The Mighty Endeavor: The American War In Europe [Paperback]

Charles B. Macdonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1992

”Almighty God—Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor.” It was with these words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the troops that were to mount the final assault on Nazi-dominated Europe on D-day, June 6, 1944. The Mighty Endeavor is a sweeping history of American action in the European theater in World War II, covering the entire scope of America’s effort ”to set free from Nazi tyranny a suffering humanity.”From the first landings at Casablanca straight through to the crossing of the Elbe River and V-E Day, this book tells the gripping stories of all the battles in which Americans took part. At its core are accounts of such dramatic episodes as Kasserine Pass, Salerno and Anzio, D-day, the liberation of Paris, the Battle of the Bulge, and the crossing of the Rhine. MacDonald’s sources include official U.S. Army records and interviews with soldiers from the lowest ranks to top-level officers such as Generals Eisenhower and Bradley. Since its initial publication in 1969, The Mighty Endeavor has retained its reputation as the best one-volume history of the American war in Europe, a true classic of its kind.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles B. MacDonald (1922-1990) was deputy chief historian of the Department of the Army and a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He wrote several of the army146s official histories of World War II, and his books include The Battle of the Huertgen Forest, Company Commander, and A Time for Trumpets.

Product Details

• Paperback: 622 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306804867
• ISBN-13: 978-0306804861
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,417,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good overview of Mediterranean and European Theaters, July 12, 2004

By 

Tim Brophy "Tim Brophy" (West Henrietta, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mighty Endeavor: The American War In Europe (Paperback)

For those who want a tactical level description of every campaign we fought against the Germans this is not it. Russell Weigley did that with Eisenhower's Lieutenants(for the ETO only, North Africa and Sicily are not included in that book). But for someone who wants an introductory level overview this is as good a place as any to start. It begins with a brief examination of prewar plans (The color coded plans that eventually became The Rainbow Plan). He then traces the outbreak of the war and the priorities that created our landing in North Africa in November 1942. Mcdonald then deals with Sicliy, Salerno and the Italian campaign, the Overlord buildup, D-Day and the Normandy Campaign, the Breakout, Market Garden, The Hurtgen Forest, the Bulge, The Rhine Crossings and the Final battles. Charles MacDonald is well qualified to do this. (He commanded an Infantry Company in the 2nd ID during WWII, his memoir of this, aptly titled: Company Commander is considered one of the best of its kind). He then went to work for the Office of Military History and wrote the Official volumes on the Siegfried Campaign and the Final Offensive. (He also commercially published A Time for Trumpets a great work on the Battle of the Bulge.)This book is not always in print so if you see it, grab it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Out There, August 15, 2007

By 

V. G. Wilson (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mighty Endeavor: The American War In Europe (Paperback)

Written almost 40 years ago, it still reigns supreme as the best single book yet written on the overall American involvement in the ETO during World War II. From North Africa to Sicily/Italy, D-Day to the fall of Berlin, it covers all of the major campaigns. There are also chapters on the Battle of the Atlantic and the stategic bombing campaign over Germany. I don't know of any single volume that covers this much ground.

US political and economic background, FDR, character studies of the major players, the interaction with British-French allies, tactics, strategy, etc. Well written in the best narrative history tradition. Excellent!!

4.0 out of 5 stars A Quality Overview of American Participation, October 14, 2009

By 

Dave Schranck "Dave" (Anaheim Ca) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Mighty Endeavor: The American War In Europe (Paperback)

This is a quality overview of American participation in WWII in Europe and North Africa. After the first few chapters of describing the American home front, the evolving US war doctrine and the condition of the US Arm Forces prior to Operation Torch, the author faithfully reproduces the events involving the Americans. From North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Operation Overlord, Dragoon, Cobra, Falaise pocket, the Battle of the Bulge, the fight for the Siegfried Line, the Rhine Crossing. Mr MacDonald even covers the Ruhr Pocket, reaching the Elbe River and driving to the Czech Republic and Austria. There is also a chapter on the Ultra code breaker. He covers it all but its not at the detail level of "A Time for Trumpets" or "The Siegfried Line Campaign". This volume would be ideal for a new student or casual reader of WWII. A collector would also like this book.
The author provides maps for each region; there are also many photos to peruse. There is a Bibliography and Notes section along with a good Index. If you're looking for a quality general purpose summary, this would be a good choice.