The Rising Tide

World War II: 1939-1945 #1

by Jeff Shaara

A modern master of the historical novel, Jeff Shaara has painted brilliant depictions of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and World War I. Now he embarks upon his most ambitious epic, a trilogy about the military conflict that defined the twentieth century.

The Rising Tide begins a staggering work of fiction bound to be a new generation's most poignant chronicle of World War II. With you-are-there immediacy, painstaking historical detail, and all-inclusive points of view, Shaara portrays the momentous and increasingly dramatic events that pulled America into the vortex of this monumental conflict.

As Hitler conquers Poland, Norway, France, and most of Western Europe, England struggles to hold the line. When Germany's ally Japan launches a stunning attack on Pearl Harbor, America is drawn into the war, fighting to hold back the Japanese conquest of the Pacific, while standing side-by-side with their British ally, the last hope for turning the tide of the war.

Through unforgettable battle scenes in the unforgiving deserts of North Africa and the rugged countryside of Sicily, Shaara tells this story through the voices of this conflict's most heroic figures, some familiar, some unknown. As British and American forces strike into the "soft underbelly" of Hitler's Fortress Europa, the new weapons of war come clearly into focus. In North Africa, tank battles unfold in a tapestry of dust and fire unlike any the world has ever seen. In Sicily, the Allies attack their enemy with a barely tested weapon: the paratrooper. As battles rage along the coasts of the Mediterranean, the momentum of the war begins to shift, setting the stage for the massive invasion of France, at a seaside resort called Normandy.

More than an unprecedented and intimate portrait of those who waged this astonishing global war, The Rising Tide is a vivid gallery of characters both immortal and unknown: the as-yet obscure administrator Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose tireless efficiency helped win the war; his subordinates, clashing in both style and personality, from George Patton and Mark Clark to Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery. In the desolate hills and deserts, the Allies confront Erwin Rommel, the battlefield genius known as "the Desert Fox," a wounded beast who hands the Americans their first humiliating defeat in the European theater of the war. From tank driver to paratrooper to the men who gave the commands, Shaara's stirring portrayals bring the heroic and the tragic to life in brilliant detail.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, War, Military Fiction, Historical, Military History

576 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2006

About the author

JEFF SHAARA is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Rise to Rebellion and The Rising Tide, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Victory comes from the strategy, the plan, the tools we are given.”

“The Rising Tide” is the first of four books historical novelist Jeff Shaara wrote about WW II. It was better than I expected it to be. This novel follows the North African and Sicilian campaigns of the war, a part of WW II I know little about, despite the fact that BOTH of my grandfathers served in those campaigns. Shaara does an excellent job demonstrating in this novel how pivotal those campaigns were to what came next, the invasion of France. I read a novel, but I learned a lot of history along the way.
The 16 page Introduction to the text is as concise and informative an overview of the lead up to, and beginning of, WW II I have ever encountered. It should be used in schools and textbooks. Seriously!
In this novel Shaara sticks to his formula, each chapter is told from one character’s perspective, and the ever changing point of view gives a nice complete picture to all sides of the conflict. In this text we get in the heads of Eisenhower, George Patton, Erwin Rommel and occasionally of other historical players. However, the book really shines when we get the perspective of common soldiers. In this text Shaara creates two composite characters to achieve this effect. One is Jack Logan, a tank gunner in the North African campaign, and the other is Jesse Adams, a paratrooper in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. Although they are Shaara’s creations, he uses real things that happened to various GIs and has them happen with these two characters to show the life of the foot soldiers of this conflict.
The novel is at its best when we are in combat. Shaara is one of the finest writers I have come across for recreating that experience. The invasion of Sicily is gripping. The author creates vivid and palpable tension as he writes of the US paratroopers jump into Sicily in July of 1943. The human emotions and technical details combine nicely in this section.
I read this book quicker than I thought I would, was thrilled that it engaged me in the manner that it did, and I will be reading the other three novels Shaara has written about WW II.
Can I say anything more than that that could endorse this book?

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaara's books are always entertaining and this was my first of his that dealt with the subject of World War II. This book focused on the battles North Africa and then Italy. As always, Shaara writes each chapter from the perspective of one person and alternates between famous people and unknown soldiers to tell both the big picture and on the ground stories. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Eisenhower and Rommel - and some of the work on Patton as well. If you enjoy history, Shaara is can't miss.

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Shaara's blend of history and character. He brings out historical setting, context, and happenings through the lives of characters based on reality. It's the kind of historical fiction that makes history real and reminds the reader of its impact and how fascinating it is.

[Alexw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaara style cannot be beat as he weaves historic figures in with the common soldier. Eisenhower warning that if they cannot stop the Axis in Africa, they cannot stop them ever. The paratroopers and tank commander's fights are especially vivid.

