What do you think?
Rate this book
The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion
Impressively researched, engrossing, lightning quick, and filled with human sorrow and elation, John C. McManus's The Americans at D-Day honors those Americans who lost their lives on D-Day, as well as those who were fortunate enough to survive. June 6, 1944 was a pivotal moment in the history of World War II in Europe. On that day the climactic and decisive phase of the war began. Those who survived the intense fighting on the Normandy beaches found their lives irreversibly changed. The day ushered in a great change for the United States as well, because on D-Day, America began its march to the forefront of the Western world.By the end of the Battle of Normandy, almost one of every two soldiers involved was an American, and without American weapons, supplies, and leadership, the outcome of the invasion and ensuing battle could have been very different.In the first of two volumes on the American contribution to the Allied victory at Normandy, John C. McManus (Deadly Brotherhood, Deadly Sky) examines, with great intensity and thoroughness, the American experience in the weeks leading up to D-Day and on the great day itself. From the build up in England to the night drops of airborne forces behind German lines and the landings on the beaches at dawn, from the famed figures of Eisenhower, Bradley, and Lightin' Joe Collins to the courageous, but little-known privates who fought so bravely, and under terrifying conditions, this is the story of the American experience at D-Day. What were the battles really like for the Americans at Utah and Omaha? What drove them to fight despite all adversity? How and why did they triumph? Thanks to extensive archival research, and the use of hundreds of first hand accounts, McManus answers these questions and many more.In The Americans at D-Day, a gripping narrative history reminiscent of Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day, McManus takes readers into the minds of American strategists, into the hearts of the infantry, into hell on earth.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2004
84 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
John C. McManus
24 books198 followersJohn C. McManus is an author, military historian and award-winning professor of military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is one of America’s leading experts on the history of modern American soldiers in combat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 8, 2022
The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion brings life to faceless numbers of American soldiers who made it and who perished.
As it is my second book by John C. McManus, I can say that intertwining memoirs with facts is his way of delivering historical material. Of course, this approach has pluses and minuses. The tangibility of being inside the action ourselves makes the events unforgettable. At the same time, the hordes of new names on every page (in every minute of listening) prevent readers from remembering particular soldiers. For example, I remember as one paratrooper landed in a burning house, the episode seen through the terrified eyes of another paratrooper; I recollect no names. The general picture as a jigsaw puzzle breaks apart and, thus, is hard to put back together. Therefore, this book is a well-written, detailed follow-up for those who already slightly know the subject.
The book studies D-Day on the microscopic level and from multiple angles: that of American paratroopers, pilots, foot soldiers, sailors, etc. It only briefly touches the global strategic questions and politics, be it the American, British, or German side.
D-Day raises questions about the correspondence between individual sacrifices and the common good. D-Day was a success and one of the pivotal moments of WW2, yet, when described through memoirs, I wondered if it was worth all the deaths. Men, especially paratroopers, had been training for years for a single invasion - for what? To drown before exiting the landing boats? To be electrocuted on the electric wires? To suffocate in swamps and marches? The previous book I read, on the liberation of the concentration camps by Americans, partially answers my questions: yes, it was worth it. But somewhat, I am still unconvinced.
(I listened to an audiobook. I got so overwhelmed with single actions of single soldiers that I had to rewind the last two hours of the book over and over again.)
As it is my second book by John C. McManus, I can say that intertwining memoirs with facts is his way of delivering historical material. Of course, this approach has pluses and minuses. The tangibility of being inside the action ourselves makes the events unforgettable. At the same time, the hordes of new names on every page (in every minute of listening) prevent readers from remembering particular soldiers. For example, I remember as one paratrooper landed in a burning house, the episode seen through the terrified eyes of another paratrooper; I recollect no names. The general picture as a jigsaw puzzle breaks apart and, thus, is hard to put back together. Therefore, this book is a well-written, detailed follow-up for those who already slightly know the subject.
The book studies D-Day on the microscopic level and from multiple angles: that of American paratroopers, pilots, foot soldiers, sailors, etc. It only briefly touches the global strategic questions and politics, be it the American, British, or German side.
