Cover Image: D-Day

D-Day

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Member Reviews

Stephen Hart is the author of more than a dozen books. D-Day was published in May of this year. It is the 15th book I completed reading in 2023.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.

This book provides a good, high-level overview and introduction to D.Day. The book begins with the Allied preparation for the invasion. It follows the German defensive measures that had been put into place along the coast of France. Going beyond the actions of Army units, the D-Day engagements of naval and air units are also covered. Finally, the landings on the American, British, and Canadian sectors of the Normandy beach are described.

Many photos are included with coverage of both the Allied and German forces. Some principal leaders are introduced, and the equipment being used is discussed.

I enjoyed the 3 hours I spent reading this 224-page WWII-era history. I like the chosen cover art. It clearly identifies what the book is about. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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A very interesting book about an important time in history. Good information is written in an interesting way and unique pictures that most will find helpful in research.

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D-Day by Dr. Stephan Hart is a pictorial memorial to those who fought bravely to ensure the freedom of generations to come. For those who can only experience this event through the history books, the pictures are captivating and depict everyday heroes in everyday moments. For those who were alive during this miraculous feat, these “behind the scenes” might remind you of the unconventional valor these soldiers exhibited. Each of the chapters provide a different view of the attacks as well as some further explanations. I learned a lot of new things through the writing that was never covered in my history classes. This is not a dry textbook by any means. It was enlightening and honoring to those whom it memorializes.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

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Forgetting for a moment how I annoyed I am at myself for not prioritising more time to get to the end of this fascinating book or renewing my digital copy in time through NetGalley and the publisher, I would like to express my initial impression before I add the book to my Amazon wishlist. I found both the written commentary and the photography very interesting and despite having a strong interest already in WW2, I found information that I didn’t know. I’m excited to one day get to the last page, hopefully before I visit the Normandy beaches next year.

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This pictorial guide to D-Day includes lots of powerful images, alongside detailed text that explains the strategy, planning process, and events of D-Day. The photographs are the main attraction, and the text is rather dry, but the author includes lots of information to help contextualize the images. Someone can just look at the pictures and read the captions, or can read the columns of text with subject headings to better understand technical information and different factors at play.

The author includes pictures and information related to multiple nations' armies, and the photographic selections include both iconic photos and rarely seen shots. Some of the photos have also been colorized. I particularly appreciated seeing candid shots of soldiers and close-ups where you could see their faces.

This book is appropriate for history buffs of all ages. Even though the subject matter is inherently grim, the images do not involve graphic details. Some pictures show dead bodies or show injured men on stretchers, but there are no close-up images of graphic violence, which makes this book appropriate for children as well.

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Coming out before the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This is an informative and visually interesting look at the D-Day invasion. Sections include preparations, German defenses and the assault by sea and air. It was a good reminder to me that other countries like Canada and Britain were part of the invasion along with the United States. I’ve been to the beaches in Normandy and this is a visual reminder of how big of an operation the attack was, the planning that went into it and the cost in human lives. A definite read for a military or WWII history buff.

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Really a pictorial record of June 6th 1944, full of detail and statistics of both the Allied and German armies woven into an excellent series of photographs (again from both sides) some of which are new to me.
The grim reality of war for all to read and see in this DRC kindly offered by NetGalley Shelf and Amber Books in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

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Fantastic book! I was hooked from the beginning. I thought it was well written and the story flowed well. I was engaged from start to finish. I am a history buff and this book was right up my ally. I will definitely be recommending this book to others and I will buy a copy for myself as well.

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It will be 80 years in June since the Allies stormed the beaches of France. This is a fantastic pictural book of D-Day…some are even in color. I appreciate that there were pictures from other militaries, not just the US. As someone in the United States, I find books often egocentric. It covers the planning, the Allied campaign, the German offensive, and the French resistance.

Thank you, NetGalley and Amber Books, for the advanced copy.

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This was an excellent book. As shocking as Saving Private Ryan was, this will tell the whole and unvarnished truth about the event.

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I have always found it devastating and powerful that we have such a large photographic record of WWII. How can we continue to have wars when everyone can see what war looks like?
This book is comprehensive and stunning, providing a record of the most important parts of the conflict around D-Day. There are several candid photos of soldiers looking straight at the camera, knowing what they are going through. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this powerful book

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2024 marks 80 years since the allied forces landed on the beaches of Dunkirk and D-Day by Stephen Hart is an important chronicle of the deciding battle of WWII

The book is incredibly well structured and very detailed. Being engaging and immersive, showing the most human side of the brutality of war, captured in a wide range of photographs from both sides of the conflict. The book contains many colourised photographs which enhance the realism captured by the images without detracting from the gritty reality.

Respectful, but truthful about the grim reality of war and the losses that inevitably accompany and supercede the triumph. A very important book for academics of 20th century history, military history and in fact global history.

"Lest We Forget"

Thank you to Netgalley, Dr Stephen Hart and Amber Books for this outstanding historical record ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

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A well-done pictorial look at D-day. The author weaves his story among the great photographs from the preparation of the invasion to the aftermath. The story is easy to follow, and the photos are well used to further tell the story. A great historical read about one of the biggest battles fought in WW2. A great read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This is a fabulous photographic account of D-Day. The pictures are gorgeous and the writing is excellent. It is written in such a way that anyone can read it and enjoy it whether you are familiar with the history of WWII and D-Day or have just a passing knowledge.

It covers the beginning planning, the aerial and beach campaigns, the German offensive, and the French resisistance side.

I loved this book and highly recommend it.

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