The Half-Full Book Review – “Beyond Band of Brothers” by Major Dick Winters

There is nothing more sobering sometimes than reading an account of war written by someone who has shown great leadership in the battlefield – you try to put yourself in their place and imagine if you could display the same courage and presence of mind under fire. War is the ultimate test of nerve because of the stakes – life or death. It certainly puts any high pressure business leadership dilemma in its proper perspective, to say the least.

“Beyond Band of Brothers”, subtitled “The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters”, is one of these accounts which tells the now familiar story of Winters and his “Band of Brothers” in World War II. The bravery and honor of these men have been celebrated by the late Steven Ambrose in his books and by HBO in its miniseries, but this book adds some important first hand perspective offering a deeper glimpse of the man leading Easy Company from D-Day through Germany’s surrender.

While Winters doesn’t quite write in the flowing and majestic style of Ambrose, he still delivers a gripping and often inspiring narrative, chronicling his youth in Pennsylvania, his entry into the Army and an intensive and arduous 2 years of training, his parachute jump into Normandy on D-Day (and the taking out of the German guns at Brecourt Manor, undoubtedly saving many American lives at Utah Beach), several other important battles (including their courageous defense of Bastogne), and his rise among the ranks to Major through outstanding battlefield leadership as the Yanks ultimately prevailed.

The one thing that strikes you as you read this book is Winter’s humble and modest take on his own accomplishments – here he is, one of the most celebrated soldiers of the war (and for very good reason), but yet he’s always deflecting the credit to his brothers-in-arms. Here’s a telling passage about being a hero:

“…..I have always been uncomfortable with that term. Only a few heroes came back from the war. The real heroes lie under white crosses in North Africa, Europe and across the Pacific. I still cannot visit the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach without crying for the men who never had the opportunity of achieving the peace that many of us have enjoyed. I know plenty of heroes, but I am certainly not one.”

Winters also adds his 10 principles of good leadership, which are sprinkled liberally throughout the book and summarized on the last page. Based on the number of times it was mentioned I’d have to say the most important one to him was earning the respect of his men. As he puts it, it is key “not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character”. Having absolute courage and toughness didn’t hurt either.

Because of his steadfast adherence to his own principles, this book succeeds on not one but four levels – one, as a historical document of a great American, two, as a first-hand account of the horrors of war, three, as a stunning tribute to those brave souls who fought (and perhaps died) for their country (see yesterday’s post), and lastly, as an important leadership lesson.

Dick Winters is the personification of what we now call the “servant leader” – humble, steadfast, and full of love and care for his men. He may not admit to it, but he truly is a hero – one who should never be forgotten for the example he set and the brave way he led. Bravo Major Winters and your Band Of Brothers.

Thank you Tom Vander Well for this excellent recommendation!

Next up: “Orbiting the Giant Hairball” by Gordon McKenzie (suggested by Troy Worman)

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