25 Yards of War: The Extraordinary Courage of Ordinary Men in World War II, by Ronald J. Drez. Stephen Ambrose thought this book important enough to contribute a glowing foreword. The book lives up to its billing as a vivid depiction of heroic acts by American soldiers in world War II. With in-depth personal stories covering Midway, Normandy, The Bulge, Iwo Jima and more, expect to find yourself on the edge of your seat reading how men overcame great odds and their own fears to help win a war to make the world free for democracy.