<P> The title for the book and series comes from the St Crispin's Day Speech in William Shakespeare's play Henry V, delivered by Henry V of England before the Battle of Agincourt . Ambrose quotes a passage from the speech on his book's first page; this passage is spoken by Carwood Lipton in the series's finale . </P> <P> Band of Brothers is a dramatized account of "Easy Company" (part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment), assigned to the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division during World War II . Over ten episodes the series details the company's exploits during the war . Starting with jump training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, Band of Brothers follows the unit through the American airborne landings in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Siege of Bastogne, and on to the war's end . It includes the taking of the Eagle's Nest at Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden and refers to the surrender of Japan . Major Richard Winters (1918--2011) is the central character, shown working to accomplish the company's missions and keep his men together and safe . While the series features a large ensemble cast, each episode generally focuses on a single character, following his action . </P> <P> As the series is based on historic events, the fates of the characters reflect those of the persons on which they are based . Many die, or sustain serious wounds which lead to their being sent home . Other soldiers recover after treatment in field hospitals and rejoin their comrades on the front line . Their experiences, and the moral, mental, and physical hurdles they must overcome, are central to the narrative . </P> <P> The series was developed chiefly by Tom Hanks and Erik Jendresen, who spent months detailing the plot outline and individual episodes . Steven Spielberg served as "the final eye" and used Saving Private Ryan, the film on which he and Hanks had collaborated, to inform the series . Accounts of Easy Company veterans such as Donald Malarkey were incorporated into production to add historic detail . </P>

Who are the old guys in band of brothers