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We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers
From Marcus Brotherton, co-author of Call of Duty , comes a new collection of untold stories from the Band of Brothers .
Look for the Band of Brothers miniseries, now available to stream on Netflix!
They were the men of the now-legendary Easy Company. After almost two years of hard training, they parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and, later, Operation Market Garden. They fought their way through Belgium, France, and Germany, survived overwhelming odds, liberated concentration camps, and drank a victory toast in April 1945 at Hitler's hideout in the Alps.
Here, revealed for the first time, are stories of war, sacrifice, and courage as experienced by one of the most revered combat units in military history.
In We Who Are Alive and Remain , twenty men who were there and are alive today—and the families of three deceased others—recount the horrors and the victories, the bonds they made, the tears and blood they shed...and the brothers they lost.
Look for the Band of Brothers miniseries, now available to stream on Netflix!
They were the men of the now-legendary Easy Company. After almost two years of hard training, they parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and, later, Operation Market Garden. They fought their way through Belgium, France, and Germany, survived overwhelming odds, liberated concentration camps, and drank a victory toast in April 1945 at Hitler's hideout in the Alps.
Here, revealed for the first time, are stories of war, sacrifice, and courage as experienced by one of the most revered combat units in military history.
In We Who Are Alive and Remain , twenty men who were there and are alive today—and the families of three deceased others—recount the horrors and the victories, the bonds they made, the tears and blood they shed...and the brothers they lost.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2009
106 people are currently reading
4396 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Brotherton
43 books216 followersMarcus Brotherton is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor dedicated to writing books that inspire heroics, promote empathy, and encourage noble living. His commendations include the Christopher Award for literature “that affirms the highest values of the human spirit.”
His newest book, THE LONG MARCH HOME, (coauthored with Tosca Lee) was inspired by true stories of friendship, sacrifice, and hope on the Bataan Death March during WW2. It received 3 distinct starred reviews--from Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Notable solo projects include:
* A Bright and Blinding Sun
* Blaze of Light
* Shifty's War
* Who Are Alive & Remain
* A Company of Heroes
* Feast for Thieves
His newest book, THE LONG MARCH HOME, (coauthored with Tosca Lee) was inspired by true stories of friendship, sacrifice, and hope on the Bataan Death March during WW2. It received 3 distinct starred reviews--from Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Notable solo projects include:
* A Bright and Blinding Sun
* Blaze of Light
* Shifty's War
* Who Are Alive & Remain
* A Company of Heroes
* Feast for Thieves
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 25, 2009
This is a great book about the "rest" of Easy Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 2nd Battalion, 101st Airborne division. Everyone who knows about the "Band of Brothers" HBO mini-series or the Steven Ambrose books knows about individuals like Major Richard Winters, Don Malarkey, Captain Lewis Nixon, "Wild Bill" Guarnere, Lt. Carwood Lipton and many others. However there were many other members of the company who received little or no mention in the Ambrose books (or some of the follow-on books such as Biggest Brother or Beyond the Band of Brothers - the biographies of Major Richard Winters, Call of Duty - the biography of Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton, Easy Company Soldier - the biography of Sgt. Don Malarkey, Parachute Infantry - the recollections of David Kenyon Webster, or Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends - the biographies of "Wild Bill" Guarnere and "Babe" Heffron). That's not meant as a slight on the books -- not by a long shot. Each of them provided insights into the experiences and the lives of these men before, during and after the war.
But Easy Company was more than just that small core group of men. There were many others like Rod Bain, Herb Suerth Jr., "Shifty" Powers, Earl "One Lung" McClung, Frank Perconte, Joe Lesniewski, Ed Tipper, Frank Sobolieski - who we are introduced to in a very minor way in the main book but who had big roles in the overall story and this book helps capture their stories. Several things I liked that helped clear things up:
1. In the Battle of Carentan in the Band of Brothers series a soldier is walking out of the a French house when a mortar shell lands right in front of him. He makes it out and is helped to sit down by Joe Liebgott. It wasn't until I read this book that I finally knew that soldier's name -- Ed Tipper. I also learned what became of his life after the war.
2. Earl "One Lung" McClung - I finally had an answer as to how he got the nickname "One Lung"
3. The group that discovered the labor camp near Landsburg Germany in the mini-series included Bull Randleman, George Luz, and Frank Perconte (from the episode "Why We Fight") but in real life included completely different soldiers.
My final remark is that Brotherton included the stories of some of the Easy company members who have since died. The one that struck me the most was the story by Micheal Sobel - the son of Easy's first commanding officer, Herbert Sobel. As I read the book there were several of the Easy company Taccoa men who had a completely different perspective of Captain Sobel. Whereas Ambrose's book and the mini-series portray him as a mean-spirited, somewhat sadistic, and bungling commander the stories brought to light in this book show him considerably different. At the end what helped convince me that Captain Sobel got the raw end of the story deal from Ambrose and HBO was Michael Sobel's memories of his father. I'm sure that Captain Sobel had his flaws (as we all do) but having read this book and Michael Sobel's recollections of his father I've come to realize that he played an pivotal role in making Easy company into a "Band of Brothers"
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has already read the original Band of Brothers. If you haven't, you'll be lost.
But Easy Company was more than just that small core group of men. There were many others like Rod Bain, Herb Suerth Jr., "Shifty" Powers, Earl "One Lung" McClung, Frank Perconte, Joe Lesniewski, Ed Tipper, Frank Sobolieski - who we are introduced to in a very minor way in the main book but who had big roles in the overall story and this book helps capture their stories. Several things I liked that helped clear things up:
1. In the Battle of Carentan in the Band of Brothers series a soldier is walking out of the a French house when a mortar shell lands right in front of him. He makes it out and is helped to sit down by Joe Liebgott. It wasn't until I read this book that I finally knew that soldier's name -- Ed Tipper. I also learned what became of his life after the war.
