FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

In the same way that the turn of the last century saw a large number of Civil War memoirs, we are now seeing a large number of WWII memoirs. FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS is unique, for it tells the stories of the six Marines immortalized in the famous photograph of the raising of the second flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle for the island of Iwo Jima. Three of the Marines were killed in combat within days, while the remaining three went on to different destinies. Bradley, the son of the last flag raiser to pass on (1994), researched the happenings of that day, the lives of all, and tells us why his father never talked about the event, or the war in general. Veteran actor Bostwick's resonant baritone seems to take some time to warm up, but overall he reads this abridgment well. His pacing is even, and his staccato delivery is clear. His polished voice contrasts with that of the author, who reads the introduction without as much polish but with great heart. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]