Reading Easy Company (How to Further Understand Band of Brothers) / A Reel History Short

Ever wondered how you can learn more about Easy Company and the Band of Brothers? Are you pretty sure you've read every book there is to deal with the subject matter? Well today we hope you are treated to something new and can dive even deeper into this great story. I guarantee there's at least one you didn't know about!
Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform.
For host Jared Frederick and video editor Andrew Collins, these Reel History episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcomed. Contact information for the hosts is available on the homepage.
The views expressed are our own and don't necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.
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[@jimw966]

One of the fascinating things about some of these books, that came out after the series, is they were written by soldiers in the other companies of the 506th, basically saying “we were there too” I think this was in some way a defense of their service based on the series, saying other companies weren’t as tough during various scenes. The series is fantastic, but made Easy Company out to be some special unit winning the war by themselves. This was an excellent companion to the previous episodes and am looking forward to your book on Speirs.

[@ReelHistory]

These are very good points--and you are quite right. The series placed WWII paratroopers within a certain aura, sometimes to the detriment of the historical legacy of standard infantry divisions.

[@XLegiitBadassX]

Your videos on BoB really pushe me to read war memoirs, etc. So far I have read "Band of Brothers", "Parachute Infantry", "Helmet for my Pillow", "With the Old Breed", "The Longest Day", "China Marine", and now I am reading "Islands of the Damned".

[@jakebeach7056]

I found Webster's Parachute Infantry didn't really say much, that's the best way I can describe it. Winter's and Malarkey's memoirs were well done.

[@paragrog]

Multiple camera angles now? Love how the production quality is constantly growing. Ya’ll are becoming one of my favorite channels on the platform. Keep up the great work guys!

[@ReelHistory]

Literally learning as we go haha. Thanks!

[@basilfoxworth7089]

@@ReelHistory please don't neglect audio. I love your content, but the audio levels are all over the place.

[@andrewc6602]

@@basilfoxworth7089 (personal account) I got a new camera and it had trouble picking up the mic we had been using and started out oversaturated and picked up the room echo, then calmed itself down for every speaking segment. i got it dialed in now. the amount of post work i had to do in this video was annoying. im never letting that happen again.

[@RuminatingWizard]

What's the point? It's just a side view of him looking at the first cam.

[@ricardoaguirre6126]

On a related note I work at a thrift store and last month I found a copy of The war in outline, part of the fighting forces series of books written for servicemen in ww2. And it was printed before D day.

[@TraceVandal]

In the write up about Henry Jones they mention he practiced Judo, I can't help but notice that in the series he disarms an unruly trooper with a pretty sweet move. I wonder if that is something they put in intentionally or if it's just a fun coincidence.

[@ReelHistory]

There are many Easter eggs like that in the series.

[@MrJJuK]

I feel Jones would of made a good officer in Easy Company, If he had joined a lot earlier. I saw a very young Winters in him, wanting to lead from the front and also cared about his men and did the right thing.

[@ginjamutha]

I have just started reading Winter’s memoirs and I am finding it hard to put down so I suspect it won’t take long to finish it. Hang Tough is next on my list. And I am now looking forward to your book on Speirs!

[@Fater4511]

It was an honor to meet you at dday conneaut and my 9 year old son, Josiah, has already started to reading your book! Thank you for the nice note to him.

[@kyleh3615]

Was not expecting more Band of Brothers content from you. Awesome that you launched your BoB content just at the 20th anniversary of the series. Always happy to watch Jared, and Shout out to Andrew too

[@ReelHistory]

There certainly remains a lot of public interest in the series!

[@andrewc6602]

Thanks for the shout out! haha

[@larson0014]

Heffron and Guarnere: Brothers in Battle; Best of Friends

[@ReelHistory]

Indeed! We tried to cover books in this episode that we didn't cover as in-depth in other episodes.

[@SuperMarkbrewer]

Superb and really educational and have enjoyed all the histories on the Band of Brothers love the detail and the background information really great keep them coming thought would have been interesting to have developed the unit citation history as wanted to know more about that. Thanks one of the most interesting things i have seen on youtube in a long time keep up the good work look forward to the next one now

[@DualStupidity]

Citizen Soldiers was the first Ambrose book I read! So many good stories that I've forgotten the details of, gotta re-read it.

