N4L 065: "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley with Ron Powers

In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley captures the compelling true story not only of his father John Bradley but also of the five other Marines who planted an American flag atop Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima, Japan. These men simply raised a flag to mark their victory. However, with the help of photographer Joe Rosenthal, this particular moment was immortalized forever. Even on the very day of its first printing, The Photograph ignited unprecedented patriotism. Indeed, The Photograph would quickly become the most reproduced photo in history and the model for the world's tallest bronze monument. Yet, it would also be fundamentally misunderstood. In Flags of Our Fathers, James Bradley explains why. 00:15   A special Veterans Day podcast 00:25   Intro to James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers 00:30   Story of six men who fought in Battle of Iwo Jima and raised a flag on Mt. Suribachi 00:45   Moment immortalized by photographer Joe Rosenthal 01:05   Bradley, historical nonfiction author specializing in WWII Pacific Theater 02:10   “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” – Harry S. Truman 2:30   Bradley unaware of his father’s part in WWII history and reality of Iwo Jima 03:45   Why veterans tend to not discuss war 04:30   Horrors of war incomprehensible and repulsive to civilians 05:45   “The real heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who didn’t come back.” – John Bradley 06:10   Flag-raisers put on tour by President Truman (survivors vs. heroes) 06:45   “Doc” Bradley’s friendship with bosom buddy Iggy, a clumsy misfit also from Wisconsin 07:15   When Iggy is tortured to death, “Doc” has to identify the body and inform the family 09:00   Book organized around biography of each of the six flag raisers 09:30   Sergeant Mike Strank works to get the “boys” home to their mothers 10:15   All the men accustomed to hard work and some form of religion 11:00   Marines turn small-town mama’s boys of the ‘30s into a fighting spearhead 11:30   Native American Ira Hayes – most prolific letter-writer of all; intensely shy; volatile 12:30   Difficult time to be an Indian; mocked as “Chief Falling Cloud” 13:15   Hayes very literate and articulate, but lives an interior life as a cotton picker 14:15   Bradley joins John Wayne on Hollywood movie set of The Sands of Iwo Jima 15:55   Who is San Franciscan photographer Joe Rosenthal? 17:00   Famous flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi actually a very ordinary, non-event 18:00   “It was the happiest moment of my life.” – John Bradley, speaking of the first flag-raising 19:00   Second flag raising, accidentally captured in Rosenthal photo, ignites the populous 19:45   The Photograph has electrifying effects at home, but not among the troops 21:00   Three surviving flag raisers enlisted to go on a bond tour to help pay for the war 21:10   Flags of Our Fathers movie by Clint Eastwood – fourth movie based on The Photograph 21:20   Fame of The Photograph emblazoned everywhere – Americana! 22:20   Famous photo is fundamentally misunderstood 22:45   “It was about as significant as going to the post box to pick up the mail.” – Rene Gagnon 24:10   Battle of Iwo Jima – one of the most vicious in all of history 24:50   James Bradley has a personal connection to Japan via Notre Dame program 26:10   Humble, quiet Japanese culture would have resonated with John Bradley 26:45   Bradley returns to Iwo Jima, Japan with mother and three brothers 27:35   “You can’t write about a battle until you walk the battlefield.” – Stephen Ambrose 28:15   John Bradley awarded Navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima 30:15   Takes Americans five days to get from beach to top of the mount 31:00   How John Bradley taught patriotism and religion in small-town Wisconsin 32:00   How the flag raisers want would want to be honored on Veterans Day 32:30   Recommendation: Taking Chance, a 2009 movie (historical war drama with Kevin Bacon) Trailer for "Taking Chance" BUY "Taking Chance" Connect with Nonfiction4Life! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Website Special thanks… Music Credit Sound Editing Credit