2. Earl "One Lung" McClung - I finally had an answer as to how he got the nickname "One Lung"
3. The group that discovered the labor camp near Landsburg Germany in the mini-series included Bull Randleman, George Luz, and Frank Perconte (from the episode "Why We Fight") but in real life included completely different soldiers.
My final remark is that Brotherton included the stories of some of the Easy company members who have since died. The one that struck me the most was the story by Micheal Sobel - the son of Easy's first commanding officer, Herbert Sobel. As I read the book there were several of the Easy company Taccoa men who had a completely different perspective of Captain Sobel. Whereas Ambrose's book and the mini-series portray him as a mean-spirited, somewhat sadistic, and bungling commander the stories brought to light in this book show him considerably different. At the end what helped convince me that Captain Sobel got the raw end of the story deal from Ambrose and HBO was Michael Sobel's memories of his father. I'm sure that Captain Sobel had his flaws (as we all do) but having read this book and Michael Sobel's recollections of his father I've come to realize that he played an pivotal role in making Easy company into a "Band of Brothers"
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has already read the original Band of Brothers. If you haven't, you'll be lost.
August 2, 2011
Icing on the Band of Brothers collection of books, December 16, 2009
Upon finishing this book, I have read the entire lot of books written by or about the individual members of Easy Company (including Ambrose's "Band of Brothers"). Looking back, I am glad I read this book last because it essentially ties the individual memoirs and the television series together by detailing the lesser-known members of the unit. More importantly, it is the only book available that provides insight to the life of Capt. Herbert Sobel ... arguably, one of the more important members of Easy Company's legendary history.
Fortunately, there is still enough interest in the "Band of Brothers" to allow the men of Easy Company who weren't highlighted in the television series to tell their stories. "We Who Are Alive and Remain" introduces the reader to approximately 20 men of E Company 506 ... in their own words. The book is organized chronologically from the men's pre-war lives to present day with each chapter representing a pivotal moment in the unit's history. There is no superfluous text to connect the stories, just straight-forward, raw commentary from the men themselves. Some provide elaborate details of events while others need only a few words to express their experience. Their stories provide both supportive and alternative views to many of the events featured in the television series. We are also introduced to a wide-range of new personal experiences and opinions that provide a clearer picture of Easy Company.
But, what really separates this book from others is that it acknowledges Capt. Herbert Sobel as a member of the company and finally sheds positive light on the man savaged by the HBO series. An entire chapter, written by Sobel's son, is dedicated to detailing this enigmatic man's life before, during and after the war.
If "Band of Brothers" opened the door to the world of Easy Company, then "We Who Are Alive and Remain" can be viewed as a poignant closing of that door. It is a sad fact that this amazing generation of people is leaving us at such a rapid rate. I am grateful for any opportunity that allow these men and women to tell their stories ... we need to enjoy it while it lasts.
Upon finishing this book, I have read the entire lot of books written by or about the individual members of Easy Company (including Ambrose's "Band of Brothers"). Looking back, I am glad I read this book last because it essentially ties the individual memoirs and the television series together by detailing the lesser-known members of the unit. More importantly, it is the only book available that provides insight to the life of Capt. Herbert Sobel ... arguably, one of the more important members of Easy Company's legendary history.
Fortunately, there is still enough interest in the "Band of Brothers" to allow the men of Easy Company who weren't highlighted in the television series to tell their stories. "We Who Are Alive and Remain" introduces the reader to approximately 20 men of E Company 506 ... in their own words. The book is organized chronologically from the men's pre-war lives to present day with each chapter representing a pivotal moment in the unit's history. There is no superfluous text to connect the stories, just straight-forward, raw commentary from the men themselves. Some provide elaborate details of events while others need only a few words to express their experience. Their stories provide both supportive and alternative views to many of the events featured in the television series. We are also introduced to a wide-range of new personal experiences and opinions that provide a clearer picture of Easy Company.
But, what really separates this book from others is that it acknowledges Capt. Herbert Sobel as a member of the company and finally sheds positive light on the man savaged by the HBO series. An entire chapter, written by Sobel's son, is dedicated to detailing this enigmatic man's life before, during and after the war.
If "Band of Brothers" opened the door to the world of Easy Company, then "We Who Are Alive and Remain" can be viewed as a poignant closing of that door. It is a sad fact that this amazing generation of people is leaving us at such a rapid rate. I am grateful for any opportunity that allow these men and women to tell their stories ... we need to enjoy it while it lasts.
October 29, 2019
This is a gem. Stories told by those that were there and remembered years later. This is one of those keepers.
December 6, 2017
I cried puddles when I finished this book. It's my favorite book on the 101st Airborne that I've read... so far. What got me in the end was hearing the stories of George Luz, Sr. (one of my personal favorites from E Company), Burr Smith, and Herbert Sobel. The story of Sobel from his son's point of view was heartbreaking. I'm not a fan of Sobel, but maybe they did portray him in a bad light in the mini-series. I mean, these men might not have been so successful in their campaigns in the war had it not been for the hard training Sobel put them through. And, most of the men don't have anything against him to this day. They certainly didn't want to go into combat with him, though. That's completely understandable. If you're out fighting the enemy, you want someone who won't freeze up and get confused to be leading you.
I'm so glad this book was written. It gives a small insight into the lives of the men from Easy Company that we may not have heard of or may not have heard much about. It's great to put the spotlight on them for a bit.
I absolutely loved reading the men's stories in little snippets. It was so effective in getting their story across better, I think.
This book has been added to my all-time favorites shelf. It will most likely be re-read by me in the future. It's fantastic. And to sum it up, here are some great quotes that I highlighted in the book:
"I really wish you could have felt the aura of that time. It was indescribable. The whole country was united." - Ed Pepping
Ed Pepping on being asked if he wanted his name put on a memorial at a church in Angoville, years later: "They contacted me a few years back to ask me if I wanted my name put on a memorial there. I said, 'Heck, no. All I did was bring people in.'" (This was so baffling to me. These men are so humble. They really don't believe they are heroes. Now, I think if I were asked if I'd like my name on a memorial, I'd most likely say yes. And so would the majority of the American population. A different time, different indeed.)
"As a child, church didn't mean anything to me; it was just rituals. I was brought up the Episcopal Church, but it wasn't until 1966 that I really understood what it was about and decided to follow God...I speak to high school students about the war and my faith. I look back on my life, and it's troubling to me how much of my eighty-five years have been so ridiculous. I don't pull any punches. The kids love it." - Ed Pepping
"I have a strong faith; I guess I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that...I could quit altogether, or I could keep moving and go down the slow road. It wasn't easy to go down that road. Faith got me through. I'm washed in the blood Jesus Christ Lord Almighty. He has taken care of me all the way through." - Dewitt Lowrey
"Throughout my lifetime, I've never given a thought to having piles of money or being rich or doing anything like that. Now, I worked hard, and if I wanted something, I liked being able to afford it. But to me, success is those happy times with my family, being able to go fishing and hunting, and just getting out in the woods and enjoying yourself, looking at trees, watching water go across rocks in a trout stream, things like that. That's always what really mattered to me. My life has been good. All the way back, I've always enjoyed it." - Shifty Powers
"Freedom isn't, and never will be, free." - Herb Suerth, Jr.
"Freedom is never free. My message to the new generation is to value the freedoms that you enjoy." - Henry Zimmerman
"The idea of being a hero is ridiculous. You just did what you had to do." - Al Mampre
"What would I want people today to know about World War II? The children today have to know more about what happened in the past or they will be destined to relive it. Kids today don't get enough history..." - Norman Neitzke
"If you're going to do something, do it. Once you go in, you don't change your mind. You've got to win it. During World War II, if somebody wanted us to cut and run, they would have hung him." - Don Bond
"What is my hope for my generation? As a whole, we'd probably admit casualness in our patriotism. Most friends I know view Memorial Day as little more than a good day for a barbecue. But I wish we might glimpse anew the freedom we've been handed. I wish we would read books about World War II and watch war movies and talk to veterans and rent rooms from them. I wish we'd pray that future generations will never be called upon to make the same sacrifices as those who gave up everything for the sake of freedom.
And I wish we would live as those who have been given much. That is what I take from men like Nate Miller, Buck Compton, and all the men of Easy Company featured in this book. They have given much so that we might live for what matters." - Marcus Brotherton, author of the book.
I'm so glad this book was written. It gives a small insight into the lives of the men from Easy Company that we may not have heard of or may not have heard much about. It's great to put the spotlight on them for a bit.
I absolutely loved reading the men's stories in little snippets. It was so effective in getting their story across better, I think.
This book has been added to my all-time favorites shelf. It will most likely be re-read by me in the future. It's fantastic. And to sum it up, here are some great quotes that I highlighted in the book:
"I really wish you could have felt the aura of that time. It was indescribable. The whole country was united." - Ed Pepping
Ed Pepping on being asked if he wanted his name put on a memorial at a church in Angoville, years later: "They contacted me a few years back to ask me if I wanted my name put on a memorial there. I said, 'Heck, no. All I did was bring people in.'" (This was so baffling to me. These men are so humble. They really don't believe they are heroes. Now, I think if I were asked if I'd like my name on a memorial, I'd most likely say yes. And so would the majority of the American population. A different time, different indeed.)
"As a child, church didn't mean anything to me; it was just rituals. I was brought up the Episcopal Church, but it wasn't until 1966 that I really understood what it was about and decided to follow God...I speak to high school students about the war and my faith. I look back on my life, and it's troubling to me how much of my eighty-five years have been so ridiculous. I don't pull any punches. The kids love it." - Ed Pepping
"I have a strong faith; I guess I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that...I could quit altogether, or I could keep moving and go down the slow road. It wasn't easy to go down that road. Faith got me through. I'm washed in the blood Jesus Christ Lord Almighty. He has taken care of me all the way through." - Dewitt Lowrey
"Throughout my lifetime, I've never given a thought to having piles of money or being rich or doing anything like that. Now, I worked hard, and if I wanted something, I liked being able to afford it. But to me, success is those happy times with my family, being able to go fishing and hunting, and just getting out in the woods and enjoying yourself, looking at trees, watching water go across rocks in a trout stream, things like that. That's always what really mattered to me. My life has been good. All the way back, I've always enjoyed it." - Shifty Powers
"Freedom isn't, and never will be, free." - Herb Suerth, Jr.
"Freedom is never free. My message to the new generation is to value the freedoms that you enjoy." - Henry Zimmerman
"The idea of being a hero is ridiculous. You just did what you had to do." - Al Mampre
"What would I want people today to know about World War II? The children today have to know more about what happened in the past or they will be destined to relive it. Kids today don't get enough history..." - Norman Neitzke
"If you're going to do something, do it. Once you go in, you don't change your mind. You've got to win it. During World War II, if somebody wanted us to cut and run, they would have hung him." - Don Bond
"What is my hope for my generation? As a whole, we'd probably admit casualness in our patriotism. Most friends I know view Memorial Day as little more than a good day for a barbecue. But I wish we might glimpse anew the freedom we've been handed. I wish we would read books about World War II and watch war movies and talk to veterans and rent rooms from them. I wish we'd pray that future generations will never be called upon to make the same sacrifices as those who gave up everything for the sake of freedom.
And I wish we would live as those who have been given much. That is what I take from men like Nate Miller, Buck Compton, and all the men of Easy Company featured in this book. They have given much so that we might live for what matters." - Marcus Brotherton, author of the book.
May 9, 2025
I had read about half of this some time ago. Recently I started over in an audio book. Just loved it. These average men, mostly born before 1930, touched by the Depression, leaving loved ones behind, found their way into WWII.