D-Day raises questions about the correspondence between individual sacrifices and the common good. D-Day was a success and one of the pivotal moments of WW2, yet, when described through memoirs, I wondered if it was worth all the deaths. Men, especially paratroopers, had been training for years for a single invasion - for what? To drown before exiting the landing boats? To be electrocuted on the electric wires? To suffocate in swamps and marches? The previous book I read, on the liberation of the concentration camps by Americans, partially answers my questions: yes, it was worth it. But somewhat, I am still unconvinced.
(I listened to an audiobook. I got so overwhelmed with single actions of single soldiers that I had to rewind the last two hours of the book over and over again.)
December 7, 2016
Good overview of the American side of D-Day. He looks at the run up, each phase of the battle and both of the two US beaches separately ending with a 40 page chapter on Omaha - the longest of the book.
In writing about the run up to D-Day he does talk about the Sunday TImes Crossword puzzle that had several of the D-Day code words in it. The accepted version is it was all just a coincidence. He says that the author of the crosswords was a school teacher and was in the habit of getting his students to suggest words for his puzzles. Apparently they had heard those words from various GI in the area - so there was a security problem.
Other than that, not a whole lot new, he does emphasize the intense AAA fire the troop transport planes received that resulted in the 101st and 82nd being scattered from hell to breakfast. He also has separate chapters on the air and Naval gunfire support. It also has decent maps. All in all, it's a solid 4 star read.
In writing about the run up to D-Day he does talk about the Sunday TImes Crossword puzzle that had several of the D-Day code words in it. The accepted version is it was all just a coincidence. He says that the author of the crosswords was a school teacher and was in the habit of getting his students to suggest words for his puzzles. Apparently they had heard those words from various GI in the area - so there was a security problem.
Other than that, not a whole lot new, he does emphasize the intense AAA fire the troop transport planes received that resulted in the 101st and 82nd being scattered from hell to breakfast. He also has separate chapters on the air and Naval gunfire support. It also has decent maps. All in all, it's a solid 4 star read.
November 17, 2020
Stories from soldiers, sailors, airmen, coxswains, rangers, generals, tankers, sailors, airborne and many other Americans who participated in D-Day
Very much worth a read
Very much worth a read
July 27, 2019
This book is another excellent overview of the planning, lead up and execution of Overlord. Because there are so many first-hand accounts by participants, each new book I read on the subject yields new insight and very personal perspectives.
I found particularly interesting the details provided about the naval support provided by ships taking great risks by getting so close to the Normandy beaches. As is the focus of the entire book, the accounts are provided by the front-line military personnel and not by the strategists or officers.
As the first of subsequent works (the second picks up where this book leaves off) dealing with American forces in the European theater of operations, I look forward to reading more from McManus. His style is very digestible and shows sufficient technical detail that reflects the author's research.
I found particularly interesting the details provided about the naval support provided by ships taking great risks by getting so close to the Normandy beaches. As is the focus of the entire book, the accounts are provided by the front-line military personnel and not by the strategists or officers.
As the first of subsequent works (the second picks up where this book leaves off) dealing with American forces in the European theater of operations, I look forward to reading more from McManus. His style is very digestible and shows sufficient technical detail that reflects the author's research.
November 14, 2020
Call it a 3.8, here's why.
The first half of the book does not include much history, unless you count the personal stories of individual GI's as they trained and waited for the Go order. It is rich in anecdotes of nearly every sort, telling the story of life in England before their fighting began. So, good stuff, just not what I expected or was looking for.
It picks up in the second half with greater attention to strategic decisions and sketches of key players (Eisenhower, Montgomery, etc.), but even these are not deep investigations of the men, motives, or strategies behind the war's biggest and most important assault. It reads and feels like a series of interesting short stories that have been pieced together to form an image of the whole. For me, at least, it did not succeed, feeling much more like a lot of small stories that I knew fit into the whole, but were still disjointed. That said, this volume is just the first half of the story, with the follow-on to the initial invasion in a second volume. The book's brightest moment comes at the end as McManus paints the landscape of his darkest subject, the assault on Omaha Beach. One cannot read this without feeling great empathy and respect for those who did what had to be done despite the cost. For me, it made the book worthwhile.
