Thunder in the Argonne: A New History of America's Greatest Battle

Battles and Campaigns

by Douglas V. Mastriano

In July 1918, sensing that the German Army had lost crucial momentum, Supreme Allied Commander Ferdinand Foch saw an opportunity to end the First World War. In drafting his plans for a final grand offensive, he assigned the most difficult sector - the dense Argonne forest and the vast Meuse River valley - to the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing. There, the Doughboys faced thickly defended German lines with terrain deemed impossible to fight through. From September 26 through the November 11 armistice, US forces suffered more than 20,000 casualties a week, but the Allies ultimately prevailed in a decisive victory that helped to end the Great War. In Thunder in the Argonne, Douglas V. Mastriano offers the most comprehensive account of this legendary campaign to date. Not only does he provide American, French, and British perspectives on the offensive, but he also offers - for the first time in English - the German view. Mastriano presents a balanced analysis of successes and failures at all levels of command, examining the leadership of the principals while also illuminating acts of heroism by individual soldiers. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive is widely regarded as one of America's finest hours, and the amazing feats of Sergeant Alvin York, Major Charles Whittlesey of the Lost Battalion, and Lieutenant Sam Woodfill - all accomplished in the midst of this maelstrom - echo across the ages. Published to coincide with the centennial of the campaign, this engaging book offers a fresh look at the battle that forged the modern US Army.

Genres: History, World War I, Military Fiction

456 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2018

Reviews

[David Schumacher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recommend that anyone considering this author read the following AP news story: "In French woods, rivals take aim at senator’s WWI research", by MARK SCOLFORO, March 20,2021. Mr. Mastriano's publisher (University Press of Kentucky) and doctoral university (University of New Brunswick) have opened preliminary reviews regarding poor, false research for his book Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne according to the AP report.
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[Aurel Mihai · Rating 2 out of 5]

A reasonable list of troop movements and related events during the last days of WWI in the Meuse-Argonne region, but with little context otherwise and more than a bit of moralizing. The end of the book in particular goes down that rabbit hole. Overall it is redeemed by a few interesting details sprinkled throughout the book, but not enough to give a positive recommendation.

[Dana Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well researched and detailed. Almost to a fault. Can be tedious and repetitive. Really enjoyed the aspects of individual heroism.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting subject matter. Well written. Audio narrator was really subpar though...