Customer Reviews

101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not my favorite Mark Bando book, but I guess I'm a bit spoiled in that it's the fifth Mark Bando authored book I own, and two of them are long out of print.

That said, 101st Airborne, The Screaming Eagles in World War II is an excellent addition to the history of the 101st Airborne.

The chronological narrative, from inception and training, through Berchtesgaden and the end of World War II, is classic Bando; chock full of anecdotes, historical tid-bits, and many previously unpublished photos.

While there are many troopers who have written first-person accounts, and many individuals who have interviewed 101st Airborne troopers and written books featuring those interviews, no one has known and interviewed more troopers than Bando.

The flavor and feeling Bando pulls from those interviews sets his work well apart from other books about the 101st Airborne. No matter how much you think you know about the 101st Airborne, there will undoubtedly be parts of this book that have you saying to yourself, "wow, I didn't know that!".

And that is part of the great joy of any Mark Bando book; the fresh perspective on a subject that many would claim has already been dealt with overwhelmingly.

All of Mark Bando's books on the 101st Airborne are treasures. Whether you're a long-time fan of the 101st Airborne, or someone who's picking up a book on the Screaming Eagles for the first time, this volume certainly warrants a spot in your book collection.

It is easy to be an admirer of Mark Bando, a former Detroit Police Officer and a man who has devoted the better part of his life learning first-hand the history of the 101st Airborne Division in WWII from the Men who made it.

This unbridled passion, admiration and unparalleled repect for the Screaming Eagles has led Bando to write what is nothing short of a classic. While I have always enjoyed Mr. Bando's books, his 7th, in my opinion, is the best to date. An absolute historical masterpiece. This book claims the distinction of 'can't put down' status, that is, once you start reading and viewing it, you won't stop until you reach the last word and the last picture on the last page. Once you reach this point, unquestionably, you will start all over again - it is truly that good!

This book will be enjoyed by those who have a thirst to learn about the history of the 101st for the first time, yet will be equally satisfying and thoroughly enjoyed by those who have studied this great Airborne Division for several years.

The 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in WWII, masterfully weaves together the history of this elite Division, from it's inception to its deactivation. By utilizing unforgettable and widely published images of the 101st during WWII, and by introducing a plethora of photographs that have never been published before, the author truly has delivered a pictorial history of the 101st Airborne that is a classic.

But what this book it not, is simply a pictorial history. It is much more. What really brings this book home is the author's unparalleled and truly humbling knowledge of the history of the 101st in WWII, and the men who made it. The author has been interviewing these Great Americans since 1968, and through his life's dedication, he has enabled himself to unquestionably be the world's leading and most knowledgeable WWII 101st Airborne historian - and deservedly so. Just when you think Mr. Bando has revealed all he has learned about the 101st, he skillfully delivers a booked packed with a voluminous amount of riveting and historically important information about the Screaming Eagles. His amazing ability to recall and recite the history of the 101st is laden with such precise detail, that one would think the author actually lived out these events during the war. I couldn't help but feel while I was reading this book that I, the reader, was experiencing these events as well, as the precise detail delivered by the author, and the first-hand accounts from the Veterans truly deliver an exhilarating reading experience. The last time a book made me feel this way was Philip Caputo's "A Rumor of War." This book will make you laugh (`packing a parachute is like making love to a porcupine.. both are done very carefully) and will make you cry. It will inspire you. It will humble you.

A nice touch is the section on collecting 101st Airborne artifacts, which to the unassuming and uninformed, is a treacherous and unforgiving minefield. This section is packed full of photographs of prized Airborne artifacts, and delivers extremely helpful information to the collector. Mr. Bando might one day think about publishing a book on collecting Airborne, as again, he is truly one of the world's leading authorities on this subject matter, and his prized collection deserves to be chronicled and memorialized in a book. Bando last words on collecting are quite prophetic: preserve history to honor the troopers who wore and liberated the artifacts in question - that is the number one objective. If only more people collected for this reason.

All you need to know about the 101st is here. Mr. Bando has truly delivered a classic, one that is a fitting and lasting tribute to the men he admires so much. It will stand the test of time, and will take its deserved place amongst the classics.

It is high time that Bando is recognized and respected as the world's leading, and preeminent WWII 101st Airborne Historian. Truly and unquestionably, NOBODY knows more. His depth of knowledge and understanding is awe-inspiring. If you don't believe it, after reading this book, you'll be convinced.

Currahee!

Rich Riley
Strongsville, Ohio, USA

Mark Bando, a name synonymous with the history of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, has delivered his finest work to date. Having just completed this masterpiece, 101st Airborne - The Screaming Eagles In World War II, I must admit that I was disappointed by one thing, that it came to an END! For those of you who have already read it, what more can I say? And for those of you who will read it, you had better set aside a good amount of time because you won't put it down once you start. For Bando, this represents the pinnacle of a lifetime devoted to gathering and preserving WWII Screaming Eagle history. You will not be disappointed.

This book is special. In the past, Bando has produced outstanding works. His distinct style, that of basing his work primarily on first hand oral accounts, has brought to us the history of the 101st Division in a manner typically lacking in other books. It is this personal account approach that sets Bando's books apart from the rest and where 101st Airborne... excels. By combining these accounts with hundreds of incredible, never before seen photographs, Bando brings the story to life. This book delivers both in a large format with top quality photo reproduction and is the reason 101st Airborne... stands apart from the rest of his books. It is a gorgeous book that sets a new standard for preserving history.

From unit formation and stateside training, to the end of the war, 101st Airborne... spans the entire history of the 101st during WWII. The story starts with a fitting tribute to Dick Winters for his courageous leadership, exemplifying the 101st paratrooper, and ends with a unique chapter detailing the good and the bad of collecting Airborne related artifacts in today's challenging environment. In between, besides utilizing first hand accounts to explain the history of the 101st, the reader is treated to unique side-stories [personal vignettes] that are highlighted in grey shaded boxes. These stories alone are some of the best parts of the book. Of special note are five accounts related to Don Hettrick's incredible experiences. Other stories, such as the ones with Reg Davies and Guy Whidden deliver equally remarkable combat accounts. But just as enjoyable are the hundreds of fascinating photos, carefully selected by Bando, to illuminate the history of the Screaming Eagles. These photos demonstrate the trials and tribulations of the veterans who accomplished so much. The sources for these photos are manifold but especially noteworthy are the ones provided by Jim Bigley, Don Hettrick, Al Krochka, Joe Pangerl, John Reeder, Nadine Wierzbowski-Field and Don Zahn. Utilized extensively throughout the book, these photographs capture the true essence of life and death for the 101st soldier. They are the heartbeat of the book. Other special goodies such as a copy of Gen.Maxwell Taylor's typed message to the troops prior to Market-Garden combine to make this a great read.

After over thirty years of documenting personal interviews, collecting photographs and memorabilia, performing battlefield surveys and studying countless written sources, Mark Bando has DELIVERED! 101st Airborne - The Screaming Eagles In World War II may not be his last book on the subject but I consider it to be the definitive account of the history of the 101st Airborne Division during WWII. Perhaps the large format of this book along with numerous high quality photos and accompanying history explained through personal accounts should become the standard of the industry for such works. Could Bando's upcoming Avenging Eagles II be done in a similar format? Well, Bando will have to figure that one out but if you are like me you've got to be wondering where he will go next with his work. Could it be time for the first Bando produced documentary or feature film? (It's way overdue.)

Thanks for getting it RIGHT Mr. Bando and teaching us so much! No one could ever repay you for the work you've done to preserve such a vital part of American history.

Rodney Roycroft

Let me be honest - I buy a lot of WWII books, probably 1 a week. I do so not only because I am a working battlefield tour guide and historian but because I love to read about the men who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. What adjectives can I use about Mark Bando's new book - authoritative, complete, unrivalled, stunning, beautiful, fascinating? These are just a few that spring to mind.

For a one-stop book telling the story of the famous Screaming Eagles look no further than this gorgeous volume. Not only, as another reviewer states has the author got the historical credentials to back up his writing, he also has a great knack for getting to the heart of a story concisely and entertainingly. But best of all in this book (and I have all his others too) is the stunning quality of the photographic images. Reproduced in crisp black and white on heavyweight glossy paper the famous oft-printed photos look better than ever and the new unpublished gems leap off the page.

This book will not go un-read onto my shelves to sit with the mistake purchases, within a year I expect this book to be oft-read, well thumbed and constantly on my desk.

Well done Mr Bando!

Mark Bando has achieved a level few authors ever have or truly ever will, he has produced a historical record unsurpassed in documentation, artifacts, photos and first person accounts. 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II takes the scholar/historian/reader through every phase of the unit, from the standing up of a Division to the men who volunteered to become a part of it, through the bitter fighting of Normandy, Holland, Bastogne, and beyond. This work has completed Marks journey as a true historian; if you believe Cicero defined what a historian really is:

"The first law of the historian is that he shall never dare utter an untruth. The second is that he shall suppress nothing that is true. Moreover, there shall be no suspicion of partiality in his writing, or of malice." - Cicero (106-43 B.C.)

I believe this is where Mark stands above other, possibly more (in)famous author-historians; from "Vanguard...", "Avenging Eagles", "101st Airborne: ... Normandy", "101st Airborne: ....Holland to Hitler's Eagles Nest", and now 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II culminates a lifetime of dedication to the Division, and has brought us full circle in recording the history and the actions of the 101st, and when others have embellished, omitted, or changed the history of the units they write about, Mark speaks of the good and bad, the heroic and disturbing, the way it was for the real 101st Airborne Division in WWII.

His devotion to his work, his love of those men, and his desire to share their history are evident on every page. Those of us who love military history owe Mark Bando more than we can ever repay.

