Important question about WWII books!

Doc Raider · #1 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2002, 05:28 PM

First, let me explain. I'm working on my Masters degree in Library Science. This semester, I have to make a collection development plan for a highly specialized library. As WWII was not specialized enough, my prof. suggested d-day, so that's what I went with. We have to use a wide variety of "selection tools", one of which can be this forum.

So, my question is, in everyone's opinion, what would you say are some of the most relevant and important books on the invasion of Normandy that you've read? Also, which publishers would you say are the most important or at least most frequently used as far as WWII or military history?

Many thanks in advance!

Martin Bull · #2 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2002, 06:12 PM

D-Day books - phew !

OK, here's my listing : -

Firstly, the two official accounts : -

'Cross Channel Attack' by Gordon A Harrison ( Washington 1950 and still in print ! )
'Victory In The West Vol. 1' by L F Ellis ( London 1962 ).

And then ; -

'Decision In Normandy' by Carlo D'Este ( 1983 )
'Overlord' by Max Hastings ( 1984 )
'Overture To Overlord' by Sir Frederick Morgan ( 1950 )
'Rommel In Normandy' by Friedrich Ruge ( 1979 )
'We Defended Normandy' by Hans Speidel ( 1951 )
'The Longest Day' by Cornelius Ryan ( 1961 )

Special ops : -
'With The 6th Airborne Division in Normandy' by Richard Gale ( 1948 )
'Night Drop' by S L A Marshall ( 1962 )
'D-Day With The Screaming Eagles' by G E Koskimaki ( 1970 )

And a special mention for : -
'Invasion - They're Coming !' by Paul Carell ( 1962 ).

I've kept to D-Day, not the Normandy campaign as a whole.

sommecourt · #3 (**permalink**) November 6th, 2002, 05:15 PM

If you go to the Links page of my website, I have listed some of the main WW2 publishers.

WW2 Links

Pen & Sword books have recently published quite a few books on Normandy; some are better than others, I must say.

Hope this helps.

C.Evans · #4 (**permalink**) November 7th, 2002, 09:11 PM

One of the best I ever read way by the man who wrote The Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far--Corneilous (Sp?) Ryan. He also did an excellent book on the Battle of Berlin.

Doc Raider · #5 (**permalink**) November 8th, 2002, 05:19 PM

Great! Thanks alot guys, this really does help!

urqh · #6 (**permalink**) December 29th, 2002, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by C.Evans:
One of the best I ever read way by the man who wrote The Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far--Corneilous (Sp?) Ryan. He also did an excellent book on the Battle of Berlin.

All his works are excellent but the Berlin one was his best in my view. To see the battle from a German perspective and the personal contributions by people who were there always make me feel I am there too...

Stevin · #7 (**permalink**) December 30th, 2002, 09:59 AM

I agree, that book stuck in my head for a long time...actually, still does.

I wonder how Anthony Beevor's 'Berlin' compares to Ryan's.....

Anybody read them both yet?

CrazyD · #8 (**permalink**) December 30th, 2002, 03:02 PM

Well, give me a couple weeks...

I've read Ryan's "Last Battle" (or whatever...I always mis-recall the exact title of Ryan's work!) a couple times... And I got Beevor's "Berlin 1945" for xmas. Beevor's Stalingrad was a good, easy read, so I'm hoping I can knock of Berlin 1945 pretty quick as well.
I'll give you gents any impressions I get.

(I do seem to recall seeing a thread here that was not too complimentary of Beevor's Berlin...)

C.Evans · #9 (**permalink**) December 30th, 2002, 10:58 PM

Urgh thanks---and I agree with you on his books--I have liked all of them--especially The Last Battle. What I liked the most is all his interviews with the people that were there--and he had plenty of them from all sides.

Stevin--I havent read Beevors Berlin book yet but plan to soon. I got sidetracked on the books I was going to read next when I borrowed three from GregS--which im now finished with. I dont know how they will compare but, im greatly looking forward to reading Beevors book.

Looking forward to what you have to say on it Crazy