In their own words, they describe their upbringing, parents, hobbies, schooling, difficulties, & advantages. Shifty Powers lived in the woods, many others could hunt & fish. These were men of resolve, tough, funny, & brothers.
From home, we are allowed to see the early days of training through different eyes. I deeply appreciated a fresh look at Sobol. Was he hard? Yes. Was he the incompetent pain that he was portrayed as? Maybe not! From jump school to the incredible march to Atlanta, & then the crossing to England, we get to see new stories.
It is amazing that anyone lived through D-Day, Belgium, & then Bastogne. Then to see the horrors of the camp & then to liberate Hitler’s lair, incredible.
Brotherton does a great job weaving the accounts together. Maybe the most interesting to me was the afterlife of these men. What did they do after surviving the meat grinder? One was robbed, another couldn’t find clothes for 6 months, another acted as honor guard for countless young men coming home in caskets. Some were highly successful, others were teachers, postmen, married, had children, some talked of the war, & others didn’t.
There were three interviews at the end of the book. One was from Lt. Col. Sobol’s son. He was caught off guard by the depiction of his father. He sought answers from the men of Easy Company. The way HBO treated the family is not surprising & the possibility of him being portrayed as a villain resonated with me. His forgiveness to these people was big hearted. His daughter’s sweetness to the “Army” at Disney World had me in tears.
Great companion to the other books. Each of the men denied that they were heroes & pointed to those that lost their lives. I think they are heroes also. Thank you.
In their own words, they describe their upbringing, parents, hobbies, schooling, difficulties, & advantages. Shifty Powers lived in the woods, many others could hunt & fish. These were men of resolve, tough, funny, & brothers.
From home, we are allowed to see the early days of training through different eyes. I deeply appreciated a fresh look at Sobol. Was he hard? Yes. Was he the incompetent pain that he was portrayed as? Maybe not! From jump school to the incredible march to Atlanta, & then the crossing to England, we get to see new stories.
It is amazing that anyone lived through D-Day, Belgium, & then Bastogne. Then to see the horrors of the camp & then to liberate Hitler’s lair, incredible.
Brotherton does a great job weaving the accounts together. Maybe the most interesting to me was the afterlife of these men. What did they do after surviving the meat grinder? One was robbed, another couldn’t find clothes for 6 months, another acted as honor guard for countless young men coming home in caskets. Some were highly successful, others were teachers, postmen, married, had children, some talked of the war, & others didn’t.
There were three interviews at the end of the book. One was from Lt. Col. Sobol’s son. He was caught off guard by the depiction of his father. He sought answers from the men of Easy Company. The way HBO treated the family is not surprising & the possibility of him being portrayed as a villain resonated with me. His forgiveness to these people was big hearted. His daughter’s sweetness to the “Army” at Disney World had me in tears.
Great companion to the other books. Each of the men denied that they were heroes & pointed to those that lost their lives. I think they are heroes also. Thank you.
March 8, 2024
Heartwarming, funny, and horrifying, and at times all 3 at the same time, the memories of the men of East Company, the legendary “Band of Brothers” of WW2 fame live on in us. Patriotism is not something we are born with, nor is love of our fellow man and the understanding that if it needs to be done, you should be the one doing it. Any combat veteran knows exactly what these men are talking about. We understand the dark humor that keeps us from mentally falling apart, the need to find the adrenaline rush to replace combat, and the empty, lonely feeling after it’s all over. Listening to these great-grandfathers speak on the same things that I know are true tears my guts out.
February 19, 2025
Thank you to Mr. Brotherton for allowing Sobel‘s family to speak up about the way Sobel was portrayed and set the record straight about how they were treated in the wake of the book and miniseries. It was refreshing to read about Sobel as a good man, and not the repetitive bashing.
Apart from that, what can I say? It gets repetitive to always read the exact same story. There aren’t a lot of deviations from the canon made by Ambrose and HBO. But at least Brotherton lent a voice to some of the less known soldiers in Easy.
Apart from that, what can I say? It gets repetitive to always read the exact same story. There aren’t a lot of deviations from the canon made by Ambrose and HBO. But at least Brotherton lent a voice to some of the less known soldiers in Easy.
August 21, 2018
If you have been reading my book reviews, you already know that I have been reading about the various men who served in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. They are better known as the Band of Brothers. Each book shares new insights into their lives and the conditions in which they fought. The book,
We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers
, written by Marcus Brotherton, takes a look at a new set of members of Easy Company. These are men who were not emphasized in other books. Read more
, written by Marcus Brotherton, takes a look at a new set of members of Easy Company. These are men who were not emphasized in other books. Read moreOctober 5, 2019
A great extension for fans of 'Band of Brothers.' While it does not follow a specific narrative and is just a record of the personal experiences of the lesser know solders in Easy Company, it is really neat to read their perspectives about the combat they saw and trauma they experienced.
This is a good book for those who have a background understanding about the history of Easy Company, such as where they trained and where they fought. I can see how beginning with this book can be frustrating because it tends to skip over some explanations and assumes the reader already knows what is going on.
I am glad that Brotherton made the effort to give these solders a chance to share their experiences.
This is a good book for those who have a background understanding about the history of Easy Company, such as where they trained and where they fought. I can see how beginning with this book can be frustrating because it tends to skip over some explanations and assumes the reader already knows what is going on.
I am glad that Brotherton made the effort to give these solders a chance to share their experiences.
April 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this audiobook. I loved that it was just a compilation of memories from the lesser known Easy Company men. The book ends with a section about 3 of the men who had passed away before the book was written from the perspective of each of their children. I really loved this part as it added a depth that other memoir-type books can lack.
July 30, 2024
the perspectives of the children and the way their fathers were portrayed in the show and their real lives was so fascinating.
May 9, 2022
More interesting stories from some of the men of Easy company.
March 11, 2020
Nach dem immensen Erfolg der Miniserie "Band of Brothers" hat Marcus Brotherton 20 der (damals) noch lebenden Mitglieder der Easy Company interviewt und ihre Erinnerungen zu diesem Buch zusammengestellt.
