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| Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima (Young Reader's Abridged Edition) | 
| Authors: James Bradley, Ron Powers
Creator: Michael French
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $8.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $8.94 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 636999
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 8 x 6 x 0.5
ISBN: 0385730640
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.5426
EAN: 9780385730648
ASIN: 0385730640
Publication Date: May 13, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More.
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Amazon.com Review
In the winter of 1945, on the tiny island of Iwo Jima, a ferocious, epic battle was fought, resulting in the loss of more than 48,000 lives and producing what was to become one of the most recognizable symbols of World War II: a photograph of six soldiers raising an American flag on the peak of Mount Suribachi. One of the six, Navy corpsman John Bradley, came away from this historical moment with a deep and mysterious silence about his role in the flag raising. Even his wife heard him speak of it only once in their 47-year marriage. After Bradley's death, his son James began to piece together the facts of his father's heroism, as well as that of the other five men, all of whom became reluctant heroes because of their presence during that fateful instant when the shutter clicked and created a wartime icon. Based on James Bradley's Flags of Our Fathers for adults, this abridged version for younger readers retains the somewhat terse drama, intense heartbreak, and bittersweet triumph of the original narrative. Through his research on the event and the soldiers (three of the men were killed in combat within days of the flag raising), Bradley explores the dubious nature of heroism and the devastating effects of war. (Ages 14 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Product Description
New York Times bestseller, now adapted for young readers, Flags of Our Fathers is the unforgettable chronicle of perhaps the most famous moment in American military history: the raising of the U.S. 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. Through a hail of machine-gun and mortar fire that left the beaches strewn with comrades, they battled to the island’s highest peak. And there, they raised a flag. 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 34 more reviews...
 great youth book June 20, 2008
I bought this book for my 14-year-old son, but needed something to take along with me to the doctor's office and got hooked. I have not read the "extended version", but this youth version is very good. In my opinion this book is about any 6 men who served in the Pacific Theater...I think the selection of any other random men could have brought to light similar stories. This is not to lessen or trivialize the struggles or heroism of the men whose stories are told in this book, but to reiterate what the author says, that "uncommon valor was a common virtue".
 Better then the movie May 15, 2008
Anybody who has read about or has had relatives in the war knows about Iwo Jima. Many sadly get their "knowledge" from TV and or movies. However, the movie made from this book is not bad. Even though Hollywood took a little and made other marines experiences and stories part of the subjects of this book.
James Bradley did a great job with this book and succeeded in putting a human face on the men of the famous picture. Mr. Bradley has the "misfortune" of learning their father or grandfather did much more in the war then they let on. As in the authors case, finding his fathers Navy Cross after he died.
Another good aspect of the book is the picture of battle and the rather horrible deaths that many marines faced on Iwo. I would go as far to suggest it is one of the better battle stories I have read so far.
Iwo was a very nasty affair much more then the fabled "Sands of Iwo Jima" that many of us has seen at one time or another. At least Clint Eastwood's movie does a much better job about presenting what these men went through.
Mr. Bradley also does a good job trying to explain the mindset of the average Japanese soldier of the day. Iwo was the first Japanese soil invaded by the US. It was to be defended no matter what and General Kuribayashi created a brilliant defensive system. He also seemed to understand the American psychy as he decreed that each of his men was to attempt to kill 10 men before he dies. Kill enough American soldiers and the people will loose heart.
However, the Esprit De Cours of the Marines carried them through battle even with the slaughter that went on. Even a nurse once commented that the men she took treated were not beaten no matter how bad their wounds.
One thing that many people (until the movie) did not know was the fact fighting went on after the flag planting. The Marines would loose about 7000 dead with over 14000 wounded. Much higher figures then the blood bath that was Tarawa and the 5 months of Guadalcanal. Even of the flag planters, three would die.
One aspect I did not know about was the lives of the men after the war to where they were basically controlled the photograph for many years. Living with being called Heros when they didn't want to be called that.
This is a great book for any library!
A complete history of a Important period of history April 27, 2008
As a teenager at this time I really didn't realize the depth of the struggle in the Pacific. This book really points out the reason for dropping the atomic bomb to end the war.
Apart of History Everyone needs to know February 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A fascinating look at a part of our history. It provides an in depth look at the American psyche and the how and why the US was so well served by the young people of that era. A glimpse of the real brutality of the Japanese and why Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the ONLY options for defeating a fanatical army command that espoused no surrender.
Great Book January 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's hard to get my 16 year old son to read. He liked the book so much he now wants the movie.
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