Customer Reviews

The Second World War, Vol. 6: Northwest Europe, 1944-1945 (Essential Histories)

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"Northwest Europe 1944-1945" is part of the Osprey Essential Histories series on The Second World War. Authored by Russell Hart and Stephen Hart, it is an introduction to the final year of the war on the Western Front, from D-Day to Berlin.

This account opens with a quick sketch of the progress of the war prior to 1944, then dips into the preparations for D-Day by the Allies and the Germans, the actual invasion of France, the fight through the Low Countries, and ends with the battle for Germany. The narrative is solid but unremarkable, and sometimes marred by small mistakes. There is a nice selection of graphics and photographs, and the perspective is British, which may be a refreshing change for US readers.

This book also includes some human interest features that are quite good. Donald Burgett, an American paratrooper with the 101st Airborne, is the subject of a detailed portrait of a soldier on the ground. The experience of Brenda McBryde, a British combat nurse, is also sketched. There is a short article on wartime rationing and another on how the war ended.

"Northwest Europe 1944-1945" is a quick survey-level history for the general reader, and not a bad introduction to the conflict. Knowledgeable students of the Second World War can find much more extensive histories elsewhere.