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cody240fc's review against another edition
5.0
You couldn't ask for more from Rick Atkinson. His Liberation Trilogy is simply amazing, and this third installment might be the best of the the bunch. Atkinson captures the tragedies of the worst conflict in the history of mankind in such a way that will leave tears welling in your eyes. There is an element of poetry in his writing and the way he constructs his narrative. I can't imagine anyone better suited to tackle such a project. Special.
bergsteiger's review against another edition
3.0
So I know that this trilogy got a lot of good press, but this one ended with more of a whimper than a bang, for me. By far, my favorite work of Mr. Atkinson is still the Long Gray Line. There was a poignancy to that book that he seems unable to capture in this trilogy and especially in this book.
Much like the other books in this series, it is a plodding work. I think this is because he truly lacks a coherent narrative. In this book we go from a ridiculously grandiloquent opening, to a ream of minutiae, to a relatively sound strategic overview, to an endless merry-go-round of Allied bickering and incompetence, to a sprawling ending that does nothing to bring this work together.
As always, I learned something due to Atkinson's exhaustive research. However, it took a lot of determination to plow through this tome. It's not a bad book, but the first two were much better, and you almost can't skip this one if you read those first two. It just wasn't the best work I've read about Americans in WWII. Not by a long shot.
Three stars for the breadth of knowledge, well-placed maps, and detailed research. Just don't expect to be wowed by this one.
Much like the other books in this series, it is a plodding work. I think this is because he truly lacks a coherent narrative. In this book we go from a ridiculously grandiloquent opening, to a ream of minutiae, to a relatively sound strategic overview, to an endless merry-go-round of Allied bickering and incompetence, to a sprawling ending that does nothing to bring this work together.
As always, I learned something due to Atkinson's exhaustive research. However, it took a lot of determination to plow through this tome. It's not a bad book, but the first two were much better, and you almost can't skip this one if you read those first two. It just wasn't the best work I've read about Americans in WWII. Not by a long shot.
Three stars for the breadth of knowledge, well-placed maps, and detailed research. Just don't expect to be wowed by this one.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945, is the third and final volume of the Liberation trilogy by Rick Atkinson. In my opinion this is the best of the three books.
Prior to reading this series, most of my WWII knowledge was limited to Hitler's death camps and Stalin's Gulags, it was time that I learned about the battles.
Prior to reading this series, most of my WWII knowledge was limited to Hitler's death camps and Stalin's Gulags, it was time that I learned about the battles.
mosesp's review against another edition
4.0
More great history in the final volume of the trilogy. Again, great weaving of individual stories into the larger military and geopolitical context. A little too much about the internal politics of the Allies (everyone hates the French, OK, I get it) but some fascinating glimpses into the internal politics of the Reich, and to the German civilian experience of the end of WWII. I don't think I've ever read anything that so clearly conveyed the razor's edge between hallucinatory loyalty to a failing (and morally repugnant) cause, and the moment of capitulation to the reality of events, with the shame and terror that follows. Really interesting stuff at the end of this book.
captyar's review against another edition
4.0
Overall a good ending to the trilogy of us army wwII combat histories, i was a bit disappointed with this one compared to the others as it seemed more of the focus this time was on eisenhower montgomery, Churchill and the generals at headquarters and less on the men and commanders in the field that were so prominently featured in the 2 previous books. The battle of the bulge chapter was a bit short on details too. Nevertheless this is the essential series to read if you love wwii history the maps and photos are excellent as well.
aehsan's review against another edition
5.0
This is an exceptionally well written book and a fine cap to the Trilogy. It captures the experience of the American Army through the last phase of the European Theater and though you don't need to have read any of the prior books to follow whats happening, its much richer if you do as then you'd truly understand how the US Army matured and changed.
From the amateurs who stormed North Africa to the hardened professionals that closed out Western Europe - this was a transformation achieved in only 3 years. That's a tremendous story right there and Rick Atkinson does a great job in showing us this over the course of the 3 books. In this, the last and arguably best one, we see how the US Army evolves even further not only in War-making but also managing its sometimes difficult relationships with the Allies. On a different level, its a great study of not only a different approach to the way of making war but of how an organization can adapt and thrive. WW2 was not only a combat challenge but also one of logistics, human resources, poltics, economics and leadership. The fact that this book can provide a grasp on all of these aspects while never losing focus on the War itself is what sets it apart. While this can sound daunting to read its amazing how well all of it comes together into a 'story'.
What I mean by this is that not only is there the 'quotes, numbers and facts' that are de riguer for a history book but all of it is weaved into literally a narrative of the War. This means there is a sense of drama and propulsion to events, not easy to do when you are talking about strategic set pieces vs. individual tactical experiences, populated by great Characters. You don't just read about Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley,Montgomery, etc. as history but get a feel of them as people trying their best to meet the demands of their time but with personal failings and blindspots. Just this ability to make history human would make this book excellent and on par with anything by Beevor (Though grander in scope - remember its a trilogy). However the quality of prose here, on par with most literature is what makes this really one of a kind.
From the amateurs who stormed North Africa to the hardened professionals that closed out Western Europe - this was a transformation achieved in only 3 years. That's a tremendous story right there and Rick Atkinson does a great job in showing us this over the course of the 3 books. In this, the last and arguably best one, we see how the US Army evolves even further not only in War-making but also managing its sometimes difficult relationships with the Allies. On a different level, its a great study of not only a different approach to the way of making war but of how an organization can adapt and thrive. WW2 was not only a combat challenge but also one of logistics, human resources, poltics, economics and leadership. The fact that this book can provide a grasp on all of these aspects while never losing focus on the War itself is what sets it apart. While this can sound daunting to read its amazing how well all of it comes together into a 'story'.
What I mean by this is that not only is there the 'quotes, numbers and facts' that are de riguer for a history book but all of it is weaved into literally a narrative of the War. This means there is a sense of drama and propulsion to events, not easy to do when you are talking about strategic set pieces vs. individual tactical experiences, populated by great Characters. You don't just read about Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley,Montgomery, etc. as history but get a feel of them as people trying their best to meet the demands of their time but with personal failings and blindspots. Just this ability to make history human would make this book excellent and on par with anything by Beevor (Though grander in scope - remember its a trilogy). However the quality of prose here, on par with most literature is what makes this really one of a kind.