D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II

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Summary: brave Virginian boys
Review: I hope this book will earn the state of Virginia some national recognition. A company of Virginian boys in the 116th Regiment, I noted, suffered the heaviest casualties in the first wave on Omaha Beach for the sake of victory. My state has had some very great people!

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Summary: Overall, both an enjoyable and informative read.
Review: Ambrose's book should have a space in any historian's library, or the library of anyone who is even slightly interested in the World War II period. It is a highly detailed, logical progression through the events leading up to and through D-Day which leaves one feeling satisfied and informed on the subject. Ambrose draws heavily from the oral histories of the privates and NCOs who did the bulk of the fighting and in doing so throws a helmet on the head of the reader and thrusts him into battle. His description of events is somewhat biased (though, admittedly, if his facts are solid the bias is justifiable), as he speaks somewhat disapprovingly of the British troops and their leaders while lauding praise on the GI's. Overall, however, the work seems to be a straight-forward, no-nonsense portrayal of "the longest day." I suggest it to everyone.

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Summary: A Great Book
Review: This is by far the best history book i have ever read. To those that say that Ambrose focuses too much on Omaha beach and too little on Utah and the British beaches consider this: Rommel knew that the invasion forces would have to go through Omaha, and therefore he situated most of his men there, and there were more casualties on Omaha than the other beaches, and thats why Omaha should cover most of the book, because that was the focal point of Rommel's men and the Allies losses.

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Summary: HELL IN COLD WATER
Review: AS AN AVID STUDENT OF HISTORY I HAVE READ MANY HISTORICAL STUDIES BY A MYRIAD OF AUTHORS, BUT THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE READ, SECOND ONL TO "SARATOGA" BY RICHARD M. KETCHUM. THE DESCRIPTIONS NOT ONLY INFORM BUT ALLOW THE READER A MENTAL PICTURE OF THE ACTION AND PLACE YOU THERE AS EASILY AS IF VIEWED IN A PHOTO ESSAY. ANY STUDENT OF WWII SHOULD READ THIS BOOK IF ONLY TO ACQUAINT THOSE LESS SCHOOLED WITH THE HORRIFIC FACTS OF THE MOST DECISIVE DAY IN THIS CENTURY, KEEPING THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE TO KEEP THE WORLD FREE ALIVE.

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Summary: great story and a great bibliography but flawed in conclusio
Review: Stephen as always gives a great look at the battle which is neither climatic nor as difinative as it was. It fails to look at the german side especially the kriegsmarine alert not to mention the poet paul Verlain...blessent mon coer d'une langueur monotone.

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Summary: Must-Read personal accounts from numerous perspectives
Review: I am new to Stephen Ambrose, and I am upset it took me this long to discover him (Thank you, History Channel). This was the best book I have read since We Were Soldiers Once and Young. I deeply enjoyed the numerous personal accounts. Since reading this, I have read three other Ambrose novels and enjoyed them as much.

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Summary: Thoughts From a 16 Year-Old History Buff
Review: Certainly a very exhaustive work, D-Day is an excellent book for someone interested in the 'feel' of the most important day of the century. This stems mostly from the myriad of personal accounts from soldiers on each side and at every point each of the 5 beaches as well anyone in any way involved. This is a great way of experiencing what it must've been like on a small scale, but it is hard to get an overall feel for the troop movements throughout the day. Ambrose does not try to deduce any great tactical or strategic lessons; he is merely writing a very straightforward account of the battle(s). And it is the perfect example of that: an easy to read, beautifully detailed narrative of a great moment in history.

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Summary: A bit biased toward American effort and Eishenhower
Review: I was left with a disappointed feeling after reading the book. There was not much structure in the book, as far as I can see. Eishenhower and Rommel comparison and the details of there personal life are useless. It would have better if some information could be shed on Monty and Bradley roles in this particular battle. There is hardly any mention of the British and Canadian role, even there landing maps, and progress maps are missing. There are hardly any details from the German side. Could have given a chapter on how the battle progressed. The personal histories are too fragmented to be of any use. Overall I feel that the author has tried to deliver a book which captures both the personal side of the battle, and the historical side; and has failed to do either.

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Summary: Wealth of information presented in a confusing way.
Review: I did like the book. The stories and the personal observations made by men who were there is fascinating and enjoyable. The detail is significant. I felt the writing could have been smoother and tighter with linking themes and content. Too many themes pulled together in one paragraph for example...

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Summary: Wonderful, pulls you in and grabs your guts!
Review: Stephen Ambrose is the formost expert on WW11. You feel as though you are there, catching snipits of convesation. I really couldn't put it down, that goes for his other WW11 books as well, I loved everyone of them! Both of my grandfathers served in WW11, and I am an avid buff, josie