Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Book Description

They were called Easy Company-but their mission was never easy. Immortalized as the Band of Brothers, they suffered 150% casualties while liberating Europe-an unparalleled record of bravery under fire. Dick Winters was their commander-"the best combat leader in World War II" to his men. This is his story-told in his own words for the first time.

On D-Day, Dick Winters parachuted into France and assumed leadership of the Band of Brothers when their commander was killed. He led them through the Battle of the Bulge and into Germany, by which time each member had been wounded. They liberated an S.S. death camp from the horrors of the Holocaust and captured Berchtesgaden, Hitler's alpine retreat. After briefly serving during the Korean War, Winters was a highly successful businessman. Made famous by Stephen Ambrose's book Band of Brothers--and the subsequent award-winning HBO miniseries--he is the object of worldwide adulation.

Beyond Band of Brothers is Winters's memoir-based on his wartime diary-but it also includes his comrades' untold stories. Virtually all this material is being released for the first time. Only Winters was present from the activation of Easy Company until the war's end. Winner of the Distinguished Service Cross, only he could pen this moving tribute to the human spirit.

Download Description

The first-ever war memoirs of the commander of the ""Band of Brothers"" They were called Easy Company-but their mission was never easy. Immortalized as the Band of Brothers, they suffered 150% casualties while liberating Europe-an unparalleled record of bravery under fire. Dick Winters was their commander-""the best combat leader in World War II"" to his men. This is his story-told in his own words for the first time. On D-Day, Dick Winters parachuted into France and assumed leadership of the Band of Brothers when their commander was killed. He led them through the Battle of the Bulge and into Germany, by which time each member had been wounded. They liberated an S.S. death camp from the horrors of the Holocaust and captured Berchtesgaden, Hitler's alpine retreat. After briefly serving during the Korean War, Winters was a highly successful businessman. Made famous by Stephen Ambrose's book Band of Brothers-and the subsequent award-winning HBO miniseries-he is the object of worldwide adulation. Beyond Band of Brothers is Winters's memoir-based on his wartime diary-but it also includes his comrades' untold stories. Virtually all this material is being released for the first time. Only Winters was present from the activation of Easy Company until the war's end. Winner of the Distinguished Service Cross, only he could pen this moving tribute to the human spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Must Read for History Buffs.......2007-10-01

Like most people I heard of Easy Company once the miniseries Band of Brothers came out. Major Winters' book is well written and is a fast read. It gives you a lot of information about things that happened in the miniseries that aren't covered in much detail. Additionally, the undertone of the book is about leadership. Who better to learn from than Dick Winters? I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it for anyone who liked the miniseries, read Band of Brothers, or in general enjoys memoirs.

A rehash of BoB book/miniseries.......2007-09-19

90% of this book is just a rehash of the book and miniseries "Band of Brothers", story for story.
The other 10% consists of a number of details from Dick Winters perspective...such as how he joined the Army and became an officer. There are a number of small additions to the stories from his perspective, mostly of "behind the scenes" type additions as to what happened and why. At the end, there is a monologue on leadership. Quite frankly, get this book from your library if you want to read it. I cannot understand why so many people give this such a high rating. If you haven't seen or read "BoB", this book may be unique. For a longtime fan, its disappointing.

A leader of the common man, in his own words.......2007-08-29

You may recall the book by Stephen Ambrose, Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, a unit history of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment from its inception in July 1942 to occupation duty in Austria after the Nazi surrender. Much of the story focused on Richard "Dick" Winters, who rose from Easy Company's 2nd Platoon leader to 2nd Battalion commander over the course of the war. Winter's character was played by Damian Lewis in the TV miniseries Band of Brothers produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg for HBO, arguably the best small screen miniseries ever created.

BEYOND BAND OF BROTHERS (BBB) is the war memoirs of Dick Winters, written with a certain Colonel Cole Kingseed, the nature of whose contribution to the whole goes unexplained in the narrative. But, no matter, really.

