One of the books I finished over the weekend was, Comrades : Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals, by one of my favorite non-fiction authors Stephen Ambrose. This book is different from Ambrose’s others. Ambrose usually writes historical accounts of events with a very personal view. Telling the stories of World War II and the American West from the point of view of the individuals who actually took part in these historic events and the relationships between them. Comrades tells the stories in an even more personal way. The entire focus of the book is not on historical events but on the relationships between the men involved. Comrades focus on the bonds of friendship between men started from shared experiences and shared interests that grow into bonds that can only be broken death. Some of the stories include subjects of Ambrose’s other books including General George Custer, President Eisenhower, and the men of Easy Company. Many of the stories feature Ambrose himself and the friendships he has shared over the years with his own close friends, his brothers, and even his father.

Ambrose discusses how friendships between men are created and grow over time. I have been fortunate in that I met my best friend on the third day of Kindergarten, over 30 years ago. We were inseparable growing up, each others best man, and been there for each other over the years. We don’t get a chance to talk as much as we used to anymore. In fact we go months at a time without hearing from the other but when we do it’s like the months and years suddenly vanish. This is a great book for any guy who has or has ever had a best friend. I intend to get a copy of Comrades to send to my best friend for Christmas.

I would also recommend this book to women who want to better understand how men tick. This book may help explain why your boyfriend will let his buddy crash on your sofa for a month or two after his own girlfriend kicked him out, or why your husband will get out of bed at 3AM to bail his pal out of jail, or any of the other completely outrageous things men seem to do in the name of friendship. Women do not seem to have the same type of unconditional friendships that men do. This statement is based purely upon my own faulty observation (never having been a woman myself). Men do not need to see or speak to each other daily to remain friends. Guys who may not have seen each other for years can pick up right where they left off at a moments notice. Ambrose explores this unconditional, undemanding, nature of friendships between men which are unique in the bonds which hold people together. I found it to be historically interesting, a treatise in male psychology, and a guide to being a better person and friend all rolled into one.

This was great book, by a great writer, and best of all it is an easy read.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Here are some of my other favorite books by Stephen Ambrose: