Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story

Written by William "Wild Bill" Guarnere, Edward "Babe" Heffron and Robyn Post

Narrated by Dick Hill

Tom Hanks introduces the rousing story of two inseparable friends and soldiers portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.

William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron were among the first paratroopers of the U.S. Army-members of an elite unit of the 101st Airborne Division called Easy Company. Arguably the bravest, most efficient, physically fit, and tight-knit group of soldiers the Army has ever produced, the unit was called upon for every high-risk operation of the war, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden.

Both fought side-by-side until Guarnere lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge and was sent home. Heffron went on to liberate concentration camps and rake Hitler's Eagle's Nest hideout. United by their experience, the two reconnected at the war's end and have been the best of friends ever since. Their story is a tribute to the lasting bond forged between comrades in arms-and to all those who fought for freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 16, 2007
• ISBN: 9781400175321

Reviews for Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends

[Seth Wilkins · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very good story. But it has very bad audio quality.

[gcamp_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent story about two men and their friends in the 101st Airborne. The story is told by William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron of "Band of Brothers" fame. At times it was hilariously funny, at others it was exceedingly sad. The book was extremely interesting and held my attention the entire way through. The men told of their experiences beginning with their childhood growing up in Philadelphia during the depression, through the time of their enlistment with the 101st Airborne, their experiences during World War II, and it concluded with the tale of their continuing friendship which has lasted over sixty years. These men experienced a lot of things during the war and it took many years before they were able to speak about their experiences. After hearing their story, I can understand why. My father was in World War II and traveled some of the same places that these men did. However, my father would never talk about his experiences there. Now that he is gone, I can never know what he went through. Being a person who loves to study history, I wish that I would have been able to get him to open up about it while he was still with us. But, as I said before, I can understand his desire not to speak of it. I really appreciate all the soldiers who have fought for our nation throughout its history. They deserve our heartfelt gratitude. Thanks to all of them.

[Glynnis Clark · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The book might have been brilliant and thoughtful, but the quality of the recording was unacceptably poor and I couldn’t get through the introduction. Sounded like it was recorded through a paper towel tube in a moving car with the windows down.

[Tony Brooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this is the missing link to a great American generation. this is most influential book I've ever read.. stories like these should be ready and every High School in America

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In World War II, a group of men trained together and then were deployed together--those that survived continued to meet at reunions. Their stories inspired "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers". Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffran both grew up in Philadelphia, but didn't meet until during WWII when Babe was assigned to the same company as Bill. That began a long friendship between the two men.It was interesting to hear their real, first-hand experience of the war. And, as they note, war then was much different than it is today. I think I was most struck by their friendship though.

[chris_el-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed reading this dual biography of two boys from the same town that didn't meet each other until the war started and they ended up being best friends. Having seen Band of Brothers here these two veterans relate what happened in their experience with the Screaming Eagles. They reference the show occasionally as they were consulted during production. And they give some additional details.

I enjoyed their brief description of what life was like growing up lower middle class in America and how things have changed so drastically here.

Poignant, their sense of humor shines through often but so does the pathos of their experience in the war. Their story of revisits to Europe after the war has some pretty funny moments too.

[cmbohn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Europe 1944Written by and about a couple of friends from the 101st Airborne Band of Brothers about their experiences during WWII. It's mostly told in their words, and it makes for a great story.

[seoulful · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

We have yet another perspective on the history of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne during WWII from two of its combat veterans. Their stories are given orally to Robyn Post, a journalist from the Philadelphia area, who retaining their original language, organizes the stories into a chronological and orderly presentation. The two men are unusually forthright about their combat experiences which tells us something about the skill of the interviewer. Originally made famous by the Stephen Ambrose book, Band of Brothers, Easy company received even more attention from the filming of a TV series based upon the Ambrose book. Several other books including a well-written one by a company veteran, David Kenyon Webster, have added to the history and lore of Easy Company. Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends centers upon the exceptional friendships formed by men who share combat and in particular the relationship of the two authors, Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron who grew up in the same environment of south Philly, fought together, returned to south Philly and have maintained a lifelong friendship. It's interesting to note the differing versions of incidents as viewed and remembered by men sharing in the action. In the Normandy drop a group of paratroopers came upon some carts with ammo being drawn by Germans toward the frontlines. The group who informed Ambrose remembered taking prisoners and some carts getting away. Guarnere remembers all men being shot along with the horses and no prisoners taken. Guarnere and Heffron are very good at relating the life-long effects of battle. They say there's not a day that goes by that they don't think about their buddies that didn't come back. A good presentation of how natural leaders emerged at every level and how men from every walk in life, under the pressures of shared training and combat formed a cohesive, effective fighting force.

[dcwillis_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I have read in a long time. I have been a fan of the mini series since 2004, read the book, and read Major Dick Winters' memoirs. I have been waiting anxiously since long before the book came out to get a copy and dive in because I greatly admire both "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Babe Heffron. This book is beautifully written, a very personal account from the point of view of two men who grew up practically next door and never met until World War II and Easy Company brought them together.The affection the two men feel for each other and the company is evident, the stories are sometimes heartbreaking and always inspiring, and wonderful as a stand alone or a companion to the mini series and other books.If you are a fan of the mini series or the book, interested in World War II, or just looking for a great book I highly recommend this one. Also, if you need any more convincing, Tom Hanks wrote a lovely foreward and the actors who played Guarnere and Heffron in the mini series (Frank John Hughes and Robin Laing, respectively) close the book.