[Mr. Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rising Tide is the story of the American experience in the Second World War in Europe. The action picks up in Africa, waiting on Operation Torch to begin. As with other Shara books, the author follows some of the key actors - Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, and, intriguingly, Rommel and Kesselring. It is through their eyes that the reader experiences the Desert campaign in North Africa as well as the invasion of Sicily and Italy by the allies.

I appreciate the insight into the decision-making and strategy of the generals. This is especially true in the case of Rommel who is portrayed as a brilliant strategist/tactician who is serving a cause he does not fully support and commanders who are misguided at best and incompetent at worst. The lack of resources and bad orders cost the Germans multiple opportunities for devastating victories over the Allies.

The perspective is a mixed blessing. While Rommel was interesting, some of the other perspectives were merely vaguely interesting. Exhibit A is Eisenhower who comes across as a bit of a cardboard automaton who emotionlessly builds his strategy and executes on the way to final victory. I would like to see more of the experience of the common soldier - or even a civilian caught up in things. To be fair, Shara does give his readers some of this. In North Africa we follow an American tank man who experiences the horror of taking under-armored American tanks into battle against heavy panzers. And in Sicily we get to follow a paratrooper into combat against an elite unit of SS troops. That was pretty cool.

Outside of the perspective, I was taken aback by the beginning of the book. It starts right at the planning of Operation Torch. It felt odd. Somehow I thought it was going to begin earlier, even the invasion of Poland by the Germans. Coming into the war mid-way is disconcerting. Maybe it should have at least begun at the start of the war for the Americans?

On the whole, three stars out of five. Shara does what he does. You either like it or you don't. I'm mixed on it. Of course, I will still read the next two books. I enjoy the history.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in Jeff Shaara's series on World War II focuses on the campaigns in North Africa and Sicily. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one person. Some famous / historical such as Eisenhower, Patton, Rommel and others where the protagonist is a fictional character. Actually a composite of real GI's to provide the view of the citizen soldiers and their experiences. One of these fictional characters is Jack Logan, a tank gunner in the North African campaign. The other is Jesse Adams, a paratrooper in the Sicilian campaign.

The book opens in 1939. The majority of Americans did not want to get involved and considered it a European problem. Churchill was desperate for help from the United States and Roosevelt tried to help (i.e. Lend Lease Act). Everything changed with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is named the supreme commander of the Allied forces in Mediterranean Theater of Operations. His generals include George Patton, Mark Clark, Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery. They don't often agree and sometimes it is hard to tell they are on the same side. On the other side is Erwin Rommel, the “the Desert Fox”, a veteran of many battles who hands the Allies their first defeat.

Since each chapter was written from the perspective of these different characters the reader gets to "know" them. Their thoughts and perspectives. What is was like for Eisenhower who was a soldier but had to get everyone to work together for the common cause. Basically he was forced to be a diplomat. Not always easy when you are dealing with someone like Patton. Or those who thought the Americans were a bunch of cowboys. Lots of egos and personalities.

As is usually the case in Shaara's stories the most interesting parts of the story are those that deal with with the common soldier. Here we have Jack Logan and Jesse Adams. To be in a tank in the middle of a battle. Or to jump out of a plane in the middle of a night not knowing what was below you.

I would be interested in reading the other books in the series. At the end of this story the Allies prepare for Operation Overlord. The Battle of Normandy.

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

My experience was the opposite of one of the reviewers here. I enjoyed the staff meetings in the interplay between the generals, particularly the diplomatic difficulty of Eisenhower as compared to the bluntness of Patton. For whatever reason, I didn't get into the battle scenes as much. Overall, I didn't find this book nearly as engaging as those of the Revolutionary, Mexican, and Civil War. Still, the author has earned my loyalty with his unique work, and I look forward to continuing to read this trilogy. It definitely makes one appreciate that victory in World War II was not a foregone conclusion.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nearly 23 hour unabridged audiobook.

In 2 and a half hours of listening we go from prelude to war, to August of 1942. That's a bit absurd and annoying where it gives me the impression that the author is running to get to the parts he knows best - American involvement.

If you can get past that then it's smoothe sailing. The only other critique I have is that it seems that the author gives too much credit to the insight of the main characters, which may be a product of applying hindsight rather than they having actually been as clever as portrayed.

That being said the author makes the story easy to listen to and I liked this book.

[Jay Pruitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I love all things Shaara, having consumed a dozen novels from Jeff and his father, Michael, The Rising Tide is probably my least favorite. IMO, the book tries to cover too much ground (literally). We read about the numerous conflicts between Rommel's panzer division (Germans), Montgomery's Desert Rats (Brits), Ike/Bradley/Patton (Americans), and Musolino's Republican Army, initially taking place in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, etc. Then they proceed from Africa to Sicily, then Italy. The book reads more like a history book, than a typical Shaara novel that dives into the characters of a dozen or so key players. I learned a lot from reading The Rising Tide, but failed to become engaged in the story.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I just finished with the 4th book Shaara has written on WW2. This is the first and does a good job of giving a view in a novel of the events of the European war (note I said the "European" war, more on that in the review of the 4th book).

