by Stephen E. Ambrose
Published 2001 (originally 1992)
In this non-fiction book, Ambrose focuses on a select group of men in World War II–Easy Company, a parachute infantry regiment. And let me state right here and now: I know nothing about the military or how it works. So please don’t judge me if I am really, really bad at explaining different groups of people!
But part of the charm of this book was that even someone as military-ignorant as myself still found it an enjoyable and informative read. While some sections would probably make a LOT more sense if I was more familiar with military rank, etc. (I did look it up a couple of times, but it just doesn’t seem to stay in my head… some charts or lists would have been super helpful for me), overall, the book is just the story of the daily lives of these men, and anyone can understand that.
From their incredibly rigorous training stateside, to their first jump of the war, all the way to Hitler’s mountaintop retreat, we follow Easy Company, listen to their stories, and try to see the war from their eyes.
If you’re interested in WWII, this is a good read. Ambrose is quite readable, and makes this story an interesting one.
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