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Summary: The greatest book on D-Day I have ever Read
Review: Combining with unquestionable skill both historical facts and journalism Amrose has written a book that is able to cover the epic sweep of events in D-Day without loosing any of the detail involved. This books displays not only an ability to see the big picture but at the same time to show every piece of minutae. An increadibly enjoyable read this books gives an acount of the battle from the view points of both officers and men, detailing preperation, participants on both sides and every point in the battle fusing writting style and anylitical flare. A marvelous read that is a must for anyone with an interest either in ww2 as a whole or D-Day in the specific, I recomend it absolutley
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Summary: How did we ever get off Omaha Beach?
Review: I've read plenty of Ambrose's work (Citizen Soldier, Rise to Globalism, Eisenhower's biography) and listened to him talk on several subjects, and I've been to the D-Day museum. I appreciate all of his efforts, and I'll add that I find his work, even one so absorbed in (sometimes repetitive) details as this, eminently readable.He draws basically the same conclusion here that he did in Citizen Soldier, namely it was the Lieutenants and Captains as well as senior non-coms that won this battle/war for us. And unlike an earlier reviewer suggested, that personal initiative and leadership was significantly different than the German model of chain of command that existed by that period of the war. I have a couple of minor nits to pick; in the prologue, he used the word "penultimate," in a way that was sufficiently ambiguous to make me think he didn't make a mistake, but that nevertheless should have been caught by an editor. I also caught "effect" used for "affect," again, more likely an editor's gaffe than Ambrose's, but it's his name on the book, and he is a professor... There were one or two other similar instances that escape me now, but since he's had several books published and I've had none, I don't look too well in the exposing of them. Worth reading, but should be accompanied by Ryan's The Longest Day within a week or two. By the way, there are a couple of references to characters played in the movie by Ambrose. I am disappointed that he didn't interview my friend who jumped with the 101st both on D-Day and in Market-Garden, and who was interviewed by Ryan. But there were a lot of men there...
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Summary: An awesome read for WWII buffs
Review: A comprehensive review of the events surrounding the invasion of Nazi-occupied France by Allied forces, this book is a fantastically detailed story patched together by one of the leading historians of the time. Someone once told me that "Word War II was the most exciting thing that happened in the 20th Century." Arguably, the Allied invasion at Normandy was the most exciting part of the whole war; my reasoning being that the outcome of the war in Europe rode on an Allied victory in France. So if you have any interest in D-Day and want to scratch that itch between two leafs of one book, this is the one to read. Ambrose goes all out in this book. His details go all the way from personal memoirs of Dwight D. Eisenhower to the ramblings of enlisted men in the ranks before the crossing. To quote from the leaflet: ".. Ambrose draws from more than 1,400 interviews with American, British, French, Canadian and German veterans to create the preeminent chronicle of the most important day in the 20th century." As great as it was, I do have 2 beefs with this book. The first is that Ambrose pushes this off as a documentary, but you can tell when you're reading it that this guy really has a special place in his heart for Eisenhower. I don't know why but it kept bugging me every time Ambrose wrote highly of him. The second is that it was too detailed. I mean really, people. I had to read sections over and over just to understand what was going on. And if you didn't fully understand the situation in one chapter, it would ruin your perspective in the next. So in that sense, it was a bit hard to read because you had to pay strict mental attention throughout the whole thing. If you'd like to know all the details about this historical event, look no further. Ambrose will drown you in details. And no, Saving Private Ryan is not an adequate source of information covering the invasion (although I know for a fact that Speilberg paid Ambrose to consult him on the horrors the men faced in the beach invasion).
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Summary: Great history and personal accounts
Review: D-Day was the most important day in this century if we didn't succeed in destroying the nazi hold on France we might not be living in the same world we live in now. It all depended on regular human beings, sent onto the bloodsoaked sands of Omaha, right into heavy German fire from up the hills. They (the U.S. Soldiers) picked themselves up under streneous weight from their soaked gear and made their way up the hill to take the beach. Stephen Ambrose collected oral histories from those that fought the battle that would turn the tide of World War II. From the harsh training to the miserable weather that delayed the launch, to the invasion itself, Mr. Ambrose tells the mens stories through their eyes, and it's harrowing to hear these men tell about how they survived such a traumatic experiance such as this, watching their friends being slaughtered in front of them.But they proceeded nonetheless. Mr. Ambrose did a great job with this book to commemorate these soldiers for their hardships and bravery in the face of an unrelenting enemy. He makes us remember these soldiers and what it was like on the field of battle and all the harshness of losing friends in battle. This a must read for anyone who likes to read about the soldiers of war.
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Summary: Excellent entertainment. Its even better if your American.
Review: If your American, your going to really love this book. Mr. Ambrose is the 90's Hemingway of America's involvement in world war two. Both of them could be accused of getting some facts mixed up once in a while but there's clearly no denying that they can both write. So, if you want a fairly accurate account of "America's" involvement in D-Day that you just can't put down, then read this. If you want to hear what "really" happened, go get your grandpa. Or better yet, follow him down to the VFW.
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Summary: The last thing needed is another review of this book but...
Review: Largely because of "D-Day" and "Citizen Soldier" and now the opening of the D-Day museum in New Orleans, Stephen Ambrose has revived the monumental debt this country owes the men and women of WW II. His ability to write history like a gifted novelist and his weaving throughout of the soldiers' tale in their own words, makes these two works the best of the written history of the ETO. Hard to imaging one being able to read either without feeling overwhelming pride, humility and a clearer understanding of how much we have lost in half a century. Both are extraordinary books written by an extraordinary historian.
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Summary: Everything you need to know about D-Day
Review: In the usual Stephen Ambrose ways, no detail was left out of this book. While this book was informing and fact-filled, it was also very intriguing. The style it is written in really brings out the feelings of war and the excitement of soldiers waiting for the approaching day. The description of the battles in progress or the dialogue of the planning meetings puts the reader in every step of executing the invasion. The over 1,400 interviews Ambrose put into this book show as the stories keep piling up supporting the main facts of why D-Day was a success and why some things failed. No small detail was forgotten, no stone unturned. That is why this book is a must for any World War II enthusiast or just the curious reader.
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Summary: D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
Review: This great book is one of the most informative books on the Normandy invasion and World War II in general. The info in here has enlightened me a great deal and has helped me with insites I needed to complete the book I'm currently write on World War II. I would recomend this book to any history buff or anyone wishing to learn more about the bravery of our fathers and grandfathers fighting for our freedom
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Summary: Without Equal
Review: Ambrose's books are the best in this category. He is by far the top historical author on the subject of WWII. Not only are his books factual, fascinating and extremely realistic, his writing style is very entertaining. You will have a hard time putting this one down as you follow the America GI from the beaches of Normandy through the hedgerows and beyond. D-Day is a heartrending story of personal sacrifice, dedication and determination. Surly we are the children of the greatest generation the world has ever produced. God bless all our fathers for keeping us free. Read all of Ambroses' books he has no equal in the field. He honors the memory of our veterans and gives them an eternal testament in the pages of his books.
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Summary: Emotional, page-turner
Review: My father and I read this book together and compared reading notes - we both loved it and came away with a much deeper apprecation of D-day. My grandfather stormed the Utah beaches and talking about it with him in regards to the book was incredible - very accurate account on the part of Stephen Ambrose. I agree that the book may have been a bit USA nationalistic, but the detailed accounts on all sides of the battle are portrayed fair and realistic. Excellent reading!
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