While this is a novel the facts in the book are "the facts". The events of history are laid out here as they happened. What makes it a novel is/are the imaginary thoughts, and voices of the participants. From Generals to privates we get "a" view of events early on in the war.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Shaara made an admirable attempt to complete his father's Civil War series, but his sequels, valuable though they are, could not hold a candle to The Killer Angel. Well, Jeff has done a lot of writing since then, and his WWII series, if The Rising Tide is a fair indication, matches the work of his father. What Michael Shaara did for the Civil War, his son is doing for the Second World War. One of the marks of good historical fiction, for me, is the way it prompts me to start researching stuff on the internet. And that's what I found myself doing in Tide. Another of telling sign happens when I find myself living what the characters are going through, and in Jeff's chapters on the tank battles between Rommel and the Allies, I felt the awe. To a lesser extent, only because this topic receives less coverage, is his portrayal of the training and daring of the paratroopers. There are many similar scenes in Tide - POW camps, stress disorders, command failures - that truly bring home the complexity of the topic to readers who have never experienced warfare at any level. The only other WWII series that does this so well is Herman Wouk's Winds of War, and War and Remembrance.

The Rising Tide is a valuable addition to WWII fiction.

[Teri Pre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books about WW2...mostly the European and Pacific campaigns. This is the first book I've read about the campaign in Africa. I never realized just how important it was and why it was important.

This book isn't for the casual reader. Even though it's classified as fiction, it's really not, except for some of the dialogue which might or might not have happened exactly the way they're reported.

[Sanklo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical fiction on the war in northern Africa and Italy; both parts of WWII that don't get nearly as much attention as the Pacific theater and the Normandy invasion. Shaara's writing makes you feel like you're right there with the troops, and brings to life all the hurdles the U.S. forces had to overcome as well as their steep learning curve. Can't wait to dive into part II!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a WWII history lover, you will love Jeff Shaara’s books! He writes about the historical facts and people as if they were in a novel. This first book in the series covers the North African campaign, which is a part of the war I didn’t know much about. Stories always seem to focus on Europe. I learned so much after reading this book. I got caught up in the story and forgot I already know what happens! Can’t wait to read the next two in this trilogy.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaara is a great storyteller. The Rising Tide is a fascinating book about WWII in Africa and Italy, a part of our history often overlooked and seldom written about. If you want to learn a lot about Eisenhower, Patton, Marshall, Montgomery, Bradley and others, this book is for you.

[Abby Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really coming to love Shaara's historical fiction. They're heavy on the history, which I like. This is the most I've ever read about the Africa Campaign in WW2. I feel like I have a better grasp of Rommel, of the early tank battles, of the quagmire of politics waging a World War produces, and the amount of men and personnel required.
I loved the parachuters, shocking, I know. I loved Rommel.
I'm excited to read the next book and get into more familiar territory.
Reading Killing Patton at the same time was a bit disconcerting because it disflavored my feelings for a lot of the higher-ups. But, I do feel like this book is giving me a better bird's-eye perspective on the whole thing to augment my more nirmal boots-on-the-ground perspective.

Additional note: in the opening "To the Reader" Shaara tries to explain the cussing in the book because some upset parents had written him letters. He ends the book with a very young private saying, "War is heck." The grizzled Sargeant repeats it. It's the last line in the book. "War is heck."
I'm still dying at this writer moment. It had to be tongue-in-cheek to those letters he got. So funny.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly large book, I nonetheless devoured it in two days and for the first time understand at least something about the command on both sides of the lines and the experience of the tank battalions in North Africa and eventually the invasion of Sicily and Italy, not to mention the importance of the North African campaign to the success of the Allies in World War II.

Maybe someone should have required reading like this as part of my high school curriculum because apparently historical fiction is the way to give me the perspective I never got from maps, documentaries or classes in my school years or since.

Admittedly, this book was heavy on history and light on fiction, with little interest in manufacturing diversions from the story to throw some romance or drama into the mix that wasn't there already. That said, through the telling of the stories of individual's day to day experience however I found myself caring to understand something about the men behind the names: Patton, Rommel, Marshall and their staffs. Understanding their conflicts, problems with supplies and more, I was able to form a picture of what some of what happened before the invasion in Normandy, a topic I'd given little thought to before.

