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Summary: What a waste of life!
Review: This incredable book was not easy to put down. I finished the book in five days. Realistic accounts of the horrors of a landing force going up against fixed fortifications. What a sacrafice.
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Summary: Meticulous, hard-hitting...
Review: I really enjoyed this book. However, some of the criticisms I've seen below make me pause. Firstly: One could argue whether D-Day was the climactic battle of WWII all day long. The fact is, it was a definite turning point. Yeah, we ARE winning now, but remember: the Soviet Union was ALLIED WITH HITLER until 1941. You could rationalize the turning point of the war was the invasion of the USSR by Germany. Had that not happened, then D-Day WOULD have been the turning point...and so on and so on ad infinitum ad nauseum...Secondly: I definitely did not see any "racism" against the British on Ambrose's part. From the research I've done, Ambrose's take on Britain's military disposition by the time of D-Day is pretty on-target. It may hurt to admit it, but Britain WAS tired and drained from two years more war than the USA, and it WAS somewhat more cautious. I don't think Ambrose meant to impugn the bravery or integrity of the British military. Fact is, ultimately, this is a good book that gets people talking about history. IF YOU OBJECT TO THE VIEWPOINTS IN THIS BOOK, NOTHING PREVENTS YOU FROM DOING RESEARCH AND WRITING YOUR OWN. ESPECIALLY those very critical of it, who apparently are quite knowledgeable about it themselves.
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Summary: A MUST read for all WWII History enthusiasts
Review: A gripping read. Fantastic narrative throughout. Mr Ambrose has written the definitive account of D-Day June 6, 1944. from the pre-planning to the aftermath of the Invasion of Normandy, Mr. Ambrose brought the events to life for me. I felt that I was there with those heroes of Normandy. I also felt the fear of the German defenders of Utah and Omaha beach as well. I sincerely hope that Mr. Ambrose writes a "follow-up" account of the invasion from the Axis side as well. Too little has been written about the German soldiers perspective of the battle. These soldiers, NOT Nazi's also deserve to have there actions written down as well. A FINE READ!!!
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Summary: This one is fantastic.
Review: I do not think that I can really add anything to what has already been said about Mr. Ambrose. He is fantastic. He makes you feel like the common soldier on the front lines did, almost 60 years ago. What a treasure to read.
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Summary: A must read and a patriotic masterpiece!
Review: This book took my breath away and rose my patriotic spirits up to a level that I had not felt before. Throughout this book, Ambrose focuses his attention on the bravery, leadership and determination that the ordinary infantry and airborne soldiers displayed time and time again in the face of the enemy and many times...certain death. The chapter describing the storming of Omaha Beach will live in my mind forever. I've always known the historical significance of "D Day" in World War II but I've never truly appreciated the sacrifice made by the soldiers of the British, Canadian and US forces on this day and throughout the war until now. A masterfully written book and a recommendation that falls in the "must read" category of American history. For any veteran of WWII reading this review...THANK YOU!!!!
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Summary: The Glorious and the Terrible On the Beaches of Normandy
Review: Stephen Ambrose, through the stories of hundreds of D-Day veterans, offers the reader a fulfilling look at the planning and ultimate success of "Operation Overlord." Ambrose creates a work which is simultaniously enlightening and remarkably interesting. Most importantly, Ambrose tempers the patriotic feelings that discussion of the success of D-Day often elicits with a firm reminder of the terrible price at which that victory was won.
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Summary: AN ARMCHAIR PATRIOT WHO CAN'T EVEN GET HIS FACTS STRAIGHT.
Review: Four simple questions: 1)In the middle of his insulting attack on the 'guts' of the British servicemen, why doesn't Ambrose pause to mention that the British forces around Caen faced a maximum opposition of 670 German tanks whilst the US troops faced 190? 2)As all reviewers have noted, the best (in my view, the only good)parts of this book come from the testimony of veterans. Ambrose's own writing, by contrast, is repetitive, illogical, nationalistic and fact-free.In plain English, the only reason this book has sold any copies is because of the veterans' contributions.Am I alone in thinking that Ambrose- who as a tenured professor does not need the money from this book- should have donated all his royalties to veterans' charities? Fifty years on, the wounded of D-Day are still in their wheelchairs. 3)Why is it that not one single review on this website praising this book has been written by a D-Day combat veteran? 4)In an earlier review, I gently mentioned some of the worst of Ambrose's errors of fact, as well as noting the racism he feels towards the British veterans.Does anyone really feel that the memory of the Americans who died in Normandy is well-served by an inaccurate book? Are those dead men really honoured by an author who has never been near a battle but who likes to insult those who have?
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Summary: This book is AWESOME!
Review: This book is awesome. I am 12 years old and at first when I got it , it was so thick I didn't think I would be able to read it all. But, once I started reading it, I was addicted to it. I couldn't put it down.This book is DA BOMB!
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Summary: The definitive book on D-Day.
Review: Ambrose's writing puts you in the minds and hearts of the men and women who threw themselves on the beaches of Normandy. The liberal use of quotes from participants on both sides of the action brings the story to life. It is not just Ambrose's point of view or opinion that we read about, but the opinions and perspective of those who were there. History recounted by the protaginist's. Simply the best book on D-Day .
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Summary: D-Day was not the climactic battle of WW2
Review: I have problems with the title of this book - right off the bat it is propaganda which completely distorts the history of WW2. Stalingrad, Stalingrad, Stalingrad- this was the climactic battle of the war- simply - no Soviet victory at Stalingrad, no D-Day, possibly no more Western-style "democracy". Stalingrad was a D-Day battle a day for five months and the Soviets lost more killed in this one battle than the U. S. did in the whole war. Stephen Ambrose is eloquent but he is basically a propagandist with a very specific point of view. His is the history of the conquerer, and now that the Soviet Union is no longer with us this Ambrosian version of WW2 will prevail. History belongs to those who are winning.
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