Comrades: Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals

Ambrose's stories of male friendship would be good in any format, but why read what Ambrose wrote when you can hear him read it to you? There is the added benefit of hearing Ambrose's emphasis on a phrase, his light-hearted tone in some areas and, even more important to the emotional punch of some of the stories, hearing his voice break at particularly touching moments (perhaps the most touching was a comment that is highlighted in HBO's 'Band of Brothers'. A veteran of Easy Company is asked by his grandson, "Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?" "No. I served in a company of heroes.") Ambrose focuused on the friendship he and his brothers share, his friends from college, from work, the friendships of Lewis and Clark, Dwight Eisenhower and his brother Milton, Lewis and Clark, the men of Easy Comapny in 'Band of Brothers', the friendship of men who fought against one another in war but meet again as old men and the friendship between Ambrose and his father. I was surprised that he did not mention the friendship that he shares with his sons since he did the friendship between he shared with his father. Ambrose comments on the beauty of friendship between old men - no rivalry, nothing but support and love. He notes that he can't wait until he is old and can enjoy such friendships. Sadly, Ambrose died of cancer in 2002 at the age of 66. I give this one a grade of A-

Head the taped version of COMRADES: BROTHERS,FATHERS, HEROES, SONS, PALS, a tender book bythe late historian Stephen E. Ambrose that examines the bond formed between men as a result of both family and circumstances . . . he looks at the lasting friendships ofvarious men, from Sioux Indians to his own brothers, andanalyzes the special relationship between Meriwether Lewisand William Clark . . . in addition, he pays special tributeto brothers, including such famous pairs as Dwight andMilton Eisenhower, and George and Tom Customer . . . RichardNixon rates a special chapter and in listening to it, you beginto understand why he was impeached (in large part becausehe had very few friends).I was particularly moved by the author's last chapter, describing his own friendship with his father--with whom he only got close toward the end of the latter's life . . . "He was my first and always most important friend," Ambrose writes. "I didn't learn that until the end, when he taught me the most important thing,that the love of father-son-father-son is a continuum, just as love and friendship are expansive."

When I began listening to this on tape (unabridged) I fully expected a series of war stories emphasizing the bonding which takes place under combat conditions. Instead I found a riveting description of how important it is to value the friendship of those you love. In a world when close friendships are questioned because they are consdidered old fashioned, Ambrose examines personal friendships from his own experiences, including his relationship with his father, as well as historical friendships which he researched. These included famous military men, explorers, and most meaningfully friendships he developed himself in his various lives. The description of friendship found at the end of the chapter on Lewis and Clark is one of the best I have ever read. In a helter-skelter world appreciation for friendship and the close bonds contained therein is a glaring need which we all feel. It is far more than just a series of vignettes about "the guys" but more importantly a fascinating look into the need to be a friend and to enjoy the friendship of those who mean the most to you.

Many authors have picked up on the fact that men need coaching on how to converse with and relate to women. Stephen Ambrose has done a fine service in opening up the need for men to pay more attention to how they relate to other men. Using a combination of historical and personal examples, men will find this book a beacon to guide them towards new kinds of fulfillment. Women will learn to appreciate more of the benefits of encouraging fathers, husbands, and sons to have closer ties with other males. One of the benefits that I got from this book was that it filled me in on relationships that I have never had and won't have. For example, I don't have a brother. I could tell from seeing how my father related to his brothers that this was something special, but could never quite get inside of it. Now I understand the relationship much better from hearing what Professor Ambrose has to say about his brothers. I also never served in the military (4F was my draft status), and did not have that experience. From my father's faithful attendance at military reunions with his World War II unit mates over the years, I could also tell that this was special for him. I also understand this relationship a little better now. I appreciate both of those gifts. Professor Ambrose also points out the potential downsides of these relationships. Custer's unbridled ambition and ego led his two brothers to their deaths at an untimely age. Professor Ambrose's father was stern and strict until late in his life, making his sons feel downtrodden. Milton Eisenhower tried to talk his brother Dwight out of running for a second term, thinking it might kill him.Three other stories were especially rewarding for me. The first was how Professor Ambrose's father developed an interest in American history and helped Professor Ambrose become a fine historian, after having insisted he become a medical doctor earlier. This encouraged me to want to learn more about my sons' professions, both of which I know relatively little about now. The second was the very close connection that some World War II foes on D-Day developed in the post-war period. It made me think that I should seek out people with whom I may have once felt competitive, and become better acquainted. The third related to close ties with students. This made me want to do more teaching than I do now, so that I can develop more cross-generational male friendships. That was something that had never occurred to me.Comrades is not a history book in the classic sense. It is also not a how-to book. Instead, it reflects a sort of oral tradition that will spark emotions and desires in you that you didn't know you had. That's a great benefit to receive from a book.By the way, I suspect that students of management could learn a lot from the example of Lewis and Clark that is described here. After you finish this book, do take a little time to think about which variations on these themes you would like to weave more

I have read most of the author's works and have enjoyed all of them. I found this audiotape particularly compelling because it captures the author's genuine emotions, especially when he talks about his father. The audiotape had a powerful impact on me that I don't think would have been as compelling had I just read the hardcopy. I have read many books in my life, but this is the very first time I ever wanted to immediately repeat a book that I had just finished reading. Thank you Mr. Ambrose.