Dispatches of D-Day: A People's History of The Normandy Invasion

by Jared Frederick

Spring 1944. The world held its breath as the Allies leapt across the English Channel in the largest amphibious operation of the Second World War. The Normandy invasion, legendary in myth and astounding in scope, comes to life as historian Jared Frederick resurrects long-forgotten tales of individual struggle, sacrifice, and community. In a rare form of engaging scholarship, Frederick paints an eloquently moving portrait of the soldiers and civilians dramatically affected by what Dwight Eisenhower called “the great crusade.” Among those personalities were intrepid correspondents who demonstrated the meaningful significance of the free press in wartime. In this sweeping narrative, readers will embark upon a journey between the lines as the powerful saga of D-Day unfolds with insightful interpretation and profoundly enduring lessons.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2019

Reviews

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there was a higher rating scale because this book deserves at least a seven. Jared Frederick has done a great job of collecting many stories about D-Day and compiling them into a book that can be enjoyed by anyone, including those like me who don't typically read books about WWII. The reason I enjoyed this one so much is it's very light on tactics and is mostly about the experiences of the military men and those they left at home. It has given me a deeper appreciation for those veterans who fought during this war.

[Matt Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jared Frederick offers us a fresh perspective on one of modern history’s most bloodless horses. Letters, newspaper articles, interviews, and diary entries carry the reader through the history of the invasion first-hand as it was experienced and reported. Free of the later mythologizing, Dispatches of D-Day is an excellent display in responsible historical curation of primary resources.

Famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle was said to have documented “the war of the homesick, weary, funny, violent, [and] common.” Here, Frederick succeeds in relating the same kind of experience - a people’s history.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched and engaging overview of D-Day, told in part through the accounts of both war correspondents and local hometown papers. I highly recommend this book for those familiar with D-Day and looking for a fresh, unique perspective, as well as those looking to gain a deeper understanding of D-Day and its lasting impacts.