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daniellem1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
dougjmurphy's review against another edition
4.0
An outstandingly thorough overview of the final two years of the war in Europe
natecoumbe31's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
charles__'s review against another edition
4.0
I've read both of the earlier Liberation Trilogy books over the years. I had forgotten how Atkinson uses his journalism skills to make, the well-trod history of, America's WWII efforts in Europe very approachable.
There are two things that standout about this book: good use of maps and the use of anecdotes. I tend to think of the books in this series to be Edu-tainment instead of histories. If I take exception, its that the analysis could be deeper. I also think the photographs chosen could have been better.
Use of maps is the best I've seen in any military history. They are a modern, graphics design spin on the best of breed visualization from more traditional texts. All modern histories should have maps of this quality.
Atkinson is a journalist with literary pretensions first, and a historian second. His histories are stories. His descriptions are evocative. This is a talent most military historians do not have. In addition, he peppers his narrative of events with short anecdotes on people, places and historical events. The added context is sometimes amusing. (Churchill's imbibition of alcohol comes to mind.) Many times its informative.
For example, I liked the geographical comparison between Napoleon's return from Elba and the 100 Days with the progress of Operation Dragoon.
The analysis of important command decisions and the results of circumstance is brief. I suspect I miss any what if discussion because this book has a story-like narrative.
For example, the implications of not forcing the Belfort Gap which would have uncovered the Saar region and affected the September/October 1944 Allied drive on the Ruhr.
This is also very much an Allied, chiefly American history. The preponderance of anecdotes, and excerpts from correspondence, diaries, and biographies are American. It would have been an interesting counterpoint to include a reminiscence of Cpl. Franz Bauer of Panzer Lehr's on the retreat to the Rhine, to compare with Sgt. Joe Farmer of the 101st Airborne.
This is a worthy read for those interested in the American history of WWII in Europe. In particular, because not since [a:Cornelius Ryan|48305|Cornelius Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332088952p2/48305.jpg] has there been an author writing easily readable books on the subject. I'm sad to see the series end.
There are two things that standout about this book: good use of maps and the use of anecdotes. I tend to think of the books in this series to be Edu-tainment instead of histories. If I take exception, its that the analysis could be deeper. I also think the photographs chosen could have been better.
Use of maps is the best I've seen in any military history. They are a modern, graphics design spin on the best of breed visualization from more traditional texts. All modern histories should have maps of this quality.
Atkinson is a journalist with literary pretensions first, and a historian second. His histories are stories. His descriptions are evocative. This is a talent most military historians do not have. In addition, he peppers his narrative of events with short anecdotes on people, places and historical events. The added context is sometimes amusing. (Churchill's imbibition of alcohol comes to mind.) Many times its informative.
For example, I liked the geographical comparison between Napoleon's return from Elba and the 100 Days with the progress of Operation Dragoon.
The analysis of important command decisions and the results of circumstance is brief. I suspect I miss any what if discussion because this book has a story-like narrative.
For example, the implications of not forcing the Belfort Gap which would have uncovered the Saar region and affected the September/October 1944 Allied drive on the Ruhr.
This is also very much an Allied, chiefly American history. The preponderance of anecdotes, and excerpts from correspondence, diaries, and biographies are American. It would have been an interesting counterpoint to include a reminiscence of Cpl. Franz Bauer of Panzer Lehr's on the retreat to the Rhine, to compare with Sgt. Joe Farmer of the 101st Airborne.
This is a worthy read for those interested in the American history of WWII in Europe. In particular, because not since [a:Cornelius Ryan|48305|Cornelius Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332088952p2/48305.jpg] has there been an author writing easily readable books on the subject. I'm sad to see the series end.
guidoco's review against another edition
Good WWII trilogy
This is a really good final book of the trilogy. From North Africa until it's finish in Germany, the writing takes you up and into the lives of those who won the war in Europe for the U.S.
This is a really good final book of the trilogy. From North Africa until it's finish in Germany, the writing takes you up and into the lives of those who won the war in Europe for the U.S.
charles_fried's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome, epic book! You may think you know this as the Normandie invasion is well known but this book has lots you don't know and it covers it so well that it is well worth a read. Deeply moving.
iggy63's review against another edition
5.0
Well, I finally finished this trilogy, which took the author 14 years to write, and me slightly less to read. It is monumental in scale and detail, and so thoroughly researched that it's easy to see why it took 14 years. This book, like book 1, dragged a bit during the descriptions of the battles, which get a little bogged down. I got the sense that the author struggled in writing these passages too. But the accounts of non-combat events absolutely shine, and more than make up for the occasional slog through the trenches. Aktkinson's description of the meetings at Malta and Yalta, for example are fantastic, as is his characterizations of the commanding officers.
There are shelves, even rooms full of books on WWII. If you must limit yourself to one piece of work on the war in Western Europe, this trilogy might be the one. The drawback would be that it is essentially told from the Allies point of view. This is, as the title suggests, a "Liberation" trilogy, not a "War" trilogy. But the exhaustive research, superb organization, and mostly fluid writing is remarkable.
There are shelves, even rooms full of books on WWII. If you must limit yourself to one piece of work on the war in Western Europe, this trilogy might be the one. The drawback would be that it is essentially told from the Allies point of view. This is, as the title suggests, a "Liberation" trilogy, not a "War" trilogy. But the exhaustive research, superb organization, and mostly fluid writing is remarkable.
mwinslow58's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely first rate. Like many other trilogies, the last book is the best and this one is superb.
Few writers can bring the enormity of these events to life, but Atkinson tells the big-picture story, while interweaving stories of individuals all across the command structure.
If your historical interests lean toward WWII, this trilogy is a must-read.
Few writers can bring the enormity of these events to life, but Atkinson tells the big-picture story, while interweaving stories of individuals all across the command structure.
If your historical interests lean toward WWII, this trilogy is a must-read.
authortedcross's review against another edition
5.0
A terrific end to the trilogy. I read the various histories of WWII throughout my childhood and enjoyed them very much, though there was always an element of propaganda about them (they essentially dismissed the entire eastern front). While this trilogy purposely focuses on the western front, it no longer dismisses the importance of the Soviet contribution to the destruction of Hitler's Reich. splendidly written to give both a great high level perspective while also adding a myriad of human-level perspectives, this series should be read by anyone wishing to learn about WWII.