Some of the tales will make you shake your head. He is in neither tent and can see that even in WW2, the media image outstripped the abilities of both men. His criticism of both Montgomery and Patton is welcome and refreshing. There is a genuine critical perspective - and Ambrose is not partisan - he respects both the axis and the allies as soldiers quite equally and pulls no punches in pointing out the strengths and weakeness on both sides. The futility is there too - this account doesn't embellish armed conflict, but it doesn't saturate the reader with morality tales either. It gives you enough to understand the nasty side of war, without detracting one iota from the heroism. The solidiers and individuals, with characteristics and as much as he can he will tease out the humanity within the uniform. I like how Ambrose looks at soldiers as people first and foremost. He is a fine writer, his work is accessible and his perspective on human experience in combat is insightful and empathetic. I have to say that doesn't disconcert me at all. I've heard some try to undermine him by discrediting his academic prowess. He somehow cracked the market open and his Band of Brothers became that golden HBO TV hit. Stephen E Ambrose is a figure of some envy within the community of WW2 historians.
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