My rating: 5 of 5 stars
While not too different from Alexander Larry's, Biggest Brother, that was co-authored with Dick Winters, Beyond Band of Brothers is just as engaging and enlightening. Dick Winters is clearly a private man and prefers to be in the background. However, he dealt with the unexpected stardom very well. You can tell in his writing that is raw and honest.
In Beyond Band of Brothers, Dick Winters recounts his early life (although not in the same detail as Biggest Brother), but primarily focuses on his personal and private thoughts regarding his time in the war. While the man might be painted as a saint, a saint he certainly was not, and Dick Winters is the first person to tell you that. His anger towards Herbert Sobel, that bordered on hatred, was especially noticeable. The other men may have disliked their former CO, but they never hated him. However, Dick's personal experiences with Sobel were much worse and a great deal he kept to himself for many years.
Dick gives great praise to the men who served alongside with, but as he was an officer he had to learn to keep a distance from them. It was encouraged in the military that officers should not mix with the lower ranks. Dick may not have liked this at times, but also being unattached to the men personally was the only way to remain strong in the war.
One aspect I found truly remarkable about the legacy of Dick Winters was that he remained true to his strong moral character his whole life. He didn't smoke, drink, swear, run around with women, always attended church-although his personal faith in Christ has always been a private matter-treated everyone around him with complete respect and worked hard for everything in his life. Through all that, he was never looked down on because of such a moral life; a life that almost bordered on piety. At first the men of the 506th may have doubted him-going so far as to consider him a Quaker-but overtime Dick won their loyalty, respect and infinite love. Because he was both a good solider and good man.
Major Dick Winters was an ordinary man whose religious upbringing, strong work ethic and natural born leadership abilities guided him through the darkest days of WWII. He is a complete representation of 'the greatest generation.' A generation of men and women who are still teaching the world today.
While not too different from Alexander Larry's, Biggest Brother, that was co-authored with Dick Winters, Beyond Band of Brothers is just as engaging and enlightening. Dick Winters is clearly a private man and prefers to be in the background. However, he dealt with the unexpected stardom very well. You can tell in his writing that is raw and honest.
In Beyond Band of Brothers, Dick Winters recounts his early life (although not in the same detail as Biggest Brother), but primarily focuses on his personal and private thoughts regarding his time in the war. While the man might be painted as a saint, a saint he certainly was not, and Dick Winters is the first person to tell you that. His anger towards Herbert Sobel, that bordered on hatred, was especially noticeable. The other men may have disliked their former CO, but they never hated him. However, Dick's personal experiences with Sobel were much worse and a great deal he kept to himself for many years.
Dick gives great praise to the men who served alongside with, but as he was an officer he had to learn to keep a distance from them. It was encouraged in the military that officers should not mix with the lower ranks. Dick may not have liked this at times, but also being unattached to the men personally was the only way to remain strong in the war.
One aspect I found truly remarkable about the legacy of Dick Winters was that he remained true to his strong moral character his whole life. He didn't smoke, drink, swear, run around with women, always attended church-although his personal faith in Christ has always been a private matter-treated everyone around him with complete respect and worked hard for everything in his life. Through all that, he was never looked down on because of such a moral life; a life that almost bordered on piety. At first the men of the 506th may have doubted him-going so far as to consider him a Quaker-but overtime Dick won their loyalty, respect and infinite love. Because he was both a good solider and good man.
Major Dick Winters was an ordinary man whose religious upbringing, strong work ethic and natural born leadership abilities guided him through the darkest days of WWII. He is a complete representation of 'the greatest generation.' A generation of men and women who are still teaching the world today.
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