In chronologischer Reihenfolge lesen wir über ihre Vorgeschichte, ihre Entscheidung, sich zu den Fallschirmjägern zu melden, die Ausbildung, D-Day und die folgenden Kriegsgeschehnisse und zu guter Letzt auch über ihr Leben nach der Rückkehr aus dem Einsatz. Es ist kein durchgängiger Text, sondern Brotherton hat, gekennzeichnet mit den jeweiligen Namen, die Aussagen der Veteranen genau so übernommen, wie sie in den Interviews gefallen sind und kapitelweise nach Themen bzw. Ereignissen zusammengestellt. Manchmal hat jemand zu einem bestimmten Ereignis nur wenige Sätze zu sagen, manchmal geht es über mehrere Seiten. Mich persönlich hat das beim Lesen nicht gestört, ich hatte nur anfangs ein wenig Schwierigkeiten, die Männer auseinanderzuhalten, auf andere Leser mag diese Struktur ein wenig gestückelt wirken.
So gerne ich zusammenhängende Biographien oder Dokumentationen lese, nicht zuletzt, weil es dann etwas leichter ist, zu den Personen eine Bindung aufzubauen, so interessant fand ich dieses Mosaik aus vielen verschiedenen Perspektiven und Erlebnissen, das Brotherton hier zusammengetragen hat. Männer, die schon vom Anfang der Ausbildung an dabei waren, kommen genauso zu Wort wie solche, die erst als Ersatzleute Monate nach D-Day hinzustießen; sie kommen aus unterschiedlichsten Familien, haben ganz verschiedene Hintergründe und Sichtweisen, hatten die unterschiedlichsten Funktionen innerhalb der Kompanie. Gemeinsam ist ihnen allen aber der Stolz auf diese besondere Truppe, mit der sie gekämpft haben.
Sehr gut gefallen hat mir auch, dass sich Brotherton nicht nur auf das Militärische beschränkt, sondern die Männer ihr Leben vor und nach dem Krieg beschreiben lässt. Einige haben noch ziemlich interessante Karrieren gemacht (wie etwa Burr Smith bei der CIA), andere mussten sich nach schweren Verwundungen erst einmal wieder zurück in ein einigermaßen normales Leben kämpfen.
Hinzu kommen noch drei Kapitel, die von den Kindern dreier Easy-Männer verfasst wurden, die zur Entstehungszeit des Buches bereits verstorben waren, darunter auch die Tochter des meistgehassten Mannes in der Kompanie, Herbert Sobel (der bei aller übermäßigen Härte, die er den Rekruten gegenüber an den Tag legte, in gewisser Weise eine tragische Figur war). Mit am berührendsten fand ich die liebevoll geschilderten Erinnerungen der Kinder von Burr Smith und George Luz.
Insgesamt eine empfehlenswerte Ergänzung zu Serie und Buch - Bekanntes wird aus anderer Perspektive erzählt und Schlaglichter auf einiges geworfen, was man so noch nicht kannte.
In chronologischer Reihenfolge lesen wir über ihre Vorgeschichte, ihre Entscheidung, sich zu den Fallschirmjägern zu melden, die Ausbildung, D-Day und die folgenden Kriegsgeschehnisse und zu guter Letzt auch über ihr Leben nach der Rückkehr aus dem Einsatz. Es ist kein durchgängiger Text, sondern Brotherton hat, gekennzeichnet mit den jeweiligen Namen, die Aussagen der Veteranen genau so übernommen, wie sie in den Interviews gefallen sind und kapitelweise nach Themen bzw. Ereignissen zusammengestellt. Manchmal hat jemand zu einem bestimmten Ereignis nur wenige Sätze zu sagen, manchmal geht es über mehrere Seiten. Mich persönlich hat das beim Lesen nicht gestört, ich hatte nur anfangs ein wenig Schwierigkeiten, die Männer auseinanderzuhalten, auf andere Leser mag diese Struktur ein wenig gestückelt wirken.
So gerne ich zusammenhängende Biographien oder Dokumentationen lese, nicht zuletzt, weil es dann etwas leichter ist, zu den Personen eine Bindung aufzubauen, so interessant fand ich dieses Mosaik aus vielen verschiedenen Perspektiven und Erlebnissen, das Brotherton hier zusammengetragen hat. Männer, die schon vom Anfang der Ausbildung an dabei waren, kommen genauso zu Wort wie solche, die erst als Ersatzleute Monate nach D-Day hinzustießen; sie kommen aus unterschiedlichsten Familien, haben ganz verschiedene Hintergründe und Sichtweisen, hatten die unterschiedlichsten Funktionen innerhalb der Kompanie. Gemeinsam ist ihnen allen aber der Stolz auf diese besondere Truppe, mit der sie gekämpft haben.
Sehr gut gefallen hat mir auch, dass sich Brotherton nicht nur auf das Militärische beschränkt, sondern die Männer ihr Leben vor und nach dem Krieg beschreiben lässt. Einige haben noch ziemlich interessante Karrieren gemacht (wie etwa Burr Smith bei der CIA), andere mussten sich nach schweren Verwundungen erst einmal wieder zurück in ein einigermaßen normales Leben kämpfen.
Hinzu kommen noch drei Kapitel, die von den Kindern dreier Easy-Männer verfasst wurden, die zur Entstehungszeit des Buches bereits verstorben waren, darunter auch die Tochter des meistgehassten Mannes in der Kompanie, Herbert Sobel (der bei aller übermäßigen Härte, die er den Rekruten gegenüber an den Tag legte, in gewisser Weise eine tragische Figur war). Mit am berührendsten fand ich die liebevoll geschilderten Erinnerungen der Kinder von Burr Smith und George Luz.
Insgesamt eine empfehlenswerte Ergänzung zu Serie und Buch - Bekanntes wird aus anderer Perspektive erzählt und Schlaglichter auf einiges geworfen, was man so noch nicht kannte.
