Book Description
This book offers a definitive and wide-ranging overview of developments in behavioral finance over the past ten years. In 1993, the first volume provided the standard reference to this new approach in finance--an approach that, as editor Richard Thaler put it, "entertains the possibility that some of the agents in the economy behave less than fully rationally some of the time." Much has changed since then. Not least, the bursting of the Internet bubble and the subsequent market decline further demonstrated that financial markets often fail to behave as they would if trading were truly dominated by the fully rational investors who populate financial theories. Behavioral finance has made an indelible mark on areas from asset pricing to individual investor behavior to corporate finance, and continues to see exciting empirical and theoretical advances.
Advances in Behavioral Finance, Volume II constitutes the essential new resource in the field. It presents twenty recent papers by leading specialists that illustrate the abiding power of behavioral finance--of how specific departures from fully rational decision making by individual market agents can provide explanations of otherwise puzzling market phenomena. As with the first volume, it reaches beyond the world of finance to suggest, powerfully, the importance of pursuing behavioral approaches to other areas of economic life.
The contributors are Brad M. Barber, Nicholas Barberis, Shlomo Benartzi, John Y. Campbell, Emil M. Dabora, Daniel Kent, François Degeorge, Kenneth A. Froot, J. B. Heaton, David Hirshleifer, Harrison Hong, Ming Huang, Narasimhan Jegadeesh, Josef Lakonishok, Owen A. Lamont, Roni Michaely, Terrance Odean, Jayendu Patel, Tano Santos, Andrei Shleifer, Robert J. Shiller, Jeremy C. Stein, Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Richard H. Thaler, Sheridan Titman, Robert W. Vishny, Kent L. Womack, and Richard Zeckhauser.
Customer Reviews:
BF--Investment sentiment and limit of arbitrage.......2006-01-29
This book is a good guide for Behavioral Finance. This book is excellent paradoxically for someone who already know traditional efficient market hypothesis.
Book Description
Eight full-length model tests and one diagnostic test include calculator-active questions, and reflect the most recent SAT II tests in Math Level II C in length, question types, and degree of difficulty. All questions are answered and explained. A subject review covers polynomial and trigonometric functions, permutations and combinations, probability, sequences, logic, and all other topics tested on the SAT II. All new material on the graphing calculator has been included in this new edition.
Customer Reviews:
too hard but helpful.......2007-06-23
on the book tests, i got "average" according to barrons but i got a 750 on the real thing. the book tests were definitely too hard but they prepared me well. There were parts they under and overemphasized, but overall it was a good review. just don't get down on yourself because you will do better than you think!
Too Hard, but good........2007-06-06
The tests in this review book are much harder than the actual test. And, the explanations are terrible. The best use of this book is as a way of finding what you don't know. You can then find much better explanations online. Even Wikipedia's math entries are less dense than the ones in this book. I recommend the The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests (Real Sats) or The Official SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide (Official Sat Subject Tests in Mathematics Levels 1 & 2 Study Guide) because the tests in these are much more realistic.
Too many errors.......2007-05-14
There are simply too many errors in this book. Sometimes the answers in the answer key are wrong, and sometimes the explanations apparently belong to a different problem and make no sense.
When a MATH BOOK has the wrong answers it deserves a low rating. If there were no errors in the book I would give it 4 stars but with the huge number of errors it contains I can't. In fact, if I could give it zero stars I would.
More Than enough.......2006-11-03
This was a very helpful book. The practice tests were about 15 questions more difficult than the actual test (that is to say question 1 in the book is about as hard as question 15 on the real exam).I just got my scores back today and got an 800 after taking several of the book's practice tests. Go through the reviews and learn the material they outline and you should do well.
Harder questions .......2006-09-01
The questions are harder in this book than on the actual test. By doing these practice questions, I felt that the test was a breeze. I didn't start to study for the test until the day before the test. When I cracked the brand new book open that night I freaked out because the questions were so hard. I only managed to get a 750 on the test, but considering I only studied 24 hours prior, I say this book is a life saver.
Customer Reviews:
Difficult, insightful book.......2007-09-21
I found this book even more difficult than the already challenging "Structure of Magic" but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The detail and precision that is gone into describing the unlimited power of words and communication is just what is needed in the wishy-washy world of self-help. Consider it more of a text book than a fun/easy read like Tony Robbins, and definitely start with "Structure of Magic" before going into this one.