[@writersbrock9246]

Well I don't have a lot of money, but next paycheck I'll will try to buy Fierce Valor and Hang Tough. So happy I happened upon Reel History, I have learned so many things I never knew about history!

[@altonbunnjr]

The late Donald Burgett wrote four books about his experiences in A company of the 506th. They aren’t huge and are a good read.

[@ladycplum]

I'm so glad I watched this. I found 3 copies of the regimental scrapbook on eBay (I don't care if it's an original or what) and bought one.

[@bigmess5]

Ty this was very helpful in finding books for my collection. Also I'll have to take you up on the offer to sign my copy of Hang Tough if I ever see you lol.

[@ReelHistory]

It's a deal!

[@JonSkinner1944]

First off, great episode! As an idea, you should do another episode and just book reviews of the ETO. For instance books such as “If you Survive”by George Wilson, Company Commander by Charles MacDonald, and Black Thursday by Martin Cardin.

[@ReelHistory]

"If You Survive" is one of our favorites.

[@dimitriofthedon3917]

This is my favourite channel atm, just came across you love how you do your videos

[@ReelHistory]

Welcome aboard!

[@Dafuqisdat]

Lt Jones would have been a great leader in the beginning of the war. I like how the show shows that he could be cool under pressure. Hwhen everyone was trying to kill the prisoner he took control and calmed everyone down. Glad he got to get the experience before the war was over.

[@astrirahadiputri3648]

Wooow...that Webster's book 😲

[@ReeseMacalma]

As far as readily-available "Easy Company Books" go, I was quite proud to learn that I'm probably only missing Conversations with Dick WInters. Personally, my favorite would have to be a tie-up between Don Malarkey's memoir or Bill & Babe's - the more personal approaches that these had really made them a joy (and a tear-jerker) to read. Thanks to this video I'll look into the other books written by soldiers who aren't from Easy to get into the bigger picture. :) I loved reading "Hang Tough" Jared! The insight into a side Major Winters' doesn't really show in the series and the other books is an amazing thing to learn about and experience. Really looking forward to the release of your book on Speirs. Wish they'd stock them here in the Philippines, or else I'd have to order from Amazon internationally again lol. Also Andrew! Love the improvement in production quality and editing. The two-cam setup works really nicely.

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks! I put a lot of time into this one.

[@omalleycaboose5937]

Malarkeys book is my favorite.

[@smccall817]

Just finished it last night. Very well done last few pages tugged on the heartstrings with laying the flowers on skips Grave. 😢

[@ReeseMacalma]

I feel the same way! The way the book started with events that are near the middle of the timeline was really well done. The last chapters were also worth all those tears.

[@Spaceman1968]

Love this channel. I should have been a history teacher!

[@gothard5]

I recently read (listened to) your Hang Tough book as well as David Kenyon Webster’s and am currently reading (listening to) D-Day by Stephen Ambrose. I have built up quite a library of books/ebooks/audiobooks on Band of Brothers, The Pacific, or just WW2 in general. I love this stuff. The biggest issue I have with listening to audiobooks about WW2 are that the readers or narrators always mispronounce a bunch of stuff. It’s quite annoying. Edit: really looking forward to your new book on Captain Spiers.

[@jakebeach7056]

John C McManus has a great trilogy he just finished on the U.S. Army's roll in the Pacific campaign. Very well done.

[@zachowon]

A book I love that focuses on a single campaign, Battle: Story of the Bulge. It is a book filled with what equates to first hand accounts, and a lot of various things. Over 100 thousand miles traveled by the author. I recommend reading ir. Has the 101st at bulge in it, but the book mostly focuses on the whole aspect of the battle, not just Bastogne or the like.

