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bijouxbleu_'s review against another edition
4.0
True Story about the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.
setlledbullet9's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
tiggytiggy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
starwarrior91's review against another edition
5.0
On one hand, the saddest book I’ve ever read. The stories of the marines on Iwo Jima and the terrible acts of violence they saw were the most horrible things I’ve ever heard of in my experience studying military history. The memories that all the veterans brought back with them and no doubt haunted most of them was equally heartbreaking to learn about. On the other hand, it’s the most personal story I’ve ever read, and in a way a blessing. My maternal grandfather was in the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. He received a Purple Heart and while laying on the beach wounded he saw the first flag raising. According to my mother he was silent about his experiences, much like the author’s father. His journey of discovery of who his father was on Iwo and why he kept it all to himself became, in a way, a journey of discovery for me as well. I was 8 when my grandfather died and I only have a few memories of him, certainly nothing about his time in the marines. I feel that in a way I now know him better than I ever thought I would. What it was like for his generation growing up, serving in the marines, and life once he got home. I’m so thankful for this because it’s a gift I never expected when I started listening to this audiobook.
schofield24's review against another edition
4.0
I mistakenly picked up the YA version of this book, so I'm not sure how it compares to the original. Nevertheless it was a great story that needed to be recorded for all to hear. Loved reading the stories of the realities of this aspect of WWIi and of these "ordinary heroes" who represent all those who've fought and given their lives for freedom.
nicolashoyle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
5.0
mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! This should be mandatory reading in high schools all over the country! Mr. Bradley has done an amazing job detailing the events of Iwo Jima and telling the stories of the six flag raisers, as well as some other veterans that fought in this horrific battle.
This book grips you from the very first page, and I had to keep telling myself that this was non-fiction. This all actually happened to our country's young men of the 1940s. These boys have families and wives, and children...and so many of them didn't make it back. And the stories of the flag raisers themselves...for the most part it was very sad. I had no idea that out of six men, only one would lead a happy, quiet life surrounded by his family and friends.
Who knew that 1/400th of a second could so drastically change the lives of six men and their families. These boys, and so many of their comrades, were over there fighting and dying, and the three surviving flag raisers had to come home to a media frenzy, and be hailed heroes, while so many others never returned. What a burden to bear.
I'm so glad I read this, and now know the story of these amazing men and their marine brothers. Those who came home, and those who didn't. The horrendous battle they had to fight, with so many odds stacked against them, and so many losses to so many families. But they didn't die in vain, and I thank Mr. Bradley for giving those of us who knew so little about this battle the full story, in an informative and captivating manner. I just can't recommend this book enough.
This book grips you from the very first page, and I had to keep telling myself that this was non-fiction. This all actually happened to our country's young men of the 1940s. These boys have families and wives, and children...and so many of them didn't make it back. And the stories of the flag raisers themselves...for the most part it was very sad. I had no idea that out of six men, only one would lead a happy, quiet life surrounded by his family and friends.
Who knew that 1/400th of a second could so drastically change the lives of six men and their families. These boys, and so many of their comrades, were over there fighting and dying, and the three surviving flag raisers had to come home to a media frenzy, and be hailed heroes, while so many others never returned. What a burden to bear.
I'm so glad I read this, and now know the story of these amazing men and their marine brothers. Those who came home, and those who didn't. The horrendous battle they had to fight, with so many odds stacked against them, and so many losses to so many families. But they didn't die in vain, and I thank Mr. Bradley for giving those of us who knew so little about this battle the full story, in an informative and captivating manner. I just can't recommend this book enough.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Audio book read by Stephen Hoye
A lucky photograph captured the imagination of the American people and helped raise the spirits of a nation (and LOTS of money in war bonds). This is the background story of the famous shot of the flag being raised on Iwo Jima.
Author James Bradley’s father was one of those six young men whose lives were changed by a photographer taking one more shot. In trying to explain his father’s long years of silence about his experiences during World War 2, Bradley discovered not only John “Doc” Bradley’s story, but that of the other men who fought to take Iwo Jima.
Though he spends a good part of the book giving us background on the six young men whose destinies would converge on Mount Suribachi during one of the bloodiest battles of the war in the Pacific, Bradley manages to keep the story moving forward. He walks a fine line between personal anecdote and the tension of a battlefield report.
Stephen Hoye is best when reading the battle scenes. When he slows down to give importance to a phrase or section his voice takes on an irritating quality that detracts from the message. Trust the listener, Mr Hoye. We will figure out what is important without your “acting” it for us. Despite this irritation, I still give the book 5 stars because Bradley’s work is gripping, emotional, dramatic, touching and inspirational.
A lucky photograph captured the imagination of the American people and helped raise the spirits of a nation (and LOTS of money in war bonds). This is the background story of the famous shot of the flag being raised on Iwo Jima.
Author James Bradley’s father was one of those six young men whose lives were changed by a photographer taking one more shot. In trying to explain his father’s long years of silence about his experiences during World War 2, Bradley discovered not only John “Doc” Bradley’s story, but that of the other men who fought to take Iwo Jima.
Though he spends a good part of the book giving us background on the six young men whose destinies would converge on Mount Suribachi during one of the bloodiest battles of the war in the Pacific, Bradley manages to keep the story moving forward. He walks a fine line between personal anecdote and the tension of a battlefield report.
Stephen Hoye is best when reading the battle scenes. When he slows down to give importance to a phrase or section his voice takes on an irritating quality that detracts from the message. Trust the listener, Mr Hoye. We will figure out what is important without your “acting” it for us. Despite this irritation, I still give the book 5 stars because Bradley’s work is gripping, emotional, dramatic, touching and inspirational.
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
I have started writing a review of this book several times and have erased my review each time because I just can't seem to think of how to sum this reading experience up. So here are a few words that come to mind: fascinating, harrowing, inspiring, horrifying, enlightening, sad, educational. Once I came to the chapters surrounding the battle of Iwo Jima, I could not tear my mind away from this book. It has made an indelible impression on me and I will never think of war or the armed forces (particularly the Marines) in quite the same way again. Like most books about World War II, it is not a light and happy beach read. There are moments in this book that show the absolute low points of human behavior. Conversely, there are moments in scenes describing the bravery of these boy-Marines that show us at our ultimate pinnacle. There were so many unsung heroes in this war, and in the battle of Iwo Jima particularly - So many men who gave their lives to protect their "buddies."
The entire book was great, but the chapters focusing on the war and battle were particularly impressive to me. I have never before read a World War II book that brought a war battle to life for me as well as this one did. I almost felt like I was alongside those marines on the ashy black beach with bullets whizzing past my head and comrades falling left and right around me. I almost could see the view of the Pacific from the top of Mount Suribachi and feel the breeze that waved the American Flag. Thankfully, I didn't have to feel the physical hardships and fear that the Marines themselves (who ARE heroes in my book, by the way) did. I can imagine it, but can never truly comprehend what they actually went through. I am so very grateful to these men that I will in all probability never have to feel such fear.
The entire book was great, but the chapters focusing on the war and battle were particularly impressive to me. I have never before read a World War II book that brought a war battle to life for me as well as this one did. I almost felt like I was alongside those marines on the ashy black beach with bullets whizzing past my head and comrades falling left and right around me. I almost could see the view of the Pacific from the top of Mount Suribachi and feel the breeze that waved the American Flag. Thankfully, I didn't have to feel the physical hardships and fear that the Marines themselves (who ARE heroes in my book, by the way) did. I can imagine it, but can never truly comprehend what they actually went through. I am so very grateful to these men that I will in all probability never have to feel such fear.