When Mark Bando has a new book out, you expect quality.
He has been delivering for years, and I have stated before he is the original CSI of the 101st Airborne Division of WWII.
His newest book, The Screaming Eagles of World War II, was awaited by me, with much anticipation. A new Bando Book on the 101st Airborne Division is like getting visited by an old friend, catching up on a shared history. Bando's books have the facts, the pictures and the stories. All you gotta do is hook up, jump in and serve yourself a cold drink along the way. You know the basic story, but each new detail that is revealed fills in another blank. And I am never ready with working the jigsaw of 101st A/B History.

As per usual I just bought the book, because 'it is a Bando'. But would the magic work this time ? This book is about 'The Screaming Eagles In World War II', and one could assume that much of that path had been revisited...
Wrong; the book contains an helicopterview of the actions of the Division. The pictures (many of which have never been published before) are fantastic, and the stories complete (with many side-steps) supported with clear maps. From training in 1941 to The End in November 1945. And an Artifact section on top of that.
Conclusion: this book is not only for the fan, for the amateur researcher or historian, but for anyone who cares for history. Experience the journey of the paratroopers when you tag along with them from page to page. If you do not have a book on the 101st, I can think of no better book for your rendez-vous with these troopers. Are you into Re-Enacting or Living History ? You should devour this book... so you can back up your display with knowledge.

The Screaming Eagles of World War II.
The extraordinary facts and tales of a legendary Division. Gathered with devotion by a man who has met over 1.000 veterans of the 101st.
Yes, it is Trigger Time and Bando delivers, again.

Mark Bando has really out done himself with this, his latest and greatest work yet.

In the front of the book there is a fitting tribute to the most recognizable member of the division, Major Richard D. Winters. What a special way to start this special book!

101st Airborne The Screaming Eagles in World War II is a welcome and long awaited addition to my WWII library and is one which I will refer to often, as I do with his other great works.

Beginning with Training and Maneuvers and ending with Berchtesgaden and the End of the War, Mark is the ONLY historian with the inside knowledge and stories of the men of the famed 101st Airborne Division and it shows in this and every book he writes.

The DIRECT, personal veteran accounts that fill this book are very important to me as they should be to others who thirst for such knowledge.

Another thing that is important to me in a book is LOTS of pictures. Not just pictures, but never before published pictures. This book comes through with top marks in that category as well!

If you REALLY want to learn the real and accurate stories about the WW2 101st Airborne Division purchase this book! If you want to get the Hollywood version of what happened stick to reading some of the other reads that are popularly publicized as "great" reads.

There are many books out there available for your purchase. Do yourself a favor and spend your money on the best. 101st Airborne, The Screaming Eagles in WWII, you won't be disappointed!




Next Topic >>

Like many here I was eagerly awaiting this new work by Mark Bando, who I consider the finest World War II airborne historian today. The five star rating here does not do this book justice, once again Mark Bando has give us a tremendous historical work on the famed "Screaming Eagles of The 101st Airborne Division " and its brillant record in combat in Europe from D-Day to the final surrender of Nazi Germany. You get a great colleciton of vintage photographs from the authors massive collection he has amassed over the last 30 plus years of research on the 101st. Many coming from the actual veterans themseleves. The author has spent the last 30 plus years going to 101st reunions and interviewing the men and collecting their rare stories for you the reader . In addition he has spent many years retracing the 101st Divisions battles in Europe and still today conducts tours from Normandy , The Bulge and the many places where the Screaming Eagles made history. This is one book for sure that any student of World War II needs in his or her collection. One can read the other fine reviews here.... I share their thoughts and this book by Mr Bando is one we should be greatful for. This book captures the amazing combat record of this outstanding division ! Well done sir !!!!!!!!!

Thomas S. Colones
Photojournalist
WSPA-TV News CBS
Spartanburg, South Carolina USA

In this day and age when every imaginable organization and individual is scrambling to record Veteran narratives and individual accounts, Mark Bando has been diligently doing this for the past 40 years. His latest product of this passion is nothing short of shear brilliance and is a historical treasure in its own right. The details and accounts of these Great Americans could only be shared by someone who has dedicated the past 4 decades researching the men directly, cross checking facts & accounts and most importantly, preserving their memories for future generations. Through his tireless efforts and continual archiving of accurate recollections, Mr. Bando has produced the premier book of first person accounts and has earned his place at the table with some of America's better known & mainstream story tellers. Moreover, Bando has been trusted with the stories that these Great Warriors seldom share outside of their own circles and certainly only with someone that they completely trust. Utilizing a massive collection of interviews, photographs and artifacts that rivals the official US Government archives, Mr. Bando hands the reader a life time of passion and dedication that is theirs to experience in one beautifully done 256 page package.
If one has any interest in WWII from the perspective of the typical US GI then this is the book for you. If one has any desire to try and document oral histories or first person accounts, then this is your blue print. If you can only buy one book on WWII, the 101st Airborne or US Paratroopers, then this is it.
Jake Powers
Historical Consultant HBO's Band of Brothers
E/506th Official Company Historian

This is the definitive history of the 101st in WWII. There is excellent history and some great pictures. Great coverage of all of the 101st missions. There is also a section in the back with great color pictures of preserved 101st airborne gear. If you like WWII or Band of Brothers you will really treasure this book.