D-Day Revisited: The Invasion of Normandy

by John McManus

World War II is the defining conflict of the 20th century, one that created a line in the sands of history dividing the pre-war and post-war eras. In this epoch-defining conflict lies another definitive moment: the invasion of a 50-mile stretch of coast in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. This battle, also known as D-Day, was the pivot point of the war in Europe. Its success led to a nearly yearlong, bloody campaign that saw the liberation of France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands, followed by the final defeat of Hitler’s Third Reich.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

3 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

For the software engineer, see John McManus.

Reviews

[Tom Axworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In six lectures, John McManus gives a good overview of June 6, 1944 when the great Allied invasion of France commenced.The emphasis is heavily American with only one of the lectures detailing the immense contributions of British and Canadian troops in the landings at Gold , Sword and Juno Beach( and the Canadians at Juno Beach moved farther inland on the first day than any other Allied army). The summation in lecture 6 also spends time outlining the delights of modern Normandy for tourists and current disputes over commemorations which I found odd but in his descriptions of the American landings at Utah and Omaha beaches and Eisenhower's planning and decision-making in lecture 1, McManus does a fine job. He makes the interesting point that Germany 's defeat in Normandy not only led to the liberation of France but also the eventual liberation of Germany too from authoritarianism.I hope this brief recounting of the Normandy invasion will entice listeners to turn to the many splendid histories of the invasion day and the subsequent battle for Normandy. One of the best is D-Day by British military historian Antony Beevor.

[Steve Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of John C McManus, having read at least three of his books. He’s one of my favorite World War II historians. He has a “must read“ trilogy on the United States Army and its campaigns in the Pacific War that is outstanding. I’m read his book on the Battle of the Bulge, “Alamo in the Ardennes”, prior to actually traveling to Belgium and touring the battlefield site. It was a very useful book for preparing me for that.

In this short, two hour Great Courses lecture he gives an overview of the D-Day invasion that is the perfect introduction to the invasion for those who knew nothing about it. I’ve read extensively on it, and I still enjoyed the lecture. He hits all the major points concerning the planning and preparation for the campaign, but also blends in some accounts of troops that were there. So you get the big picture, and you also get a view from the trenches.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

D-Day remains the largest invasion by sea ever attempted. It ultimately decided the course of World War II. The complexity of the operation was tremendous. McManus gives a very nice short overview. If you're only curious about D-Day, this is a great place to start. It may just encourage you to tackle one of the truly great accounts of the invasion like Stephen Ambrose's D-Day.

[One Sentence Audio Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Great Courses series

[Charles (the booktrovert) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information. I thought he was thorough. Used all the names place and personal stories by people who were there. He informed me of many things I did not know before!
3.5 stars

[Candy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary to prep me before visiting Omaha and Utah beaches in France.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information but I found it unnecessarily gory. Lots of names of soldiers- killed and survived. Lots of people and places but ultimately not my cup of tea.