Are you a mind reader?.......2007-08-08
If you are interested in knowing how psychiatrists effect life altering change, then this book is for you. As you may know, the authors modeled the life altering strategies of successful psychiatrists, such as Milton Erickson, Perls, and Virginia Satir.
I was rather intrigued, when reading this book to notice a strategy of Virginia Satir. In one of her dialogues with a patient, when the patient explains a perceived issue with another person, she repeatedly challenges his thinking by asking 'Are you a mind reader?'
I now ask myself the same question on a regular basis. Sometimes, I ask other people that question too. If you think about it, that is a very good perception changing question unless, of course, you are a mind reader.
Another book I recommend in this field is Mind Lines by L Michael Hall, which has an extensive list of change patterns, and My voice will go with you, which is a book of the therapeutic teaching tales of Milton Erickson.
If you were to find this review helpful, please click yes.
Truly A Classic.......2007-07-15
Though not an ease read, The Structure of Magic II as well as The Sturcture of Magic I are a must read for anyone interested in the healing magic that is done by therapists. This book takes the foundation created in book I and demonstrates how it is used in therapy. Bandler and Grinder have truly studied the masters of therapy and added their own unique and brilliant skills to create a very useful guide to doing therapy.
The Structure of Magic: A Book About Communication and Change (Book 2) by .......2007-01-03
This series is for the serious in depth learner and student of NLP. These are not self help books for the casual reader they are the kind of book most of us read a chapter of and then have to digest, read again, as these are text books..real text books.
That said, if you want to really understand communication then you want to read them, these boys are the big guns. You want to sell more real estate, read Tony Robbins, you want to be a great therapist, start here.
Both Structure of Magic Books are powerful but: masterpieces, but..........2006-03-06
Structure 1 is well written, clear and concise, but Structure 2 is subtle and intense like a slow moving train that gets fast and fun at the pace you like. Both are informative books, don't get me wrong. But Structure 2 shows that communication and movement within communication is thwe basis of life. Whether its commuincating to your muscles to walk or do whatever, talk to another person, whatever requires communication at any level. In fact these books, I'll say are the spirit-voice of what it takes to live efffectively or the beginnings thereof of understanding that. Structure 1 tells you the map is not the territory, structure 2 tells you how to use the territory with the directions if you have the basic understanding given in 1 of what maps and territories are really for. The questions are asked in 1, the queastions are answered in 2. Anyhow, as Arthur C. Clarke said, technology only seems magical, when you haven't developed up to its level yet. That's what it all comes down to, development and The Structure of Magic Books show that. Step by step, understanding by understanding until you can put it together yourself in its proper order within the territory, and not just on a "silly" map. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. more than that, that's my understanding and I'm growing past it to understand and undertake ever more and ever better. Hats off to Bandler and Grinder and all of their associates, I'm not saying they're the end or the beginnings, but they are an important part of that grand puzzle being solved called "existence and life". But eah person must put it all together for themselves, that's what The Map is Not The Territory means, I know. All right, happy reading if you buy em'!
Captain Josh/Joshua Clayton
Book Description
Retired veteran police officer has authored a book that reveals the inside tips, strategies and secrets that will help a person prepare a defense in court to challenge their speeding ticket and win. He will also reveal tips and tactics to avoid getting stopped and ticketed for speeding in the first place.
Customer Reviews:
One for your Personal Library.......2006-08-31
Here is a book you can refer to forever. Good stuff to know.
The writer has been on the Jay Thomas Radio Show (Sirius Satellite) many times, and he's very helpful! He gives a tollfree number in the book, so that if you ever get a ticket you can call him up and ask questions about your specific situation and he'll help you FREE!! All for just the cost of this book!
Become an Informed Driver.......2006-08-13
This book was very knowledgeable on the ways cops obtain your speed as well as the faults in the types of ways they obtain it. Along with using correct and "street" terminology, it talks about the different types of radar used to pick up your speed and how they obtain your speed by pacing you. There are MANY faults and this book just confirms my prior thoughts that tickets are purely a money making scam not only for the police but for the insurance agencies as well. If nothing else buy it to be prepared when you do get pulled over as it gives you good tips on how to get away from a ticket at this early stage to. 4 out of 5 only because it does not list laws from every state just some laws from some states.
An Educated Guide To Speeding Tickets-How To Beat Avoid Them.......2006-08-10
It was helpfull but alot of the information is not good for the Washington state courts.
