War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler [Paperback]

Oliver L. North (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006 | Series: War Stories

"War Stories III" with free DVD included, brings to life the massive battles that finally defeated Nazi Germany - and the incredibly heroic American servicemen who saved the world from Nazi tyranny.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A Legacy of Valor "We are joined together, shedding our blood side by side, until the triumph of the great causes which we serve shall be made manifest." -Sir Winston Churchill, 1943

It was the Greatest Generation’s greatest moment: when heroes at home and abroad united in common purpose as soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, under the leadership of generals like Patton, Eisenhower, Marshall, and Bradley, rescued Europe from the tyranny and genocide of Adolf Hitler.

In War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler, Marine combat veteran Lt. Colonel Oliver North gives you a chance to revisit the front lines with infantrymen slugging their way up the boot of Italy, bomber pilots threading the shell bursts over Germany, and sailors of the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine dueling German U-Boats in the icy Atlantic. The whole panoramic spectacle of the war in Europe is here, from the perspectives of American, British, Russian, French, and even German individuals who saw history unfold before their eyes.

Using dramatic first-person testimony, North reveals:

· The reality of combat: how it felt to live through the Battle of Britain as a citizen and a pilot, on the ground and in the air

· The stories of Yanks in the RAF: how Americans fought Hitler before Pearl Harbor

· America’s first taste of battle in North Africa against the Germans—and the French

· How farm boys and field workers climbed the cliffs of Normandy and brought down the army of the Blitzkrieg

· A date with destiny: men and women who joined up together to fight for liberty

· The saga of war on the home front: how women faced enormous challenges in America, Russia, and Britain and helped win the war

· Amazing stories of resolve on the battlefield: from Anzio to the Bulge to Berlin.

Featuring extended interviews with veterans that cover the war in Europe from beginning to end, War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the World War II generation—a remembrance of the bravery and honor of these heroes. It belongs in the hands of every veteran, every student, and every American. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Oliver L. North is a combat-decorated Marine, New York Times bestselling author, and host of War Stories on the FOX News Channel.

Co-author Joe Musser is a bestselling author of over fifty books and more than a dozen motion picture and television screenplays. He has collaborated with Oliver North on five books. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Regnery History; Pap/DVD edition (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596980249
• ISBN-13: 978-1596980242
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent personal accounts round out the timetables., December 7, 2005

By 

Dennis R. Mitton "tolstoy" (Eastern Washington, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (with DVD) (Hardcover)

As in North's other books on the history of war and warfare he continues here to focus on the lives of the people living it and this brings the history home in a way that simple dates and battles can't. This kind of history writing seems especially relevant in light of the huge number of Americans now fighting in Iraq - our neighbors, sons, daughters, etc. I also like North's books since he approaches the subject as a soldier who has seen combat. This gives him a perspective that other more academic writers don't have. He has other biases too - you won't find anything close to a hint of a question about war and I don't think he's much of a fan of the French. The book will be richer, I think, if you have a decent understanding of the timelines and conflicts of WWII as this will fill in the more personal gaps. An excellent addition to WWII histories.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overivew of WWII with many personal stories of those who fought it, and a DVD, January 18, 2006

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (with DVD) (Hardcover)

I am enthusiastic about the book and want the book read generally rather than on special merit. Why do I want the book read? Well, there is a whole rising generation for whom WWII is so old and far gone that they really know NOTHING about it. This book is a fine quick overview and quite readable. It doesn't get bogged down in the details of tactics, strategies, or troop movements.

What it does offer that is very inviting is what makes the TV show a success and is suggested by the title. It has the war stories of many individuals to flesh out the brief summaries of aspects of the war. These stories include regular soldiers, people who have since become famous like Senators (and Presidential hopefuls) Dole and McGovern, and Chuck Yeager. There are also stories from women, people who were children at the time, several women including a Russian woman who fought against the German, and a German pilot. As you can tell, these are not the political leader, the generals, or important commanders in the war. The events they participated in were not the key turning points of the war, generally. However, they help us understand how the war was experienced by some of the millions of individuals whose participation in it made the defeat of Hitler possible.

My hope is that young people will read this book and not only learn about the war, but will also become interested enough to move on to other books on World War II and American History. This material is easy to read and is far from being comprehensive or complete, but it does tell its stories well and can be the springboard to something more.

The book also comes with a DVD with three of the episodes of the TV show that inspired this book. Several of the stories in the book are included on the DVD. So, maybe the DVD will spark someone to then read the book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Personal Stories of Real People, March 6, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (with DVD) (Hardcover)

We are reaching a time when the members of the greatest generation, those that fought against the Nazi's and the Japanese are rapidly leaving us. It is good to see this series of stories from individuals who were there. By capturing their stories it may be possible for us to catch just a glimpse of what it must have been like to live when the country was more together than at any time before or since.

As with the other books in this series, this book presents a rather eclectic collection of stories. All services are represented. And the story tellers are as different as they can be. Bob Dole relates the day he was wounded with the 10th Mountain Division. One of the Tuskegee Airman relates the story of a 'colored' pilot during the war. Chuck Yeager tells of being hit by German cannon fire and the propeller of his airplane coming off.

This is a series of personal stories. It does not ahve the broad expanse of an integrated history, it's about real people.