November 1, 2016
This was enjoyable because it was a collection of little stories. It was like sitting around with a bunch of WW2 soldiers as they tell about how they joined the Army, where they were on Pearl Harbor Day, what they experienced in training, what happened on D-Day and the end of the war. This was a nice addendum to Band Of Brothers. This was the audio version and the man that read the various parts even did the accents of the men. I liked it.
March 29, 2012
As a companion piece to Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers, this book is stellar. I've always liked the intimacy and realism of oral histories, and the opportunity offered here to experience not just Easy Company, but particularly some of its lesser-known men, is priceless. This isn't as "big" a book as Band of Brothers, but in some ways I found it even more moving.
December 23, 2020
Cannot read enough stories about the men of Easy Company
July 29, 2012
I loved the book, finished it last summer.
December 8, 2017
The late Stephen Ambrose immortalized Easy Company in several of his books, including his seminal Band of Brothers which was subsequently made into a very successful HBO mini-series. In addition, recent years have seen biographical works published on the lives of several members of Easy Company from Major Dick Winters (Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters, among others) to Lieutenant Buck Compton (Call of Duty) to Sergeant Don Malarkey (Easy Company Soldier) and Wild Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron(Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story).
How then, could there be any Easy Company stories left to tell that would add to our collective knowledge and understanding of the Second World War or the men of Easy Company, 506th PIR? In We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers historian Marcus Brotherton demonstrates that there are, indeed, many more experiences that the men of Easy Company had yet to share, and that they are all stories worth hearing.
We Who Are Alive and Remain is organized around the various stages in both the development of Easy Company as a fighting force and in the development twenty of the men who comprised it. Beginning with the early life experiences that shaped the men of Easy Company, the book follows them through the beginning of the War, through the enlistment, training, transport to England, and on to their combat experiences on D-Day through the end of the War. It then closes with the post-war experiences of the men and the personal reflections of certain of the children of certain deceased members of Easy Company, including the son of Captain Herbert Sobel.
The format of We Who Are Alive and Remain is reminiscent of the format of Band of Brothers, However, Brotherton does not interpret the stories that he tells. Instead, he allows the words of the actual veterans of Easy Company to tell the story in its entirety. The pages of We Who Are Alive and Remain are the actual, unedited, interview responses that twenty easy company veterans provided to Brotherton.
One of the biggest surprises in We Who Are Alive and Remain is how Captain Herbert Sobel, the much-maligned officer from Band of Brothers is presented in a much more favorable manner. In these accounts by the veterans, Sobel was not a villain, but a tough soldier whose high standards during basic training was the reason that Easy Company was so successful in combat. For example, Bill Wingett of Easy Company is quoted as saying, “I’ll argue hands down with anybody who says Sobel was the SOB they often say he was. He was tough, yes, he was as tough as anybody you’ll ever know. But he was not a Bastard.”
We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers, is a thought-provoking story of the humanity that must endure through the horror of war. The book serves as a counterpoint and supplement to Ambrose’s Band of Brothers and any reader who enjoyed Band of Brothers should read We Who Are Alive and Remain. This book is also a must-read for anyone who enjoys oral histories, the personal stories of war and the daily lives of the soldiers who fight.
We Who Are Alive and Remain reminds us that the men and women who fight are just like us, or at least we hope that we could be like them when duty required it.
How then, could there be any Easy Company stories left to tell that would add to our collective knowledge and understanding of the Second World War or the men of Easy Company, 506th PIR? In We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers historian Marcus Brotherton demonstrates that there are, indeed, many more experiences that the men of Easy Company had yet to share, and that they are all stories worth hearing.
We Who Are Alive and Remain is organized around the various stages in both the development of Easy Company as a fighting force and in the development twenty of the men who comprised it. Beginning with the early life experiences that shaped the men of Easy Company, the book follows them through the beginning of the War, through the enlistment, training, transport to England, and on to their combat experiences on D-Day through the end of the War. It then closes with the post-war experiences of the men and the personal reflections of certain of the children of certain deceased members of Easy Company, including the son of Captain Herbert Sobel.
The format of We Who Are Alive and Remain is reminiscent of the format of Band of Brothers, However, Brotherton does not interpret the stories that he tells. Instead, he allows the words of the actual veterans of Easy Company to tell the story in its entirety. The pages of We Who Are Alive and Remain are the actual, unedited, interview responses that twenty easy company veterans provided to Brotherton.
One of the biggest surprises in We Who Are Alive and Remain is how Captain Herbert Sobel, the much-maligned officer from Band of Brothers is presented in a much more favorable manner. In these accounts by the veterans, Sobel was not a villain, but a tough soldier whose high standards during basic training was the reason that Easy Company was so successful in combat. For example, Bill Wingett of Easy Company is quoted as saying, “I’ll argue hands down with anybody who says Sobel was the SOB they often say he was. He was tough, yes, he was as tough as anybody you’ll ever know. But he was not a Bastard.”
We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers, is a thought-provoking story of the humanity that must endure through the horror of war. The book serves as a counterpoint and supplement to Ambrose’s Band of Brothers and any reader who enjoyed Band of Brothers should read We Who Are Alive and Remain. This book is also a must-read for anyone who enjoys oral histories, the personal stories of war and the daily lives of the soldiers who fight.
We Who Are Alive and Remain reminds us that the men and women who fight are just like us, or at least we hope that we could be like them when duty required it.
April 23, 2020
I could read story after story about the 506th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment), 101st Airborne, Easy Company men, and never tire from hearing their stories from World War II.
