Rating: 
Summary: This is not a traditional history; but a salute.
Review: I believe that many of the reviewers on this site have missed the point. The book does contain technical errors. It has some rough english. It also suffers from not being an encyclopedic recount of the war. Such books have been written and Mr. Ambrose acknowledges this. What he did was to simply state in clear and forceful terms the respect he has for this generation and then tries to show the readers why they should also. This is the importance of the work. In terms of the breadth of the work, I feel that the inclusion of air war only detracts from the message but I understand why he felt he needed to include it. In this era of revisionist histories and alternatives viewpoints from most historians, this recognition of simple decency in the soldiers is extremely important. It is important to have such viewpoints when you see such exhibits as the National Air and Space Museum had about the Pacific war.
Rating: 
Summary: The Humanity
Review: If he hasn't already received it, Stephen Ambrose should be awarded the Medal of Freedom. His body of work is a tribute to America, warts and all. "Citizen Soldiers" puts both John Wayne and Private Ryan in perspective. With the exception of a slowing of the pace to tell necessary and valid stories of types, the book takes you with it totally. America today may be prospering economically, but its heart is hurting. I'm a teacher, and every morning the pledge of allegiance is recited over the intercom and almost no one says it. I was born the first week of May 1945, and this is the closest I've come to understanding the true spirit of the American idea. "Citizen Soldiers" should be a required text in high school history classes. "We" is more important than "me."
Rating:
Summary: Poignant narratives combine to create WWII
Review: Steven E. Ambrose vividly describes the events from Normandy to V-E day with lucid accounts of those on the front lines, but never neglects to elaborate on the "big picture." It is a book that will stay embedded in your mind at the horrors, camaraderie, and sheer strength of human power in midst of a great conflict. Simply put, Ambrose successfully puts color into black & white the war that many of my generation ahve forgotten. 17 yrs
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting daily life but lacking in tactical details
Review: Mr. Ambrose's work gives a clear picture of the day to day live's of American Servicemen in post D-Day Europe. I was personnally disappointed in the lack of attention to tactics employed by US servicemen in the theater.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but ....
Review: I should have enjoyed this more than I did. The stories are interesting, but I had the feeling I had heard them before. This is probably better for readers who are not familiar with WWII. American soldiers generally have been "citizen soldiers" who did the job in spite of politicians and generals.
Rating:
Summary: A truly great book.
Review: This is a truly great book, for the uninitiated as well as the buff. Ambrose ability to tell a story which is very broad in scope through a series of gripping vignettes, which are representative of the bigger picture, is impressive. It is a fitting follow up to D-Day, and, I believe, an even more interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding !
Review: I have read almost all of Ambrose's books over the years but have enjoyed none as much as "Citizen Soldiers" . It is excellent in every respect & gives new meaning to "uncommon valor was a common virtue". Americans can be proud of the citizen soldiers of WW2. They fought neither for conquest nor personal gain; they fought for the cause of freedom. They wanted only to get the job done & go home. Ordinary men, & women, who found themselves in an extraordinary time. Ambrose brings all of this to life in "Citizen Soldiers". It is his best work to date in my opinion & a must read for anyone interested in who fought WW2 & why they did so.
Rating:
Summary: A+ "sequel"
Review: Great follow-up to D-Day. Continues the saga of the WWII theater and the unspeakable horror of war for those who served. We are here today because of those who served. Read this book or anything by Ambrose for that matter.
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Tribute To The American Citizen Soldier.
Review: I fought in Italy as a Combat Infantryman in the same time frame the Ambrose book describes the war in Europe. To a fighting man all shooting wars are always about the same. Where you are does not matter, only the faces of people constantly change, and many you would never know their names. As did the endless numbered hills, objectives, and places on a map that come and go. But you knew another one always waited... All else is ever constant as he describes it in his own clear style, and through the thoughts of others that fought there. Mr. Ambrose carefully captures on paper all the elements of real armed combat. He thoroughly covers the good, the bad, the ugly, the foul ups, and the valor. He omits no American Combat Soldier on the ground, in the air, the Combat Medics, and many others who supported those men forward. With officers of all ranks, and enlisted men alike, he is even handed, pulls no punches, and clearly tells it like it really was... This book is all about the men that fought that war, and what it was really like... It equally applies to all other combat zones where WWII was fought. It will never be easily equaled.. Ambrose, as so few military historians ever has before gives full credit to a worthy and determined enemy. An enemy you had to kill, if your aim was good, or wound to stop him from fighting... Contrary to popular belief very few surrendered... Reading his book reminds me that combat was something I would not have wanted to miss, but would never do again.. May this country always produce Citizen Soldiers of the caliber his book fully describes... May God help us if we don't...
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding and engaging
Review: I have read numerous accounts of WWII and this is outstanding. Read it and you will appreciate the men who gave so much for this country under very difficult conditions. A terrifying but deeply engrossing story.
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