D-Day June 6 1944: Following in the Footsteps of Heroes

by Stuart Robertson, Dale Booth

This book provides a unique insight into one of the most important days in World history, the World's greatest ever seaborne invasion - June 6th 1944 - D-Day. Drawing upon four decades of research and two decades of working the battlefields as the region's foremost guides, the authors use a compelling combination of background narrative and first-hand accounts provided exclusively to them by many veterans. This comprehensively illustrated book serves as an essential accompaniment to any visit to the region, includes directions of how to find the important sites, what to see during a visit to the battlefields, and how to discover the lesser known areas only familiar to those with an intimate knowledge of the area. To be used as a history book or as a guidebook for visitors to the battlefield, 'Following in the Footsteps of Heroes' will touch every reader and provide to those who previously knew nothing of the subject or those who have previously studied it in depth, a new perspective into one of the greatest military feats ever achieved. Historical reference and essential guidebook. Comprehensively illustrated with over 240 photographs and maps. Written and researched by the regions foremost battlefield guides. Includes exclusive first-hand accounts by D-Day veterans. All author royalties donated to two charities which help maintain Normandy battlefield sites.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2014

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

To give proper credit, Dale Booth is the co-author of this book. He was also the guide we had on a recent tour of the D-Day American Beaches. The book somewhat follows the tours and includes guides for touring the entire Allied beach invasion areas on your own. The book covers the important battles and also lesser-known yet critical events that helped lead to the Allied success. It is chock full of personal anecdotes from American, British and Canadian paratroopers and soldiers as well as some civilians. There are maps and many photos included.
I enjoyed reading it, especially having been there, but what struck me the most was their approach of highlighting the the recollections, actions and emotions of specific soldiers to tell the story of those incredible events. The authors are not historians and are not fancy writers but have put together a very good, well-paced account of the invasion and those who did the fighting.

[Kristie Haagenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Booth, the co-author of this book, did an excellent job of recording history. If in Normandy, book him as your D-Day tour guide - he has incredible passion and knowledge for WWII.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Robertson was our tour guide for the Normandy beaches last summer, and his book sounds much like he talks: exuberant, factually accurate, passionate about what happened there. He's a masterful story-teller, and the book reflects this. I especially like the sidebars and the photos, including biographical information about many of the heroes mentioned in the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in D-Day, either before or after a visit to the Normandy beaches. If before, there are clear directions for how and when to access many of the sites and what you'll see there. If after, it's a wonderful remembrance of your time there. Either way, the profits go to D-Day related charities, so I highly recommend purchasing this book.

Why 4 stars and not 5? I wish the maps were more lay person friendly.

[Tony Hands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first reads giveaway

This book is a combination of guide book, history book and collection of personal experiences on D-day 1944. The book is full of anecdotes, profiles of those taking part of all rank and nationalities. This book also give testimonies form the then enemy. The foreword is written by Dr Ken Tout a normandy veteran. We also remember their sacrifice, which should lead us all to ensure that such evil never again has free rein on earth, wherever it shows its head.
A remarkable book full of living history, makes me feel like doing a tour of Normandy