The first half of the book does not include much history, unless you count the personal stories of individual GI's as they trained and waited for the Go order. It is rich in anecdotes of nearly every sort, telling the story of life in England before their fighting began. So, good stuff, just not what I expected or was looking for.
It picks up in the second half with greater attention to strategic decisions and sketches of key players (Eisenhower, Montgomery, etc.), but even these are not deep investigations of the men, motives, or strategies behind the war's biggest and most important assault. It reads and feels like a series of interesting short stories that have been pieced together to form an image of the whole. For me, at least, it did not succeed, feeling much more like a lot of small stories that I knew fit into the whole, but were still disjointed. That said, this volume is just the first half of the story, with the follow-on to the initial invasion in a second volume. The book's brightest moment comes at the end as McManus paints the landscape of his darkest subject, the assault on Omaha Beach. One cannot read this without feeling great empathy and respect for those who did what had to be done despite the cost. For me, it made the book worthwhile.
February 20, 2019
This was a great history of the Normandy invasion and profiles of Americans that were there and participated. It covers the long training period at the various bases in England up through the end of the longest day. Really captures the tension of the decision makers leading up to the invasion. A number of maps are in the book as well although they are not easy to read especially for older eyesore. But overall a great book for WWII history buffs.
August 5, 2019
Not impressed. Nothing but vignettes, and mostly from secondary sources. Not convinced author has much knowledge of the military. Case in point - I've lived the last 30+ years with current and former members of the 29th Division, currently part of the Virginia and Maryland National Guard. Not once had I ever heard or read the term "29ers" until I read this book. And will someone please tell Mr. McManus the difference between "face" and "facade"?
November 5, 2025
I read this on Mike Miller's recommendation. He took a WWII history class from John C. McManus at Missouri Science and Technology University. It was a good recommendation. I plan to read/listen to more of his books, particularly since I am planning a trip to the Normandy Beaches next spring.
This book has a limited focus--the American war effort before and during D-Day. It mostly skips the efforts of the other Allies, and it stops as D-Day ends. So if you want a very focused study, this is the book for you.
McManus uses a lot of personal anecdotes from diaries, letters, and books to tell the story of the men that were part of the invasion. What comes across quite clearly is the horrible toll it took on troops, especially those in the first wave. McManus divides the story into chapters to follow the various groups involved--the Airborne troops who parachuted in, the Army Rangers, the Army Air Force, the Navy, and the Infantry which landed on that bloody beach. Some stories have a humorous twist--after all, these were young men who experienced great pressure and responded at times with humor. There is also great pathos. McManus never loses sight of the human involvement and cost of the invasion.
Since I was listening to this book, I had to rely on outside maps to check locations. But he is very detailed in describing the beach, the cliffs, the hedgerows, etc, making it come alive.
HIghly recommended for readers interested in the American war effort in Europe.
This book has a limited focus--the American war effort before and during D-Day. It mostly skips the efforts of the other Allies, and it stops as D-Day ends. So if you want a very focused study, this is the book for you.
McManus uses a lot of personal anecdotes from diaries, letters, and books to tell the story of the men that were part of the invasion. What comes across quite clearly is the horrible toll it took on troops, especially those in the first wave. McManus divides the story into chapters to follow the various groups involved--the Airborne troops who parachuted in, the Army Rangers, the Army Air Force, the Navy, and the Infantry which landed on that bloody beach. Some stories have a humorous twist--after all, these were young men who experienced great pressure and responded at times with humor. There is also great pathos. McManus never loses sight of the human involvement and cost of the invasion.
Since I was listening to this book, I had to rely on outside maps to check locations. But he is very detailed in describing the beach, the cliffs, the hedgerows, etc, making it come alive.
HIghly recommended for readers interested in the American war effort in Europe.
September 25, 2021
After reading quite a number of John's newer books, I succeeded in finally getting hold of some of his olders books. So I started reading this one and it will be followed by the sequel shortly.
As usual John succeeds in taking the reader back in time and into the 'world' of the American servicemen during 1944. Experiences range from GI's, paratroopers and glidermen, airmen and sailors. And next to this their commanding officers. We follow them through the months leading up to D-Day and during the day itself. Training, R&R, AWOLs, cancellations and the night leading up to D-Day. This is followed by a range of experiences during June, 6th.
