Rudder's Rangers : The True Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion D-Day Combat Action [Paperback]

Ronald L. Lane (Author), Reijo Makela (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0934588007 | ISBN-13: 978-0934588003 | Publication Date: June 1, 1995

D-Day was characterized by sacrifice and uncommon valor. Yet even among the valorous deeds that were common on 6 June 1944, the exploits of the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc stand out as tributes to human courage. This book details the true story of Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder and his 2nd Ranger Battalion. It is a true story of courage, human ingenuity, achievement and ultimate sacrifice.

The story of Rudder's Rangers is brought to life by Ronald L. Lane. Lane's familiarity with Rangers stems from his personal experience as an airborne ranger with the 101st Airborne Division.

Lane's vivid depiction of the story and events of Rudder's Rangers will give you a depth of understanding of these great events, a perception of actually being there, that has not been available before. He presents the facts, but more importantly, he expertly weaves the thoughts and words of the survivors of the operation into a story of great perseverance and unhesitating sacrifice, a story that will continue to serve as inspiration to all who enjoy the freedoms bought with the lives of these brave men. The insights Lane has gained were made possible by personally interviewing hundreds of people associated with Earl Rudder and his Rangers. Personal letters, along with official Army records and files, add a historical perspective unmatched by any other account of the Ranger attack on the Normandy cliffs.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

What Others Are Saying:

"Rudder's Rangers is a great book on a great subject. I recommend it without reservation or hesitation." - Stephen E. Ambrose, author of N.Y. Times bestsellers Citizen Soldiers and D-Day, June 6, 1944

"Ron Lane has brought the heroic performance of James Earl Rudder and his Rangers to life with Rudder's Rangers. Ron's way of conveying the facts is riveting. This true story of courage, fortitude and the sheer will to succeed should be an example of inspiration to anyone who strives for excellence." - General William C. Westmoreland, United States Army (Ret.)

"Rudder's Rangers is the most vivid, powerful depiction of the Ranger's attack on the Normandy cliffs yet." - Leonard G. Lomell, 2nd Ranger Battalion and Hall of Fame inductee

"If you want to know what it was like to make the assault on Omaha Beach and up the steep precipice...; to be in freezing salt water up to your neck while seeing your buddies drown or shot dead; to climb the wet, slick 100 foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc under plunging fire; to be counterattacked heavily by the Germans; and to hang on as the battalion suffers over 50 percent casualties - read this mesmerizing, bullet-by-bullet account of the first three days of Rudder's Rangers in battle in June, 1944." - Lt. General Harold G. Moore, United States Army (Ret.), author of N.Y. Times bestseller We Were Soldiers Once...and Young

About the Author

Ronald L. Lane was a graduate of West Point Military Academy, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Army. He was an airborne ranger with the 101st Airborne Division. Through his 21 year military career, he served all around the world including three years in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam conflict, three years in France, and six years in the Pentagon. Lane was awarded the coveted Combat Infantryman's Badge and numerous other American and foreign military decorations. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Lane was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: Ranger Assoc (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934588007
• ISBN-13: 978-0934588003
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories Come Alive, April 4, 2000

By 

Henry Glassman, WWII Ranger & author of &... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rudder's Rangers : The True Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion D-Day Combat Action (Paperback)

As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted on many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. USER-LOCATION: REVIEW: As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted in many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. END

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting!, January 12, 2000

By 

rpl12 (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rudder's Rangers : The True Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion D-Day Combat Action (Paperback)

From the very start of this book, you're pulled in. You're on the English Channel with the young, brave, terrified Rangers as they make their way towards Omaha Beach. You'll hear the whine of the Landing craft engines. You'll watch as the men struggle to keep their landing craft afloat, or as they sink helplessly to the bottom with all their heavy gear, drowned before their mission really started. You'll recoil from the geysers of water shooting into the air from German artillery. You'll duck - knowing it's futile, that once you hear it, it's already past you - as bullet after bullet pings off your craft. It's an incredible ride, and an incredible story. "Saving Private Ryan" was fictionalized, but the first thirty minutes of that movie realistically portrayed the horrors of that day. Read this book to find out the rest of the story, from the men who were there. One of the main persons in this story is Leonard "Bud" Lomell, who has a chapter in the "Heroes" section of Tom Brokaw's best seller, "The Greatest Generation." If you're hungry to find out more about him and the rest of his Ranger buddies - all heroes in my eyes - read this book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rudder's Rangers, February 1, 2000

By 

"ejavelin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rudder's Rangers : The True Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion D-Day Combat Action (Paperback)

I found this to be an excellent and authoritative book with detailed accounts of the 2nd Rangers on D-Day. I know a number of Rangers veterans who recommended this book to me as a well written and accurate account. This is by far one of the best D-Day books I have in my growing collection. If you are a D-Day buff, then I recommend it to you without hesitation. Your D-Day collection will be incomplete without it!