When We Were One: Stories Of World War II

by W.C. Heinz

Before W. C. Heinz embarked on his illustrious career as one of the premier sports writers of the past fifty years, he served as a war correspondent for the New York Sun. Now for the first time ever, Heinz's finest work on World War II, written both during and after the war, is collected in one volume. From his first-person account aboard the U.S.S. Nevada during D-Day in 1944 to his legendary dispatches from the towns and battlefields of the European front, Heinz vividly conveys the courage, humor, and humanity of men under fire. Whether describing a battle scene or a soldier, Heinz brings home the war like few others ever have. In the second half of the book, he and his fourteen-year-old son, Bud, revisit the beaches of Normandy with D-Day veteran Major General Earl Rudder, who recounts his experiences there; in another story he describes, in his patented you-are-there style, the morning three German spies were executed; and in the concluding piece, Heinz revisits many of the towns he journeyed through as the American army fought its way across Europe twenty years before.When We Were One is a superb collection of writing on World War II that ranks with the finest ever assembled on any war.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War, World War II

262 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1991

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started out not liking this book- by the time I was done- I LOVED IT. Long before he was one of the greatest sports writers of a Generation, W.C. Heinz was a WWII war reporter for the long-gone New York Sun Newspaper. And it turns out he was just as good at that. This book does not really address the larger strategic issues at all- but it gives you a keen insight into the American Army in Europe, as it lived, ate, fought, talked and sometimes died. D-Day, The Cobra Breakout, The Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge- these are all seen through the eyes of the GI, and the lower officers who did the heavy lifting- or the harried press officers who "minded" the writers.
Heinz's style is to give you scenes and interchanges- with explanations. So you get snippets of the war as it was lived- not like a Chester Wilmot presentation of living history- but rather about the people. S. Ambrose said that WC Heinz was with Ernie Pyle as the best examples of the human interest war correspondent, and I don't disagree (unusual for me- not a Stephen Ambrose fan at all), although I think there were a few period writers we forget now. It gets really interesting as the book also includes some 1950s memory pieces that revisit work in wonderful ways. Well worth it.
This is a GREAT book for a junior reader to get a feel for the insanity of WWII with a friendly and true guiding voice- and the writing is just so good and evocative. For the Gamer/Modeller/military Enthusiast- a GEM!. While I have to admit the Modeller will get way more help for diorama development than the Gamer for will for scenario work, the overall effect is wonderful. You can really understand concepts like morale and fatigue reading this book- and get a real sense of the army you are portraying. I mark this as a particular find- along with Pyle- for Non-American players/modellers/enthusiasts- as it REALLY gives you a feel for Americans and the America of the 1940s to the 1960s- at least as far as WWII vets go. I could feel my father over my shoulder nodding his head, even though his war was in the warmer Pacific. A STRONG recommendation!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A combination of European Theatre reportage and after-the-war articles based on Heinz's earlier reportage.

The first two sections contain dispatches to the New York Sun from D-Day (6/6/44) through February 13, 1945. The dispatches are brief, usually focusing on personalities rather than straight news. It's easy to be tempted to compare Heinz's work with Ernie Pyle's -- probably not fair, as Ernie Pyle was one-of-a-kind.

The post-war contents were published from 1945 to 1985 in such magazines as True, Collier's, and Saturday Evening Post. Some of the articles are reflections on wartime experiences or attempts to rediscover wartime locations, others are retellings of events mentioned in the dispatches, usually expanded. All are interesting, even when one is covering the same ground for the second or third time. This section is the most valuable part of the book, as it offers Heinz time and space that were not available in the wartime dispatches. (If the whole book were like this, I would have given it 4 stars)

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to get through this book...I thought the beginning was a bit repetitive but I found the end much more interesting and meaningful. I appreciated the personal stories and learning about the impact of war on various individuals. I think it's important to know our history and this book reminded me of the pride people once had as Americans because of what their country did to liberate others.

[Derek Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just wonderful writing - a beautifully (and deceptively) straightforward and effective style - and heart-breaking observations. Heinz has the ability to focus in on a few simple things / conversations that tell the greater story. There are images and stories here that just resonate over the years and will live forever in my mind. Brilliant. Would have been five stars but for a little repetition amongst the pieces chosen. Can't wait to read more.

[Steven A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of old-timey nonfiction writing but that's more of a me problem and not the book's fault since its excerpts from a writer covering WW2 for the New York Sun.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of "The Professional" by W.C. Heinz, for information about the author of this book.

"When We Were One" is reporting of WW II by a foreign correspondent for publication in a NYC daily. If you like Ernie Pyle, you will like this. The writing style is direct and avoids the florid. My favorite of the chapters in this book was "The Morning The Shot the Spies." It will live with me for quite a while.

A skilled writer, speaking from the heart, and writing from the center (one of the centers?) of the great drama of the 20th Century.

-- Paul

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is based in Europe, mostly Germany. The genre is definitely informational, with real stories from WWII. I loved this book. I read 180 pages in one day. It was awesome! Great book, total page turner and awesome book if you love the stories of WWII. "The Morning we Shot the Spies" was an amazing chapter. Great way to really show what the book is telling us. Anyone who loves historical information would love this book!

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good exposure to a collection of WWII front line dispatches by a correspondent with a great writing style. Seems appropriate with the wars in Afganistan and Iraq.