiment" merit only four stars? Well, mainly because the villains of the novel are such a weak lot. Nobody in "Regiment" inspires the awe of other Sharpe villains such as Pierre Ducos. For most of the novel, Sharpe and Harper simply run rings around their befuddled tormentors, and our heroes never seem to be in any serious danger. Plus, there is a bit of deus ex machina in the novel's ultimate resolution with the discovery of crucial evidence.
All that being said, this is a Sharpe novel, and that's a high compliment. The action is great, Sharpe and Harper are worthy heroes, and Cornwell takes great delight in tweaking the royal nose. This novel is a must-read for any fan of the series.
A Great Series.......2006-08-15
This is another entry on the Sharpe series. It is fun, entertaining and very readable. Cornwell's research is as excellent as usual. He takes some licenses for the shake of the story and continuity, but this is OK. Some people are outraged by the portrait of some of the real historical characters, but historical characters are rarely depicted accurately in historical fiction, so I think this can be forgiven. Besides, usually a more serious account of these characters is given at the end of the book on the Historical Note.
Many people insist in compare this series with Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander. I don't think this is fair for any of the series, they are different entities. What they have in common is that once you start you may get hooked and devour one book after another...
And in the literary world today that is a rare and marvelous thing.
Cornwell at his best!!.......2005-10-30
One of the things that I enjoy about Cornwell's Sharpe novels is the real picture the reader gets of the life and times of the common soldier. In this book, Sharpe is forced to return to England to find out why his army is not receiving new troops to replace the ones who have been lost to French lead. His quest forces both he and Patrick Harper to go undercover as new recruits in order to expose former Col. Henry Simmerson. The reader gets a real feel of how a soldier was recruited and trained during this time period in England. The book also brings in the Prince of Wales whose addoration of Sharpe earns the regiment the new name of the Prince of Wales Own! I just can't get enough of Richard Sharpe!
Always a great read.......2005-08-02
I have read all of the Sharpe's series up to this point and I am never disappointed. This book is unlike the others in that it does not deal extensively with the battlefield overseas, rather it is primairly set in England. But never mind that, it is full of action and excitement. The amazing thing about this series is that every one is different but still contains the same elements: grapic action scenes, spellbinding adventure and just a bit of personal interest/romance. Get the book, but be advised, you won't be able to put it down till it is finished!
Book Description
In every band of brothers, there is always one who looks out for the rest.
A soldier. A leader. A living testament to the valor of the human spirit. Major Richard D. Winters finally shares his amazing story.
They were the Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Army Airborne, the legendary fighting unit of World War II. And there was one man every soldier in Easy Company looked up to-Major Richard D. Winters.
Here, for the first time, is the compelling story of an ordinary man who became an extraordinary hero-from Winters's childhood in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, through the war years in which his natural skill as a leader elevated him through the ranks in combat, to now, decades later, when he may finally be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on D-Day.
Full of never-before-seen photographs and the insight that family, friends, fellow veterans of Easy Company-and only Winters himself-could provide, Biggest Brother is the inspiring life story of a man who became a living testament to the valor of the human spirit-and America.
Customer Reviews:
A must-read for Band of Brothers "Buffs".......2007-09-05
This is a very well written book about Major Winters' life.
Reading this book has also been a fantastic exercise in having multiple perspectives on historical topics. I'm happy to have read it, because it shows how important it is to get multiple perspectives on any situation if you seek full understanding.
For example, from Band of Brothers, during the "Crossroads" charge in Holland, where Winters faces the young SS soldier (and then shoots him...and others). This book puts Winters heroism in more proper perspective. He did not simply scale the embankment to find a surprised (and unarmed) soldier on the other side. In reality, the two had already exchanged grenade tosses. Winters forgot to remove the tape from his grenade lever. The German was still cowering from a grenade that never exploded, and it gave Winters the advantage. This is quite important to know.
This book demonstrates how Ambrose had to "cut corners" in order to condense the memories of many men into one singular tale. I believe this book should be required reading for anyone in academia that is doing research on the 501st and their activity in Europe. I also suggest you read "Parachute Infantry" by Daniel K. Webster.
Gripping biography of a 20th century warrior.......2007-08-25
After seeing the HBO Band of Brothers series a couple of times, I ran across this book about Major Winters. This is an engaging and well-written account of a true American hero. However, if you have read Ambrose Band of Brothers book (that started the recent surge of interest) or have seen the HBO mini-series, you will find much of the content here matching those accounts. In fact, you will be able to predict what aspect of the story will come next through about 80% of this book as it tracks Easy company from Tacoa to The Eagle's Nest. It tracks Winters throughout his whole life, up to the present.
Easy company is fascinating for many reasons, but historically because they were at the tip of the spear for so much of the European theater of WWII. The stories here are told from Major Winters perspective however, and that tends to personalize them more than I experienced from the HBO mini-series. For example, in this book, Winters writes many of his experiences to a lady named DeEtta. These letters and the long distance relationship, forlorn romance etc. add a very human dimension to the crazy things happening as he was leading Easy company. He is very transparent with DeEtta in the letters.
There are other interesting personal observations Winters makes throughout the book. For example, the arrogance and ineptness of many high-ranking officers is repeatedly described. Winters gives names and accounts in this area. Their aloofness and inability to admit they aren't well suited for war is placed in contrast to Winters, who is practically tailor made for the job he is thrust into by the needs of history and his own capabilities. He also generally holds a low opinion of British soldiers in the field of battle, finding them repeatedly impractical and detached from what is important. One aspect of this book that is also present in the mini-series is Winters approach to leadership. Winters is friendly with his subordinates, but not actually friends. This is a tricky line to walk but it seems natural to him.
Winters conveys an unwritten, and unpopular, theme about war in the book, especially in the area of death. It is this: Don't be foolhardy. Many soldiers will die due to no fault of their own. But, many others will die due to lack of clear-headed thinking or foolhardy/misplaced bravery. Winters is frequently brave, but he is always deliberate and calculating in his actions. That doesn't guarantee survival, but it certainly helps. I've never been to war, and I'm glad of it, but I think there is a life-lesson there for all of us.
Some other interesting observations about Winters I like:
- Underachiever in high school.
- Became very disciplined physically and mentally during college.
- Grew up in a Mennonite community. When the war seemed inevitable, he could wait for the draft to start, or
"beat them to the punch and enlist, and satisfy his one year military obligations to his country. Winters chose the latter... At one point he considered drawing on his Mennonite background...Winters soon realized he was not a conscientious objector and to say so would be a lie." p29
Later chapters of the book cover Winters occupations after the war, becoming older and essentially acting as the historian for Easy company for decades while hardly anyone seemed to care. The book then comes closer to the present and talks about meeting Ambrose, reunions with surviving Easy members, Tom Hanks and others for the HBO mini-series. This is pretty fascinating material not found in the Ambrose book, or the TV mini-series.
The book tells about the strange tensions, sacrifices (both large and small), horrors, and insanity of war through the eyes of a genuine American hero. If it were about anyone else, I would find the combination of integrity, heroics and insight into difficult situations hard to believe. But, the Easy company story and Winters are well documented and have living testimonials to back them up. There have to be some feet-firmly-on-the-ground heros that actually help win giant wars, and Winters is one. If you like Major Winters and want to learn a lot about him, this is your book.
A great read about a great man.......2007-08-08
It's refreshing to read about someone with principles in a leadership position. The book was well written, uses sources that weren't available in the Band of Brothers (112 letters) and paints a picture of what Major Winter's and Easy Company went through. It also talks about after the war and the process of writing and later producing the Band of Brothers. If you liked BofB, you will like this...great book!
Outstanding soldier and leader...yet a humble man.......2007-07-27
What a fantastic biography this is about Richard Winters the leader of the 506th Easy Company. This starts off with the hair-raising account of his encounters over Normandy on June 5th and 6th 1944. This quiet yet focused man from Pennsylvania led a bunch of hardened steeled soldiers thru the thick of the fighting in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany in 1944 and 1945. After the war the book recounts Dick Winter's troubled transition back into civilian life and how he started a family yet kept correspondence with his soldiers after WWII.
The book also pays attention to Major Winters contribution to HBO's "Band Of Brothers" mini-series, the recoginition this outstanding series got, and what Major Winters is doing today (as of 2004).
I salute Major Winters for his leadership, compassion, insight and focus.
Excellent Read!
