Customer Reviews

D-Day and the Battle for Normandy Pb (Travellers Guide)

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What makes this book stand out for me is the eyewitness reports, which are dotted throughout as you read this account of the D-Day landings. They bring alive the personal experiences of those who fought and help the reader appreciate the scarifices made.

The book is a nice mix of the history of this particular military campaign, and what the traveller to Normandy can hope to see today. This means the book is a good read for either the armchair military buff or the interested tourist.

Lots of photos and clear maps also add to this very good and highly readable book.

This is a great guide to take with you on a trip to Normandy. I carried it with me throughout my tours and was able to read aloud about the events that took place-standing on Omaha Beach and reading about the various divisions that struggled where I stood was of great value to myself and my husband.

The eyewitness accounts bring it to life as well.

If you plan on touring the D Day beaches and sites, bring this one with you!

Mike Tolhurst's father fought in the battle for Normandy. Perhaps that is why the narrative portion of this book reads with such emotion, not just military matter-of-factness. This book would succeed, I believe, simply as an account of this part of the war, even without the "travel guide" aspects. Eyewitness accounts and quotes from German as well as Allied soldiers bring what was happening to life.

I had already decided to go to Normandy when I purchased this book. But it was invaluable in helping me decide which places to see, since I knew my time would be limited. Each chapter consists of a narrative of part of the battle, then an accompanying suggested tour which touches on cities and places mentioned in that chapter. I ended up not following the plans exactly, but still basing my choices of places to go on the authors' narratives.

I found Normandy to be beautiful and welcoming, and would recommend that every American, Canadian and UK native visit these sites if you can, most especially if a relative fought in the war. If you do you'll need some guidance as to what to see and where it is, and this book will help a great deal.

This is a very handy book and series for visiting the Normandy Battlefields. It does a "Then and Now" comparison and description of the area. I had the good fortune of having a PhD in American Military History, Retired Colonel Professor at West Point as my tour guide, but this series of handbooks gave me additional insight and information on some of the actions at Normandy and the "Break-Out" towns, and some small actions. I would have liked it more if included "Betancourt Manor" where Lt Dick Winters of 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Div., of "Band of Brothers" fame destroyed the German 105 MM cannons at Normandy, and some other areas made famous on video.

This book helps put a geographical perspective on the many different operations. The scope of the Allied invasion is breath-taking and the only way to truly appreciate is to visit the region and tour the numerous sites. It would be helpful if they had a pull out map and address for the sites.

We purchased this book in preparation for a trip to Europe and tour of Normandy. Very good resource, comprehensive and well laid out.

I bought this book for my honeymoon- my new husband and I went on an extensive driving tour of Belgium and France. While one of us was driving, the other one was reading the history of WWII. We visited a few spots in the book, saw some wonder sites and, finally made out way to Omaha Beach. I know it doesn't sound like a romantic honeymoon but we were both moved stories in the book and the location. We walked down to the beach, having read the account of the soldiers who landed on that beach and what they went through. Wow, it was so meaningful. Had we just visited the beach and museum, I never would have had the same experience. I highly recommend this book.

Fast service even with a wonderful notes and suggestions for the Normandy region. What a thoughtful and very useful surprise. Thank you. Definately will buy from her again.