There are certainly many stories from World War II worth reading, theirs is not the only one. However, it's just found a spot in my heart for history, bravery, and unwavering grit. When I pick up another memoir or historical retelling about Easy Company, there's always something new to learn. Even though I can recite their exact movements from the war: from their first drop on D-Day outside Normandy, the failed offensive of Operation Market Garden in Holland, holding the front line in the Bois Jacques woods during the coldest winter in Bastogne, liberating a concentration camp, and finally enjoying the spoils of war as the occupied Hitler's Eagle Nest retreat in Berchtesgaden.
My only regret is that I didn't read these books sooner.
We Who Are Alive and Remain might possibly be my favorite. The author met with, spoke on the phone, or wrote letters to the Easy men who weren't as iconicized from the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. While the outcome of their story is the same, this group's individual recollections are all very different. In each chapter, the author kept things sequential, but then placed different stories from different men together to piece the story together. I loved it. I went back and would read sections from certain men that suddenly had a profound or impactful moment. Wait, where was he from? What was his basic training like? When did he get injured? Was he a replacement or with the original group from Toccoa?
I will never know how incredibly intense, horrific World War II was, and am thankful for my freedom. After all these men had seen and done, they came home with such humility and started life right back up again -- sometimes if only to keep their sanity. One of the best chapters of the book for me was titled "Lives in Freedom." The chapter recounted straight from each man, what happened as soon as he came home. How they assimilated back into life, jobs, marriages, and retirement. It was really emotional, and a part of their lives you don't often see in these types of stories.
I wish I could have attended one of these Easy Company reunions that "Wild Bill" Guarnere was so instrumental in forming. I wish I could have met Norman Neitzke who lived in Milwaukee (just miles away from me), or Frank Soboleski from Minnesota, and so many more. After reading these books, you feel like you could start up a conversation with any of these men and your life would be changed forever. Just like their part in World War II will forever change history.
"Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?"
"No," I answered, "but I served in the company of heroes."
There are certainly many stories from World War II worth reading, theirs is not the only one. However, it's just found a spot in my heart for history, bravery, and unwavering grit. When I pick up another memoir or historical retelling about Easy Company, there's always something new to learn. Even though I can recite their exact movements from the war: from their first drop on D-Day outside Normandy, the failed offensive of Operation Market Garden in Holland, holding the front line in the Bois Jacques woods during the coldest winter in Bastogne, liberating a concentration camp, and finally enjoying the spoils of war as the occupied Hitler's Eagle Nest retreat in Berchtesgaden.
My only regret is that I didn't read these books sooner.
We Who Are Alive and Remain might possibly be my favorite. The author met with, spoke on the phone, or wrote letters to the Easy men who weren't as iconicized from the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. While the outcome of their story is the same, this group's individual recollections are all very different. In each chapter, the author kept things sequential, but then placed different stories from different men together to piece the story together. I loved it. I went back and would read sections from certain men that suddenly had a profound or impactful moment. Wait, where was he from? What was his basic training like? When did he get injured? Was he a replacement or with the original group from Toccoa?
I will never know how incredibly intense, horrific World War II was, and am thankful for my freedom. After all these men had seen and done, they came home with such humility and started life right back up again -- sometimes if only to keep their sanity. One of the best chapters of the book for me was titled "Lives in Freedom." The chapter recounted straight from each man, what happened as soon as he came home. How they assimilated back into life, jobs, marriages, and retirement. It was really emotional, and a part of their lives you don't often see in these types of stories.
I wish I could have attended one of these Easy Company reunions that "Wild Bill" Guarnere was so instrumental in forming. I wish I could have met Norman Neitzke who lived in Milwaukee (just miles away from me), or Frank Soboleski from Minnesota, and so many more. After reading these books, you feel like you could start up a conversation with any of these men and your life would be changed forever. Just like their part in World War II will forever change history.
"Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?"
"No," I answered, "but I served in the company of heroes."
June 5, 2022
If Stephen E. Ambrose’s renowned book, “Band of Brothers” was the beginning, then Marcus Brotherton book, “We who are alive and remain” is the bookend that ties it all together. This book is a gem, one that should be read by any Band of Brothers fan or historian.
There are many memoirs out in the world that allow us to live in Easy Companies world. Call of Duty by Buck Compton. Easy Company Soldier, the biography of Don Malarkey. Brothers in Battle, best of friends by Babe Heffron and Bill Guarnere. Thats not forgetting of course the memoirs about and written by Major Richard Winters.
What this book gives you is something that the others lack. This book tells you of everyone else!
This book is a testament to Easy Company, and in many ways, to those lesser known soldiers that we are reading about. What shines through in this book, is the way that it is written. The absolute respect that the company have been given, is clear to see.
As you read, you note that there has been no flowering the words, no prettying it up to make it more readable for a wider market. When you read this book, it is just as if you are sitting next to our subjects, hearing the words directly from them.
What fascinated me most about the book, was hearing from the children of those who had passed, one in particular. Captain Sobel`s son Michael had chance to discuss his father in this book and it was great to read.
While everyone has their favourites in the series, I will happily admit that Captain Sobel was mine. He came across as a complex gentleman, who was perhaps not portrayed in the series as he was in life. Of course, we know from comments through the biographies of others, that everyone had their opinions of him.
I would love the chance to talk to his son and learn more of this man. He fascinated me. I think there was more to this man than maybe we will ever understand.
This book works well. Being the lesser known soldiers, there is an interest there for fans and historians who want to learn more. The short chapters with multiple viewpoints, are a great asset to the book. It adds to the conversational aspect. You can almost imagine everyone sitting around with a cuppa or a beer chatting together.
This book is entertaining and can be moving. It can be hard to read in places due to the subject matter and is raw with emotion. But remove any of those, and the book just would not be the same.
Marcus Brotherton – Thank you for this book. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read.
Relatives of Easy Company Veterans – Thank you for sharing stories and keeping memories alive.
Easy Company Soldiers – 506E, Thank you for your service.
Currahee
There are many memoirs out in the world that allow us to live in Easy Companies world. Call of Duty by Buck Compton. Easy Company Soldier, the biography of Don Malarkey. Brothers in Battle, best of friends by Babe Heffron and Bill Guarnere. Thats not forgetting of course the memoirs about and written by Major Richard Winters.