[@buddystewart2020]

Excellent video. I'm wondering if you've listened to any of the HBO Podcast they've been producing recently on Band of Brothers. They've been putting out one a week, covering each episode and talking with the Producers, Writers and Actors from BoB and they've been pretty interesting. I'm pleased at how these guys still carry BoB around with them, how much an impact on the actors meeting the actual men were, and still are. And even though there are mistakes in BoB, you do really get the feeling these guys were trying to do it right, and out of respect for the men and their families.

[@andrewc6602]

I'm here every Thursday waiting for it to show up!

[@ReelHistory]

We do indeed!

[@ryanmcallister7215]

I really enjoyed this video. I will have to look at picking up a couple of these you mentioned. Went searching for some good reads at the local book store and came upon the Parachute Infantry by David Webster. I'm excited to dive in reading this book! Have you read any of the books by the men of easy company? Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Dick Winters, Cole C. Kingseed Call of Duty: My Life Before, During and After the Band of Brothers by Lynn Compton, Marcus Brotherton, John McCain (Foreword) Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers" by Don Malarkey, Bob Welch Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story by William Guarnere, Edward Heffron, Robyn Post Cpl. Forrest Guth: ‘E’ Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division by Michel de Trez Shifty’s War: The Authorized Biography of Sergeant Darrell “Shifty” Powers, the Legendary Sharpshooter from the Band of Brothers by Marcus Brotherton

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Yes. Revisiting b.o.b.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

I LOVE YOUR BOOK!

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks so much!

[@omalleycaboose5937]

Do you know if your book is gonna have an audio version? I'll still buy a physical copy if it does cause I want to have as much material as I can... but I prefer audiobooks cause I can get them done done very quickly listening to an entire work shifts hours of the day as I stock shelves

[@ReelHistory]

Andrew here- most likely yes, he's still working out those details.

[@vega1824]

Great work about all the Band of Brothers episodes and thank you for sharing your sources. I am a big fan of BoB since many years and I missed content like that on youtube for many years. I could watch hours of hours of your reviews about everything around BoB. With all you knowledge about Easy C., imagine how cool it would be if YOU would visit places E. Comp. went through the war with you comments researched by all these books. I would definitely pay for it!!! Again, thanks for your work and just one minor tipp: work a bit on the sound settings. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@dodgermartin4895]

What I was going to suggest... there is another source of material for the 101st ABN. A person named Mark Bando has written extensively on the Division, But he is somewhat critical of what he considers over-emphasis on Co E, 506 PIR, and he thinks there are units more deserving of attention. Personally, I think Bando is a little too full of himself; he considers himself the premier authority on all things 101st ABN. I do give him credit for all his efforts to uncover every nook and cranny of the 101st. Look him up if you wish.

[@ReeseMacalma]

I just noticed that the thumbnail is from the scene with Luz where he asks Janovec about what he's reading... Well done.

[@ReelHistory]

😉

[@morbidangel2424]

Just finished beyond band of brothers and about to start your book good sir

[@ReelHistory]

Thanks! Hopefully I can autograph it for you sometime!

[@morbidangel2424]

@@ReelHistory if you ever make to alabama that be great,

[@christianb8735]

Hello Mister Frederick Speirs at Spandau, also interesting Story, Greetings from Bavaria

[@ReelHistory]

Hi Christian. In the forthcoming book, you will find the most in-depth account of Speirs's time at Spandau.

[@chyennedunn4803]

Will there be more copies of Hang Tough coming out? Everywhere I look it’s completely sold out 😭 dying to get my hands on a copy!

[@ReelHistory]

The publisher is currently scrambling to print more. They didn't believe me when I said it was going to be a popular book.

[@tonylesser3704]

You're one of my favorite creators for history and correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Wild Bill write a book about his experiences with the 101 airborne

[@ReelHistory]

Well thank you!! He did, along with Heffron. We simply couldn't cover them all.

[@NebMunb]

Will you be doing a Reel Film for "The Pacific?" I'm not sure if you've answered this 1,000 times already.... but please take it into consideration!

[@ReelHistory]

Well, I just got done editing 2 episodes if that helps

[@dbach1025]

When I think of Ambrose's book being published in 1992, I always wonder why it took 2 decades to make the series BoB. I guess we are pretty blessed that it did because they hit the ball out of the park with Hanks and Spielberg at the helm with HBO. Who knows what Hollywierd would have come up with independent of the greats that did BoB. And timing is everything with Private Ryan sort of setting the table. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the short but awesome content, Professor.

