Sunday, October 21, 2007
D-Day: June 6, 1944
The Climactic Battle Of World War II
Stephen Ambrose
1994
This book is a historical recounting of D-Day, the day when the allied forces invaded France in order to establish themselves in Nazi occupied Europe.
The value of the information in this book is immeasurable. Ambrose seemed to decide some time back that D-Day was such an important even in world history - which it certainly was - that he need record as many possible personal accounts of the day before the stories are lost forever. He reassembles the events, beginning with some background, but starting primarily before light on June 6, 1944, by combining hundreds of personal memories and official histories to piece together a complete and accurate version of events. The stories are moving. There are many personal memories of being scared or injured making mistakes, bravely pushing forward, and losing many close friends. The emotion of the men who fought is captured with an unsympathetic commitment to recounting both the triumphs and the blunders - both of which there were many. The gravity of the undertaking seemed to be apparent to the men, and few of them shirked their duties. Many were poorly positioned or landed, but for the most part they pressed on to complete either their mission, or if that was not possible, any positive result.
The story depicts the allied forces as well as the allied training regime as strong and effective. It is also fairly critical of the planning and intelligence that led to D-Day. The men were often put into unintended and avoidable danger, and many did not survive. Ultimately however, Ambrose seems to say that, given the resources, available intelligence, and unpredictable weather, everyone did the best they could. Ambrose is impressed with what went on that day, especially with the officers who took control in the absence of any higher control, and the men who fought are most likely proud of, and content with, their portrayal in this book.
This book is a compliment to a deeper study of World War II. Ambrose assumes much of the reader, and explains few details that he believes could be explained elsewhere. It results in a book that is uncluttered and focussed. His goal, as stated above, is accomplished.
The Climactic Battle Of World War II
Stephen Ambrose
1994
This book is a historical recounting of D-Day, the day when the allied forces invaded France in order to establish themselves in Nazi occupied Europe.
The value of the information in this book is immeasurable. Ambrose seemed to decide some time back that D-Day was such an important even in world history - which it certainly was - that he need record as many possible personal accounts of the day before the stories are lost forever. He reassembles the events, beginning with some background, but starting primarily before light on June 6, 1944, by combining hundreds of personal memories and official histories to piece together a complete and accurate version of events. The stories are moving. There are many personal memories of being scared or injured making mistakes, bravely pushing forward, and losing many close friends. The emotion of the men who fought is captured with an unsympathetic commitment to recounting both the triumphs and the blunders - both of which there were many. The gravity of the undertaking seemed to be apparent to the men, and few of them shirked their duties. Many were poorly positioned or landed, but for the most part they pressed on to complete either their mission, or if that was not possible, any positive result.
The story depicts the allied forces as well as the allied training regime as strong and effective. It is also fairly critical of the planning and intelligence that led to D-Day. The men were often put into unintended and avoidable danger, and many did not survive. Ultimately however, Ambrose seems to say that, given the resources, available intelligence, and unpredictable weather, everyone did the best they could. Ambrose is impressed with what went on that day, especially with the officers who took control in the absence of any higher control, and the men who fought are most likely proud of, and content with, their portrayal in this book.
This book is a compliment to a deeper study of World War II. Ambrose assumes much of the reader, and explains few details that he believes could be explained elsewhere. It results in a book that is uncluttered and focussed. His goal, as stated above, is accomplished.
# posted by mz @ 2:06 PM 
