Book Review: Flags of Our Fathers -- James Bradley with Ron Powers

James Bradley has written (with Ron Powers) an extremely revealing and entertaining biography about his father and the other five men that raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. The book displays the diversity that makes up the American experience for each of the individuals in what may be the singlemost important and captivating picture ever taken in American history.

It begins with the story of John Bradley, who never talked of the war to his family, never displayed that famous picture. James would quote his father as having only one thing to say on the subject: "The real heroes of Iwo Jima were the guys who didn't come back."

Interestingly, it wasn't until after John Bradley's death that a box of pictures and letters was discovered that would lead James to write the story of the six flagraisers.

The book chronicles the early lives of all six Marines: John Bradley, Ira Hayes, Mike Strank, Franklin Sousley, Harlon Block, and Rene Gagnon. It moves on to the devastation that was Iwo Jima, one of the most costly engagements in the annals of United States military and a pivotal victory in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, covering the events surrounding the actual flagraising. Three of those six men would die within days on that small Pacific island.

Bradley goes on to tell of the effects that the picture would have on the remaining three men, how they would become symbols of American freedom and the continuing war effort, and how they would be used by the government and the military to help sponsor that war effort - to devastating effect on two of the three, and leave the third mute on the subject forever.

It is a compelling book. It takes you into the lives of these men and gives you a glimpse of the United States as it was and how it was shaping itself to become the industrial giant it became. For those who love history with a personal touch, this is the book for you. For those who just enjoy a great historical read, it is a rich page-turner. For those who need to get in touch with what it means to be an American, in all its good and bad aspects, it is a must read.

Flags Of Our Fathers makes you proud to be American and adds its voice to the legacy of what Tom Brokaw has christened "the greatest generation." Clint Eastwood developed it for the silver screen, releasing the theatrical version in 2006, which earned two Academy Award nominations.