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The Heroes of Sainte-Mère-Église
The Germans arrived with a plan to occupy a village … … The French Resistance and Allied forces had other plans. “I absolutely LOVED this book. The Author did a brilliant job of drawing me in and me wanting to read even more.” Amazon review“One of the best historical fiction stories of WW2 that I have read, and I’ve read plenty” Amazon review“...I couldn’t stop reading, page after page, chapter after chapter!” Amazon reviewSturmbannführer Gunther Dettmer stands on the border of Germany and France. He waits with the German war machine for the order from Adolf Hitler to start the western Blitzkrieg—the “lightning war.”Six hundred kilometers away, WWI veteran René Legrand plows his fields. He is enjoying the life he has made with his wife and two sons in the peaceful village of Sainte-Mère-Église. Since the end of the last war, he has tried to forget the atrocities he’d witnessed. Most of all, he has tried to forget the horrors he inflicted on others as the deadliest assassin the French Army has ever known, unaware he will soon need the skills of war he once used to perfection.His youngest son, Jean-Pierre, lives the life of a typical thirteen-year-old. He attends school, helps his father in the fields, and tries not to be nervous around the mesmerizing Angelique Lapierre. Events will soon force him to become a man, and along with his father, brother, and a small group of citizens, they harass their German occupiers and help the Allies prepare for the D-Day invasion.Guilty of nothing other than being Jews, the Shapiro family flee to Spain. They hope to make it over the treacherous Pyrenees Mountains before the Nazis capture them.In Fort Benning, Georgia, Captain James Gavin discusses a plan with Major William Lee to begin the U.S. Army’s first parachute platoon. Four years later, General “Jumpin’ Jim” Gavin will descend through the night sky and into Normandy, France, along with the greatest invasion force the world has ever seen. These and others are the heroes of Sainte-Mère-Église.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2019
744 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 22, 2024
Last August my son Bob and his wife Pamela treated me to a 2 week trip to France, where they live. My son asked me to make a list of what I wanted to see. We saw everything on my list and more. One of the towns we stayed in was Sainte-Mere Eglise, which is in the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. So, when I saw an ad for a book called The Heroes of Sainte-Mere Eglise, I couldn't resist. This was a historical fiction book that centers around the small city of Sainte-Mere Eglise. The time span is from 1940 to 1945, World War II.
This is really several separate stories with Sainte-Mere Eglise the connecting factor. The various stories of its inhabitants cover much of France, as well as Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, and the United States. The story follows the lives of several people who live in that town or who will be forever connected to it. At first I wasn't drawn to the characters but as I found out more about them and as I shared in their horror at the invasion by Nazi Germany, I kept picturing the place, the town where Bob and I stayed. Today, there is evidence of the war everywhere. We stayed in a small, charming hotel aptly named The June 6th Hotel. Across the street from that hotel was the Airborne Museum, which tells the story of the brave paratroopers that landed all over that peninsula. We walked right by the cathedral where the paratrooper was caught on the spire, literally dodging bullets the whole time. He survived, by the way.
The action, the locations kept me turning pages. Where I was initially not taken in by the story, I sure got that way as situations, actual historic situations, got more intense. By the first 50 pages I was well hooked into the struggles and adventures of all these people. There was closure in all of the separate stories but one which ended somewhat nebulously. Other than that, any questions I may have had were answered. Be forewarned, not every story ends up happily. After all, it is a story of the war.
Again, my trip last year took me to many of the places described in this book and that allowed me to put so much more into my reading. If you're interested in World War II and the European Theatre of Operations, you will enjoy this book.
This is really several separate stories with Sainte-Mere Eglise the connecting factor. The various stories of its inhabitants cover much of France, as well as Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, and the United States. The story follows the lives of several people who live in that town or who will be forever connected to it. At first I wasn't drawn to the characters but as I found out more about them and as I shared in their horror at the invasion by Nazi Germany, I kept picturing the place, the town where Bob and I stayed. Today, there is evidence of the war everywhere. We stayed in a small, charming hotel aptly named The June 6th Hotel. Across the street from that hotel was the Airborne Museum, which tells the story of the brave paratroopers that landed all over that peninsula. We walked right by the cathedral where the paratrooper was caught on the spire, literally dodging bullets the whole time. He survived, by the way.
The action, the locations kept me turning pages. Where I was initially not taken in by the story, I sure got that way as situations, actual historic situations, got more intense. By the first 50 pages I was well hooked into the struggles and adventures of all these people. There was closure in all of the separate stories but one which ended somewhat nebulously. Other than that, any questions I may have had were answered. Be forewarned, not every story ends up happily. After all, it is a story of the war.
Again, my trip last year took me to many of the places described in this book and that allowed me to put so much more into my reading. If you're interested in World War II and the European Theatre of Operations, you will enjoy this book.
August 15, 2019
This was a poorly written book in terms of spelling and grammar. There were times when the present tense, future tense and past tense were all in the same sentence! Spelling was an issue every now and then especially in the use of homophones. Where was the editor?? The story itself was interesting. I'm always interested in "little history" because that's the the sweep of overarching history begins. I liked his characters. Some had clearer back stories than others. I had trouble following the story sometimes because of abrupt changes from character to character. If this were a young person's writing I'd be impressed. Not so much with a mature author
November 24, 2019
One of the best historical fiction stories of WW2
One of the best historical fiction stories of ww2 that I have read and I’ve read plenty. The story follows so many different families who were heroes in their own right. It was a horrific part of our history where ordinary people did extraordinary things and became Heroes. I would love to read more from this author
One of the best historical fiction stories of ww2 that I have read and I’ve read plenty. The story follows so many different families who were heroes in their own right. It was a horrific part of our history where ordinary people did extraordinary things and became Heroes. I would love to read more from this author
June 7, 2021
Not bad if intended for preteens
Was an ok book, if the intended audience is preteens. Otherwise too simplistic and one dimensional
characters and storylines. For adults with an appreciation for historical fiction, this is not recommended.
Was an ok book, if the intended audience is preteens. Otherwise too simplistic and one dimensional
characters and storylines. For adults with an appreciation for historical fiction, this is not recommended.
April 29, 2020
WWII - France, Insightful
Mr Keene’s first novel is well-written, incredibly detailed and insightful. The title says it all; “The Heroes of Sainte-Mère-Ėglise: A D-Day Novel”. This is a novel with both fictional and non-fictional characters living in France, specifically around the Normandy area. The book begins in May, 1940. The Author focuses on a varied group of people leading up to the invasion of Normandy: some American, British, German, Spanish, Polish, and of course, French. There are Villains and more importantly, Heroes. What was so poignant to me? You don’t have to be “Superman” or “Batman” to be a Superhero!! The author uses anyone available: women, teenagers, even an officer in the German Wehrmacht.
This novel is a must-read if you’re interested in WWII History!
Mr Keene’s first novel is well-written, incredibly detailed and insightful. The title says it all; “The Heroes of Sainte-Mère-Ėglise: A D-Day Novel”. This is a novel with both fictional and non-fictional characters living in France, specifically around the Normandy area. The book begins in May, 1940. The Author focuses on a varied group of people leading up to the invasion of Normandy: some American, British, German, Spanish, Polish, and of course, French. There are Villains and more importantly, Heroes. What was so poignant to me? You don’t have to be “Superman” or “Batman” to be a Superhero!! The author uses anyone available: women, teenagers, even an officer in the German Wehrmacht.
This novel is a must-read if you’re interested in WWII History!
September 9, 2022
Wow! I have definitely found a new favorite author! Keene weaves historical detail and characters into a story that I could not read fast enough! I couldn’t wait to see what was next for Jean-Pierre, Angelique, Rene LeGrand, and all of the other intriguing characters. Keene has a way of pulling you into his story and before you realize it, you are accompanying the characters on their journey throughout the dangers they faced during World War II.
December 30, 2021
Wonderful book
I chose this book to read because of the scene in The Longest Day. I will never forget that scene or the men and women that helped pave the way for the invasion. This book gives us the backstories that went on just before D Day.
I chose this book to read because of the scene in The Longest Day. I will never forget that scene or the men and women that helped pave the way for the invasion. This book gives us the backstories that went on just before D Day.
October 11, 2025
I've visited Sainte-Mere-Eglise so i really enjoyed the story.
May 6, 2023
Excellent novel on resistance fighters in France during WWII. It's not only about the resistance fighters butit's about the ordinary people in the war torn towns of France at that time.
October 22, 2022
A comprehensive story about the days before and after D-Day in France. This story emulates the massiveness of WW2 and how everyone was affected in this war one way or another. There are many characters to follow in this book and many story lines to watch unfold. There were many heroes many of who will give their life to save others and those who will live to tell the stories to the future generations. But, all were heroes!
May 21, 2022
The Heroes of Sainte-Mere-Eglise is by J.D. Keene. This novel is based on a true incident which happened during World War II; however, new characters were added as well as incidents to help explain the event.
Rene Legrand was a farmer near Sainte-Mere-Eglise. He worked the land with his wife and sons. He had served in World War I as an assassin. His eldest son, Philippe was in the French army and his second son, Jean-Pierre was still in school. Philippe’s best friend was Armand Lappierre and they both were in the French army and Jean-Pierre had a crush on his sister, Angelique. Their father was dead and their mother had fallen ill with alcoholism. They were fearful of what the Germans were doing. They, along with others in town, did what they could to help strangers as they came into town.
Joseph Shaprio had brought his family to Sainte-Mere-Eglise on their way to Spain. He had been a wealthy banker in Berlin but was a bank teller here. His son made friends with Jean-Pierre and the younger son was only eight. When the Germans began to head for France, the family left, once more for Spain. They left with the Edelman’s, Uri, a professor of Music, Miriam, a professor of languages and their daughter Esther.
As they head for Spain, the Legrands and their friends set out to defend France against the Nazis. The stories circle around and come back to Sainte-Mere-Eglise with the Allied Invasion.