Curahee!.......2007-07-09
For anyone who follows or is interested in the stories of Easy Company, Company E/506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, this book is a must! It is a treasure. Thanks to Larry Anderson for writing this book on Major Dick Winters and the men of Easy. Anyone reading this will be deeply moved and never forget what the "Band of Brothers" of Easy sacrificed on D-Day up to V-E Day. Get to know the man behind the leader/hero so many were willing to follow without a blink. An timeless story. A must for any book collection!
Book Description
As a war correspondent, Wilbur Fisk was an amateur, yet his letters to the Montpelier Green Mountain Freeman comprise one of the finest collections of Civil War letters in existence. "Literary gems," historian Herman Hattaway calls them. "In fact, they are so good that it would be believable that some expert novelist had created them."
But Fisk was no novelist. He was a rural school teacher from Vermont, primarily self-educated, who enlisted in the Union Army simply because he believed he would regret it later if he didn't.
Unlike professional war correspondents, Private Fisk had no access to rank or headquarters. Instead, he wrote of life as a private--as one of the foot soldiers who slept in the mud and obeyed orders no matter how incomprehensible.
Between December 11, 1861, and July 26, 1865, Fisk wrote nearly 100 letters from the battlefield. At the beginning of the war he was exuberant and eager for contact with the enemy. Two years later, Fisk was disillusioned and war weary. "The rebel dead and ours lay thickly together, their thirst for blood forever quenched. Their bodies were swollen, black, and hideously unnatural. They eyes glared from their sockets, their tongues protruded from their mouths, and in almost every case, clots of blood and mangled flesh showed how they had died, and rendered a sight ghastly beyond description. I thought I had become hardened to almost anything, but I cannot say I ever wish to see another sight like that I saw on the battle-field of Gettysburg."
Fisk wrote as eloquently on the moral and political issues behind the war as he did on the everyday hardships of life in the Army of the Potomac. He saw the war as a question of right and wrong and he continued to believe that it had to be fought, even after he was well acquainted with its horror and pointlessness.
This book is part of the Modern War Studies series.
Book Description
The story of the 2nd Battalion of Oregons 162nd Infantry Regiment (2/162) in Iraq, this book gives readers an intimate look at the reality of National Guardsmen at war. Follow the 2/162 from their call-up in summer 2003 to their return home in spring 2005. The Devils Sandbox immerses readers in some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq war and in some of the most rewarding and forward-looking civil affairs projects aimed at rebuilding this broken nation. It offers rare insight into what this war means for the citizen-soldier at home and abroad.
Customer Reviews:
An amazing insight into the role of National Guardsmen at war.......2007-09-02
I have read several dozen books on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While I have enjoyed all of these books immensely, they all concentrated on conventional military units or special operations forces. They almost never mentioned anything about the role of National Guard units in these conflicts. For this reason, I was shocked to find out that many of our National Guardsmen are the proverbial "tip of the spear". Due to the fact that these men and women are not full-time soldiers, and hold normal, everyday jobs/careers, I always assumed that they would be located in rear-echelon positions. Perhaps serving in support roles. The reality of their participation couldn't be farther from what I had imagined. Like the squad of Navy SEALs who come across the Oregon National Guardsmen during a major engagement in Iraq, I was very impressed by their fighting skills. These men are going in harm's way as much as the traditional military units like the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne, the 4th ID, and the Marines Expeditionary Units. It is hard to imagine being a working class joe one day, and the next day serving in scouting/direct action positions in Najaf or Fallujah. Thank you to John Bruning for bringing to light the brave, patriotic souls of the U.S. National Guard units. They should be receiving so much more publicity from the American media. It is a travesty that their sacrifice in service is not being acknowledged as much as their full-time military brethren. I am going to recommend this book to all my friends and family. Mr. Bruning is a great author and I can't wait to read his next book.
Great Book, Highly Recommend.......2007-05-14
Must read if you are trying to understand what National Guard Soldiers and other service members endure on deployment to Iraq.
Been There, Done That.......2007-02-12
I was with this unit in OIF-II in the capacity of a Medic. If you want to get a good feel for what Oregon's 2/162 did in Iraq, this is the book to read. I've read a number of military history books and sincerely feel that this is one of the better books I've read. Bruning looks at the overall strategic picture and details the reader from a tactical perspective, as well. Having known the troops in the book, as well as the others, I am extremely grateful to see our efforts noted and appreciated. Thanks John... very well done!
Superb!.......2007-02-12
Having served in three branches of the military, including the Oregon Army National Guard, I am well acquainted with the personalities that John Bruning so deftly brings to the pages of his book. There are some typographical errors that I'm more than willing to overlook simply because this book is a great effort to educate the general public about the realities of being citizen soldiers. Putting civilian lives on hold to travel thousands of miles from home, to be thrown into the jaws of hell, is something that can only be fully understood by being there. Mr. Bruning has done a wonderful job of getting the rest of us just a little bit closer.
Devil's Sandbox.......2007-01-19
This book is about my sons Battalion. After I read it and was drwn into the very moment that was taking place I had my son read it and we discussed it. He said there were a couple of incorrect statements but for the most part it was right on.
It is indepth, correct, compelling and heart renching.
Book Description
Hard cover, small format (6" x 9"), 400 pages, more than 100 photos, including 50+ previously unpublished photos taken by a member of SS-Panzerjger-Abteilung 54 of the 4. SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade "Nederland" and score of maps.
This book is typical Tieke: terse, to-the point, factual and exciting reading! It presents all of the original material from Tragödie um die Treue as well as selected excerpts from Korps Steiner and original material added just for the English edition. It concentrates on the fighting in the Baltic but covers the fighting all the way until the end of the war including an extensive section on the final fighting in Berlin.
This book represents the only thorough account in English of some of the formations in the corps: e.g., the 11.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadier-Division "Nordland" and the aforementioned 4. SS-Panzergrenadier-Brigade "Nederland".
Customer Reviews:
Cliff in the red titelwave.......2007-10-10
I found this book, a superbly written account of the germanic ss panzer korps. For people interrested in the european volunteers serving in the waffen ss, than this book must belong in your library. however, I found it something of a hard read, becaause it's very detailed, so you constantly need to fight your way through a lot of unit designations!
For me however, this book is another major piece of a puzzle concerning the european volunteers of the waffen ss serving in the soviet union! This book will folow the trail of the 11th ss Nordland, and the 24th ss Nederland! Not much is really written about these divisions, so if you are interested than this book is a must have! I must add from a purely militairy point of vieuw, i was facinated by the 3ss panzer korps militairy accomplishments!!!!!!!!!!!1 the immense personal bravery and courage, and their willingness to sacrifice for what they believed in! especialy the korps defence of Narva, while being grossly outnumbered by the red army, the korps fought with determination and dealt out death and destruction out of proportion to their numbers!!!!!!!!!!! and continuesly managed to withdraw in good order! the book also contains story's of personal tragedy's, and the truest sense of kameradeships! once you start reading you will not want to put it down! excellent work Tieke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monotonous and Odd.......2007-09-01
I grabbed this book a year ago expecting the best, however i was in for a rude awakening. The book is monotonous and its structure is terrible, it fails to appeal to the reader or communicate to the reader in anyway and besides that it gives a stereotypical description of the Red Army as a faceless horde.It also tends to endorse the SS and its actions calling it Europes first Army of defense against the Reds before NATO, another inadequate book on the East. True the book can be descriptive and informative but its largely biased and unnapealling. Awaste of time and Money!
An excellent history of the III SS-Panzer Korps.......2006-09-17
This book was an interesting read about the III SS-Panzer-Korps (Germanisches).
The book is rather terse and rather detailed which might bore those the like light reading about personal experiences. This book is for the die-hard historical types.
The book covers the formation of the III (which was made up of Norwegians, Swedes and Dutch who were recruited to fight the Bolsheviks) it actions till the end of the war.
Chapters: Formation, Transfer to Croatia, The 18th Armee, The Storm Breaks Loose, Withdraw of the III, Fighting in Estonia, Between HungerBurg and Narwa, The Soviet Landing Operation at Merkula, The Southern Front of Narwa, The Narwa Bridgehead, The evacuation of Narwa, The Tannenberg Position, Fire Brigade in the Northern Sector, Withdrawal from Estonia, 'The Baldone, Doblen and Autz Areas of Operation', Preekulan - Skuodas, Sea transport to Pomerania, The III in Pomerania, The Altdamm Bridgehead, Reorganization West of the Oder, Operation Berlin, The Storm Breaks, The Battle for Berlin, The Russian Assault on the Center of Berlin, The Final Phase of the Battle for Berlin, Breakout or Captivity, The Remnants of the 9. Armee Break out of the Halbe Pocket, The end of Heergruppe Weichsel in Norther Germany.