BBB essentially follows, and ostensibly embellishes with insider knowledge, the history of Easy Company as outlined in the original book: training at Toccoa, GA and in southern England, the D-Day parachute drop into France, the slog through Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, the discovery of the Buchloe concentration camp, the capture of Berchtesgaden, and the post-surrender occupation duty in Kaprun, Austria.

Even with Kingseed's help, Winters is no Stephen Ambrose. His narrative, aided by a reasonably illustrative photographic section, is business-like and competent but not inspired. A glaring omission is the lack of battlefield maps, which would have been especially helpful for the D-Day, Holland, and Bastogne campaigns. And Winter's makes repeated reference to a mysterious "friend" back in the States, DeEtta Almon, with whom he carries on a sporadic and sometimes awkward correspondence. Is this the "Ethel" he married after returning home? Did I miss something?

BBB is obviously the author's farewell tribute to his comrades-in-arms. As such, he can be forgiven the last couple of chapters which drip with nostalgia. If not now, when? And Winters and his men certainly deserve the written memory.

I served in the Navy for nearly eleven years. I can recall only one superior whom I would've followed to hell and back. (Mike P. at Florida's Blood Center, are you taking note?) Such a leader is rare in military and civilian life. Dick Winters comes across as such. Because of that, I'm awarding BEYOND BAND OF BROTHERS 4 stars and a salute to its author. Honor is due.

"Beyond Band of Brothers" -AudioFile Review mistake.......2007-08-24

AudioFile got it wrong. Damian Lewis played Winters (very well I might add)in the HBO mini series and Tom Hanks co-produced it w/Spielberg. AudioFile must not have watched the HBO show or they wouldn't have got that one wrong in their review. Small potatoes, but geez, who's their fact checker and editor? Further confirms the limited use of a reviews especially by a "critic".
I highly recommend reading Ambroses book then watching the series. I am looking foreword to reading Dick Winters book as soon as I get it in the mail. Cheers. KJM

Band of Brothers Redux.......2007-08-24

An interesting war memoir, but not much new here if you've seen the Band of Brothers series and read the book of the same title.

Winters gives a by the numbers recitation of the who/what/when/where/how of his military service, but not a whole lot about the inner person. I also thought he somewhat tarnished the idea of him I had from the HBO series by making it clear that he did what he did as much out of a competitive spirit of "being the best" than any feeling of service towards his nation. He continually comes off as justifyable connected to and proud of being one of the original men serving in the unit, but also slightly cliquish and even snobbish about "Toccoa men" vs replacements and other soldiers merely doing their duty, many of whom were treated poorly by the former. The way he seemed proud that Toccoa men sat seperately at a table during unit reunions was not something that impressed me. And the replacements who died or were maimed for their country were no less heroic.

Winters was an impressive fighting machine. But a little more machine than man, which is probably what makes it possible to do such a good job of it. He seemed slightly disdainful of those who had more human failings and desires in life (such as having a good time, which he apparently had no interest in whatsoever). The miniseries and band of brothers book made him seem much more warm and human than this book.

Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest

Average customer rating:

Band of brothers
BAND OF BROTHERS
Review of BAND OF BROTHERS
Powerful
Salute to a great author!

Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest
Stephen E. Ambrose
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

ASIN: 074322454X

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.

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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.

Average customer rating:

Nothing New
Greatest guitar player,good book!
Great Book On A Great Artist
Powerfully Written
Where the music comes from

Skydog - The Duane Allman Story
Randy Poe , and Duane Allman
Manufacturer: Backbeat Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0879308915

Book Description

The definitive biography of one of the most revered guitarists of his generation. Duane Allman brought white-hot intensity to his life, onstage, in the studio, and beyond. Skydog reveals the complete story of Duane Allman, from his early struggles and his session days, to the formation of the Allman Brothers Band and his tragic early death at age 24. Skydog also includes a comprehensive discography, a meticulously researched roundup of his studio and stage instruments, and a look at the continuing lives and careers of Allman's friends and bandmates.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing New.......2007-05-27

I'd already read Freeman's "Midnight Riders" and there is nothing new here.
Add a star if your a Guitar Gearhead - the history of Duane's axes is well done.