The way John describes the experiences of these men, and shows there strenghts and weakenesses, made the book hard to put down. There is humor, but combat is no joke and so there are scenes that clearly show the true price of war. Broken bodies, broken minds, broken men.
What the book clearly shows is how determination and improvisation led the way and made the landings a success. Some of the actions are almost hard to believe, but really happened. Individual men took steps that finally led to the success of the landings. And how many heroic stories got lost that day? We will never know... But there was still a long way to go.
Highly recommended!!!
As usual John succeeds in taking the reader back in time and into the 'world' of the American servicemen during 1944. Experiences range from GI's, paratroopers and glidermen, airmen and sailors. And next to this their commanding officers. We follow them through the months leading up to D-Day and during the day itself. Training, R&R, AWOLs, cancellations and the night leading up to D-Day. This is followed by a range of experiences during June, 6th.
The way John describes the experiences of these men, and shows there strenghts and weakenesses, made the book hard to put down. There is humor, but combat is no joke and so there are scenes that clearly show the true price of war. Broken bodies, broken minds, broken men.
What the book clearly shows is how determination and improvisation led the way and made the landings a success. Some of the actions are almost hard to believe, but really happened. Individual men took steps that finally led to the success of the landings. And how many heroic stories got lost that day? We will never know... But there was still a long way to go.
Highly recommended!!!
May 10, 2018
This book details the preparation and planning that went into the Normandy invasion on June 6,1944. It follows the political aspects of the planning and follows the training of the soldiers who would fight on the beaches. The book relates the controversy over the airborne plan for the invasion and the opposition to it. When all seemed ready to go the weather intervened to postpone the attack on the day originally scheduled. Eisenhower then had to make the tough decision of whether to proceed on the 6th or wait two weeks until the conditions needed for the invasion were present again.
The book then traces the invasion on the American beaches, Utah and Omaha. The British and Canadian landings are beyond the scope of this book.
The best aspect of this book is the extensive use of firsthand accounts from the participants themselves. This brings the story to life and shows the reader what it was like to be there. A very moving book.
The book then traces the invasion on the American beaches, Utah and Omaha. The British and Canadian landings are beyond the scope of this book.
The best aspect of this book is the extensive use of firsthand accounts from the participants themselves. This brings the story to life and shows the reader what it was like to be there. A very moving book.
January 1, 2020
McManus's book is quite similar to Stephen Ambrose's books in utilizing individual soldier's voices/interviews to provide a great deal of the content. Although the accounts of the planning through each different aspect of the invasion (air, sea, transport of soldiers, the Utah and Omaha beach landings, etc.), all it has been covered before. Perhaps the only difference is his strict focus on the American experience. Here and there it seemed a bit "Rah, rah" but there is criticism where due, just maybe not as strong as it could be.
At the same time, it is still a fairly solid account of what soldiers and commanders go through in preparation and in the actual chaos of combat. Certainly their recollections of their feelings, their friends and what the horrors they encountered are deeply moving.
At the same time, it is still a fairly solid account of what soldiers and commanders go through in preparation and in the actual chaos of combat. Certainly their recollections of their feelings, their friends and what the horrors they encountered are deeply moving.
March 8, 2025
Finished The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion by John C McManus published in 2004. McManus is a military historian, author and Professor of Military History at Missouri University of Science & Technology. McManus has published thirteen books about American Military History. I have read a number of D-Day books as well as watching Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. This book provides context for the choice of Normandy and timing of June 1944. It not only covers the infantry assault on the beaches, but the Naval and Air Force Bombardment as well as the airborne assault away from the beach to prevent the Germans from reinforcing their defensive positions along Fortress Atlantic with Erwin Rommel in command. I finally have a much better understanding of the choices made and the incredible sacrifices of the Allied Services.
July 3, 2022
Well researched
This book covers the weeks of preparation up to D-Day and the first day of the invasion. It is written from the perspective of the American troops so very little concerns the other Allied forces on that day. It contains many first hand accounts and show that day in all of its brutality. My only disappointment is in the lack of photographs that have been included in much of his other work. Still all in all a fine history of the day that changed the war in Europe.
