primary documents within the book to elucidate the historical themes he was trying to get across to his readers .
Overall , An American Soldier in the Great War would be an interesting read for those new to World War I and the military that served in that time , especially if a reader is interested in the human aspects from a first-person point of view . For all others , their time might be better served elsewhere . Maj . Nathan K . Finney , U . S . Army , Fort Leavenworth , Kansas
D-DAY June 6 , 1644 : The Climactic Battle of World War II Stephen Ambrose , Simon and Schuster , New York , 2014 , 768 pages
Stephen Ambrose ’ s trademark over many decades has been to incorporate all of the aspects of military operations into his works , and this extensive history is no exception . In addition to his emphasis on individual soldiers , sailors , and airmen and their personal narratives , he weaves in overviews of strategy , tactics , equipment , and organizations from the perspectives of both the Germans and Allies .
This book is no copy of the author ’ s previous works on the same subject . Although readers familiar with him may recognize individuals who appeared elsewhere , those characters are presented in a fresh light , with new perspectives gleaned from over 1,400 exhaustive interviews — a trademark of the author ’ s oral-history approach . In addition , over 150 photographs illustrate this edition , bringing the reader into the face of preparation for and execution of the most enormous military operation ever mounted .
This is not simply a work dedicated to covering the actual invasion events . It also provides a wide-ranging and insightful analysis of the issues facing both the Allies and Germany , such as the strategy and tactics ( both offensive and defensive ) employed ; the preparation and development of specialized equipment to overcome Hitler ’ s Atlantic Wall ; analysis of the long-term planning conducted by the Allies beginning after the evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk ; an overview of the massive deception plan ( Operation Fortitude ) conducted by the Allies , which strategically succeeded in altering both German preparation for and reactions to the Normandy invasion ; and detailed characterizations of the senior military leadership on both sides .
And , as in any work by Ambrose , this book includes the perspectives and viewpoints of individuals . For example , he tells the stories of people who were thrust into battle and overcame difficulties such as chemical attacks during planning and execution , or who suffered because of them . The greatly detailed oral interviews conducted for this book allow readers to fully appreciate the flexibility and initiative displayed by the junior officers and men , which ensured eventual victory . These highly personal stories , interwoven so superbly into the larger stories , make this ( and any book by Stephen Ambrose ) so well worth reading . Readers can become part of events as they unfolded , gaining an understanding of and appreciation for the enormous scale of events and coming away with a somber realization that , in spite of the great resources and material advantages the Allies held , Operation Overlord was far from a sure thing .
It was America ’ s citizen-soldiers who were thrown into this battle , making their accomplishments seem even more profound . Ambrose once wrote that Hitler was convinced the “ amateurs ” of the Allied armies could not defeat the professionals of his military . He was once again proven wrong . The soldiers , sailors , and airmen who carried out Operation Overlord were no superheroes , but they proved that with proper training , equipment , and motivation , this mission , as well as the subsequent conquest of Europe , could be successfully accomplished .
This book falls into the category of “ must have ” not only for the knowledge gained about D-Day and Operation Overlord but also for its relevance to the profession of arms . D-Day is a thoroughly researched
134 November-December 2016
MILITARY REVIEW