The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II

Narrative based on firsthand accounts of primarily the events of D-Day and subsequent days. Follows multiple key figures with detailed stories. Well written and informative.

A riveting book about the thousands upon thousands of men fighting for freedom. They can never be forgotten or thanked enough.

Author Alex Kershaw has written a very good book about the men of the first wave who landed on the shores of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Kershaw describes the paratroopers who were dropped behind German lines on the night of June 5th. It was their job to capture numerous bridges to prevent reinforcements by the Germans. These men fought bravely and ferociously to achieve their objectives. Kershaw also describes the day of June 6th, when the American, British, and Canadian forces landed on the beaches of Normandy. The reader is put inside a landing craft as it makes its way towards the beach, while the men fight against their own feelings of terror and anticipation of finally fighting the enemy. Utilizing quotes from the men who actually did the fighting, Kershaw gives the reader a good picture of what the first few hours were like at Normandy. This book is well-written and provides good basic information on the first few hours of the D-Day invasion. There are also mentions of later battles, including Market Garden, the Bulge, and Operation Varsity. Well worth the read.

New book in wrapping. Delivered the day after I ordered.

This author never disappoints. Well researhed and lots of little know facts that went on on that day. Highly recommend if you are a war junky.

Great book. Enjoyed it very much.

As good a written narrative of combat as you will find. Jumps around in the story some, but not hard to follow.

Before I read Mr. Kershaw's superb account of several individuals who came ashore or landed via parachute on June 6, 1944, I had a general sense that the beach landings were terribly bloody and that the paratroopers, first in shortly after midnight, had their own harrowing experiences. How ignorant I was of the horrors our troops actually encountered during the most harrowing, and decisive, day in our nation's history. Kershaw does a superb job of taking us onto the landing crafts and into the gliders that delivered our men into what could only be described as hell on earth. He tells their stories with brilliance, covering not only what each endured on that awful day, but giving context with an account of their lives prior to D-Day. I came away from this book with the most profound appreciation for the heroics and sacrifices our remarkable troops endured and displayed. Anyone with the remotest interest in WW II must add this book to their reading list.

Cela ressemble au scénario du Jour le plus long, et c’est poignant à lire.

I’ve read many books about D-Day so I was hesitant to read another. This book adds another layer to the history of D-Day. It is amazing reading the perspectives of the soldiers on that day. I learned tons. I love the way Kershaw writes. Highly recommended

An exceptionally well written book. Raw tales of how it was on this momentous day from sea, shore and air. Should be required reading for every generation. Lest we forget.

good

Enjoyed the book, a good read.