Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story

by William Guarnere, Robyn Post, Edward Heffron

Book Overview

Tom Hanks introduces the rousing story of two inseparable friends and soldiers portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron were among the first paratroopers of the U.S. Army-members of an elite unit of the 101st Airborne Division called Easy Company. Arguably the bravest, most efficient, physically fit, and tight-knit group of soldiers the Army has ever produced, the unit was called upon...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425217280
• ISBN13: 9780425217283
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Bill and Babe have a unique way of telling about the war

While the two of them cover far more of the stories with a lighthearted tone and do not hesitate to tell of the shenanigans they got up to outside of battle the stories they tell with the greatest seriousness are hard-hitting and give a more rounded understanding of the hell that war is. There are whole chapters where it will bounce between them as narrators and those tend to have the best detail. It is fascinating to me that two men who lived blocks apart before the war only met in England and then proceded to become so close that they could predict what the other would say, the title does not lie they were the best of friends and brothers. If you want a book on Easy Company I can't recommend this one enough.

Brothers in Battle

I'm not exactly what you would call a gung-ho patriotic type of guy, but I am fascinated with WW2 history, I loved Band of Brothers, and I have nothing but respect for these two guys. Bill "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron were two paratroopers from Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division that jumped into Normandy on D-Day, and helped defeat Nazi Germany. They met for the first time in England, 1944, but unbeknownst to them, they were from the same neighborhood; South Philly. Even though Guarnere was already a Normandy veteran at this time, and Heffron was just a green replacement, they became fast friends and remain so to this day. This is their remarkable story and their experiences before, during, and after the war. So many different emotions came to me while listening to these guy's stories; anger, despair, joy, pride, and even shame. These two gentlemen's story of sacrifice and loss literally put me to shame. I need to listen to stuff like this every once in a while to keep things in perspective. They start with their childhood experiences growing up in South Philadelphia, and not ironically, they were quite similar. One is Irish, and the other Italian, but both had a Catholic upbringing, from decent, hardworking families. South Philadelphia in the 1930's though, was not like Leave it to Beaver. These guys pull no punches, and mince no words. They are from a different era, and you won't find a lot of political correctness here. They quickly move on to their training, and eventually combat, which took them from Normandy, to Holland, Belgium and ultimately into the German Reich itself, their company capturing Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. A lot of the stuff they talk about is familiar from the miniseries, but a lot of it is new. Much of it, like the comradery, is heartwarming, some of it is sad, some humorous, while some of it is gruesome and downright disturbing. They really bring home the horrors of war. I was a bit surprised when the guys openly talked about killing prisoners and the like. I knew this sort of thing happened on both sides, but it's a bit unsettling when Bill casually says, "two SS soldiers put up their hands and handed over their weapons. I blew their brains out." They didn't have much good to say about the Germans, as men, or as soldiers. I was a bit surprised by the latter, as the Germans normally have a reputation as being such good soldiers. In these guy's experiences, technology was the only superiority the Germans had. They also talk about the British soldiers. They say the enlisted men were good soldiers, but the officers were too slow and leisurely. Bill claims that they literally had to stop for tea and crumpets before each advance. The end of the war for Bill was when he lost his leg in Bastogne, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge) in January 1945 and was sent home. Babe made it through to the end of the war in Europe where he helped liberate several concentration camps. The two men me

The Title Says It All

As a WWII buff, I watched the HBO series Band of Brothers, and eventually bought the DVD version, and I also read the Stephen Ambrose book prior to watching the series. These are good introduction to this book. This book gives Bill and Babe's first hand account of what they went through during the war, and how the hardships of battle bonded them together even to this day. The Ambrose book and HBO miniseries while excellent, they pale in comparison with the story being told in the first person, by men who were actually there. These are two ordinary guys from South Philadelphia,who never knew each other prior to the war, but because of it are best of friends. If you want to read an excellent first hand account of two real Band of Brothers, pick up this book. You'll laugh and cry, but most of all you will see how the horrors of war can bond people together.

Touched my Heart

"Brothers in Battle" really touched my heart. Sometimes, I would have to put the book down because my feelings were so strong. To think that brave people fought to the death to keep America free was an overwhelming emotion. The writing is in the words of the men who fought together and the sentences were kept clear and simple. These men are my heroes. This book is one I will always cherish. All I can say is thank you to the author for capturing these brave men enduring their sacrifices. And, truly, thank you to the men who were Brothers in Battle. Christine P

South Philly's Finest

The real hero's of WWII didn't come home according to Babe Heffron. Well Bill and Babe have heroically told the stories of those men for 63 years. Right out of Damon Runyon these two characters, as labeled by a priest, through thick and thin have survived the Depression, Third Reich, health problems and all that life can throw at them. No sissys here, they both are giving and caring beyond the point they would admit. From foxhole to hole in the wall,the story of their loyalty, honesty and true devotion to each other is unparalleled. It is one of the greatest gifts that we have from their generation and it is a testimony that todays society can certainly use. Robyn Post's book has brought to the public the heartfelt tale of two different men who, damn the consequences, are buddies forever.