[Richard Gullickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exciting WWII historical fiction from the author of “Gods and Generals” tells the account of German, US and British forces in north Africa, Siciliy, and mainland Italy from the perspective of the tankers led by “the Desert Fox,” Erwin Rommel, and the vain and bombastic and aggressive tank warrior George Patton. The insights, foibles, and exploits of Dwight Eisenhower, Bernard Montgomery, Mark Clark, and Omar Bradley are fascinating. Shaara provides a balanced approach that draws the readers sympathy to the tragic figure Rommel as he struggles with inadequate resources, delusional German leaders, inept Italian allies, and illness.

[JC Roadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me awhile to get going but I ended up loving this book. Learned a lot of things I didn't know. Like when our troops first landed in Northern Africa I was surprised to learn that the french were shooting at us. And that the Italians turned on the Germans after Mussolini was arrested. Really love Jeff Shaara's writing style how he tells you what the characters are feeling and thinking. Now on too book number 2.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Shaara provides another great installment into very entertaining and mostly accurate historical fiction. I always appreciate his ability to fill out the personalities of well known historical figures, as well as giving credit to little known or appreciated figures. All aspects of World War II are incredibly intriguing, but none more so than the less heralded North Africa campaign. I am glad that Mr. Shaara tackled this lesser known and vastly important battlefield, as opposed to the more common theatres like D-Day, the South Pacific and Stalingrad.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Shaara is a master story teller. He combines the factual details of war and battles with memories of men fighting side by side. He captures both the officers and the enlisted men's side of war and planning. His research is broad and very in depth. Loved making the history come to life while visualizing the countries and peoples embattled.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Jeff Shaara and his style of writing.
My sense of adventure was awaken again as I read about the Desert Fox,
Field Marshall Rommell and about General Patton, along w/the Tank duels in the desert.

Good overview and look at main characters involved w/American entering the war in WWII and why we went to Africa.
Also an idea that had the Nazi's captureded Egypt, Hitler may not had to fight against the Russian for oil.
Would have given the war a different twist and outlook.

[Mary Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I learned so much about the North African theater of WWII. It helped me understand so much more about the next book The Steel Wave, which I’ve already read.

[Ralph Wark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

I love historical novels, the setting in real events of interest (of course, why would they use uninteresting events?) expanding on the story lines with fictional characters.

What this does I'd put you into the story, It becomes a first person narrative rather than a somewhat distant third person telling of the tale. Here, Jeff Shaara uses a fictional tank crewmen and paratroopers to give you an eye view account of the war in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. And he does it so well, you become invested in he characters and their personalities, at least the American participants. With the exception of General Alexander, briefly, there is little detail of Churchill and Montgomery, two well known characters in any case.

Still, he makes Eisenhower and Patton come alive, their personalities, struggled, and thoughts. I truly enjoy Shaara's books.

I also have a vested interest, my father was in an Engineering battalion in WW2 and fought all these campaigns, I remember him mentioning the Kassereine pass, so I am trying to discover what he went through, what, made him as he was when I knew him. Almost 30 years gone, it is my only chance.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those that want to know about WWII but cannot handle a non-fiction account, might I suggest Shaara. This novel about the African theatre of war in the early 1940s utilizes the facts but puts them into a narrative and a dialogue that allows readers of all historical backgrounds to grasp the conflict and the motivations. Shaara does well to present the big names of WWII (Eisenhower, Patton, Rommel, Montgomery) along with the common tank corps gunner and paratrooper in order to present the battlefields and headquarters in a human light. This volume does drag at times, but it does an excellent job of humanizing nd explaining one of the oft overlooked stages of the war in Europe. Without the quelling of Germany and Italy in Northern Africa, the invasion of France would never have occurred.

[Chris (Old Blue) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Shaara previously ("The Frozen Hours") and didn't enjoy his take on that battle as much as I did his father's book , "The Killer Angels", a novelization of the Battle of Gettysburg (if you haven't yet read the "The Killer Angels", add it to your list).

I initially intended to rate "The Rising Tide" as a "three-star", primarily due to the first 1/3 of the book. However,as I progressed, I found myself increasingly enjoying Shaara's novelization of actual historical events, i.e his imaging what figures suchs as Generals Eisenhower & Patton, and others thought of fellow commanders, progress, events, etc. I look forward to reading the rest of Mr. Shaara's World War II series.

[Patremagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very compelling mix of an omniscient, history-lesson narrative and a more intimate third-person narrative when focused on the individuals, rather than the events.

Shaara is a master at what he does, and Paul Michael as narrator did a great job narrating with a mix of accents.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good popular history of the Allied landings in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy embellished with some minor fictional characters to make the story a bit more representative of the average soldier’s experiences.

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not bad. I’m just not a war book kinda gal.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about the friendly fire on paratroopers on 11 Jul 1943 and Patton's slaps of soldiers in the field hospitals with PTSD were QUITE memorable. Haunted by those images.