What this book gives you is something that the others lack. This book tells you of everyone else!
This book is a testament to Easy Company, and in many ways, to those lesser known soldiers that we are reading about. What shines through in this book, is the way that it is written. The absolute respect that the company have been given, is clear to see.
As you read, you note that there has been no flowering the words, no prettying it up to make it more readable for a wider market. When you read this book, it is just as if you are sitting next to our subjects, hearing the words directly from them.
What fascinated me most about the book, was hearing from the children of those who had passed, one in particular. Captain Sobel`s son Michael had chance to discuss his father in this book and it was great to read.
While everyone has their favourites in the series, I will happily admit that Captain Sobel was mine. He came across as a complex gentleman, who was perhaps not portrayed in the series as he was in life. Of course, we know from comments through the biographies of others, that everyone had their opinions of him.
I would love the chance to talk to his son and learn more of this man. He fascinated me. I think there was more to this man than maybe we will ever understand.
This book works well. Being the lesser known soldiers, there is an interest there for fans and historians who want to learn more. The short chapters with multiple viewpoints, are a great asset to the book. It adds to the conversational aspect. You can almost imagine everyone sitting around with a cuppa or a beer chatting together.
This book is entertaining and can be moving. It can be hard to read in places due to the subject matter and is raw with emotion. But remove any of those, and the book just would not be the same.
Marcus Brotherton – Thank you for this book. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read.
Relatives of Easy Company Veterans – Thank you for sharing stories and keeping memories alive.
Easy Company Soldiers – 506E, Thank you for your service.
Currahee
April 12, 2019
If you are a fan of the series, Band of Brothers, I strongly recommend you read this book, which provides so much more detail about the men who fought in the 101, the Screaming Eagles. I became a big fan of the series and then read the book, Band of Brothers, and then We Who are Alive and Remain. Being given a first-hand look at the lives of the men who jumped behind enemy lines on D-Day in the dead of night on June 6, 1944, who fought so many battles in Europe, especially surviving the Battle of the Bulge, is so special. In most ways, they are just like the rest of us, except they were thrust into an once-in-history situation where they faced with death on a daily basis, they fought the evil, sadistic Nazi army, lived through terrible conditions, fought the mental battles that all soldiers have to fight. Whereas most of us have never had to fight in a war for the country, I believe it's very special to gain insight into the experience that requires so much courage. Yes, it brings the best out of the best, and worst out of the worst. And if you survive, like these men of the 101, you know you have done something very special, lived through an experience that will forever be studied and taught in schoolrooms. Men of the Band of Brothers, thank you for service!
November 23, 2018
Excellent! What made this book great were all the first person stories told by those who lived the lives. I would have enjoyed any group of 'auto biographies', but these were made better because of the shared experiences, and, of course, the intense experience of war. The reader, George Wilson, gave each person his own voice. Even though they weren't great 'voices', they did allow me to keep track of the different people and their stories.
Since they told their life story from beginning to end - and the war was just one episode - this gave a perspective that was very interesting. As I said, I would like to listen to anyone's life story - everyone has a unique story to tell.
Well worth listening to.
Since they told their life story from beginning to end - and the war was just one episode - this gave a perspective that was very interesting. As I said, I would like to listen to anyone's life story - everyone has a unique story to tell.
Well worth listening to.
August 12, 2022
A pretty good book with more stories from Easy Company, 101st Airborne and their exploits during World War II from Normandy through the end of the war. This book tells the stories from the perspectives of the members of Easy, many of whom were not mentioned in the original book by Steven Ambrose or the mine-series. Each member tells his own story about various phases of the war and his experiences and thoughts. The end the book also tells about several of the men's after-war lives.
If you are a fan of the original book, "Band of Brothers" or the mini-series you want to put this on your "to read" list.
If you are a fan of the original book, "Band of Brothers" or the mini-series you want to put this on your "to read" list.
July 20, 2021
Difficult to rate people’s actually stories of bravery this low, I just continually struggled at the format of this book. There were too many people and therefore I never was able to identify or resonate with anyone because I couldn’t link their letters together. All this to say that the content of the book is still worth the read, because people actually did the things written here, and many soldiers died doing it.
September 23, 2025
After trying for over a year to read this ebook from the library, checking and renewing multiple times, I finally finished reading and it. I've read a number of BoB books and this is a nice addition with stories and reflections from less represented men who fought in Easy Company. It brings a fresh aspect to this well-known story. I particularly appreciated reading reflections from George Luz's and Herbert Sobel's children.
October 18, 2020
4 Stars just because everything is spoken from the words of their mouth. Just as if you were sitting there asking questions and talking with them. Not one of those books that go into detail about the intensity of the battles going on, like you were there.
Being written over ten years ago, we have very few of these battle hero's with us now. We only have their stories.
Being written over ten years ago, we have very few of these battle hero's with us now. We only have their stories.
July 5, 2025
This book of the first-person remembrances of these brave men should be read by everyone. The men who were alive when this was compiled in 2007-2008 provide many interesting and moving details of their WWII experiences and their lives before and after. From over over the US and from many different backgrounds, they did what had to be done.
August 22, 2017
I read this in an atrocious Dutch translation. Rather "more of the same" after the other E Company memoirs I've read, but the chapter at the end, with the children's recollections of their fathers, nudged this towards 4 stars.
November 20, 2020
Excellent book
I believe Band of Brothers and We Who Are Alive and Remain should be required reading for all college freshman. Today's children need to know what young people their age did to protect our freedom!
I believe Band of Brothers and We Who Are Alive and Remain should be required reading for all college freshman. Today's children need to know what young people their age did to protect our freedom!
January 19, 2021
An excellent account from some of the men of Easy Company who were not mentioned in Steven Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers." They all have different opinions of their original Company Commander Herbert Sobel, though.
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