Flags of Our Fathers

Amazon.com

The Battle of Iwo Jima, fought in the winter of 1945 on a rocky island south of Japan, brought a ferocious slice of hell to earth: in a month's time, more than 22,000 Japanese soldiers would die defending a patch of ground a third the size of Manhattan, while nearly 26,000 Americans fell taking it from them. The battle was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, and it produced one of World War II's enduring images: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the flank of Mount Suribachi, the island's commanding high point.

One of those young Americans was John Bradley, a Navy corpsman who a few days before had braved enemy mortar and machine-gun fire to administer first aid to a wounded Marine and then drag him to safety. For this act of heroism Bradley would receive the Navy Cross, an award second only to the Medal of Honor.

Bradley, who died in 1994, never mentioned his feat to his family. Only after his death did Bradley's son James begin to piece together the facts of his father's heroism, which was but one of countless acts of sacrifice made by the young men who fought at Iwo Jima. Flags of Our Fathers recounts the sometimes tragic life stories of the six men who raised the flag that February day--one an Arizona Indian who would die following an alcohol-soaked brawl, another a Kentucky hillbilly, still another a Pennsylvania steel-mill worker--and who became reluctant heroes in the bargain. A strongly felt and well-written entry in a spate of recent books on World War II, Flags gives a you-are-there depiction of that conflict's horrible arenas--and a moving homage to the men whom fate brought there. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

In this unforgettable chronicle of perhaps the most famous moment in American military history, James Bradley has captured the glory, the triumph, the heartbreak, and the legacy of the six men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. Here is the true story behind the immortal photograph that has come to symbolize the courage and indomitable will of America.

In February 1945, American Marines plunged into the surf at Iwo Jima—and into history. Through a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire that left the beaches strewn with comrades, they battled to the island's highest peak. And after climbing through a landscape of hell itself, they raised a flag.

Now the son of one of the flagraisers has written a powerful account of six very different young men who came together in a moment that will live forever.

To his family, John Bradley never spoke of the photograph or the war. But after his death at age seventy, his family discovered closed boxes of letters and photos. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley draws on those documents to retrace the lives of his father and the men of Easy Company. Following these men's paths to Iwo Jima, James Bradley has written a classic story of the heroic battle for the Pacific's most crucial island—an island riddled with Japanese tunnels and 22,000 fanatic defenders who would fight to the last man.

But perhaps the most interesting part of the story is what happened after the victory. The men in the photo—three were killed during the battle—were proclaimed heroes and flown home, to become reluctant symbols. For two of them, the adulation was shattering. Only James Bradley's father truly survived, displaying no copy of the famous photograph in his home, telling his son only: "The real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn't come back."

Few books ever have captured the complexity and furor of war and its aftermath as well as Flags of Our Fathers. A penetrating, epic look at a generation at war, this is history told with keen insight, enormous honesty, and the passion of a son paying homage to his father. It is the story of the difference between truth and myth, the meaning of being a hero, and the essence of the human experience of war.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

The story of Mt. Suribachi.......2007-10-09

It is one of the most iconic photographs ever taken. It has become the symbol for the valor and the attitude of the Marine Corps. IT is the photograph of six Marines raising a flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. All of us have probably seen this photograph and I know that I was always struck by it - it is a classic pattern in art and it also captures a moment in wartime. There are six soldiers raising a flag. you see the taut bodies, the focus and concentration. And, you see the debris all around them. The detritus of war.

This book tells the story of that photograph but also - and more importantly - the story of the men who were captured in the image and the photographer both before, during, and after the war. The story is pieced together and told by a son of one of the men in the photograph - "Doc" Bradley, the only Navy guy in the tale. The book follows the lives of all six men who are pictured from their hardscrabble beginnings, their decision to join the Marine Corps, and then their role in the Iwo Jima battle and beyond. Three of the men died on Iwo Jima; three survived. Of the three that survived, only two had children. One of those is "Doc" Bradley, and his son tells the tale of them all.

This book is not really about how glorious war is and what kinds of heroes these six men were. No, it portrays war in the ugly, brutal, tormenting fashion that it has without skimping on the details of how many ways men can be killed. Nor does it skimp on descriptions of the atrocities that the Japanese committed both before, during, and after this campaign. There is a lot of apologia given by the author for the Japanese behavior during the war. He describes it as a non-typical Japanese time period repeatedly. Towards the end of the book we find out that he spent several years in Japan and at one point in his life believed that the Japanese were forced to start the war by what Roosevelt supposedly did.

By focusing almost exclusively on the life of these six men, the author manages to paint a picture of World War II America and how "the whole country was one" which is an interesting contrast to today's situation.

The yearlong preparations for the battle are described. The battle itself is described in detail with every one of the six men's participation chronicled in exhaustive detail including the way three of them died. Many other stories are interwoven but only briefly touched upon. One of them, that could have been better served by being described more fully was the story of Bradley's "special buddy" Iggy who is also killed on Iwo Jima. Only in the latter parts of the book do we discover how he died.

Doc Bradley himself wins the Navy Cross on Iwo Jima. However, he never displays it and his eight children are astonished to find out about it after his death in the early 1990's. This launches his son to research the group, the photograph, and the lives of all six men.

The story covers the way they were treated after the photograph was published; how they became the main draw in a bond raising tour; how they behaved during the tour; and how they handled the rest of their lives. There is a strong pathos there and a lot of tragic awareness of how these shell-shocked young men were basically told to grin and bear it and how some of them did, and some of them did not. The story of Ira Hayes and his rapid deterioration into drink is a sad one while the story of Rene Gagnon is no better. Only Bradley lives out a normal middle class life but the author is careful to portray even his own father as suffering from the horrors of what he experienced.

This is a good book to read to find out how war affected young Americans during WW2. It is a good introduction to the horrors, atrocities, and pain of war. It is a good book to help you in understanding how America handled and survived WW2. And, it is also a good book to understand why people called it "the good war" and why we can probably never have that kind of feeling again. When I closed the book, I wiped a tear from my eye, laid it down beside me, and thought like Doc Bradley: the only heroes on Iwo Jima were those who did not come back.

A Masterpiece of History!.......2007-09-28

My grandfather fought on Bougainville and Guadalcanal which are both mentioned often in this book. To this day grandpa does not speak of the war. After reading this book, I understand why. This book embodies the human spirit and the fight to uproot evil at its core. It is interesting that such a brutal fight took place on an island that had no real life... just a desolate island of ash and embers that emulated a place of death. Deep within the bowels of the island held a garrison of approximately 22,000 Japanese that were determined to fight to extinction and that is what they did.

Bradley and Powers do a wonderful job describing the Marines training as well as the actions on Iwo Jima. The fact that I came away from reading this book more knowledgeable about the self-sacrifices all Marines made on Iwo Jima, makes my own service in the Marines (1993-1997) a worth while endeavor that I hold near and dear to my heart.

Semper Fi to those that served and especially to Ron Powers and James Bradley for taking the time to research and write an unforgettable and accurate masterpiece of history!

6 people. 1 flag, 1 photo........2007-08-21

James Bradley writes an amazing tribute to his father in this book about the "photo."
The book follows the lives of 6 men from birth until death. Each one of them is unique and has their own story. They all have something in common, and that is that they were all in the photo.
This is NOT a war book, it is a biography of 6 men. A great book!

WOW!.......2007-08-01

This book was AMAZING!!! I knew next to nothing about the Battle of Iwo Jima before reading this book and I learned SO much about the fight for Japan and about what it was like to be a U.S. Marine during WWII.

It is an INCREDIBLE read and a great education, too.

Disappointed.......2007-07-29

I am not sure if it is the fact that the Audiobook is an abridged version but I just didn't find the story that compelling. Somewhat repetitive and too concerned about details which I found boring and uninteresting.
I was looking for a historical account (like the much better "1776" or "Team of Rivals") but this is more like an afterschool special.

Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Totem Rituals and the American Flag (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)

Average customer rating:

AN INSTANT CLASSIC

Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Totem Rituals and the American Flag (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)
Carolyn Marvin , and David W. Ingle
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521626099

Book Description

The authors argue that American patriotism is a civil religion organized around a sacred flag, whose followers engage in periodic blood sacrifice of their own children to unify the group. Using an anthropological theory, this groundbreaking book presents and explains the ritual sacrifices and regeneration that constitute American nationalism, the factors making particular elections or wars successful or unsuccessful rituals, the role of the mass media in the process, and the sense of malaise that has pervaded American society during the post-World War II period.

Customer Reviews:

AN INSTANT CLASSIC.......2001-06-25

This is a great work of social science, one of the most significant books of our time. Marvin and Ingle state that "The underlying cost of all society is the violent death of some of its members." In contrast to the view that societal violence is something that occasionally "happens" in spite of our best efforts, the authors argue that violence is INHERENT WITHIN THE VERY NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF "SOCIETY."

Many writers speak about the naturally "aggressive" nature of human beings. Marvin and Ingle understand that violence has a deeper source, namely the societal compulsion to SACRIFICE ITS OWN MEMBERS IN THE NAME OF THE SACRED (NATIONAL) IDEAL. It is this SACRIFICAL meaning of violence that human beings refuse to perceive.

The authors state that "OUR DEEPEST SECRET, THE COLLECTIVE GROUP TABOO, IS KNOWLEDGE THAT SOCIETY DEPENDS ON THE DEATH OF SACRIFICIAL VICTIMS AT THE HANDS OF THE GROUP ITSELF."

Our capacity to understand the nature of human society requires perceiving this relationship between sacred groups and collective violence. This book represents a significant step toward revealing and articulating this relationship.

Book Description

This must-have third revised and newly expanded edition of the only single reference source for information about state symbols features over 300 information updates plus three new chapters, updated license plate illustrations, and a newly formatted design for ease of use. Libraries that hold earlier editions of this work need this edition to keep their information on the states and territories current. With the addition of new chapters on state and territory universities, state and territory governors throughout U.S. history, state professional sports teams, and a complete revision of the chapter on state and territory fairs and festivals, the work now totals 17 chapters of essential information that is a treasure trove for students. This completed redesigned reference work features chapters on state and territory names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitals, flowers, trees, birds, songs, legal holidays and observances, license plates, postage stamps, miscellaneous designations, fairs and festivals, universities, governors, professional sports teams, and a bibliography of state and territory histories. The work features full-color illustrations of every state and territory seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp, and license plate (updated for this edition).

Customer Reviews:

For looking up anything state-related!.......2002-03-17

Collaborative written by Benjamin and Barbara Shearer, and now available in an updated and expanded third edition, State Names, Seals, Flags, And Symbols: A Historical Guide is a comprehensive, authoritative, superbly presented reference on everything from American state legal holidays, fairs, and festivals to individual state capitols and mottoes. With a full-color section featuring illustrations of every state's seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp and license plate, State Names, Seals, Flags, And Symbols is a first-rate, highly recommended reference for looking up anything state-related!

Why the Christian Right Is Wrong: A Minister's Manifesto for Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, Your Future

Average customer rating:

excellent discussion of the essence of Christianity
Why Meyers does not have a clue
Exposes the hypocrisy and stupidity of the Christian Right with a vengeance
Would Jesus Vote with the Christian Right?
Great Insight

Why the Christian Right Is Wrong: A Minister's Manifesto for Taking Back Your Faith, Your Flag, Your Future
Robin Meyers
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0787984469

Book Description

"I join the ranks of those who are angry, because I have watched as the faith I love has been taken over by fundamentalists who claim to speak for Jesus but whose actions are anything but Christian."
—Robin Meyers, from his "Speech Heard Round the World"

Millions of Americans are outraged at the Bush administration's domestic and foreign policies and even angrier that the nation's religious conservatives have touted these policies as representative of moral values. Why the Christian Right Is Wrong is a rousing manifesto that will ignite the collective conscience of all whose faith and values have been misrepresented by the Christian Right.

Praise for Why the Christian Right Is Wrong:

"In the pulpit, Robin Meyers is the new generation's Harry Emerson Fosdick, George Buttrick, and Martin Luther King. In these pages, you will find a stirring message for our times, from a man who believes that God's love is universal, that the great Jewish prophets are as relevant now as in ancient times, and that the Jesus who drove the money changers from the Temple may yet inspire us to embrace justice and compassion as the soul of democracy. This is not a book for narrow sectarian minds; read it, and you will want to change the world."
—Bill Moyers

"In this book, a powerful and authentic religious voice from America's heartland holds up a mirror to the Bush administration and its religious allies. The result is a vision of Orwellian proportions in which values are inverted and violence, hatred, and bigotry are blessed by one known as 'The Prince of Peace,' who called us to love our enemies. If you treasure this country and tremble over its present direction, this book is a must-read!"
—John Shelby Spong author, The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love

"This is a timely warning and a clarion call to the church to recover the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to a great nation to resist the encroachment of the Christian Right and of Christian fascism. Many of us in other parts of the world are praying fervently that these calls will be heeded."
—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Customer Reviews:

excellent discussion of the essence of Christianity.......2007-09-14

Mr meyers provides us with a comprehensive and well-thought-out discussion of the Spiritual and specifically Christian aspects of recent governmental policy decisions. His explanations of the essential falacies, hypocrisies and internal contradictions of the knee-jerk right-wing positions on hot-button issues remind us that Christians are, as a group, neither unintelligent nor are they hateful. In Mr. Meyers theses we are reminded that Christ has called us to be thoughtful in our questioning of authority especially when that authority claims to be acting on God's behalf and yet evidences in its actions that its true guidance may be coming from some other voice. He exposes the distictly un-Christian attitudes of hatefulness, exploitation, exclusiveness, social darwinism and vengefulness that so pervade the behaviors of our present administration and its supporters among those who claim to be disciples of Christ. This is a must read for anyone who, like myself, find themselves surrounded by a church famly who seem to be missing the point in favor of waving the flag. Mr. Meyers should be lauded for his reaffirmation that it is possible even appropriate to be a Christian liberal and that Big Imperialism has not stollen our faith, only many of our faithful. He is right also in calling us to go out and get tham back.

Why Meyers does not have a clue.......2007-07-10

I have never read a book that blatantly twists Scripture. Meyers suggests that Paul is a homosexual, among a host of other errors. Has this guy ever picked up a Bible? If you support gay-affirming churches, moral relativism , and the suggestion that the Bible's rules do not really apply to life today, well this is your book. If you believe God left an infallible Word for His people, steer clear of this nonsense. I read 3/4th's of it and will be returning it tomorrow. I would be ashamed to have this blasphemy on my book shelf.

Exposes the hypocrisy and stupidity of the Christian Right with a vengeance.......2007-05-11

This is an infectious call to arms that renews my long ago lost faith in Christians and Christianity. Robin Meyers is a combination of the radical preacher from the sixties and a level-headed professor of rhetoric morphed into a man for the current season of moral crisis in America.

Included in the book is the text from his now famous speech given in Norman, Oklahoma in 2004 in which the refrain (coyly addressed to President George W. Bush) "...you are doing something immoral" rained down on a crowd of University of Oklahoma students, faculty and others like wisdom in the form of manna from heaven. Professor and Pastor Meyers has a way with words, to put it mildly. That speech is one of the best I have ever heard (actually I didn't have the opportunity to hear it, but I read it). I believe that even Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. would be impressed.

Here's a bit of it:

"When you claim that Jesus is the Lord of your life and yet fail to acknowledge that your policies ignore his essential teaching or turn them on their head...you are doing something immoral.

When you act as if the lives of Iraqi civilians are not as important as the lives of American soldiers and refuse to even count them, you are doing something immoral.

When you find a way to avoid combat in Vietnam and then question the patriotism of someone who volunteered to fight and came home a hero, you are doing something immoral.

When you ignore the fundamental teachings of the Gospels, which say that the way the strong treat the weak is the ultimate ethical test, by giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us so that the strong will get stronger and the weak will get weaker, you are doing something immoral."

This book is organized around this speech with chapter titles like "Christians Don't Start Wars, They Try to Stop Them," Missing in Action: The Sermon on the Mount," "Rich Chicken Hawks for Jesus," and "Christian Fascism and the War on Reason."

Meyers goes deep into the moral issues of today and exposes the hypocrisy and sheer stupidity of fundamentalist Christianity and its two-faced and power hungry leaders. His message is that America is in crisis and the only way out is a reaffirmation of real American values which include separation of church and state and the rule of reason as guided by the scientific method and genuine Christian spirituality.

I hope this book somehow finds its way into the White House and the halls of the Congress because if our leaders don't find their lost moral compass and use the intelligence and courage God gave them and soon, we will become not only a second-rate nation, but a nation as corrupt as a fascist banana republic.

Would Jesus Vote with the Christian Right?.......2007-01-29

WHY THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT IS WRONG BY ROBIN MEYERS is a thoughtful and carefully researched, insightful look into the errant rhetoric of the Christian Right, which has become intertwined with the Republican Party. The author, a Biblical scholar and obviously a Christian, shows throughout the book the contrast with what this administration has done compared to what Jesus teaches and prompts the reader to ask continuously, What would Jesus Do? The book grew out of a speech made by this college professor in Oklahoma of which many people requested a copy. Those people copied it onto the Internet and emailed it to friends, unbeknownst to the author, who was then bombarded with thousands of emails in support of his tenets and asking for more. The book is very well written and is deeply Christian in content, with a slant which does not support big money or big business and has no intent to use its audience for personal gain, as do the people who have blinded the American public with carefully crafted rhetoric and lulled them into supporting so many changes in the American Way which would have distressed our founding fathers and which, although done with a Christian tag have so gone against Jesus' teachings. The book is EXCELLENT and shoud be read by ALL Christians, Republican or Democrat. It allows you to think instead of just being fooled by wordcraft and posturing. It also reminds us that our country was founded on the principles of separation of church and state, but this administration has intertwined the two for advantage of the wealthy and corporations and at the great expense of our freedom and our conscience.

Great Insight.......2007-01-10

This author expresses eloquently and with rational clarity why we "leftward" leaning Christians are so uncomfortable with the unrighteous dealings from the religious right. Well spoken, no minced words, forthright, and full of truth. A worthwhile read for thinking Christians and those who are not Christians and have been hurt by the actions of the religious right.

Average customer rating:

Not Great
Hope and Miracles
traumatized me in 4th grade
Great for all
A great book

The Girl with the White Flag
Tomiko Higa , and Dorothy Britton
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Women of Okinawa: Nine Voices from a Garrison Island
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ASIN: 4770029314

Book Description

New York Newsday called this memoir of a warhood childhood in Japan "one of the saddest and yet most uplifting books about childhood you will ever encounter."

Separated from her family in the confusion and horror of World War II, seven-year-old Tomiko Higa struggles to survive on the battlefield of Okinawa, Japan. There, as some of the fiercest fighting of the war rages around her, she must live alone, with nothing to fall back on but her own wits and
daring. Fleeing from encroaching enemy forces, searching desperately for her lost sisters, taking scraps of food from the knapsacks of dead soldiers, risking death at every turn, Tomiko somehow finds the strength and courage to survive.

Many years later she decided to tell this story. Originally intended for juvenile readers, it is sure to move adults as well, because it is such a vivid portrait of the unintended civilian casualties of any war.

Customer Reviews:

Not Great.......2007-06-12

I thought this book was okay. You would like it if you liked learning about Japan during WWII, but I found it badly written. The end is unsatisfactory and the way it was written, even though it was non-fiction was boring to me.

Hope and Miracles.......2007-06-06

This book with its unadorned account of survival through the terrible battle of Okinawa is an important reminder of just how cruel war is, especially to those caught in the middle. Little Tomiko struggles against all odds and lives to tell this amazing story of desperation and courage. Not for sensitive kids; I would recommend this to middle schoolers and older - this is the real thing, not just a video game. Heartbreaking and horrifying, but with beautiful moments and miracles.

traumatized me in 4th grade.......2007-02-01

I just googled this book to show to my friend becasue its recommended as a childrens book and when i read it in 4th grade (im 24 now) this book scared the poop out of me. I dont think its a ppropriate for young children. I still cringe thinking about some of the chapters where she is forced to squezze puss from her amputated friends limbs. Ewwww! Amazing story but i think you should be a bit older before you absorb the ferocious atrtocities of war.

Great for all.......2007-01-15

Title: The Girl with the White Flag: An Inspiring Story of Love and Courage in War Time
Author: Tomiko Higa
Genre: Memoir

Synopsis: Tomiko Hiko was seven years old on the island of Okinawa when Allied forces land. Decades later, she discovers a picture of herself as a child, carrying a white flag and surrendering to enemy forces, with a line of Japanese soldiers behind her. Finding the picture triggered repressed memories, which were compiled in this short memoir of the war years, particularly the invasion. Separated from her family, she faced the enemy alone.

Quote: "Remembering Father's words to die with a brave smile, the author waves at the camera."

Grade: B+
Review: I first read this book in high school, and it is one of the few I picked up at that time that I remember vividly. I have to come back to it every few years to see if it is as moving as I remember it. OF course, it always is. It's a great book the other side of Okinawa, family, love, war.

A great book.......2006-12-27

I fell in love with this book. I'm currently stationed on Okinawa and I can't imagine how a girl so young could wander around the island and survive for so long.
This book is translated so some of the English is broken. However if you're interested in a different perspective of WWII in the Pacific, it's a nice read. It gives you a better understanding of how the Okinawans got thrown into a war they never wanted to fight in.
I love this book, even mailed a copy to my sister.

Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima (Youth Edition)

Average customer rating:

Down to earth truth behind the Second World war> Sacrifice,and enduring American spirit
World War II
Captivating and Honest Truths About Leadership and Devotion To Brothers Lost in War
A great book to read by Trevor Williams
Wrong book

Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima (Youth Edition)
James Bradley , and Ron Powers
Manufacturer: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385729324
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Amazon.com

In the winter of 1945, on the tiny island of Iwo Jima, a ferocious, epic battle was fought, resulting in the loss of more than 48,000 lives and producing what was to become one of the most recognizable symbols of World War II: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the peak of Mount Suribachi. One of the six, Navy corpsman John Bradley, came away from this historical moment with a deep and mysterious silence about his role in the flag raising. Even his wife heard him speak of it only once in their 47-year marriage. After Bradley's death, his son James began to piece together the facts of his father's heroism, as well as that of the other five men, all of whom became reluctant heroes because of their presence during that fateful instant when the shutter clicked and created a wartime icon.

Based on James Bradley's Flags of Our Fathers for adults, this abridged version for younger readers retains the somewhat terse drama, intense heartbreak, and bittersweet triumph of the original narrative. Through his research on the event and the soldiers (three of the men were killed in combat within days of the flag raising), Bradley explores the dubious nature of heroism and the devastating effects of war. (Ages 14 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Now abridged for young people, Flags of Our Fathers is the unforgettable chronicle of perhaps the most famous moment in American military history: the raising of the U. S. flag at Iwo Jima. Here is the true story behind the immortal photograph that has come to symbolize the courage and indomitable will of America.

In February 1945, American Marines plunged into the surf at Iwo Jima–and into history. The son of one of the flag raisers has written a powerful account of six very different men who came together in the heroic battle for the Pacific’s most crucial island.

Customer Reviews:

Down to earth truth behind the Second World war> Sacrifice,and enduring American spirit.......2007-06-28

Who were these brave young men that fought for their country, nation, and civil liberty? Freedom, fought and paid for by the lives of American youth, veterans of our country's legacy. We didn't back down when the odds were to great; we had fear it would decimate of what we loved, our liveliehood, ideals, and what we stood for. Heroes that proved essential to the wellbeing and life of America. Find out who were the six that raised the steel pole to enstill hope for marines upon that desolate island of Iwo Jima.

World War II.......2007-04-25

A great story about a horrific, but successful battle. Written by the son of one of the flag raisers, it gives a realistic view of the horrors endured, and the magnificent bravery of our boys who went forth in droves to give of themselves, that the rest of us might live in freedom.

Captivating and Honest Truths About Leadership and Devotion To Brothers Lost in War.......2007-04-04

I was given this book by one of my patients and I simply could not put it down. I read it cover to cover in about a day and half. The descpriptions of the War and the men who fought in the battle raged on Iwo Jima were brought alive in this story. It is incredible to think so many people were deceived by the efforts and the spin tallied by the United States during World War 2. Yes, the spin was in the name of a good cause, but it is unfortunate it took so long to tell the real truths about the men who lost their lives and the bloody sacrifices made in the name of freedom in this country. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read and better understand what really happened on Iwo Jima and the aftershocks that rippled through our Country for years following this war.

Dr. Warren Bruhl

A great book to read by Trevor Williams.......2007-04-02

This book is a salute to all the men of WWII and especially to those that served in Iwo Jima. It is an awesome book, one of the best books that I have ever read. I couldn't put it down.
James Bradley, the "Author", started to investigate his father Jack's service record, after his death. He never spoke of his time in service and especially what happened on the peak of Mount Suribachi. His father was one of the original 6 people in the famous photo from WWII taken during the flag raising in one of the bloodiest battles in history. The book was very descriptive and graphic, I could picture the battle in my mind.

Wrong book.......2007-03-09

It was not the book I thought was ordered. It was a student version which I didn't want. It is a good book otherwise, was delivered on time with no issues

Average customer rating:

A slight correction of an earlier review
Very colorful & well designed
A Flag Encyclopedia With Depth Dimension & Grace
Must-have guide to flags and banners
The best available book of its kind

The World Encyclopedia of Flags
Alfred Znamierowski
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0754814432

Book Description

Comprehensivley covers the fascinating world of flags, including military signs ,royal standards, civic flags,naval ensigns and national flags.

Customer Reviews:

A slight correction of an earlier review.......2006-07-12

In 2003, Mr David Hanlow reviewed this book, and -- for the most part -- did an admirable job admiring a very good book. But he made an egregious error. He wrote: "A saltire, i.e. the cross part in the British flag, is what is used to divide the flag into four parts..." He is not 100 percent accurate. Yes, the saltire IS a cross, but it is the "X-shaped" cross, as the white Cross of St. Andrew on a blue field, in the Scots flag. The white saltire DOES appear in the Union Jack -- the name of the British flag, for the union of Scotland and England, later joined by Ireland -- as a reference to Scotland, along with the main color of the Union Jack, blue, also referencing Scotland; superimposed on the white saltire is the red saltire of the Cross of St. Patrick, representing Ireland; the plus-sign shaped cross (+) that separates the Union Jack into four parts is the Cross of St. George, representing England. The English flag --a white field with red St. George Cross -- is recalled in the Union Jack by placing the red Cross of St George against a white cross. (Wales isn't included in the Union Jack because Wales had been annexed by England in the late 1200s)

Very colorful & well designed.......2005-09-07

The flags are all very colorful. The quality of the pages and colors are excellent. An excellent book for any age. Includes interesting information on political and historic flag related information.

A Flag Encyclopedia With Depth Dimension & Grace.......2004-02-28

It isn't just that he gives all the flags of the world's contemporary countries as UN members, but he lists and depicts the 8 or 9 secessionists who are dba as independent countries, recognition or not, UN membership or not. If you know flag books, this is uncommon. We're also used to US state flags and just to show we're more international now we'll tolerate Canadian Provincial flags and the territories which make up the UK. But the states of not only Germany and Switz., not only all the new colorful and imaginative flags of Republics of the Russian Federation, but get this! Appearing for the first time north of the equator, the flags of the states of Brazil! Plus ALL of the UK's colonial flags (including BR. Antarctic Terr. with the Union Jack, a singular white field, and a penguin scrolly badge the Brits are so very fond of!). We're also treated to a plethora of very accurate renditions of historical flags of the world, including some of the Republics spawned by the French Revolution, an 1861 State of Louisiana which is incorrectly labeled (about 5 such entries are the only marring of an otherwise highly accurate and very informative book) but which when I saw it for the first time, I said, "no way--couldn't be" but it too is accurate. Plus 2 Confederate flags I had never before seen depicted. A landmark of publications on the subject, it will be the standard to adhere to or the volume to best for at least the next 20 years.

Must-have guide to flags and banners.......2003-03-13

Alfred Znamierowski compiled this exhaustive work on flags, the meanings behind the colors, flag families, parts of flags, and flags of countries, states, organization, of revolution and politics. There are even some old heraldry flags from medieval times included.

Some countries have flags of their states included, such as Australia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Russia's autonomous republics (Dagestan, Chechnya), and oh yes, the U.S. From looking at our states, it's disheartening to see how many states still have the Confederate flag or red saltire on them (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi).
The best thing about this book is how the colours and symbol of each country/province/state/canton's flag is explained. For example, Ireland has a tricolore of green, white, and orange vertical stripes. The green represents the Catholics, the orange the Protestants (as in William of Orange), and the white is for peace between both groups. Let's look at another tricolore, Guinea's red-yellow-green. The red is the blood/sacrifice of the people, the yellow is the gold of Guinea and the sun, and the green represents vegetation and agriculture. Isn't this useful?

And most flag proportions are 2:3, but others are 1:2 (Latvia, Libya, Nigeria). And some are irregular. Belgium's flag is 13:15, Switzerland and its cantons are 1:1, Mexico is 4:7, and our own, 10:19.

What about flag families? Then there are colours associated with certain movements. For example, green, yellow, and red are the Pan-African colours. Black, green, red, and white are the Pan-Arab colours. They represent the colour of the dynasties of the Islamic Empire (black for Abbasids, green for Fatimids, white for Umayyads, and red for Hashemites). Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria have flags with those colours. And with the breakup of Yugoslavia, all but Bosnia and Macedonia have the blue, white, and red Pan-Slav colours.

The French tricolore has influenced many other countries' flags with its three vertical stripes. Romania, Italy, Belgium, Guinea, and Cote D'Ivoire. And it's no coincidence that all the Scandinavian countries have identical flags--they're based on the Scandinavian cross.

Symbols are also explained. The Muslim crescent and star, a main symbol of Islam and mentioned in the 53rd surah of the Quran, is adopted by Turkey, Algeria, and Pakistan, for example. And writing. The writing on the Iraqi flag reads "God Is Great," which ironically is what is written 22 times in Sufic script along the Iranian flag. ...

Parts of flags: this is an interesting one. Much of this is technical terms. The hoist is the first (left) vertical half, the fly is the right vertical half. Then there are charges (figures) For example, that upper rectangle of our flag is a canton. A saltire, i.e. the cross part in the British flag, is what is used to divide the flag into four parts. And the trapezium, a sideways trapezoid on the left part of a flag, is what Kuwait has.

There are also flags of international organizations, such as the UN, Red Cross, or League of Arab States. Regional flags, flags of revoltution (Sandinistas, Viet Cong, FRELIMO) flags of ethnic people without nation-states (Kurds, Shans, Sorbs), and political flags are also included. Example: white is a monarchist flag, black is for anarchists, red is for socialists. And the Nazi flag spawned so many imitations, such as the Arrow Cross, Afrikaner Resistant Movement, and Fronte della Gioventu--all are red with a white circle and black symbol.

This was updated in 2002, before East Timor gained independence, so much of this is up-to-date. Who knows, those inspired to create your own personal flag may take notes from this valuable reference work.

The best available book of its kind.......2003-02-08

I originally bought the first edition and reviewed that version. I've since bought the current edition (only because I was able to do so cheaply) and there aren't a lot of changes, the most noticeable being the different cover artwork, but the few changes inside the book are significant. For example, the incorrect pictures shown for Taiwan and Palestine in the first edition have now been corrected while new flags are shown, including those for Afghanistan (actually a revival of an earlier flag) and Tristan Da Cunha (not represented in the first edition). Other than those and other similar changes, the remainder of my review (listed on Amazon on all editions) applies equally to all editions.

To begin with, this is not the book to buy if all you want is a guide to the current flags of each country around the world. You will find those flags here (accurate for when the particular edition was published, except for the mistakes in the earlier edition) but this book contains much more besides. There are many other guides to current flags that are both cheaper and more up to date. One thing you learn about flags is that a new national flag will replace an old one somewhere in the world at reasonably regular intervals because of political changes. After all, flags are the ultimate political symbol. The 1990's saw many changes. The break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia meant lots of new national flags, but South Africa and many other countries also changed their flags.

Besides the flags of all nations, you can learn much from this book about the origin and history of flags and about many other flags in current use - regional, local, state and provincial flags, as well as maritime flags, protest flags (like the Basque separatist flag), organizational flags (like the Red Cross) and commercial flags.

Of course, even in a book this size, it is not possible to cover everything comprehensively, but the author manages to make the development of flags seem interesting, explaining how various basic designs evolved and were copied by other countries.

I have seen the development of the stars and stripes explained and illustrated in greater depth than it is here, but the description here is a good starting point for anybody not familiar with it.

For anybody wanting to explore the history of flags, this is the best book available. Even if you buy this, you may still occasionally want to buy a book devoted to current flags to keep up to date with all the changes. That will normally be cheaper than buying an updated edition of this book - I just happened to get lucky.

Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates (Harvest Book)

Average customer rating:

Data overload
I want to be a pirate...
Readable But Dry and Disorganized
They Plundered The Seas, Now They Plunder The Page
The Best Book on Pirates

Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates (Harvest Book)
David Cordingly
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Boating | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

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The History of Pirates
PIRATE HUNTER, THE: THE TRUE STORY OF CAPTAIN KIDD
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ASIN: 0156005492

Amazon.com

Though literature, films, and folklore have romanticized pirates as gallant seaman who hunted for treasure in exotic locales, David Cordingly, a former curator at the National Maritime Museum in England, reveals the facts behind the legends of such outlaws as Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and Calico Jack. Even stories about buried treasure are fictitious, he says, yet still the myth remains. Though pirate captains were often sadistic villains and crews endured barbarous tortures, were constantly threatened with the possibility of death by hanging, drowning in a storm, or surviving a shipwreck on a hostile coast, pirates are still idealized. Cordingly examines why the myth of the romance of piratehood endures and why so few lived out their days in luxury on the riches they had plundered.

Book Description

"This is the most authoritative and highly literate account of these pernicious people that I have ever read." -- Patrick O'Brian

Pirates are so much a part of legend that it is easy to forget they actually existed. UNDER THE BLACK FLAG tells their story in a rollicking account of the golden age of piracy that is packed with history, anecdote, and above all adventure. Here are the true stories of such bloodthirsty legends as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, Anne Bonny, and the fearsome Mary Read. And here are rousing descriptions of what ships pirates sailed, what punishments they exacted, what they really wore, and how they flourished--or perished. From the smoky havoc of shipboard battle to the loneliness of a fugitive's life at sea, this spellbinding narrative vividly brings the brutal world of pirates to life.

Customer Reviews:

Data overload.......2007-09-18

Pirates! Everyone loves pirates, or the romanticizing image of them presented in fiction and films. Cordingly sets out to separate the facts from fiction in this book about the reality of pirates. He starts strong talking about fictional works from Dafoe, Stevenson, and Barrie then hashes on some film versions. The beginning of "Under a Black Flag" is promising but thereafter, it really begins to fall apart.

What's great about this book is, for a casual beginner student of pirate history, there's a mountain of facts and data regarding a great variety of pirates, not just the top names. Keep in mind that's just what it is, straight facts based on his research, a bit like high school history textbooks - this happened on this date, this happened here,... Etc. It gets pretty dry but there's a lot of info. Cordingly covers everything from ships, weaponry, women, trials, punishments, assaults, and areas of the map that was infested with piracy. However, the undoing of this book is that there is SO MUCH data and unfortunately a complete absence of organization of that data. There's no real cataloging or separation of topics whether it be event, people, location, or time based. Cordingly jumps back and forth through the piracy age that you really have no idea of which sea rovers were alive when or if they overlapped other well known buccaneers/privateers without creating your own timeline.

Like many other books covering this topic, you'd think Cordingly would have given the likes of Blackbeard, Kidd, Calico Jack, Henry Avery, Drake, and Morgan their own chapters in which the relevant facts are presented. He does so with a few of the above mentioned but he doesn't give the entire history of those ones within that chapter. Instead, it's spread out almost haphazardly and the author ends up continuously repeating himself. There also could have been a division of locales covering the Carribean, African coast/Indian Ocean, and China Sea piracy.

It's a real shame because based on the information factor, this book would get 5 stars, but the repetitiveness, choppy sentences, and lack of organization hamper the book so much it drops it down to only 2 stars. I still recommend the book, but be prepared to take notes and make your own timeline as you are going through it. The Appendixes are good, the locale maps are splendid, seafaring terminology helps out, but where are the pictures of the great variety of pirate flags at? So much potential but organization is the downfall of this otherwise high information text.

I want to be a pirate..........2007-07-06

..noo, I am just "Kidding". I must agree with the opinion that book is a bit "dry". However it covers probably all "big" pirate/privateer names and related stories of plundering, chasing, battles and punishments. So this work is like a small compendium of the piracy, great starter for further learning; well written and read with pleasure and interest. Inquisitive reader may go from here into more narrative and colorful books devoted to specific chosen characters like Kidd, Dumpiere, Blackbeard, Drake etc.
"Under the Black Flag" will definitely intensify your zest for extra "sailing" across plethora of other publishings.

Readable But Dry and Disorganized.......2007-06-21

I had hoped to find an interesting and thorough book on the history of piracy that is accessible to a layperson with limited knowledge of nautical history, but that doesn't simply repeat inaccurate cliches and stereotypes. I somehow doubt that this one would have even caught my attention had it not been so heavily promoted at various bookstores to cash in on the third "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. I'm disappointed that a book about such a lively subject is so surprisingly lifeless. Cordingly essentially presents a bunch of facts (names, dates, places and figures) without providing much detail or historical context. I realize that much information about pirates is sketchy at best, but simply providing me with the names of a pirate captain and his ship and the dates and places on which island an incident occurred does not make for interesting reading. Cordingly also seems to wander from subject to subject and often repeats himself. This makes me wonder if this book was actually a collection of essays or articles about piracy compiled into one volume. His main points seem to be that pirates are glamorized in fiction but in reality were cruel, sociopathic former Navy or merchant sailors who organized themselves into a democratic society. I appreciate his research and the points that he does make, but overall I found this to be a slow read and not terribly informative or entertaining.

They Plundered The Seas, Now They Plunder The Page.......2007-06-15

David Cordingly has compiled a wonderful stash of pirate fact and fiction with "Under The Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates." He covers the day-to-day comings and goings of pirates and those who loved and hated them. He fleshes out a number of the most famous pirates such as Henry Morgan, William Kidd, Bartholomew (Black Bart) Roberts and Edward (Blackbeard) Teach, giving some of them there own chapters. Specific campaigns created to wipe pirates from the seas are also given excellently documented attention. Cordingly also gives an editorial on the potential reasoning behind mankind's fascination with such vile and cruel men (and women) who called themselves "pyrate."

Cordingly backs up all of his findings with an extensive bibliography, five appendices, notes, and a very helpful glossary of sea terms. His writing style, while full of wonderful information and historical facts, never grows boring or drawn out. In fact, you could argue that "Under the Black Flag" reads a lot like a fictional novel. It's both educational and fun.

Fans of pirate history or those with just a passing fancy for the swashbuckler will want to read this book. I also recommend "The Pirate Hunter" by Richard Zacks. It covers with great detail the life and politically tainted execution of William Kidd. It's all delivered with a writing style that is easy to digest but still full of information.

From ship to shore, "Under the Black Flag" is worth a read.

The Best Book on Pirates.......2007-05-29

This is a really great book and one of my all-time favorites--unless you're looking for artwork. If it's illustrations you want, try Pirates: Predators of the Sea. If you read this and love it and want another great read, try If a Pirate I Must Be by Richard Saunders. It's terrific, though also no illustrations.

Red Flags: How to Know When You're Dating a Loser

Average customer rating:

Gotta Have it BOTH Ways...
Great Help!
i really don't wanna put a title
Fantastic!
Wrong idea

Red Flags: How to Know When You're Dating a Loser
Gary S. Aumiller , and Daniel Goldfarb
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Love & Romance | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Dating | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0452281172

Book Description

Is he a Leech? Or Mr. Ego? Or The Burdened Beast? Learn the twenty-five different loser types of men and how to send them out of your life!

Sure he's gorgeous, funny, and charming--but early in any doomed relationship there are warning signals foretelling the bad news to come. Studies show that most women will try to justify these signs, excusing them so they don't interfere with their fantasy of having met the perfect man. Unfortunately, such signs are usually all too prophetic--they are the essence of what Drs. Gary Aumiller and Daniel Goldfarb call "Red Flags." The question then becomes how to detect and respond to a Red Flag before it's too late. This first-of-its-kind book will help readers determine a man's all-important "loser potential" within the first three dates.

Each chapter includes a profile of a different loser, a post-date quiz to help you determine if Mr. Right is Mr. Wrong, and important information about the best way to break up with him. Red Flags has all the fun of a magazine quiz combined with the expertise of psychologists who specialize in the techniques used by the police to profile criminals. They know how to spot the rejects--and now you will, too!

"After reading Red Flags you'll never be stuck in a bad relationship again. Thank you, Doctors Aumiller and Goldfarb, for writing the book every dating woman needs!"--Sharyn Wolf, author of Guerrilla Dating Tactics

Customer Reviews:

Gotta Have it BOTH Ways..........2007-01-30

There are so many books available on Amazon & the public Library that are guides for Women avoiding "bad" Men, but how many are out there that do the opposite??? I'd like to know...
This is one of the better ones, especially with its point-checklists at the end of each description, but it is easy to get the feeling that this unilateral masterpiece is just following the river rapids of similar "Ladies avoid Mr. Wrong" books out there. I'd like to see a companion volume set up as this one was (Description, sample conversation, whys & wherefores, point-count checklist, and score interpretation). Maybe the title "Pink Flags"? (Is she a gold-digger? Is she a Nomad? Is she a Daddy's Girl? etc.)
One other criticism--many of the traits listed are superficial, not globally oriented (example--Does he look downward while conversing, or do his eyes dart around? Well, is this in reference to GENERAL behavior, or does it only apply to your (current) date, or behavior toward you specifically?) This especially would apply to behavior signifying any of the more violent or extreme categories. Then it tends to generalize.

Great Help!.......2007-01-11

This book has helped me through a lot of bad times. Would recommend to any in a relationship that you feel is at a stand still. The guidance is helpful.

i really don't wanna put a title.......2005-11-15

To the other reviewers here: I can't believe you actually needed the book to outline specifically that you're not SUPPOSED to follow all the guidelines... did you seriously not understand that all on your own? You're supposed to take what you can and cannot deal with and go with that. For example, I can deal with people being late all the time, because I am too.

Regardless, I found it rather useful. I tend to believe that 'our society' tends to normalize a lot of innapropriate dating behaviors (of men and women alike), and this book helps point them out.

Can't say I'm disappointed.

Fantastic!.......2004-11-17

Sure, you need to take some of this advice with a grain of salt, but the reason that men have gotten away with a lot of the stuff they've pulled is because women put up with it. It's eye-opening to read this book and see so many people you've known described down to the smallest detail. Women deserve to be treated well. This book helps identify the men who aren't going to do that.

Wrong idea.......2004-03-27

This book is just too simplistic in its recipes for detecting the wrong man. Basically, it assumes that all women want to marry the same type of "ideal" man. Is this really the case? not very likely. Its pretty sad if you need a book like this to tell you who to date. Plenty of people who live with their heads in the clouds are going to go through life single, giving them plenty of time to read this.

Under Two Flags: The American Navy in the Civil War (Bluejacket Books)

Average customer rating:

Under Two Flags: The American Navy in the Civil War (Bluejacket Books)
William M. Fowler Jr.
Manufacturer: US Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1557502897

Book Description

Vividly written and well researched by a noted historian of the period, this succinct history credits the Union Navy as an essential element in the northern victory. Neither ponderous nor hagiographic, the work presents characters and events that have been previously neglected and offers candid assessments of officers, men, and material. Originally published in 1990, when it was a Military History Book Club selection, the work is considered a must for Civil War buffs. It is an authoritative and gripping story of the battles waged.

The author provides a rare look at the war fought by primitive northern gunboats drifting through Louisiana's muddy bayous, Yankee merchantmen captured by rebel privateers at sea, and Union ironclads subduing hotly defended Southern forts. Nor does William Fowler neglect the subtler sparrings behind the scenes: War Secretary Stanton and Navy Secretary Welles competing for Lincoln's favor and Welles's fierce duel of strategies with his Confederate counterpart, Stephen Mallory. Finally, the author describes the astonishing transformation of the Navy itself from a ragtag fleet of aging steamers and paddleboats to one of the most powerful waterborne forces in the world.

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