The All Americans in World War II: A Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War [Hardcover]

Phil Nordyke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2006

On the night of 9/10 July 1943 the All Americans of the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into history as they made their first parachute assault of World War II. Three others would follow: Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. In total the division served more than three hundred days in combat, a record unmatched by any other American division.

 

With nearly 400 historic photographs, many never before published, The All Americans in World War II provides a complete photographic history of the 82nd Airborne Division as it fought it way across Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany, ultimately all the way to Berlin as part of the American occupation forces. This book is an essential addition to any serious World War II collection and a tribute to the fighting spirit of this legendary division.

Editorial Reviews

Review

WWII History Magazine, November 2006

“Following on the heels of his superb first book, All American, All the Way, Nordyke has compiled what must be close to every photograph ever taken of the 82nd and assembled them into this handsome, oversized volume. If it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then The All Americans in World War II is one of the wordiest volumes yet. The author gives us only a concise page of narrative text per chapter (there are 36 chapters), leaving the 365 photographs and 30 detailed maps and their instructive captions to carry the rest of the story. And what a story it is! … Anyone with the slightest interest in the airborne will want to own this handsome volume.”

Military Trader, July 2006

“In a field where there seems to be a book on the 101st or 82nd Airborne Divisions landing every month, Nordyke has assembled a fresh look at the All-Americans that any U.S. WWII enthusiast should consider to be a ‘high priority purchase.’”

 

Military History Online, June 2006

“The All Americans in World War II is a must-own if you are interested in US Airborne operations in Europe…great photos, great maps, and great narrative.”

 

1944 Newsletter, September 2006

“At first I thought it going to be one of those usual picture books with all the jazz about this and that, but in all reality, I had probably already seen it and heard it before—boy was I wrong! It was amazing! Mr. Nordyke does an amazing job narrating the courageous acts of the true “All Americans” in WWII, the 82nd Airborne. He blends the history of the unit with real combat photographs with great success. The book is a great source of pictures and is a great guide to what the American GI's uniforms, weapons, and gear looked like in the field. What I really liked about the book was the effort of the research into creating it. You can tell Mr. Nordyke knows his stuff and did his homework. This adds to the whole appeal of the book, the amount of time and effort that was put into the book allows the text to bring the photographs to life. You could really see the pain and hardships those men had to go through thru the commentary and pictures. Mr. Nordyke's gift for narrative brings the whole conflict to light…as if you are right there. I am really glad I read this book and I am sure you will be to. This book comes highly recommended and is a must have to add to one's library. This was one excellent book!”

From the Back Cover

"I'm the 82nd Airborne"

A tank destroyer retreating from St. Vith during the Battle of the Bulge came upon a lone soldier digging a foxhole near the road. The commander stopped the vehicle and asked if this was the frontline.

Private First Class Vernon L. Haught, Company F, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, looked up and said, "Are you looking for a safe place?" When the tank destroyer commander responded affirmatively, Haught replied, "Well, buddy, just pull your vehicle behind me. I’m the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going."

This fierce, valorous spirit characterized the troopers of the 82nd throughout World War II.  In the night sky over Sicily on July 9–10, 1943, the All Americans of the 82nd Airborne Division made their first airborne assault.  Three others would follow: Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. In total the division would serve more than three hundred days in combat, a record unmatched by any other American airborne division.

With 365 historic images and 30 detailed maps, The All Americans in World War II provides a complete photographic history of the 82nd Airborne Division as it fought its way across Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany, ultimately serving occupation duty in Berlin, before returning to the United States and leading the great New York Victory Parade up Fifth Avenue on January 12, 1946.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press; 1st edition (May 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760326177
• ISBN-13: 978-0760326176
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,261,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TWO FOR TWO -- HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!!, May 31, 2006

By 

Thomas T. Clegg (Des Moines, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The All Americans in World War II: A Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War (Hardcover)

Phil Nordyke's latest work THE ALL AMERICANS IN WORLD WAR TWO is truly a magnificent work of eye-poping photo journalism worthy of it's juggernaut narrative companion volume ALL AMERICAN ALL THE WAY!

Having been a student of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 505th Parachute Infantry Regimant in particular all my adult life I was truly surprised to see so many photographs for the very first time! While any photographic record would include many familiar pictures Nordyke's gift for narrative and crips prose bypasses the routine, sets the stage and clarifies what the reader is seeing thus providing a compelling vision of what the World War Two ALL AMERICANS experienced themselves in the greatest conflict ever known to man.

Drawing on exhaustive research and hundreds of first hand accounts gives the author's text a crisp immediacy and authority as equally compelling as the photographs are visually stunning.

More than a companion volume the book stands alone as a worthy visual testament to the bravery, sacrifice and honor of the ALL AMERICAN DIVISION. I am personally grateful for this work and when open it up I am sure you will be too.

ALL THE WAY!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional history, a fine supplement to the first book!, June 21, 2006

By 

Sean D. Foster "t5foster" (Graham, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The All Americans in World War II: A Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War (Hardcover)

I am both pleased and impressed with this latest work by Mr. Nordyke. This book is an outstanding visual supplement to the history ALL AMERICAN ALL THE WAY which came out last year.

A year ago I arranged to visit the 82nd Airborne Division War History Museum to examine their photographic archives. Now I have copies of many of the same photographs in the convenient format of this book. In addition, this work contains many other photographs which are new to me. It has given a clear historic visual representation of the All-American 82nd Airborne Division in WWII.

I have been a great enthusiast of photographic histories, and this one passes my inspection with highest honors.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The All American Division., June 28, 2006

By 

Guy Moody - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The All Americans in World War II: A Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War (Hardcover)

The photos and accompanying text are excellent. A condensed version of Nordke`s earlier work on the 82nd, but with a much larger format.