The are also Appendices that offer more detail to formations, info on the Finnish Volunteers, assorted recommendations for medals, and an explanation about punishment.
There are many maps and photos some of which are said to have never been published.
Overall this book was a fun read and is guided in principle about detailing what happened. There is next to nothing about politics or judgment. The closest thing to it is at the end of the book where Tieke mentions the Soviet records showing that Stalin had planned to invade Germany and possibly the Rest of the Europe. Tieke asked an interesting question if Germany had saved Europe from the Soviets with Barbarossa.
Again this is a must have book for the serious scholar of the Eastern Front.
Excellent History of the III SS Panzer Korps.......2005-02-08
Like most of Wilhelm Tieke's books, excellently written blending tremendous historic details along with many engrossing personal accounts. Of the 60 JJ Fedorowicz titles that are in my collection, this book is my favorite. Recommended without hesitation for anyone interested in the Waffen SS or War on the Eastern Front. Also note, this book was selected as one the Top Ten Military Books for the year 2001 as determined from the Stone&Stone.com Military Book Survey.
Triump of the Will!.......2004-09-24
This book recounts in full details the idealism and ultimate sacrifice of the Germans, ethnic Germans and European volunteers in the Korps which fought to stem the Red Bolshevic hordes from the cradle of civilization.
Average customer rating:
- A true American Hero
- Man of character, man of faith whose story should be proclaimed!
- Well rounded biography
- Excellent Title of an Excellent Leader
- Well Researched Look at a Major Civil War Figure
|
In the Hands of Providence: Joshua L. Chamberlain and the American Civil War
Alice Rains Trulock
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Military & Spies
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
United States Civil War
| Military
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Civil War
| United States
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Grant, Ulysses S.
| ( G )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| 19th Century
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Appomattox
| Campaigns
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Gettysburg
| Campaigns
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Maine
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
18th Century
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Military Science
| History
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0807820202 |
Book Description
This remarkable biography traces the life and times of Joshua L. Chamberlain, the professor-turned-soldier who led the Twentieth Maine Regiment to glory at Gettysburg, earned a battlefield promotion to brigadier general from Ulysses S. Grant at Petersburg, and was wounded six times during the course of the Civil War. Chosen to accept the formal Confederate surrender at Appomattox, Chamberlain endeared himself to succeeding generations with his unforgettable salutation of Robert E. Lee's vanquished army. After the war, he went on to serve four terms as governor of his home state of Maine and later became president of Bowdoin College. He wrote prolifically about the war, including The Passing of the Armies, a classic account of the final campaign of the Army of the Potomac.
Customer Reviews:
A true American Hero.......2006-03-29
In the Hands of Providence is a very well researched look of the life of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Alice Turlock presents a definitive biography of this modest professor from Bowden College, who met challenge after challenge to become one of the greatest leaders in Civil War history. Chamberlain had extraordinary observational and superb writing skills. His persistence at recording the historic events, which included his emotional reactions, gave Trulock's wonderful historic accounts for her book.
The book starts by giving us an in depth look at his obscure Christian upbringing in rural Maine, and follows his processes of becoming a great young man. He was an exceptional college student, receiving the praise of his instructors. He was also highly regarded by his neighbors and towns' folk alike. Many considered him to have the highest moral and ethical standard. He was so trusted and respected as a young man in his home town that an older business man of Maine, who was an acquaintance of Chamberlain's, entrusted him with the dealings of his estate.
While finishing his studies at Bowden, Chamberlain married his sweetheart Frances Caroline Adams. They had a very close and loving relationship. But during the war, the constant distance between them put a great deal of strain on their relationship. After graduation, he accepted a position as a professor at Bowden, and held that position for several years. Chamberlain maintained a very close relationship with his family, and he was especially close to his father in law George Adams.
When the war broke out in 1861, Chamberlain ask for a leave of absence from Bowden to enlist, but was turned down. Not to be left out of the war, he again applied for a sabbatical to study in Europe, and this time it was granted. He had no intentions on going to Europe, and instead immediately enlisted in the army as a lieutenant colonel, and never looked back. He played a huge role in the recruitment of the men for a regiment, which would later come to be known as the 20th Maine.
With no military experience, Chamberlain showed great promise in his leadership shills and military expertise. He became friends with his unit's commander, Colonial Ames, who became his tutor. According to Trulock, Chamberlain held a great deal of respect and admiration for Ames, and he gave Ames credit for his military success.