This book covers the weeks of preparation up to D-Day and the first day of the invasion. It is written from the perspective of the American troops so very little concerns the other Allied forces on that day. It contains many first hand accounts and show that day in all of its brutality. My only disappointment is in the lack of photographs that have been included in much of his other work. Still all in all a fine history of the day that changed the war in Europe.
November 21, 2022
This book covers the planning stages of Operation Overlord and does so very well. The author manages to make the details of the preparation gripping by going from macro to micro in his descriptions; often going from the generals to the common soldier. The later sections become much more gripping and often hard to read (by no fault of the author). The vivid descriptions of the carnage experienced by American soldiers, paratroopers, airmen, and sailors makes you want to stop reading, but doing so would be a disservice to their sacrifice. A well written tribute that tells like it was. Bravo.
February 18, 2025
Really good accounting of how the American forces prepared and dealt with their assignments at Normandy. McManus does a masterful job of describing how the battles ensued through participants’ actions and narratives. I read the kindle version, with the only negative being the accompanying maps not being readily readable. Highly recommended.
April 20, 2025
D-Day was an amazing event in a myriad of ways and massive enough that every book delivers new details and perspectives worthy of consumption. This book was not my favorite on the topic mostly due to the organization of the book specifically in how it transitioned from leaders meetings and strategy to a random first person view. Recommended for anyone who appreciates D-Day histories. 3.5 stars.
December 27, 2021
DDay totally from an American perspective. This book will put you right in the middle of the battle. Lots of detailed information that should be new even to the most avid reader of WW2 literature.
If you are a Band Brothers fan, there McManus had included parts of their DDay experience too.
If you are a Band Brothers fan, there McManus had included parts of their DDay experience too.
May 7, 2022
Great story of the preparation and invasion. Once McManus began describing the H-Hour portion of the invasion, it was in so much detail it was bit difficult to follow. The maps in my book were not easy to follow.
July 20, 2022
Mr. McManus is an excellent historian, but in this book, unlike others of his that I have read, his desire to provide information sometimes obscures the narrative. Still an excellent book, and I am looking forward to the companion volume
April 3, 2023
Really doesn't provide any new information that other books have more extensive information on. Sort of a plain summary of Stephen Ambrose's book that was made into the miniseries Band of Brothers. Mid level history book imo.
December 30, 2018
Detailed. Powerful. Tragic. Heroic.
August 2, 2021
Excellent
February 5, 2022
Interesting and well told. Many new and intriguing assertions and details. Enjoyable.
March 2, 2022
Great book but the disjointed narrative made it hard to follow.
May 7, 2023
I enjoy all of John C. McManus books that I have read. He used original sources and delivers his history from the combat infantryman's viewpoint. 4.5 stars
September 6, 2024
An incredibly detailed and comprehensive account of the strategy, action, heroism and horrors of the American soldiers at D Day.
May 29, 2025
Extremely detailed account of the weeks leading up to D-Day and the initial invasion of Normandy
January 5, 2026
This book is full of first hand accounts. Mostly the short ones that ended with being wounded. But this gives a voice to the guys you never really hear from in the movies. The guys who couldn't really write their own books. They got their stories out there, and it builds an incredibly detailed picture of D-Day. definitely worth a read/listen if you're curious about D-Day specifically.
February 11, 2025
This is an excellent book focusing in on the American side of D-Day. John C. McManus covers a lot of ground and, like in his other books, offers up little details and interpretations that I’ve never heard before. For example, the section covering the racial tension between white and black troops stationed in England, or an update to that famous section in Cornelius Ryan’s The Longest Day relating how a man writing crossword puzzles came to put numerous code words for the invasion into his puzzles. This book paints a pretty comprehensive picture, combining command level decisions with firsthand accounts from the men on the ground. It’s a very engaging read.
January 13, 2012
Although this was a good book, I felt that I had read a lot of the material before. The author relies on other popular book sources, such as D-Day by Stephen Ambrose and The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan, a little too much: the result is that there is very little new revealed here. Also, it really bothered me that some of the maps were truncated or borrowed from other sources. The information in the book is well put together, and presented in a very logical fashion, but again there is nothing new or earth-shattering here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews