D-Day Illustrated Edition: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II

Ambrose is a fine author. But I was unprepared for the weight of D Day and its overall dimensions. The size of the book is almost “cocktail table” size. It was heavy and large enough that it stayed home when I left for a week in Costa Rica. No way it was coming onboard for the flight. I took Tom Clavin’s “Tombstone” with me instead.

Re-read this classic in preparation for a trip. Maps and photos were special in this edition

This book is essentially a collection of many short stories based on individual interviews. The individuals range from generals of the very top in Allies and Axis, to middle leaders in the action, and all the way to privates on the ground on both sides. It is an amazing telling of details about D-Day from its planning, preparation to execution on land, at sea, under water, and in the air. You get to read about very personal perspectives that are usually invisible in historical event of such astronomical scale. Through that, I found myself get to know not only the personality, but character of the people of that generation. It is a very inspiring experience.There are also many dramatic moments that makes you wonder differently how the world actually operates. For example, a young French girl was running for safety in the midst of Allies naval shelling, where only a few miles away at the beach, a young American soldier who was struggling to get through the killing zone would meet her and eventually became her future husband. Another example, a few Korean in German uniform were captured by American paratroopers in Normandy battle. Why would they be there? It turned out these young men were drafted into war by Japanese to fight Russians; captured by Russians to fight Germany in Eastern front; captured again by Germans to fight Americans in the Normandy. It was an incredible story of survival and fate by itself to research on separately.Also discussed are innovation such as various landing crafts by Higgins, special wedge for Sherman tanks to break out of Normandy hedgerows, and interesting British invention of obstacle clearing vehicles and DD tanks, etc.. And if you like strategies, there are many intriguing stories on how each side trying to fool each other for the best advantage.I picked the slightly more expensive version with photos, and found it well worth it. The photos add to more vivid impression of what is described in the context. Photos look better though on a larger tablet. Overall, this is a book I am so glad that I have come across.

Condition was fantastic. Looked brand new!

This is a wonderful book. While the story of D-Day is familiar to nearly everyone, this re-telling is swift and engaging. I read this years ago in paperback but lost it. I meant to order it in paperback but hit the wrong button and got the illustrated edition instead.At first I was a little disappointed that the photos were not on glossy stock paper. But as I read on, I realized that the use of standard stock paper gives this book a vintage feel. If you need colorful maps and glossy photos, there are plenty that you can use to complement your reading of this edition.But I find that this is nearly a perfect marriage of words and an almost newspaper style treatment of photos that whisks the reader back to June 6, 1944, the Day of Days.

This is one of the best books I have ever read about any topic but especially about WWII. The sheer size of this operation from a logistical and manpower perspective is mind blowing and Ambrose does a phenomenal job of bringing this to life in his book. I zipped through most of it since it was such an engrossing read but savored the last 50-75 pages. Grateful to the generation that served and saved us from Nazi domination. AFY.

I was somewhat unprepared for how large this book is, it’s definitely larger than any of the other Ambrose books, and more resembles a history textbook. The illustrations are great, and is a definite upgrade from the dog-eared paperback I used to own!

An iincredible addition to my collection, large, full of rarely seen pictures that are made larger showing the details that are often not visible. Great for collectors and readers of history

Great ww2 book Stephen e Ambrose is a legend, the book was delivered on time and it came as exactly what was put on description

libro interessante ed appassionante, per chi piace la storia

Possibly the best D-Day book there is?