Trulock's description of Chamberlain's military life is extraordinary, and she supplies us with great details about the battles in which he was involved. At the battle of Antietam, Chamberlain was not directly involved in the fighting but was brought up in reserve the next day. Trulock gives a very vivid description of horror that Chamberlain witnessed upon arriving at the battlefield that day where 22,000 lay dead or wounded on the field. It was the bloodiest, one day battle in the Civil War.
Next, she transports us to the Fredericksburg, and the final assault by the North on Marye's Heights - the charge that involved the 20th of Maine. All the other divisions that day were either driven back, laid dead or wounded on the field. She describes tremendous courage that Chamberlain and his men showed as they made their charge on the now famous wall at Marye's Heights, the wall that was heavily guarded by Confederates. The division suffered great loses that late afternoon. They remained among the dead or wounded for 2 days and nights before the order was given to retreat.
The episode in history that Chamberlain is most remember for is the courage and heroism he displayed at the battle of Gettysburg. He was ordered to the top of a hill known as The Little Round Top where he was placed at the far left flank. There, Chamberlain was instructed to hold that position at all cost. The 20th Maine repelled assault after assault by the Confederates that day. When ammunition ran out, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge, an event that many historians say was the turning point of the Civil War.
Trulock also gives a very detailed account of the battle of Petersburg, where Chamberlain was horribly wounded. After hearing of his heroic actions during the battle, General Grant immediately promoted Chamberlain on the battlefield to Brigadier General. This was the only battlefield promotion ever issued by Grant. Somehow, Chamberlain survived his wound, due to the skilled surgery that was preformed on him that night and next day. Chamberlain's two close friends, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Townsend worked for hours repairing the damage inflicted by the mini ball. The wound he received that day would trouble him all of his life and required numerous surgery's to repair the damage.
His persistent heroism and outstanding leadership were the deciding factor when Grant chose Chamberlain to receive the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. He showed great respect for his fellow countrymen that day when he gave the order to his men to give a solders salute to the surrendering confederate men. His honorary actions that day were later critized by many people.
This book contains a lot of historic photos of Chamberlain's family, friends, fellow soldiers and numerous battle maps. The book also gives a great account of Chamberlain's life as Governor of Maine and President of Bowden College, but these accounts do not compare to the bravery and patriotic devotion that Chamberlain displayed during the Civil War. His actions made him a hero to his men, and the country he served.
Trulock has given us a great biography, not only one of the Civil War's greatest commanders, but one of the United States most distinguished citizens. The book flows very smoothly while covering details of battles that would interest even the most die hard Civil War enthusiast.
Finally, a book that does justice to an astonishing person. I highly recommend this book.
Man of character, man of faith whose story should be proclaimed!.......2006-01-25
Chamerlain's heroism is similar to Teddy Roosevelt, Alvin York, and Audie Murphy who came behind him, but have been better publicized.
The difference is that his act of confidence, courage and decisiveness may have been the one that changed the outcome of the Civil War, the 1864 election and the future of America.
In The Hands of Providence is the story of Chamberlain's exemplary character before, during and after that momentum changing moment. All Americans should read and learn this story.
- Richard V. Battle - Author of The Four Letter Word That Builds Character
Well rounded biography.......2005-05-10
I found Alice Trulock's biography on Joshua L. Chamberlain to be quite readable, well researched and well grounded. Considering the length of the book, Trulock's book read quite well for most readers of any level. Well, it may not be good as the one written by John Pullen but it definitely is superior to the one written by Edward Longacre. I put that in just for comparison purpose.
I think this biography may served as a good introduction to Chamberlain who's name have definitely reached near mythological level nowadays among Civil War readers thanks to Jeff Daniels and his role in that movie "Gettysburg". Of course, most readers would probably be disappointed that Jeff Daniel's portaryal of Chamberlain will not jive with Joshua Chamberlain of Trulock's book.
The biography covers all aspects of Chamberlain's life. The book does a good job covering Chamberlain's military career which proves to be the most important period of his life from which Chamberlain's life will be centered around until his death. I do wish to make a point here. He died at the age of 86, a very ripe old age and I doubt if his wounds he got from Petersburg really hasten his death, it may have cause him a lot of pain but even in modern days, most people don't live that long!
Overall, an very good biography on one of Union's more natural soldiers. A non-professional who performed better then most professional soldiers.
Excellent Title of an Excellent Leader.......2005-03-13
The Duke of Wellington supposedly stated that it is impossible for a Christian to serve in the military. Too bad he wasn't around during the American Civil War! Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson from the South and Joshua Chamberlain and Otis Howard from the North are notable exceptions to Wellington's thesis.
Trulock has written what is the best account of the hero of Little Round Top and who personally oversaw the surrender of Confederate troops at Appamattox.
Among the important events in Chamberlain's life covered include:
1. Birth and Christian upbringing in rural Maine.
2. His days as a student and adminstrator at Bowdoin College.
3. His early Civil War service including the formation of the famous 20th Maine Regiment.
4. Fascinating accounts of his involvement in major Civil War battles: Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Petersburg, and other engagements.
5. The horrible wound suffered at Petersburg that eventually killed him some 50 years later.
6. His loving yet strained marriage to Frances Caroline Adams.
7. Postwar public service as President of Bowdoin College and Governor of Maine.
Reading the book was a joy - the narrative flowed smoothly while covering several details of a fascinating character. The author managed to keep the story from becoming too bogged down in dry detail without insulting the reader's intelligence. Oh, how I wish more biographies were written like this!
The book also contains excellent battle maps and numerous photographs of the main characters: Chamberlain, his wife, parents, sister and brothers, many Civil War officers, and other important people in Joshua Chamberlain's life.
All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read. Read and enjoy!
Well Researched Look at a Major Civil War Figure.......2004-10-02
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was the epitome of the American citizen-soldier. Since the birth of the republic, American soldiers have left home and hearth to serve the nation and many of them have come home physically shattered and haunted by what they have seen while still others have not come home at all. Thrown into the breech, some of the citizen solders found they did not have the fortitude for what was asked of them while many others have excelled, performing better than graduates of West Point or Annapolis, America's most prestigious military academies. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was a citizen soldier who became a great hero of the Civil War, a man who met challenge after challenge and became a great leader of men and afterward, the course of his life was forever altered. An academically inclined young man, Chamberlain left Bowdin College and his studies and teaching in theology to accept a lieutenant colonel's commission in the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The modest young professor took part in most of the important battles of the North's Army of the Potomac. He was a participant in the Battle of Antietam, still the bloodiest single day in American history. Today, we can walk the battlefield off Sharpsburg Pike, in rural Maryland and see "Burnside's Bridge and the cornfields where so many men fell and get some small measure of what men like Chamberlain went through. We can also visit the battlefield at Fredericksburg and see the heights that he and his 20th Maine and the Union Army tried to take in bloody frontal assaults into the teeth of Confederate guns and under the pounding of their artillery on the hills. Today Chamberlain's comrades - as well as the fallen Confederate troops - are buried on the commanding heights they failed to take, one of the Civil War's bitter ironies. Colonel Chamberlain then immortalized himself at Gettysburg's Little Round Top where he anchored the Union left, repelling assault after assault and winning the day by leading a charge down the slope that broke the Rebel troops. He was given a general's star by General Grant at Petersburg and was honored to receive the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. His heroism and leadership qualities helped him win the Governorship of Maine no less than four times, after which he retired to the Presidency of Bowdin College, his alma mater. Alice Trulock who wrote this book, was not a professional writer and after her retirement from civic affairs, this book took her ten years of careful research, writing and rewriting to complete. She based her work on a great deal of new research and handles the account of infantry combat beautifully. Unfortunately, Trulock died before the book was released and so she wasn't able to accept the accolades that were due to her for such a well-written and moving biography of an emblematic Civil War figure.
Book Description
The gripping story of a well-known battle told from the perspective of the "other" side--the Confederates who just barely lost the fight for Little Round Top at the battle of Gettysburg.
The fight for Little Round Top on July 2, 1863, is forever etched in the annals of America's Civil War. The heroic defense of the high ground by Joshua Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine is one of the most famous incidents in American history, made more famous by its powerful depiction in the film Gettysburg. There are numerous written accounts of the Union defenders on Little Round Top but considerably less has been written--up to now--about the Confederate attackers who charged up the hill and faced an even more desperate challenge than those who defended it.
Unique and colorful, this new study brings to life the men and officers of the 15th Alabama who gathered that day to assault the Union flank. The lively narration of this dramatic engagement is both detailed and authoritative. Veteran Civil War author Phillip Tucker colorfully evokes the men and the times--from a description of the Alabamans' Chattahoochee River valley home to sketches of the lives and personalities of William C. Oates and other key members of the regiment.
Customer Reviews:
About as bad as a Civil War book can get.......2004-01-16
That a book purporting to be a detailed, comprehensive tactical study offers only one map pretty well reflects the carelessness, and lack of respect for the reader, with which this book apparently was produced. I've written thirteen books on the Civil War and Indian Wars myself, and I understand the importance of good maps. The prose also is sloppy, and the author repeats the same absurd premise - that a few more men in the ranks of one regiment might have changed the course of Gettysburg, and thus of the Civil War - so many times that one feels tempted to toss the book across the room. An absolute disgrace to the field of military history.
wasted words and no maps.......2003-02-21
The author, who did a good job with Burnside's Bridge, repeats himself over and over ad naseoum and fails to include maps or drawings to illustrate what he is describing. His main premise is, that had the 15 th Alabama been fully complemented with men and had it been supported by another regiment, Gettysburg would have been a Confederate victory. That is prepostorous, considering the number of reinforcements the Union had. Oates and his men deserve a lot of credit for their valor but so do the Union troops who put up one hell of a battle from prepared defensive positions. The author is capable of writing a much better product and must have been in a hurry to churn another book out.
Waste of money.......2003-02-05
I totally agree with [a negative reviewer]. I was very disappionted after waiting so long for the release. The authur constantly repeated things, trying to make the book longer. Plus Tucker seems to have a grudge against Joshua Chamberlain. In the last chapter he makes it sound like Chamberlain had nothing to do with the battle and lied about his contribution afterwards. He provdes no maps to prove his "research". He also states the 15th Alabama retired up Big Round Top after the battle. But wasn't Big Round Top in Union hands after the 2nd day? There's many things I didn't like about this book.
Expecting Much More.......2002-09-26
I had originally placed this order almost a year ago with much anticipation. After the publishing was delayed for months I had forgotten I even had it on back order. Well, I finally got my copy and I must say that it is a big disappointment.
To begin with, there are exactly two illustrations: one map and one seriously degraded photo of Col Oates. Unless you have the memory of an elephant it is very hard to get detail on timelines and troop movements/placements on text alone. This, to me, was perhaps the biggest disappointment.
Another area of concern is the, at times, seemingly lack of real research. One example of this is the claim made by the author that the hill, thus the entire battle, could have been won if the 15th ALA had had support, etc. He failed to explain where these units were supposed to come from, neglected to mention that by the time the 15th ALA had run out of steam there wasn't enough daylight left to mount another assault, any supports would have to come from over a mile away under fire, and he doesn't offer any gameplan as to how the Confederates were supposed to hold the hill once it was taken (given the fact that there were 1000s of Union troops within double quick distance). I don't mean to nitpick on one aspect but the entire book is written this way.
I was looking for a book that was going to finally explain the Confederate point of view in detail, with battle maps to accompany the text. But this reads more like a guy who is trying to defend his family's honor after someone hurled a staining insult at them. I agree that the Conf side of this legendary struggle has not been represented in enough detail and scope. I still feel that way.
Bottom line-the premise is a great idea; don't waste your money.
Books:
- Boiling Heat Transfer And Two-Phase Flow (Series in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering)
- Border Film Project: Photos by Migrants & Minutemen on the U.S.-Mexico Border
- Catspaw (Cat)
- Dead City
- Death of a Guru
- Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software (Addison-Wesley Professional Computing Series)
- Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth
- Dragon's Egg (Del Rey Impact)
- Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future
- Every Man's Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time (The Every Man Series)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Childhood's End
- The Headhunter's Edge
- Suttree
- Overcoming Overeating
- Magnetic Information Storage Technology
- Statistics: A First Course
- Surviving Mexico's Dirty War: A Political Prisoner's Memoir
- Patriotic Taste: Collecting Modern Art in Pre-Revolutionary Paris
- Sisqo: The Man Behind the Thong
- Marketing Internacional - 4 Edicion
Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters
Band of Brothers
D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
Biggest Brother : The Life of Major Dick Winters, The Man Who Led the Band of Brothers
Citizen Soldiers: The U. S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany
