Flags of Our Fathers

By: James Bradley, Ron Powers

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Flags of Our Fathers is the unforgettable chronicle of perhaps the most famous moment in American military history: the raising of the US 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.

©2000 James Bradley and Ron Powers (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

Alex Award Winner, 2001

“Unforgettable ... one of the most instructive and moving books on war and its aftermath that we are likely to see ... its portrayal rivals Saving Private Ryan in its shocking, unvarnished immediacy.”—The New York Times

“The best battle book I ever read. These stories, from the time the six men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima enlisted, their training, and the landing and subsequent struggle, fill me with awe.”—Stephen Ambrose

“A powerful book whose vivid and horrific images do not easily leave the mind ... [Flags of Our Fathers] relates the brutalizing story of Iwo Jima with a fine eye for both the strategic imperative and the telling incident.”—The Boston Globe

“Brings a heartfelt personal dimension to this penetrating and insightful look at an American icon.... Flags of Our Fathers captivates as the story behind a famous photo, a story that lives on in a son’s heart.”—National Review

What is a hero?

Outstanding book. Very valuable study of what heroism is and how it is as much a function of the view point as the act.

This wasn't super human, this was ordinary simple young men passing through hell on earth. In that passage there were great acts of selflessness for buddies. What the world saw as heroism wasn't what those there recognized as heroism yet maybe no less needed. Living past it and beyond it strikes me as equally honor worth.

Fascinating insight into the flag raisers' personal lives

I felt like the author gave a great look into all that went on in the marines' lives – the good, the bad and ugly. I would highly recommend hearing the story

Marc W

Absolutely an amazing story. filled a ton of holes out of the history books but also another great perspective of the actual raisers. a must read or listen for any WWII history reader

If you doubt the reason for the A-bomb read this!

The only hero's are the ones who didn't make it home! Now I see the memorial thru their eyes.

Excellent and a key book for any History Library

Excellent account about real people in an unreal situation: Famous for doing something they had no idea would be seen as significant. This is an brilliant addition to any military history enthusiast's library. 'Flags of Our Fathers' brilliantly encapsulates how history and myth are created. History as an agent of people and their own agendas, so far removed from 'facts and figures'.

Other reviews have criticised the narration. I can't understand why. The narrator's voice is varied and interesting, with reasonable characterisations and accents. Is is certainly appropriate for any audiobook in this genre.

The story itself is somewhat nostalgic, but given the fact that the author is the son of one of the men involved, this is to be expected when significant parts of the story are auto-biographical of their family. Still, these elements blend seamlessly into a thorough account of these men's lives and help greatly to build up a clear account of the men and their experiences.

Good book about the strength of character

Would you listen to Flags of Our Fathers again? Why?

Yes, I am writing this review while considering to listen to it again. I listened to the book many years ago 4-5 and the one thing I remember is the dignity with which the central character, father of the author has lived his life.

What other book might you compare Flags of Our Fathers to and why?

There are many great books, Kite Runner, Namesake, John Adams and Truman by David McCullough, Quite, too many to list here. They all enrich you.

Have you listened to any of Stephen Hoye’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

A great story. thank you.

I would recommend listening to this book at 1.25 speed. So good I could hardly put it down.

flags

awesome, very well-read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is it World War 2 buff, or marine.

Good balance.

The author does a good job balancing narrative and historic facts, using their culminated information to give an accurate picture of their grandfather.

How time can change the Truth-

I felt I knew the brave soldiers. My father and 2 of his brothers served in WW2 . They never talked about their experiences and I have always wished that I had a conversation with them--