[@andrewc6602]

from the book being published to the release of the series was 9 year

[@dbach1025]

@@andrewc6602 my bad. Not that long in terms of production and all that when you do the math correct. Lol

[@Dej24601]

I have a question. Occasionally, I see US troops wearing white helmets (I noticed it in the episode The Breaking Point) mixed in with the guys in dark helmets. What do the white helmets signify? Thanks.

[@ReelHistory]

Hello. It was simply white cloth to serve as snow camouflage.

[@Dej24601]

@@ReelHistory ok, interesting. Thank you for all your info.

[@user-uz5wx7lg2s]

Hi Jared, I’m trying to find a physical copy of your Hang Tough book but can’t find it on Amazon or anywhere else. Anywhere you know I can get it?

[@ReelHistory]

Good news and bad news. The bad news is It is currently out of stock because the publisher did not anticipate its popularity. (They're scrambling to print more right now) The good news is you can bid on this! www.ebay.com/itm/Hang-Tough-Special-Ed-Signed-By-Bradford-Freeman-Band-Of-Brothers-D-Day-Relic-/194516230610?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[@user-uz5wx7lg2s]

@@ReelHistory that’s awesome! I can’t afford that unfortunately but I did just find one for $30 on books a million so I snagged that

[@ReelHistory]

Awesome!

[@jmilitaria_collectibles]

All quiet on the western front would be cool to analyze because you can compare it to real experiences and the book

[@ReelHistory]

Great suggestion!

[@ayteebee]

Can’t wait for Masters of the Air.

[@ReelHistory]

Agreed!

[@garyzarkowski8771]

Given Winters was a battalion commander, and his record is it surprising he didn’t get promoted to lieutenant colonel?

[@ReelHistory]

I'm sure that if the war continued he would have been.

[@direwolf6234]

best understanding is to take the ambrose d-day to the rhine tour... southern england normandy market garden bastogne eagles nest ... being the ground gives a perspective found no where else...

[@ReelHistory]

Indeed. This is true of all battlefields. Nothing beats seeing them in person.

[@Heath_Fisher]

Not sure about this alternative camera angle the lamp seems to be centre piece of the shot. It’s a nice lamp I guess

[@ReelHistory]

I'm no Spielberg I guess

[@Heath_Fisher]

@@ReelHistory I wouldn’t go that far you do good work

[@thedude1316]

Do you plan on covering "The Pacific"?

[@ReelHistory]

Currently editing episode 3

[@thedude1316]

@@ReelHistory Awesome. I read the books that series is based on. My grandpa and his brother were at Okinawa on Guadalcanal.

[@bennickell8477]

What ever happened to the pistol that Winters received the German Major at the end of the war? I know his .45 is in a museum but I can't find anything on the surrendered pistol.

[@ReelHistory]

Might still be owned by the family. We are not sure of its location.

[@bennickell8477]

@ReelHistory I just hope that it never is fired again and I suppose if it's with his family that tradition is being respected. Thank you for answering my question.

[@jakebeach7056]

Of all the personal memoirs from men in Easy, Webster's wasn't that good. I think Citizen Soldiers is a great book. I re-read the portion about Christmas every year. However, if I was to give a suggestion for someone who wanted a overall view of the U.S. in Europe, Rick Acktison's liberation trilogy would be the first set to read, then read Ambrose's D-Day and Citizen Soldiers.

[@dodgermartin4895]

I wrote a comment about Mark Bando. Was it deleted?

[@ReelHistory]

Not that I see, but sometimes if comments contain a certain word or a link or anything at all really, youtube automatically deletes it. I have no idea why sorry.

[@robertmoyer175]

Loved this episode except for the side views, they distracted from an otherwise excellent vlog.

[@Gjudxdkjyzddhjnr7091]

Please do A bridge too far

[@jimgregory6185]

No doubt Capt Spears was the shit.