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on October 14, 2013
The author wrote this book far back in the 50's, and the book's strongest and weakest points are due to this fact. On one hand, he had direct access to many direct surviving participants in the landings in Normandy (on both sides), and he performed many interviews comparatively close to the actual events, which without a doubt aids in having a fresher memory. On the other, lot of information wasn't publicly available at that time, and thus many claims by the interviewed were not easily (or at all) verifiable.
What comes out is a good overview of the planning and execution of the landings in Normandy, as well as the parachute drops in the rear areas. There is also a brief mention to the many diversionary attacks and other measures. However, with the current available information, it is easy to see that there was much more going on in France (and the World) during those crucial 24 hours than the author was able to present in this book.
If you read any of the later works by the author you will also clearly see that, while following the same episode-style, he probably sensed that he needed to expand the scope of the book and encompass more sources and viewpoints than in this book. Not to be misunderstood, this is not a bad book, but coming from the author and in comparison to his other works it looks slightly weaker.
While a classical in D-Day literature, and including some very interesting insights from the participants in the landings, this book looks a little outdated nowadays and as such loses one star - still a recommended reading for the ones interested in military history.
What comes out is a good overview of the planning and execution of the landings in Normandy, as well as the parachute drops in the rear areas. There is also a brief mention to the many diversionary attacks and other measures. However, with the current available information, it is easy to see that there was much more going on in France (and the World) during those crucial 24 hours than the author was able to present in this book.
If you read any of the later works by the author you will also clearly see that, while following the same episode-style, he probably sensed that he needed to expand the scope of the book and encompass more sources and viewpoints than in this book. Not to be misunderstood, this is not a bad book, but coming from the author and in comparison to his other works it looks slightly weaker.
While a classical in D-Day literature, and including some very interesting insights from the participants in the landings, this book looks a little outdated nowadays and as such loses one star - still a recommended reading for the ones interested in military history.
on July 8, 2014
There is little to add about this classic book describing the D-Day landings in Normandy. The book itself is a landmark account of the action, with an effective mix of strategic, tactical, and personal information about the world-changing events. It's not the most deeply moving WWII account that I've read, but it is clearly and coherently told, and the chaos and horrors of war are well described. I would have appreciated a few maps as the action was described. In this review, I will focus on the Kindle edition. Since I have not seen the printed edition, I might be pointing to "flaws" in the Kindle presentation that are related to limitations of the print copy. Feel free to comment if you have read the print edition.
The Kindle edition is a solid version of the text. I detected a few typos, but, overall, the transfer to electronic form has been highly successful.
My reservations about the Kindle edition are in the placement and quality of the figures. The figures are grouped at the end of the text. I much prefer having the figures placed within the text at the points where they are directly relevant. Also, the figures are displayed too small to be appreciated in much detail. I would like to see a second Kindle edition with the figures enlarged, if the originals are of sufficient quality. You might want to check out the paper edition(s) to see if reproduction of the figures is better than that of the Kindle edition.
I highly recommend this 4.5-star book to all readers. The accounts of WWII in my high school history books were completely inadequate, and this book should be part of the education of all Americans (not to mention Europeans). The current Kindle version is very good, but the figures are too small and would be better if appropriately interspersed with the text.
The Kindle edition is a solid version of the text. I detected a few typos, but, overall, the transfer to electronic form has been highly successful.
My reservations about the Kindle edition are in the placement and quality of the figures. The figures are grouped at the end of the text. I much prefer having the figures placed within the text at the points where they are directly relevant. Also, the figures are displayed too small to be appreciated in much detail. I would like to see a second Kindle edition with the figures enlarged, if the originals are of sufficient quality. You might want to check out the paper edition(s) to see if reproduction of the figures is better than that of the Kindle edition.
I highly recommend this 4.5-star book to all readers. The accounts of WWII in my high school history books were completely inadequate, and this book should be part of the education of all Americans (not to mention Europeans). The current Kindle version is very good, but the figures are too small and would be better if appropriately interspersed with the text.
on May 1, 2014
I will be on the Normandy beaches during a Seine Riverboat trip in May (70th anniversary of the allied invasion is this year), and I wanted to read about the invasion. I remembered the film of the same name seen in my youth, and not since. I found this book prefect for my purposes. and it was quite a feat by the author, who did arduous research, including interviews with all the principle generals and other officers, as well as servicemen who'd been part of it. This included not just Americans, but the other allied groups, and the Germans as well. I was astounded by the effort of Operation Overlord, and think anyone with an interest in World War II would get a great deal from this book.
on June 26, 2017
Still a clasic. No better account of the Longest Day.
on June 6, 2014
C Ryan has captured the feelings of D-Day both from the Allied side and the Nazis. Great read, tremendous pictures, detailed maps of the beaches and special features of copies of various documents. There are terrific personal stories for both sides. Very enjoyable read This book was the basis for the movie in the 60s - The Longest Day. Any WWII buff or history person will enjoy this book. Perhaps the 2nd best book I have read after S Ambrose's D-Day. Recommend.
on August 29, 2017
Written from over a 1000 first hand interviews, no other book about D-Day so completely covers the human element involved in this amazing endeavor. Startling to see the level of personal sacrifice and heroics the world considered normal in the 40s. Difficult to believe America today could rise to this level even if truly threatened. It really was America's greatest generation.
on June 4, 2015
I CONSIDER CORNELIUS RYAN TO BE THE PREEMINENT AUTHOR ON THE DDAY INVASION.I FIRST READ THIS BOOK OVER 30 YEARS AGO AND IT REMAINS TIMELESS IN ITS TELLING THE STORY OF NORMANDY. I HAVE READ HIS TWO OTHER CLASSICS, A BRIDGE TOO FAR AND THE FINAL BATTLE AND CONSIDER EQUAL CLASSICAL IN NATURE..MR. RYAN WAS TAKEN FROM US FAR TO SOON AND HE HAS BEEN SORELY MISSED.
on April 3, 2017
I just visited the beaches for the second time and bought this book to better understand the invasion. It was very helpful and answered a lot of my questions.
VINE VOICEon August 25, 2014
Well, this is not so much of the review, because the word "fantastic" pretty much reflects what I think about this book. As I said elsewhere:
You have to forgive me guys - until few days ago I had no idea that this book is supposed to be the best book about the D-Day. Hey, I am trying to fill those cultural gaps as much as I can, but it is a never ending process :).
Dear Author posted it amongst deals of the day, so I grabbed it for 1.99 which was awesome, but even for this price for me it would be worth every penny. What a fantastic book - on so many levels and not just because of the subject matter, but because it reads as an action/adventure that made me feel glued to the pages and reality just made it more poignant.
I am just amazed at the level of research at how many people he interviewed, how he juggled everything that happened on that day and still made the book so very readable.
You have to forgive me guys - until few days ago I had no idea that this book is supposed to be the best book about the D-Day. Hey, I am trying to fill those cultural gaps as much as I can, but it is a never ending process :).
Dear Author posted it amongst deals of the day, so I grabbed it for 1.99 which was awesome, but even for this price for me it would be worth every penny. What a fantastic book - on so many levels and not just because of the subject matter, but because it reads as an action/adventure that made me feel glued to the pages and reality just made it more poignant.
I am just amazed at the level of research at how many people he interviewed, how he juggled everything that happened on that day and still made the book so very readable.
