Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Are natural leaders born or made? It seems that Richard D. "Dick" Winters' life has been a quest to answer that question. And in the final chapters of _Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters_, he does provide the answer. Winters, the level-headed commander of Easy Company, portrayed in Stephen E. Ambrose's book, turned HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers," needs no introduction. Written in the autumn of his years, Winters culls a lifetime of inner reflection and a quest to live in peace, after leading soldiers in some of the most deadly combat of World War II. The result is a frank, sometimes brutally honest testament to the moral fiber of the American citizen soldier, who shouldered an undying responsibility to God, country, family, and above all, the men he led into battle. Sixty years from now, when the events of the Second World War sink ever so deeper into the pages of history, Winters' message will still be sought. Like the men he led of Easy Company, he will gain the respect of new generations of soldiers, and, if events mirror those of his life, continue to save lives.As in a resent biography by Larry Alexander ( _Biggest Brother: ... _ [2005]) Winters pens only a dozen pages of his early life before delving right into his military career. Winters was the product of many good influences in his upbringing: his family, Mennonite background, a strong work ethic, and no vices. Unlike Alexander's gallant attempt to penetrate his subject without much success, Winters' prose is down to Earth. The sense the reader gets of the words coming from the horse's mouth is reassuring, and holds one's attention. Also unlike Alexander's biography, Winters refers to the correspondence with his wartime pen-pal, DeEtta Almon sparingly. Winters confesses early on that his aim in writing the book is to tell the stories that Ambrose and HBO left out. There are some new addenda. Sadly, Winters updates us of the most recent passing of the men from Easy Company we have come to know and admire for their portrayal in the film, and in the documentary, "We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company." It is evident that Winters loves and respects those men as much as they do him. For the most part, however, Winters' version holds true to Ambrose's book, and Hanks and Spielberg's film, barring artistic license of the latter, of course. One can easily detect the strong contribution Winters had on Ambrose's work. In some places, the narrative is so similar to Ambrose, one gets the impression Ambrose quoted Winters liberally, without the customary quotation marks. Winters admires the late historian immensely, however, and devotes a chapter to Ambrose at the end of the book.The bulk of Winters' memoir is devoted to the people and events that left an indelible mark on his life: the men and battles of Easy Company. He goes on at length about the man we have all come to despise: Herbert M. Sobel. Despite Sobel's brutal leadership style, Winters credits him with molding the character of the core of Toccoa men that made-up Easy Company. Winters offers his take on the myths surrounding Ronald Speirs, who was rumored to have murdered German prisoners, and shot an American sergeant who was allegedly drunk, and disobeyed an order to attack. Curiously, a strategically placed "typo" may perhaps be a loop-hole out of a possible slander suit...see if you can find it, and you be the judge. Likewise, Winters makes no qualms about utilizing what he called "my killers," in vital tactical situations, most notably, the silencing of four 105mm. guns at Brecourt Manor, the textbook execution that was without a doubt, Winters' crowning moment in combat. For devoted "Band of Brothers" fans, the two individuals he singles out will not surprise. There are also heart-felt accolades for his two closest friends, Lewis Nixon, and Harry Welsh, as well as, a cadre of Easy Company enlisted men, most notably, Floyd Talbert, and Carwood Lipton, just to name a few. The loving relationship Winters formed with the English couple he was quartered with at Aldbourne, Wiltshire, his "second parents," never left him.Winters' life after the war is treated as briefly as his life before. Winters was a self professed "ninety-day wonder," whose warrior spirit was molded running up Currahee, and tempered in combat. As a combat leader, he felt there was no place for him in a peacetime, and "chickens**t army." His chapter spelling out his principles of good leadership should be memorized by every aspiring military officer or corporate manager.So were Winters' leadership abilities innate, or nurtured? That is for the reader to decide.We are indeed privileged to have this memoir of a truly extraordinary and humble man. But I am sure he would be the first to agree, that there were probably scores of Dick Winters who fought their way across the fields of Europe, or the deserted islands of the Pacific. Many lie beneath thousands of white marble crosses, or Stars of David. Many more, like the men Winters led, are embarrassed by the word "hero," and prefer to remain silent. Dick Winters is their messenger, their representative, and a model field grade officer of the Second World War. The media has made Winters a celebrity, and his peaceful life that he promised himself on D-Day has been shattered by well-wishing, and autograph seeking fans from all over the world. There is even a campaign to up-grade his Distinguished Service Cross to a Medal of Honor. This memoir is, I suspect, Winters' final word on the subject. Read it! Learn from its many lessons, and respect the officers and men of Easy Company. That is Dick Winters' legacy, and worth more to him than a chest full of medals.

I would be extremely surprised if anyone reads this book without having read Stephen Ambrose's Band Of Brothers (or the HBO TV series that was based upon it) first. Accordingly it's unlikely that the reader will be unfamiliar with Major... sorry, Mr., as he preferred, Richard D. Winters, the author of this book, or with Easy Company of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne.There is a passage early in the book where Winters describes his intent and motivation for writing the book. Specifically, it came from the endless appeals from people who wrote to him or who he met (after the success of the TV series in particular) to "tell us more", to provide more details of the story behind the story that we already knew.In this, I think, he succeeded and succeeded very well. The book relates no mere dry facts and figures, orders of battle and so on, but rather the personal experience. What he thought, what he felt during training, during the battles in D-Day and beyond. How those thoughts and feelings changed over time. The frustrations that go along with command (and in some cases the lack of it such as his time as battalion executive officer) but over all of this, he describes the bonding of groups whose members have endured the hardships of war and weather.It strikes me as being a balanced account, giving equal time to the good and the bad. If nothing else illustrates this, his account of his dealings with the difficult to deal with (to put it mildly) Captain Sobel, the first commander of Easy Company, does. Winters pulls no punches regarding Sobel's flaws (actually I'm not sure that that's true; based on Ambrose's accounts he could have been harsher and still been fair), but still recognises the contribution that Sobel made to the creation and bonding of Easy Company.The book doesn't seem to have been tightly edited. There are places where a good editor would have excised a repetition or two. In the last couple of chapters in particular the content tends to meander a bit, doubling back on itself and including trains of thought which don't necessarily have a particular destination. But although you may notice these, you'd have to be a literary snob to be bothered by them. I wasn't for two reasons. The first is that this was intended to be a first hand account, in the man's own words, and rarely does anyone (even me, and doubtless even you) express themselves in a tightly edited fashion. It makes the book feel more authentic that way, at least in my eyes. And certainly MOST of the book has been written in a "to the point" fashion.The second is that, and I didn't know this until recently... Dick Winters died early last year. These, then, are the last words that he leaves us with, more or less. I never got to meet the man, and alas now I never will. I'm not going to call him a hero because I know he wouldn't have appreciated that, but having read about what he did, and about the opinions that his men and colleagues held of him (OK, maybe not Sobel), I'd rate him as a man that I admire greatly. At the end of his book he lists some of the principles of leadership, number 8 being looking at yourself in the mirror every night and asking yourself if you did your best. There have been a few times since I learnt about Winters that I've asked myself whether I had done HIS best and although the answer is generally "no", it gives me something to aspire to. My point, and yes I do have one, is that if the last couple of chapters ran on a little longer than they needed to it just gave me a chance to spend a little more (virtual, at least) time with the author, and with other options no longer on the table I'm happy enough to have had that chance.This book will not have a universal audience. Concepts like honesty, honour and courage have been in too many places replaced by self interest, world weary cynicism about the quality of one's morning coffee, and "what's in it for moi?". See also, how the global financial crisis came about. For people who are of that mindset, the worldview of someone like Dick Winters would be an anachronism. Such people will neither read nor enjoy this book, and will doubtless have their finger clicking on the "This review was not helpful" button as they're reading this.But for those who believe that we should choose to be better than we are, and that we should act on that belief each day even if we fall short of it, this is a book worth reading.Oh, and those who have an interest in the history of World War II may find it interesting as well. But just as I've left that as an incidental aside, so it is to the book. World War II may have provided (most of) the scenery for this tale, but the actual story is the people who pass through it.And one man in particular.

Having watched the HBO series 'Band of Brothers ' numerous times, I have great respect for all members of Easy Company 506th PIR 101st Airborne Division. I served in the RAF for seventeen years, never saw combat and often wonder how I would have performed if I had. The men of 'Easy' was combat and more, and they performed fantastically, as did other men in other companies, battalions, armies.What makes Easy Company different is that they did it time after time, never giving up. That was due in no small part to a very humble (my impression from reading this book and watching BoB) man : Major Winters.He gives all the credit to his men, rightly so, but he deserves as much if not more than them. I believe that without him, many more would not have lived through the horrors that they did.I am now in my 'twilight' years, and am disappointed in the lack of respect, consideration for others and pride in themselves that so many of the younger generation seem to have. Many seem to think that the world owes them something even though they have done nothing.Perhaps they should read this book, read or watch Band of Brothers, maybe then they would realise what some are willing to do for others and perhaps try in some small way to emulate these Heroes this Band Of Brothers.Respect.

I am a huge fan of Band of Brothers. That is why I was so excited about this book. It was a bit of a let down for three basic reasons.1. It is obvious he is not a writer. I can't fault him for that.2. He did not really get into much detail as to what he did during the war.3. He is a very humble person, that is very obvious. But he talks too much about how humble he is to the point of he doesn't seem humble. I think this relates back to the first point.If you enjoyed Band of Brothers, this is a nice read. There is one quote from the series that he states again in the book that always gives me chills.When his grandchild asked if he was a hero, he said, "No, but I served with heros."He is an unbelievable man who did heroic things with other great Americans

I watched the excellent Band of Brothers series a few years ago. This is the story as told by Dick Winters himself.He writes about the 101st US airborne, from form up right through to the end of the war and beyond. He also discusses his views on leadership and what makes a good leader. Hard to put down.

Interesting in parts and written by a truly inspirational man,judging by his combat record,but it didn't grip me and I found that I could take it or leave it. I am certain that,had Major Winters written this soon after the war, it would have been a more interesting read. As it is, it is an idealised view of Easy company ,not warts and all.

I loved the mini series and thought what a wonderful man Major Dick Winters was. Truly inspirational. His thought for and care of his men is obvious. I still feel the same way. The book is easy to read though some of the detail on regimental staffing and construction was more than I needed. Major Winters is gracious in his comments about the part played by Captain Sobel- I'm sure that I couldn't have been.On the whole an enjoyable and enlightening read. The respect he had for his men was returned to him by those men and was thoroughly deserved.