It really works.......2006-02-28
I just beat my speeding ticket last week by following Mr. Wallace's advice on sending a certified mail to the officer asking for the calibration record, FCC license, training record, etc. The officer didn't have most of it and stated that he didn't get the mail when I showed him the receipt of the certified mail he then said he had some of what I asked for. When we met the judge, He asked to dismiss the case stating that he didn't have the documents I asked for to prepare my case. My case was dismissed and saved me $200 of speeding ticket. I knew I did not speed in the first place and I'm so glad I invested on this book. It's worth the money. I also spoke to Mr. Wallace prior to my case preparation. He has a toll free number and he returns calls...This book is on the top of my list...
Simply The Best Book Of Its Kind-Easy Read-Great Info.......2005-12-08
Out of the 3 books that I recently purchased to help me fight a speeding ticket in my home state of Illinios, the Educated Guide by Richard Wallace was simply the best of them all. It read so easy and was full of helpful information. The one simple tip I learned in the book which I am surprised most people do not think of, is to obtain a copy of your driving history or record from your DMV/Registry and bring it to court along with you. As Mr. Wallace instructs, show it to the court, most of the time the court will dismiss your case because you have a clean record which is EXACTLY what happened to me. I WON! I did not have to pay the $110 and my insurance rates did not go up. I learned so much in this book. I highly recommend it to any parent who has a newly licensed son or daughter or for the husband or wife who cant slow down, like me! I am 52 years old and have never received a speeding ticket but I do drive a little faster than I should, as most of us do! Thank you Amazon for carrying the book and KUDOS to Mr. Wallace for taking the time to write it and the guts to tell the truth about the greed associated with the issuing of speeding tickets by the police. What impressed me also was that Mr. Wallace actually posts on his website the websites of his competition. I especially enjoyed the National Motorists Assocation website, it was most helpful. I learned so much from this experience and after reading this book, I will never receive another ticket again but if I do, I will fight back. Thanks again to both Amazon and Officer Wallace.
Amazon.com
Having won an unprecedented series of victories and acquired huge new territories in 1942, Germany and Japan seemed poised to dominate most of the world. A year later both empires were reeling back in the face of Allied assaults. The rapid turnaround, King's College history professor Richard Overy writes, came about largely as a result of technological innovation and structural responsiveness. The Allies were able to convert their economies to a war footing with few institutional fetters, while the Axis powers imposed layers of bureaucracy that often competed internally. In fact, Overy writes, at one point during the war, the Luftwaffe had more than 425 different aircraft models in production, the result of different state agencies' and manufacturers' vying to push their models into the order of battle. The defeated Axis powers' conversion to their foes' economic model enabled them, according to Overy, to become technological leaders in the postwar years. His study is full of detail, and it makes for very good reading.
Book Description
Richard Overy's bold book begins by throwing out the stock answers to this great question: Germany doomed itself to defeat by fighting a two-front war; the Allies won by "sheer weight of material strength." In fact, by 1942 Germany controlled almost the entire resources of continental Europe and was poised to move into the Middle East. The Soviet Union had lost the heart of its industry, and the United States was not yet armed. The Allied victory in 1945 was not inevitable. Overy shows us exactly how the Allies regained military superiority and why they were able to do it. He recounts the decisive campaigns: the war at sea, the crucial battles on the eastern front, the air war, and the vast amphibious assault on Europe. He then explores the deeper factors affecting military success and failure: industrial strength, fighting ability, the quality of leadership, and the moral dimensions of the war.
Customer Reviews:
Just the facts ma'am, just the facts........2007-08-23
"Just the facts ma'am, just the facts." could be Mr. Overy's motto. Many in the general public assume the Allies winning WWII was all but a given. In reality the Allied were utterly unprepared for war in the late 1930's. Where the Axis had been planning and building for years. This highly detailed account describes the advantages and disadvantages of the Axis and Allies, both in men and material, at the start and then throughout the war. He has an unorthodox view regarding the true effects of the massive aerial bombings that cost so many lives on both sides. He backs up his view with an almost overwhelming amount of detailed data.
Gem of a Book.......2007-07-09
Richard writes very full. His analysis of key themes why the Allies won is excellent.The prose flows well and it is a joy to read this book.The endnotes are excellent. Do note that Richard has updated his 1995 book via a second edition published in 2006.
