Jeff Shaara, America’s premier author of military historical fiction, brings us the centerpiece of his epic trilogy of the Second World War. General Dwight Eisenhower once again commands a diverse army that must find its single purpose in the destruction of Hitler’s European fortress. His primary subordinates, Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery, must prove that this unique blend of Allied armies can successfully confront the might of Adolf Hitler’s forces, who have already conquered Western Europe. On the coast of France, German commander Erwin Rommel fortifies and prepares for the coming invasion, acutely aware that he must bring all his skills to bear on a fight his side must win. But Rommel’s greatest challenge is to strike the Allies on his front, while struggling behind the lines with the growing insanity of Adolf Hitler, who thwarts the strategies Rommel knows will succeed. Meanwhile, Sergeant Jesse Adams, a no-nonsense veteran of the 82nd Airborne, parachutes with his men behind German lines into a chaotic and desperate struggle. And as the invasion force surges toward the beaches of Normandy, Private Tom Thorne of the 29th Infantry Division faces the horrifying prospects of fighting his way ashore on a stretch of coast more heavily defended than the Allied commanders anticipate–Omaha Beach. From G.I. to general, this story carries the reader through the war’s most crucial juncture, the invasion that altered the flow of the war, and, ultimately, changed history.
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"I never studied a great deal about World War II, so much of what this book covers was very new to me. The characters in the book are real people (many having left personal journals or having been interviewed by the author) and so there is always the sense that nothing is being exaggerated and everything is described pretty much as it actually happened. The book covers the events that happened around D-Day, in June 1944, as the Allied troops struggled to gain a foothold in France. However, the story is told from the perspective of actual people, like General Eisenhower and other soldiers from the US and Britain, and Rommel and others from Germany, so it reads like a novel, not a history textbook."
— Josh (4 out of 5 stars)
" Geez... I'm loving this WWII series... Can't wait to get the 3rd book of the trilogy! "
— Melissa, 2/20/2014" This is a fascinating book. It is a history of the Normandy Invasion, when the allies landed on the coast of France during WWII. It is told from both the persepective of the Allied Command and the German army commanders. Although based on fact, it is written in a very accessible way,turning history into a living breathing thing. I was completely immersed into that incredible period of human history, where although I knew what the eventual outcome would be,I still felt suspense and the huge weight of the war effort.Insightful and fascinating look into the machine of war. "
— Gail, 2/4/2014" I love Jeff Shaara's books. I always learn so much about so many brave men and all of the factors that have influenced history. This books is about the Allied invasion of Normandy and the liberation of France. As seen through the eyes of the Eisenhower, Patton and Rommel, I understood all of the factors that were faced by the soldiers. I especially loved the accounts of the paratroopers as they fought their way through France. This book is especially meaningful to me, as my own grandfather took part in the liberation of France and was forced to engage in hand to hand combat in the French hedgerow country that the book talks so much about. "
— Cheryl, 1/20/2014" The planning and execution of D-Day focusing on a few units and people from each side. Historical fiction at its best - I know the history is accurate but the story telling is incredible. Will definitely finish this trilogy and also his new one on WWII in the Pacific. "
— Coleen, 1/19/2014" Again this is written as a first persons account by many different participants! Great Historical novel. "
— Jim, 1/4/2014" Fantastic book by jeff Shaara, and always trying to read more of his writings! This feels like a textbook, but the story flows and moves so that you always want to find out what happens next, even though you know what will happen! "
— Pepper, 1/3/2014" I'm in the middle of this book. It isn't a page turner, but I generally like historical fiction. "
— Debbie, 12/27/2013" A fluffy look at the major events leading up to and including D-Day in WWII. There are much better sources for this, and a lot of facts are left out, but it's a pleasant enough read. "
— Marketingguy, 12/14/2013" Terrific book. Unlike an actual history book, this wasn't concerned so much with what happened as with who happened. Shaara really focuses on characters and their places in the bigger story. He also creates a very realistic feeling of being right in the action. "
— Craig, 12/1/2013" Not my favorite Shaara book. Same style of writing that I have come to expect, but I felt that the focus was too narrow, perhaps. "
— Jake, 11/14/2013" I did not think I enjoyed history until I read Jeff Shaara "
— Cheryl, 11/6/2013" The second in the Europe WWII trilogy. (See my comments on The Rising Tide) Deals with the invasion at Normandy. "
— Richard, 10/29/2013" It will suck you in and cause you to buy all his d*mn hardcovers! He's good. "
— Rob, 10/25/2013" Really good fictional account of the Battle of Normandy. Thoroughly researched and packed with accurately rendered history. "
— Roger, 10/13/2013" My kind of book, very good "
— Chuck, 9/29/2013" These are good books. I've read most of (probably all) Jeff Shaara's books and I think they are great. This series was about World War II and I honestly could not put them down. Jeff Shaara is a really good storyteller. You don't just learn about history, you feel like you've witnessed it. "
— Dave, 9/18/2013" This is the second of Jeff Shaara's WWII trilogy. His insights into the German generals is very inciteful and chilling! "
— Barbara, 7/4/2013" Jeff Shaara is a great writer of historical fiction, but this book feels a bit formulaic... it feels like Shaara has found his groove and is sticking with it. The one exception in this book is that one of the main charcters is killed. "
— Tom, 6/26/2013" A pretty good book about Normandy. Because it's part of WWII series, it's hard to read it on stand alone basis. "
— Alan, 5/22/2013" i like his books and this is another in his series on ww2. this is d-day but from a slightly different perspective. wars are not quite the same thing anymore, for better or worse. "
— Rob, 4/28/2013" I love historical fictioin\n this book follows the Allies in the set up and carrying out the invasion at Normandy. As with the first book in the series learn alot of things I didnt know. "
— Stacy, 4/8/2013" 4.5 stars. one of my favorite authors. from civil war to ww2 his books are immensely informative. this is no different. d day planning and execution covered in this story. "
— Tony, 12/23/2012" Second in the series, I enjoyed this book and learned considerable about parts of world war II. Shaara is a favorite author and he didn't disappoint me. "
— Kurt, 10/5/2012" I like the way the author humanizes the larger-than-life characters that have become a part of history, but I find it hard to imagine actually being a part of those horrific events. A much more familiar tale than his previous saga (Rising Tide), but enlightening all the same. "
— Margaret, 4/10/2012" The fist part of the book is the build-up to D-day and the second half is the invasion and immediate aftermath. I liked the characters and while the first half was a bit dull, I really enjoyed the book. "
— Matt, 12/16/2011" Excellent writing. I also really enjoyed how Mr. Shaara described both sides of the conflict. The reason "The Steel Wave" received four stars from me was the amount of profanity that was used through the book. Otherwise a five star piece of work. "
— Gordy, 4/27/2011" The second in the Europe WWII trilogy. (See my comments on The Rising Tide) Deals with the invasion at Normandy. "
— Richard, 4/11/2011" Fantastic. I couldn't recommend it more highly. It seems to me to be the best way to learn a few things about history - with a novelization of it, I didn't have to give up my love for good fiction. "
— Peter, 3/24/2011" Volume II of the trilogy. Kept me quite entertained after knee surgery. "
— Travis, 1/17/2011" Shaara doesn't disappoint at all. Some people gave this one a bad review. I think it was well done. Im working my way through all his war fiction novels. This one was engaging from the first word. "
— A.J.K., 1/9/2011" Great book however his writings on the American Revolution were better. "
— John, 12/9/2010" This book is better than the first and its just warming up. Can't wait to finish it. "
— Jason, 11/7/2010Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.
Anthony Heald, an Audie Award–winning narrator, has earned Tony nominations and an Obie Award for his theater work; appeared in television’s Law & Order, The X-Files, Miami Vice, and Boston Public; and starred as Dr. Frederick Chilton in the 1991 Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. He has also won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations.