Heroes Never Die: Warriors and Warfare in World War II [Hardcover]

Martin Blumenson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0815411529 | ISBN-13: 978-0815411529 | Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | Edition: 1st Cooper Square Press ed

Heroes Never Die is an informative, provocative, and entertaining compendium of fifty never-before-collected essays on World War II by former soldier and military historian Martin Blumenson. Commanders profiled include Eisenhower, Bradley, Rommel, and Montgomery, as well as the best of Blumenson's extensive writings on General George S. Patton. Included are four never before published essays on Patton, Hitler, von Rundstedt, and Audie Murphy. Skillful and insightful re-examinations of key battles and the soldiers who fought them cover the allied disaster at Kasserine Pass, America's first military encounter with the Germans; the American invasion of Southern Italy; the bloody landing at Salerno; the lethal battle of the Hedgerows; the grisly stalemate of Anzio; the liberation of Paris; and much more. From the biting desert sands of Northern Africa to the bloody beaches of Europe, Blumenson takes the reader to the frontlines of many of the twentieth century's greatest battles and into the personalities of legendary commanders. He does so with a soldier's understanding of the dynamics of battle and with an officer's insight into the evolving tactics of war.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is a valuable refresher of thoughts and issues that have been facing military people for much of the last century. (Gen. Frederick J. Kroesen Army Magazine )

[Blumenson] has written extensively about the war since it ended, in his own delightful cadence, charming in its exuberance, reinforced by his masterful research. Here is a compendium of some of his best. In it, he has insights that make you gasp. No one can agree with all his judgements and interpretations, but every reader will respond to them. Recommended without reservation. (Stephen E. Ambrose )

These essays by Martin Blumenson epitomize the integrity and quality of that elite of military historians who faithfully recorded the saga of American arms in the 20th Century. They contain gems belonging to his thoughtful approaches to the study of war and thoughts that encompass the strategies, tactics, battles and personalities who dominated the campaigns of the Second World War. (Kenneth J. Macksey )

Martin Blumenson is a true military history professional. He does not sensationalize; he bases his accounts on hard, primary sources. Sometimes I disagree with his judgements, but never with his thoroughness. Heroes Never Die will be a gold mine for the military history buff. (John S. D. Eisenhower )

Martin Blumenson is a true military history professional. He does not sensationalize; he bases his accounts on hard, primary sources. Sometimes I disagree with his judgements, but never with his thoroughness. Heroes Never Die will be a gold mine for the military history buff. (John S. D. Eisenhower )

An insightful, up-front look at the strategies and tactics of World War II and at the generals who fought the war and sometimes battled one another. (Gerald Astor )

A sweeping retrospective by the dean of American World War II historians. (Earl Ziemke )

Blumenson... has compiled Heroes Never Die with a thorough understanding of both the highest level of command and a foot soldier's experience of combat. (Military Heritage )

Blumenson... has compiled Heroes Never Die with a thorough understanding of both the highest level of command and a foot soldier's experience of combat. (Military Heritage )

This compendium of lore about the leaders, strategies, tactics, and battles is a treasure trove for WWII buffs and scholars. It is packed with fascinating insight into leadership and courage, from Kasserine Pass to Gela, from Salerno to Normandy, and from Paris to Bastogne. (Wwii History )

Heroes Never Die stands as a tribute to the gifts and contributions of one of the ablest historians of World War II. The work is thorough, informative, and stimulating. Blumenson combines, perhaps better than any other, scholarly skepticism, military applicability, and accessible narrative. His latest book is highly recommended to scholars and "buffs" alike. (Robert C. Blackstone The Journal Of Military History )

Heroes Never Die stands as a tribute to the gifts and contributions of one of the ablest historians of World War II. The work is thorough, informative, and stimulating. Blumenson combines, perhaps better than any other, scholarly skepticism, military applicability, and accessible narrative. His latest book is highly recommended to scholars and "buffs" alike. (Robert C. Blackstone The Journal Of Military History )

About the Author

Martin S. Blumenson is the author of Kasserine Pass and Anzio: The Gamble that Failed (both published by Cooper Square Press), along with The Duel for France and 1944. In addition, he edited the two-volume The Patton Papers. He lives in Washington, DC.

Martin S. Blumenson is the author of Kasserine Pass and Anzio: The Gamble that Failed (both published by Cooper Square Press), along with The Duel for France and 1944. In addition, he edited the two-volume The Patton Papers. He lives in Washington, DC.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press; 1st Cooper Square Press ed edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815411529
• ISBN-13: 978-0815411529
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,598,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mostly dedicated to the generals not the grunt, August 15, 2002

By 

Mannie Liscum (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heroes Never Die: Warriors and Warfare in World War II (Hardcover)

Martin Blumenson's "Heroes Never Die" is a decent book, probably really quite good for a "newbie" to WWII history, but it will likely disappoint those more versed. This book is a compilation of essays Blumenson has written over a nearly 50 year period, most of which have been published before elsewhere (although not together). Blumenson's style is pretty good and he weaves a nice story, however he appears (from this book and the titles of his other books) to be very focused on limited topics of WWII. Now don't misread this comment, this is not all bad. Blumenson is certainly one of the world's expert biographers of G. Patton. But having said that much of "Heroes" is redundantly dedicated to Blumenson's personal favorites. When I say redundant here, this also should not be misunderstood - I do MEAN REDUNDANT! Redundant to the level of self-plagiarism. I read many passages, almost verbatim, at least three times sometimes more. Several chapters are dedicated to Patton but after the first two you read the rest provide little new, although 30-40 years separate the publishing of some. I can however say that despite the redundant nature of "Heroes" that there was enough "new" material here for me to walk away satisfied. Most of my WWII reads are centered between Berlin and the Channel and the Channel and Berlin, with a few stops in northern Africa. I had previously read little about the Italian campaigns, and this seems to be one of Blumenson's favored topics. Thus I was treated to ample new material (although again in a redundant fashion).

I gave "Heroes Never Die" three stars here but if it were slightly (even a few of the 40 plus chapters) less redundant in content it would have gotten 4. It's a solid, easily read book that I did enjoy. A bit pricey as a new book but certainly worth a used cost. If you're new to the genre this is a worthy book, even at full price.