Also recommended: Fateful Choices by Ian Kershaw (2007)
Highly Recommended.......2007-06-07
Richard Overy, a British historian who specializes on World War II and has written on air power and the German economy, set out to explain: why the allies won. The result is this book of just over 400 pages. Everything about this book from the writing, research, photos, and even the maps is of the first order.
The war did not end because the axis powers lost; it ended because the allies won. A key ingredient on the side of the allies be it in Canberra, Ottawa, Washington, London, or even Moscow was the sense that the allies were fight for a positive good. That sense of mission sustained people and armies through the difficult times that they faced when the tide of war was running against them. It was a sense of mission that the Axis powers never had to the same degree. Germany and Japan went to war out of a sense of mission, but kept fighting long after its people had lost hope due to coercion.
Overy disagrees with those that think that economic power alone determined the victors. Britain, France, and Belgium had more resources than the Germans in 1939. In 1941, Hitler controlled most of Europe and had more than the allies. Overy believes: "The line between material resources and victory on the battle field is anything but a straight line." It is also important to remember that the difference between victory and defeat was often quite small. The United States defeated Japan at Midway because of only 10 bombs hitting their targets. A key element in the success of D-Day was the fact that the allies kept the Germans guessing about where they would land.
The two critical areas factors that defeated Germany was the victory of the Soviet Army. The eastern front was the decisive theater of the war. Another critical element was British and American airpower, which gave the allies victory over the German and Japanese navies, and then the allies broke the back of German and Japanese industry.
Finally, leadership and the adaptive ability of the allied militaries were other key elements in the outcome of the war. The leaders of allied nations bonded with their people as the war progressed and were able to motivate them. In this case, it was better to be loved than feared. The allies suffered a number of early defeats, but they learned from these experiences and got better. In Germany, Italy, and Japan the situation was the exact opposite.
Highly recommended.
Very readable and interesting.......2007-03-08
The author's hypothesis is that the allies' victory was not a foregone conclusion. He analyzes which factors were important, and what caused things to go the allies' way.
The analysis is top rate, and the book is interesting to read through. Lots of tidbits I was unaware of.
Broad-Based Look at Allied Victory .......2007-02-18
Historian Richard Overy does a superb job examining why the Allies won World War II. Overy concentrates partly on battlefield strategies but more heavily on economic output, scientific achievement and administrative leadership. Some don't realize that the war's outcome was far from certain after the U.S. entered in December, 1941. At that point Nazi Germany (plus Italy) ruled most of Europe, North Africa, and large parts of Russia, U-boats were sinking ships along the Atlantic coast in view of U.S. beach-goers, and Japan either ruled or was about to grab much of China, East Asia, the Phillipines, and the Pacific. But the author shows how the Allies had reversed the tide by 1943 due to economic and scientific achievement, strong leadership, intelligent strategy, and a strong sense of moral righteousness. In short, the Allies proved highly capable at turning their people and economies into fighting potential. Overy shows that by mid-1943 the badly-battered Russians were now chewing up the Wehrmacht, while the combined navies of the U.S., Britain and Canada (with much air support) had largely won the Battle of the Atlantic. Also by 1943 the U.S. economy was starting to produce enough goods to supply several nations in a two-front war. These advantages turned the tide, but it still took two more years against a tough, determined foe.
This rare book examines the war from the multiple economic, political, scientific, administrative, and military fronts. I felt the author under-rated the Axis, which came fairly close to victory (and inflicted more casualties) with fewer people and less industrial potential. Still, this is a clear and sober look at why the Allies succeeded in a huge and horrific conflict.
Amazon.com
Before Yertle, before the Cat in the Hat, before Little Cindy-Lou Who (but after Mulberry Street), Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) made his living as a political cartoonist for New York newspaper PM. Seuss drew over 400 cartoons in just under two years for the paper, reflecting the daily's New Deal liberal slant. Starting in early 1941, when PM advocated American involvement in World War II, Seuss savaged the fascists with cunning caricatures. He also turned his pen against America's internal enemies--isolationists, hoarders, complainers, anti-Semites, and anti-black racists--and urged Americans to work together to win the war. The cartoons are often funny, peopled with bowler-hatted "everymen" and what author Art Spiegelman calls "Seussian fauna" in his preface. They are also often very disturbing--Seuss draws brutally racist images of the Japanese and even attacks Japanese Americans on numerous occasions. Perhaps most disturbing is the realization that Seuss was just reflecting the wartime zeitgeist.
