Heroes: The Greatest Generation and the Second World War

by James Holland

'Heroes' is the story of an extraordinary generation of young men, mostly British, who came of age in the Second World War. These young men -- and women -- found themselves facing life-threatening danger and the kind of responsibility few would be prepared to shoulder today. Whether fighting in the jungles of Burma or on the D-Day beaches, as submariners, pilots, spies or prisoners of war, young soldiers in WWII displayed astonishing courage and resilience, united by honour and bound by the fellowship of their comrades. Those who made it home are now a passing generation, and for many this is the last chance for them to tell their stories -- men like football legend Tom Finney, who saw action in southern Italy; or James Bond set-designer Ken Adam, a German Jew who flew as a fighter pilot for the RAF; or identical twins Tom and Dee Bowles, who landed together on Easy Red beach on D-Day. Many of these young men never returned home and those who did faced insurmountable challenges assimiliating back into civilian life. 'Heroes' is a moving and uplifting tribute to an remarkable generation.

Genres: World War II, Military History, Nonfiction, History, Short Stories

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.

Reviews

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whichever theatre of World War Two they were fighting in, this book brings to light the extraordinary generation of young men and women who came of age in the Second World War, and displayed astonishing courage and resilience, united by honour and bound by the fellowship of their comrades, and they fought against the evils of Nazism and Fascism. However, this incredible generation are now in their twilight years and are quickly fading away-so this is a last chance for the defence force personnel comprising of soldiers, sailors, pilots-as well as civilians who were resistance fighters and POWs, to tell their stories. Featuring the tales of twin brothers, Bill and George Byers, Tom and Dee Bowles who fought together, village folk like Dr Chris Brown who was a Chindit and sailor Bill Laity, the deep friendship between POWs John Leaver and Fred Walsh, the deep abiding love story between Warren 'Bing' Evans and his girlfriend- later wife, Frances Wheeler whose love transcended war, the derring do of George Jellicoe, the famous fighter boys Roland "Bee" Beamont who flew his first wife, WAAF Shirley Dagmar Adams to a dance, and was already a veteran of the Battle of France and Britain at age 21, and James Bond production designer and German Jewish RAF pilot, Ken Adam, sportstar Tom Finney, partisan and resistance fighter and actress, Gianni Rossi and Lise Graf, submariner Tubby Crawford, Polish ally Wladek Rubnikowicz, RAF pilot Jimmy James, German paratrooper Heinz Puschmann and US Marine, Bill Pierce-James Holland displays their shining qualities of duty and service to one's country and comrades, as well as to the objective and achieving their missions. They all poured literal blood, sweat and tears to ensure a better world for all. They endured poverty, violence, death, captivity, disease, maltreatment and uncertainty-which are insurmountable challenges and then they had the enormous task of readjusting back into civilian life. They truly knew what sacrifice meant and about humility. Everyone was in the same boat and had to grow up fast. They always paid it forward for the next generation. We must do well to remember them.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 2006, 'Heroes - The Greatest Generation and the Second World War' tells a brief story of each of several participants in the conflict, mostly British but with a handful of other nationalities throw in. The tales are insightful and poignant, plumbing the depth of different extraordinary experiences whether in combat or in the extreme forms of imprisonment endured by some. Holland may not have the greatest grasp of technical detail, but he knows how to write a great narrative as well as how to draw relevant conclusions. Excellent.

[Thomas Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read, inspiring,horrifying and deeply moving. All the people in this book have passed away since it was written, and it's very important to have these memories on record.
Sadly though, we seem to learn nothing.

[Chris Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

With some justification, the men and women who came of age and fought in the Second World War have been called 'the greatest generation.' A great many books retelling their first-hand testimonies have rolled off the printing presses in the past 20 years, but this is one of the better examples of the genre. The chapters about Warren 'Bing' Evans and Frances Wheeler, Roland 'Bee' Beaumont, Wladek Rubnikowicz and Hugh 'Jimmy' James were particularly memorable and moving. James Holland is a good writer, and he does their stories justice.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read book, nice structure with each mans story given as its own chapter. Including the 'true' story of the events leading to the death of Gott in Africa - as the story of the pilot who was flying his plane.