Book Review: Flags of Our Fathers

Title: Flags of Our Fathers
Author: James Bradley
Publisher: Bantam Books Date: May 2, 2002

This was probably one of the hardest books I've read in a long time.

Emotionally, it felt like I was hit with a hammer right in the gut. A sledge hammer, to be precise. As a person with a sibling in the military, reading the account of the battle of Iwo Jima was a sobering and harrowing thing. I found myself on the verge of tears as I read about how the brave men who fought that month long battle suffered.

It drive home quite clearly, in my less then humble opinion, that the current military engagements are nothing like what happened in World War II. Unless it is compared to the battle of Iwo Jima alone. This battle, in all of it's tactical nightmare-ish glory (I use the term 'glory' loosely.), can be a spectacular metaphore for the horror that is the meat-grinder of the current war.

Bad intelligence, poor initial execution, an overly early declaration of victory, and a misrepresentation of the combat by the press at large marked the events surrounding the battle known for a single image. It is tragic that it is so visibly evident as being present in the current military conflict.

All of this said, Flags of Our Fathers is an amazingly well written book. The language is very accessible and easy to follow. The story presented is well layed out. It is obvious that this was a labor of love for the author and a tribute to the life of his father. I highly recommend this book, even as it is emotionally challenging to read it.

Originally published: 2/16/2007