Brothers in Arms

The primary theme in the book revolves around the profound, psychological bond that grew between the men. Beginning with their deep hatred of Captain Sobel during the company's training period, Easy Company had a shared enemy before the first war battle began. Sobel ordered harsh and extreme reprimands, such as ordering a man to dig a 6-foot by 6-foot hole with entrenching tools, then demanding that the soldier refill the hole upon completion. If the soldier was not a favorite, Sobel would find any excuse to mark him down or deny a weekend pass. It was the final straw when Sobel attempted to unjustly court martial Winters. Both the author and Easy Company veterans agreed that the collective abhorrence for Sobel's leadership style led to the company's initial closeness.

The true bonds of brotherhood, however, were solidified on the battlefield. The men who were once strangers...