Greatest guitar player,good book!.......2007-05-13

I enjoyed the history of Duane and the Brothers and how he impacted the music and musicians he came in contact with.It was well written and showed both the genius of Duane and also some of his human flaws which all of us can relate to,all this at a very young age!The only real problem I have with the book(and it is more a question why or why not)is the lack of peers such as Clapton,Winter,Vaughn,King etc, paying homage or at least being asked by the author to give Duane a pat on the back to Skydog, in my opinion the Greatest!!!

Great Book On A Great Artist.......2007-05-12

This book is very enjoyable to read and gives a lot of information about Duane Allman. One thing that satands out as you read this book is that Duane was a visionary musician and the true leader of the Allman Brothers Band. The band has struggled to survive ever since his death on October 29, 1971. If Duane had not died and was still with us today, I believe there would have been more concentration on making great music, and less energy spent on fighting each other in the band and abusing drugs. Though Duane indulged in drugs himself, I'm sure he would have put that into perspective before too long, and he definately would not have allowed his band to be torn apart by in-fighting among the band members. The book shows how he really was the inspiration and glue that held them together. It's no wonder the others had to struggle so much after his demise.

Powerfully Written.......2007-04-12

I was reading this on the bus the other day and found myself getting a little choked up during the part covering Duane's and Berry's deaths. Powerful writing; thanks Randy. Skydog lives.

Where the music comes from.......2007-03-30

Based on some of the other reviews here, I expected to enjoy "Skydog" more than I did.

For those who can't remember where they were when they learned that Duane Allman had died, for those who didn't read the bio that accompanied the release of the first Anthology album, and for others who are new to the stories, Randy Poe's book is both informative and insightful. I was happy to find that I still wanted to listen to "Live at the Filmore," after reading it. (Freeman's book on the ABB a decade ago made it hard to listen to the band's work for a while.)

The sections of Poe's book on Allman's brief tenure in Alabama was the best part of the book.

But the book I want to read about Duane Allman and the Allman Brothers Band has yet to be written. I want to know where the music came from. Not the psychological sources, in the hard times that each band member suffered (which can be said to have been covered at this point), but in the recordings and live musicians they listened to, the experiments they tried.

One door that Poe opened, but didn't go through deeply enough, is the possibility (rather, the strong likelihood), that drugs altered the way that Allman heard what he was playing, and that he may have processed changes in style and technique to amplify tune he was hearing -- and what he wanted to hear.

That said, I would like to know a lot more about all of the sources that Allman brought to the sound and the individual compositions (and I'd like the same for Dickey's tunes, too). I want to know how solos changed over time, and what each musician was "quoting." I don't need to hear once more about the band's late night "sessions" at Rose Hill. I want to know what songs they played for each other at Rose Hill.

The stories about the Allman Brothers Band are interesting, sad, even tragic at times. But they aren't what makes the band worth writing about. What matters is the music.

Biggest Brother : The Life of Major Dick Winters, The Man Who Led the Band of Brothers

Average customer rating:

A must-read for Band of Brothers "Buffs"
Gripping biography of a 20th century warrior
A great read about a great man
Outstanding soldier and leader...yet a humble man
Curahee!

Biggest Brother : The Life of Major Dick Winters, The Man Who Led the Band of Brothers
Larry Alexander
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters
Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest
Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper's Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich
The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon
Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy

ASIN: B000EPFVFA

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!

Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band

Average customer rating:

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
a good book about a great band
Hey Little, Brown, and Co.: How About an Updated Edition?
Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band
Midnight Riders

Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band
Scott Freeman
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316294527

Book Description

MIDNIGHT RIDERS is the definitive book about one of America's definitive rock bands.The Allman Brothers Band rose out of Macon, Ga., to become the most critically-acclaimed and popular group of its era even as tragedy haunted them.Based on extensive interviews with band members and their intimates, MIDNIGHT RIDERS tells one of the most riveting stories in all of rock 'n' roll. It is a story with all the elements of great drama: love and death and courage and betrayal and survival. And most of all, music so capitivating that it could feel as if it was caressing your very soul.

Customer Reviews:

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.......2007-09-30

Sad that this book ended up being kind of polarizing, because it's a great book. Well-written and amazingly well-researched, Midnight Riders provides a detailed history of the band from it's founding in 1969, up through the early 90's.

This is a MUST have for any Allman Brothers Band fan. And highly recommended for anybody who likes their music books. This band has a very interesting history and you will enjoy reading about it!

a good book about a great band.......2007-08-15

The book is well written and has the facts correct. One may wish for more detail of the early years and less discussion of all of the drug problems, but that was the truth. Still a good read.

Hey Little, Brown, and Co.: How About an Updated Edition?.......2007-06-24

I'll admit that I begin reading popular music nonfiction (especially ones pertaining to rock) with much lower expectations than I would almost any other genre. But Scott Freeman's account is noteworthy as being a book that would stand out as an admirable accomplishment compared with ANY nonfiction endeavor.

As for Freeman's subjects, what separates the Allman Brothers Band from its peers isn't just its unique combination of blues, jazz, and Southern rock. The sheer size of the group (with rotating members) means that there is a rogues' gallery of personalities to enjoy.

The tale's only downfall is that the middle third is vastly less interesting than the band's beginnings. That is, the Allman Brothers story follows the familiar pattern of a VH1 "Behind the Music" episode:

1.) Band forms and struggles
2.) Band achieves fame and fortune.
3.) Band wallows in excesses of drug use, fleshpots, stupidity. Internecine warfare breaks out over petty nonsense. (I had no idea Greg was such a horse's arse or that Dicky Betts was slightly nuts).
4.) Band disintegrates.
5.) (Optional) Band re-forms with a new sense of purpose.

Given this book's density of details, its masterful organization, and its many primary sources, it's incredible that it was apparently written without the cooperation of the ABB. Freeman really outdid himself; I'd love to see him release an updated edition covering recent releases and Betts's firing from ABB in the 21st century.

Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band.......2007-03-10

This was a thorough study in the history of one of the greatest Rock-N-Roll bands ever to grace this planet. If you are an ABB enthusiast, or even a casual listener to the classic rock radio station, this is a biography that will make it all clear.

Midnight Riders.......2007-03-08

I was so thankful to be able to find this product. It is currently only available in paperback, so I was excited to find a used hardback in such good condition!

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 2*

Average customer rating:

allman brother books

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 2*
Allman Brothers
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Allman Brothers Band: The Definitive Collection for Guitar, Vol. 3
The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 1
Warren Haynes - Guide to Slide Guitar
Warren Haynes: Electric Blues & Slide Guitar
Fretboard Roadmaps for Slide Guitar (Fretboard Roadmaps)

ASIN: 0793535085

Product Description

18 songs including: I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man Jessica Midnight Rider Nobody Knows One Way Out and more.

Customer Reviews:

allman brother books.......2006-02-26

The 3 issues of the allman brother bands are right on. Perfect. The first volume really has only a couple of songs that is worth learning, but volumes 2 and 3 are great. It is surpirsing how exact it is. The only thing needed to be 100% accurate is a marshall plexi and and a 1959 gibson les paul so you have the exact sound/tone.

Average customer rating:

Making Of The Naked Brothers Band

Making Of The Naked Brothers Band
Scholastic
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Naked Brothers Band - The Movie (DVD Only)
Naked Brothers Band - Battle of the Bands
Poster Song Book (Naked Brothers Band)
The Naked Brothers Band
Chapter Book #1: Cry Wolff (Naked Brothers Band)

ASIN: 0545020719

Book Description

Think VH-1 Behind the Music but for kids! Get the scoop on the Naked Brothers Band with this scrapbook featuring lots of photos and behind the scenes info!

Customer Reviews:

Making Of The Naked Brothers Band .......2007-09-22

I think The Naked Brothers Band is the best. So if The Naked Brothers Band is go i think Making Of The Naked Brothers Band will be great

No Saints, No Saviors: My Years With The Allman Brothers Band

Average customer rating:

solid narrative
My thoughts on the book.
A great book about what it says it's about
Sticks to the basics
Ok for true fans

No Saints, No Saviors: My Years With The Allman Brothers Band
Willie Perkins
Manufacturer: Mercer University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Skydog - The Duane Allman Story
Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos (Rock of Ages)
Between Rock And A Home Place
An Anthology, Vol. 2

ASIN: 0865549672

Customer Reviews:

solid narrative.......2006-12-07

Willie Perkins was road manager for the Allman Brothers Band from their scruffling days in 1970 through the peak of their popularity. He continued in varying capacities until the end of the 1980's when the band changed management companies. For the biggest part of a year he was Duane Allman's roommate on the road, so if anyone knows where the bodies are buried, he does. While he supplies a solid and conherent narrative, he rarely goes into any detail and leaves the reader wanting more. This is particularly true when it comes to Dickey Betts more mercurial tendencies and the twisted financial dealings of the band with Capricorn Records. Yet the strenth of the narrative itself provides a framework on which to place and evaluate other (sometimes mythological) stories. As a writer his style is flat, rarely showing the passion he had to have to work with this organization for so long.

However, I feel like I come away knowing the characters better, and the details of the infamous Grove Hill bust are worth the price of admission. I recommend the book. In combination with Randy Poe's Skydog, and Jan Reid's recent book about the Layla sessions, and Chuck Leavell's wonderful Between a Rock and A Home Place, the reader can get a fair presentation of the band's story.

My thoughts on the book........2006-07-24

I thought the book was well written and told the truth. Being a fan of the ABB for over 30 yrs I found out much that I did not know! This book, in my opinion, should be read by all ABB fans! I enjoyed the book!

A great book about what it says it's about.......2006-06-17

As the book itself says, this isn't a comprehensive study of the ABB. What it is is a nice series of cronological essays about Willie's time with and around the ABB. It is a quick but satifying read and a must for any fan of the ABB or music of the late 60s and 70s. It is a nice view into those lived it.

Sticks to the basics.......2006-01-05

As noted in the acknowledgments, this is just a personal memoir and not a full-blown history of the Allman Brothers Band--so anyone who says "he's an awful writer" had better get their eyes checked. Perkins lays out his thoughts and stories in a very simple but plain fashion--in some spots, it's more a collection of essays. (He's honest about it, and not every autobiography is meant to be in-depth with insightful deep meditations of actions and deeds.)

Yes, as noted elsewhere, he's fiercely loyal to the band, but the deceased members were close friends--so what else would be expected? And no, the ABB and associates were not known for their social graces either.

What Perkins does well is to give a glimpse into the financial and management whirlpool that can be found in the music industry. Any wanna-be managers or agents would be well off reading this if only to learn more about the reasons why it's sometimes insane to say "I'm with the band" and expect nothing but fast and exciting living without paying the price.

Ok for true fans.......2005-09-10

Some very interesting stories and facts presented by the author who was there for all of it, so fans will enjoy the behind the scenes look. But he is still clearly emotionally involved with the band and nary a bad word or ill advised story come across. Plus, he is an awful writer.

Average customer rating:

Action! No sign of this series winding down...
The still darker side of courage.
Hmmm... Okay...
disappointment at the saga's finale
Seven books, an epic!

A Band of Brothers (Lost Regiment)
William R. Forstchen
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Lost Regiment 8: The Men of War (Lost Regiment)
Lost Regiment 06: Never Sound Retreat (Lost Regiment)
Battle Hymn (Lost Regiment)
Down to the Sea, Book 1: A Novel of the Lost Regiment (Lost Regiment (Unnumbered))
Fateful Lightning (Lost Regiment)

ASIN: 0451457056

Customer Reviews:

Action! No sign of this series winding down..........2002-10-04

This is the seventh in the series. Not the best one, but a very good installment. This one picks up right where the previous one left off. The author does not spend much time introducing the characters or the plot. It gets right into the action.

In the previous book, the humans have just been defeated soundly and are in full retreat to the lands of the Roum. The Bantag are in hot pursuit. The humans are counting on the winter weather to halt the Bantag campaign. However, since Ha'ark is from a different (modern) world, he understands the importance of continueing the campaign once the enemy is on the run. He pursues the humans and begins the seige in the dead of winter.

Ha'arks lines of communication and supply are tied to a single rail line leading all the way back to the Great Sea. Several hundred miles. The port city is resupplied via sea from the land of the Chin. Ha'arks supplies take 10 days to reach the front lines from the Chin. Ha'ark has plenty of trains and ships ferrying supplies.

I tell all this because resupply is the only Bantag weakness. If the humans can disrupt the resupply, even for only a few days, the tide of the battle will turn. That's all I will tell about the battle.

If you're reading the series, this one has to be read in the correct order. If you are not reading the series, a lot of the storyline may be confusing. There are lots of reference to events and people in the previous books.

Bottom line, this is a good book.

The still darker side of courage........2000-08-11

Keane is hurt and that changes him. The leader of the humans becomes the most deeply human of the lot, forced to face his fear and his guilt, while a vicious street by street fight erupts in the city of Roum, from the sewers to the buildings. The Redeemer shows himself as a less than ideal tactician, reacting to the circunstances more than creating them, which is actually what has been documented as real war, where combat is changing and fluid. Hans will end up leading "his" people, the Chin, into battle against the Bantag with little more than their hands. This is stirring writing, which appeals to our emotions as much as to our rationality. This alien world is very possible, and the technology to get there is part of theoretical physics, with wormholes between universes and/or galaxies, or sectors of galaxies, and the reversion of the hordes to primitive nomads after their ancestors "walked between the stars." "A Band Of Brothers" manages to keep the suspense alive just at the moment (the seventh installment) when most series that last this long wind down and either die, or crawl ahead to ever-diminishing interest. By shifting the focus and by making his characters more fallible and, therefore, more human, Forstchen has written a dark, different winner.

Hmmm... Okay..........2000-03-15

The only reason this book did not get three stars was the fact that William Forsthcen is one of my favorite authors, but otherwise it was not the best in the series. The Bantag War, compared to the Tugar and Merki Wars, is quite dull. The land ironclads are somewhat interesting, but they don't really add anything overly exciting to the tale. There were some odd things going on in Roum, as well. The Senate building (the Curia) kept being called a palace, even though it is not, and now suddenly Marcus's name has gone from Graccus to Crassus. The late Ferguson's wife is still called Varinna for some reason, even though she was originally named Olivia. Vincent kept being referred to as Chuck, which was creepy considering Chuck is dead! The airship stuff is getting boring and repetitive, and a few characters are becoming rather dull. The battle scenes, especially Hans's scuffle by the Ebro, were slow moving and confusing, and maps would have been somewhat helpful. Jurak's actions towards Ha'ark at the end of the book were predictable-- it's already happened a couple times in this series. No shocker there. The only real exciting parts in the book were the opening and the free-for-all in the Temple of Venus. Band of Brothers, I'm sorry to say, is one of my least favorite entries in the Lost Regiment series, and now that I begin Men of War, I'm hoping for much better from Mr. Forstchen.

disappointment at the saga's finale.......2000-01-22

I looked forward to Band of Brothers, preordering the book. However, I found that the book seemed rushed, as if the author, like our central character and his Republic, were tired of the long war. There were occasional moments when the author's skill resurfaced to enthrall one, but overall the book was a big disappointment, not worthy of the rest of the series.

Seven books, an epic!.......1999-12-02

An epic, that is all I can call it. While waiting for #8 Men of War, I sat down and re-read all seven books and believe now more than ever that these are some of the finest books I have ever read. I have a library of over one thousand books in my home, and The Lost Resiment stands high as the best I have read. Never has a book or series of books so moved me as an American and a student of American history. You can feel the power and the pain of their struggle as these fine men fight against overwhelming odds for one simple reason - to live free. The most important factor of the stories is that the heroes are people just like you and me. Just like any hero, a moment before they were a hero they were plain old folks, just another person. You can connect with the people in the story because of that, you feel for them, you feel their joy and pain, when they laugh, you laugh, and when they cry you cry with them. When one of them quotes "We few we happy few, we band of brothers" tears will well up into your eyes, because you feel the brotherhood he speaks of. I am now going to sit down and read "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield, which was recommended to me by William R. Forstchen. 'Nuff said!

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 1

Average customer rating:

Some Good Music, but not made to use
song list is horrible
too many 'new' Allmans songs
hi
Great Tab - From a ABB fan

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 1
Allman Brothers
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 2*
The Allman Brothers Band: The Definitive Collection for Guitar, Vol. 3
Warren Haynes - Guide to Slide Guitar
Skydog - The Duane Allman Story
Fretboard Roadmaps for Slide Guitar (Fretboard Roadmaps)

ASIN: 0793535077

Product Description

Over 15 songs, including: Ain't Wastin' Time No More * Black Hearted Woman * Crazy Love * and more. (They Call It) Stormy Monday (Stormy Monday Blues) Ain't Wastin' Time No More Angeline Black Hearted Woman Blue Sky Brothers Of The Road Can't Take It With You Come And Go Blues Come On In My Kitchen Crazy Love Don't Keep Me Wonderin' Don't Want You No More Done Somebody Wrong Dreams I'll Never See End Of The Line Every Hungry Woman Gambler's Roll Get On With Your Life Good Clean Fun Hot 'Lanta

Customer Reviews:

Some Good Music, but not made to use.......2007-10-04

The Allman Brothers Band - The Definitive Collection for Guitar - Volume 1

These type of music books are not made to use. You cannot open them (or set them on a music stand) to play the music. The spine on this one broke after about the first hour.

Some good music though not as many of the old song as I prefer.

song list is horrible.......2003-02-11

Unfortunately, this volume of the collection has too many of the Allman Brothers less pertinent songs (i.e. new stuff). The transcriptions are accurate, but not many songs I'd like to learn.

too many 'new' Allmans songs.......2003-01-15

As a fan of classic Allman Brothers, I found that this book had too many of the 'newer' songs. If you are a diehard Allmans fan or are looking for 'completeness' in your sheet music catalog, this may still be the book for you. However, if you are looking for just their classics, look elsewhere.

hi.......2001-09-30

hi im ck and i think this book was good-i gave it to my bro for his b-day.

Great Tab - From a ABB fan.......2000-07-06

I ordered all three volumes of the ABB: Ultimate Guitar Collection and received the first and third yesterday. The first thing that struck me about the books is that they include the tab and music for the full versions of the songs that were recorded at Filmore East! They include all the guitar parts, including sometimes 4 guitars and they state which is Duane and which is Dickey for the main parts (most may not need that, but I like it for some songs). Since I just received them yesterday, I haven't been over everything, but what I have seems to be quite faithful to the recordings. For instance, "Blue Sky" is right on and more accurate than the tab for it that I have seen on the web. "Whipping Post" is true to the version released on Filmore East. One reason that I got this was that there is very little ABB tab on the web, unlike other bands, and this collection has all their tunes. I can't wait for the second volume and "Mountain Jam". I just got a Fender Blues Jr and now get a decent sound for the Brothers tunes. This collection is for the guitarist that likes to use tab or music and loves the Brothers. To be complete, I should mention the draw backs. Some guitar books have the bass tab too. This doesn't. It's just guitar, but it does have the chords and any good bass player ought to be able to play along having those. Ditto for the drums. This to me is not enough reason to rate this lower than 5 stars. The title is well deserved.

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