Dr. Seuss Goes to War marks the first time most of these illustrations have appeared in print since they were first published. Richard H. Minear's introduction and explanatory chapters contextualize the 200 editorial cartoons (some of whose nuances might otherwise be lost on the modern reader). Those who grew up on Seuss will enjoy early glimpses of his later work; history buffs will enjoy this new--if playful and contorted--angle on World War II. --Sunny Delaney
Book Description
The bestselling treasure trove of World War II political cartoons by Dr. Seuss. For decades, readers throughout the world have enjoyed the marvelous stories and illustrations of Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. But few know the work Geisel did as a political cartoonist during World War II, for the New York daily newspaper PM. In these extraordinarily trenchant cartoons, Geisel presents "a provocative history of wartime politics" (Entertainment Weekly). Dr. Seuss Goes to War features handsome, large-format reproductions of more than two hundred of Geisel's cartoons, alongside "insightful" (Booklist) commentary by the historian Richard H. Minear that places them in the context of the national climate they reflect. Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman's introduction places Seuss firmly in the pantheon of the leading political cartoonists of our time. 200 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Another viewpoint of history .......2007-05-14
This book is an amazing part of history. Few people would have guessed that the famed and loved childrens story teller Dr. Seuss would have been a major force for WWII political cartoons. The books is sectioned by times and people and there is a description (both historical and chronological) for every cartoon. The images are moving and the book is a must for any collector of Seuss or lover of history.
feedback.......2007-02-03
I recieved my book quickly and in excellent condition. I'm very pleased with this service. I will continue to order from amazon.
A different view of the good doctor.......2006-10-08
Long before he started writing children's books, Theodor Geisel did advertising ("Quick Henry, the Flit!"), and even editorial cartooning. This book collects a large number of his WWII cartoon, and offers a fascinating commentary on those cartoons and on the man who drew them.
The militancy of these cartoons stands in stark contrast to the gentle goofiness of, for example, "One Fish, Two Fish." Of course, he took on Hitler, Mussolini, and other Axis leaders, using ridicule as his weapon against them. Other cartoons blast the appeasers and not-our-problem isolationists of the time. Interestingly, other cartoons came out with strongly anti-racist themes - a bit radical for the time, but he treated exclusion of blacks from wartime industry as a form of sabotage or treason. Minear's commentary offers helpful insight into the times in which the cartoons arose, and into some of the controversy they engendred, making its points with clear cross-references to specific cartoons.
It's hard to see these today as serious political statements. Too many of us grew up on The Cat in the Hat and other of Geisel's later work. When we see his distinctive lines and style, they can no longer carry the adult clout that they did in the 1940s. It's hard to see his artwork through the eyes of these cartoons' original readers, and to see the outrage that Seuss both satirized and ignited. It's worth the effort, though. WWII was a very different time than today, and did a lot to shape what today has become. Minear's book examines a unique facet of that time.
//wiredweird
Dr. Seuss and His Perception of World War II.......2006-06-23
Richard H. Minear examines and shows readers another side to Dr. Seuss. The cartoons discussed and shown in DR. SEUSS GOES TO WAR: THE WORLD WAR II EDITORIAL CARTOONS OF THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL portray a somewhat dehumanizing portrait of the axis powers during World War II. They are a 180-degree turn away from Seuss works that have enchanted and delighted many children and adults. However, these WWII era cartoons draw a picture of what fears and persceptions many had during the war. Art Spiegelman comments that these are the "lost" collection of cartoons by Seuss that were drawn for New York's PM newspaper from 1941-1942, and specifically served as a propaganda tool; the cartoons earned a Pulitzer Prize for Dr. Seuss.
However, they are much more controversial to present day standards, and capture the mindset of the time in which they were drawn. And the enemy were portrayed as animal-like, a flock of cats, and fumbling human-like characters with gross depictions, which share similarities of how political cartoons had been drawn during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. These cartoons are yet another collection and historical picture of the past, and cannot be compared to the Sunday funnies.
Minear attempts to keep an objective eye on his examination and commentary of each cartoon. However, Minear's commentaries through out the book have an inkling of being subjective and opinionated when he discusses how the Japanese are portrayed . He is often critical of Seuss's consistency and accuracy of the historical record.
Nonetheless, DR. SEUSS GOES TO WAR should be required reading in any history class that discusses World War perspectives. The issues in the book are historically, politically, and socially significant to World War II, and will help bring an understanding of this particular time in history.
The great Doctor as political commentator!.......2004-07-30
Anyone who has read Dr. Seuss (and, honestly, who hasn't?) knows that his books include a great deal of political and/or social commentary disguised as children's stories. What many people don't know is that Dr. Suess started as an advertising copy writer and, early in World War II, worked as an editorial cartoonist.
This is a collection of some of his best editorial cartoons from that period, together with a detail commentary that helps to place them in their historical context. These cartoons show that Dr. Seuss was bitterly opposed to isolationism, and was clearly way ahead of his time with respect to civil rights. Ironically, however, he demonstrates a distinct bias against the Japanese that almost feels racist.
This is a facinating glimpse into a largely overlooked chapter of a celebrated artist's career, and should be required reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of Dr. Seuss, the man.
Book Description
In every band of brothers, there is always one who looks out for the rest.
A soldier. A leader. A living testament to the valor of the human spirit. Major Richard D. Winters finally shares his amazing story.
They were the Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Army Airborne, the legendary fighting unit of World War II. And there was one man every soldier in Easy Company looked up to-Major Richard D. Winters.
Here, for the first time, is the compelling story of an ordinary man who became an extraordinary hero-from Winters's childhood in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, through the war years in which his natural skill as a leader elevated him through the ranks in combat, to now, decades later, when he may finally be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on D-Day.
Full of never-before-seen photographs and the insight that family, friends, fellow veterans of Easy Company-and only Winters himself-could provide, Biggest Brother is the inspiring life story of a man who became a living testament to the valor of the human spirit-and America.
Customer Reviews:
A must-read for Band of Brothers "Buffs".......2007-09-05
This is a very well written book about Major Winters' life.
Reading this book has also been a fantastic exercise in having multiple perspectives on historical topics. I'm happy to have read it, because it shows how important it is to get multiple perspectives on any situation if you seek full understanding.
For example, from Band of Brothers, during the "Crossroads" charge in Holland, where Winters faces the young SS soldier (and then shoots him...and others). This book puts Winters heroism in more proper perspective. He did not simply scale the embankment to find a surprised (and unarmed) soldier on the other side. In reality, the two had already exchanged grenade tosses. Winters forgot to remove the tape from his grenade lever. The German was still cowering from a grenade that never exploded, and it gave Winters the advantage. This is quite important to know.
This book demonstrates how Ambrose had to "cut corners" in order to condense the memories of many men into one singular tale. I believe this book should be required reading for anyone in academia that is doing research on the 501st and their activity in Europe. I also suggest you read "Parachute Infantry" by Daniel K. Webster.
Gripping biography of a 20th century warrior.......2007-08-25
After seeing the HBO Band of Brothers series a couple of times, I ran across this book about Major Winters. This is an engaging and well-written account of a true American hero. However, if you have read Ambrose Band of Brothers book (that started the recent surge of interest) or have seen the HBO mini-series, you will find much of the content here matching those accounts. In fact, you will be able to predict what aspect of the story will come next through about 80% of this book as it tracks Easy company from Tacoa to The Eagle's Nest. It tracks Winters throughout his whole life, up to the present.
Easy company is fascinating for many reasons, but historically because they were at the tip of the spear for so much of the European theater of WWII. The stories here are told from Major Winters perspective however, and that tends to personalize them more than I experienced from the HBO mini-series. For example, in this book, Winters writes many of his experiences to a lady named DeEtta. These letters and the long distance relationship, forlorn romance etc. add a very human dimension to the crazy things happening as he was leading Easy company. He is very transparent with DeEtta in the letters.
There are other interesting personal observations Winters makes throughout the book. For example, the arrogance and ineptness of many high-ranking officers is repeatedly described. Winters gives names and accounts in this area. Their aloofness and inability to admit they aren't well suited for war is placed in contrast to Winters, who is practically tailor made for the job he is thrust into by the needs of history and his own capabilities. He also generally holds a low opinion of British soldiers in the field of battle, finding them repeatedly impractical and detached from what is important. One aspect of this book that is also present in the mini-series is Winters approach to leadership. Winters is friendly with his subordinates, but not actually friends. This is a tricky line to walk but it seems natural to him.
Winters conveys an unwritten, and unpopular, theme about war in the book, especially in the area of death. It is this: Don't be foolhardy. Many soldiers will die due to no fault of their own. But, many others will die due to lack of clear-headed thinking or foolhardy/misplaced bravery. Winters is frequently brave, but he is always deliberate and calculating in his actions. That doesn't guarantee survival, but it certainly helps. I've never been to war, and I'm glad of it, but I think there is a life-lesson there for all of us.
Some other interesting observations about Winters I like:
- Underachiever in high school.
- Became very disciplined physically and mentally during college.
- Grew up in a Mennonite community. When the war seemed inevitable, he could wait for the draft to start, or
"beat them to the punch and enlist, and satisfy his one year military obligations to his country. Winters chose the latter... At one point he considered drawing on his Mennonite background...Winters soon realized he was not a conscientious objector and to say so would be a lie." p29
Later chapters of the book cover Winters occupations after the war, becoming older and essentially acting as the historian for Easy company for decades while hardly anyone seemed to care. The book then comes closer to the present and talks about meeting Ambrose, reunions with surviving Easy members, Tom Hanks and others for the HBO mini-series. This is pretty fascinating material not found in the Ambrose book, or the TV mini-series.
The book tells about the strange tensions, sacrifices (both large and small), horrors, and insanity of war through the eyes of a genuine American hero. If it were about anyone else, I would find the combination of integrity, heroics and insight into difficult situations hard to believe. But, the Easy company story and Winters are well documented and have living testimonials to back them up. There have to be some feet-firmly-on-the-ground heros that actually help win giant wars, and Winters is one. If you like Major Winters and want to learn a lot about him, this is your book.
A great read about a great man.......2007-08-08
It's refreshing to read about someone with principles in a leadership position. The book was well written, uses sources that weren't available in the Band of Brothers (112 letters) and paints a picture of what Major Winter's and Easy Company went through. It also talks about after the war and the process of writing and later producing the Band of Brothers. If you liked BofB, you will like this...great book!
Outstanding soldier and leader...yet a humble man.......2007-07-27
What a fantastic biography this is about Richard Winters the leader of the 506th Easy Company. This starts off with the hair-raising account of his encounters over Normandy on June 5th and 6th 1944. This quiet yet focused man from Pennsylvania led a bunch of hardened steeled soldiers thru the thick of the fighting in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany in 1944 and 1945. After the war the book recounts Dick Winter's troubled transition back into civilian life and how he started a family yet kept correspondence with his soldiers after WWII.
The book also pays attention to Major Winters contribution to HBO's "Band Of Brothers" mini-series, the recoginition this outstanding series got, and what Major Winters is doing today (as of 2004).
I salute Major Winters for his leadership, compassion, insight and focus.
Excellent Read!
Curahee!.......2007-07-09
For anyone who follows or is interested in the stories of Easy Company, Company E/506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division, this book is a must! It is a treasure. Thanks to Larry Anderson for writing this book on Major Dick Winters and the men of Easy. Anyone reading this will be deeply moved and never forget what the "Band of Brothers" of Easy sacrificed on D-Day up to V-E Day. Get to know the man behind the leader/hero so many were willing to follow without a blink. An timeless story. A must for any book collection!
Books:
- Adventures Of Marco Polo
- Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes (scholastic Classics) (Scholastic Classics)
- Beatrix Potter Complete Tales R/I
- Billy Budd, Sailor (An Inside Narrative Reading Text and Genetic Text)
- Charlotte's Web (Trophy Newbery)
- Check, Please...
- Christmas at the Bears Paw Ranch
- Coco All Year Round
- Conspiracy of Fools: A True Story
- Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great
- Building Kitchen Cabinets
- What Do I Do With My Major in Psychology
- Varanoid Lizards of the World
- A Sourcebook on the Roman Games
- First Aid for the Pediatric Boards
- Animals of Ireland
- How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon
- Valuation of Intangible Assets in Global Operations:
- Weiss Ratings Guide to Common Stocks: Winter 2001-02
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Advances in Behavioral Finance
Beyond Greed and Fear: Understanding Behavioral Finance and the Psychology of Investing (Financial Management Association Survey and Synthesis Series)
Behavioral Finance and Wealth Management: How to Build Optimal Portfolios That Account for Investor Biases (Wiley Finance)
Advances in Behavioral Economics (The Roundtable Series in Behavioral Economics)
The Winner's Curse
