Why this book:   A friend of mine, who is very well-informed and well-read on the D-Day invasion recommended this as the best book to start my reading and preparation.  Indeed it was a good one to start with.

Summary in 3 Sentences:  This book gives both German, British, and American perspectives on the invasion of Normandy by the Allies on 6 June 1944.  The book is broken up into three parts: The Wait, The Night, The Day, and provides an overview of key events, as well as personal perspectives from those who were there.  First published in 1958, the author was able to personally talk to many who were there and who played key roles in this key event.

My impression: This is a classic and a great starter book for anyone interested in gaining a broad understanding and appreciation for the build up and key events of that most important day in the Allies response to Hitler’s attempt to take over Europe.  It is relatively short at 277 pages (paper back version pictured) and easy to read. It was the basis of the well-known and star-studded movie of the same name of the early 1960s.  It includes a couple of sections of photographs which help the reader get a perspective on the players and the event itself.

What Ryan did very well was give a significant amount of attention to what the Germans did and didn’t do during the build up to and on the day of the invasion.  The reader truly gets a broad perspective of the many dimensions of the event, but the story is told with adequate references to individuals and personal experiences of not only key players, but regular soldiers on both sides.  We get not only the macro-historical/strategic view, but also the down-in-the-trenches human perspective – the fears and struggles of individuals, from the generals to the junior officers and soldiers parachuting in and storming the beach from the landing craft to fight the Germans.

As a first-read in my project to get familiar with D-Day prior to my trip to Normandy, this was indeed a great one to start with.  Not overwhelming, and easy and enjoyable to read. I’d likewise recommend it to anyone.