The story grabs your attention from the very beginning and hangs on. It is simply too exciting and interesting to put it down.
Rene Legrand was a farmer near Sainte-Mere-Eglise. He worked the land with his wife and sons. He had served in World War I as an assassin. His eldest son, Philippe was in the French army and his second son, Jean-Pierre was still in school. Philippe’s best friend was Armand Lappierre and they both were in the French army and Jean-Pierre had a crush on his sister, Angelique. Their father was dead and their mother had fallen ill with alcoholism. They were fearful of what the Germans were doing. They, along with others in town, did what they could to help strangers as they came into town.
Joseph Shaprio had brought his family to Sainte-Mere-Eglise on their way to Spain. He had been a wealthy banker in Berlin but was a bank teller here. His son made friends with Jean-Pierre and the younger son was only eight. When the Germans began to head for France, the family left, once more for Spain. They left with the Edelman’s, Uri, a professor of Music, Miriam, a professor of languages and their daughter Esther.
As they head for Spain, the Legrands and their friends set out to defend France against the Nazis. The stories circle around and come back to Sainte-Mere-Eglise with the Allied Invasion.
The story grabs your attention from the very beginning and hangs on. It is simply too exciting and interesting to put it down.
May 4, 2022
The Heroes-of Sainte-Mere-Eglise
1940 WWII France A D-Day Novel
People were fleeing from the German Army from the brutal attacks near the border towns in France and the Maginot Line. Little thought was given to the People trying to flee as the German gunners would shoot down whatever was in their path. Citizens trying to get to the Spanish border. Chaos reigned. The British had to evacuate Dunkirk as the allied troops together were being slaughtered by the Nazi’s.
The storyline never gets dull the way the author jumps back and forth to different situations and vignettes. The horrendous acts of the occupation leave little to the imagination. From hiding in Guernsey to families escaping over the Pyrenees, this book holds a lot of dismay and horror.
This story covers all the key and notable things that happened during the German occupation. This book is so intense that I find I have to stop periodically to calm down. This book is magnificent, there are several stories that the reader follows, but the author keeps the continuity perfectly. Superb writing, extremely exciting. Congratulations to the author for a job well done.
1940 WWII France A D-Day Novel
People were fleeing from the German Army from the brutal attacks near the border towns in France and the Maginot Line. Little thought was given to the People trying to flee as the German gunners would shoot down whatever was in their path. Citizens trying to get to the Spanish border. Chaos reigned. The British had to evacuate Dunkirk as the allied troops together were being slaughtered by the Nazi’s.
The storyline never gets dull the way the author jumps back and forth to different situations and vignettes. The horrendous acts of the occupation leave little to the imagination. From hiding in Guernsey to families escaping over the Pyrenees, this book holds a lot of dismay and horror.
This story covers all the key and notable things that happened during the German occupation. This book is so intense that I find I have to stop periodically to calm down. This book is magnificent, there are several stories that the reader follows, but the author keeps the continuity perfectly. Superb writing, extremely exciting. Congratulations to the author for a job well done.
October 24, 2020
Wow!!
I absolutely loved this book!! Beautifully done!!
Excellent. A few typos and one area had a couple of paragraphs repeated-but who cares?? Such a wonderful book. It moves fast. Several characters to keep track of, if I can do it, anyone can. They were all full life characters, written so you can picture them and know them. A “real life” sort of book. By that I mean it isn’t candy coated. People you care about die. Heartbreaking. But real life.
An excellent book!! I don’t want to give anything away. Just read it and I know you will enjoy it too!
Now I’m going to read this author’s second book that I’ve heard is even better than this one. Hard to imagine. This one was great!
pamarella
PRCS
I absolutely loved this book!! Beautifully done!!
Excellent. A few typos and one area had a couple of paragraphs repeated-but who cares?? Such a wonderful book. It moves fast. Several characters to keep track of, if I can do it, anyone can. They were all full life characters, written so you can picture them and know them. A “real life” sort of book. By that I mean it isn’t candy coated. People you care about die. Heartbreaking. But real life.
An excellent book!! I don’t want to give anything away. Just read it and I know you will enjoy it too!
Now I’m going to read this author’s second book that I’ve heard is even better than this one. Hard to imagine. This one was great!
pamarella
PRCS
July 26, 2022
I've just started this book, so this preliminary review is just an observation. I was intrigued by the subject matter, but after reading the first few chapters, I find the writing to amateurish. Sentences are clipped, scene descriptions are terse, and there is little or no character development. What prompted me to write a review this early in the book is the fact that in chapter 8, Columns of "German Panzer and Tiger tanks" are described to sitting idle in the fields south of Dunkirk, in the early stages of the 1940 invasion. The problem is that Tiger tanks were not fielded until 1942. I suppose this is a nitpick, but it is a glaring historical inaccuracy. If the author's research missed this error, what else did he get wrong?
October 22, 2019
A JDK. World War II French Resistence Action Adventure (THOSME ) (ADDN)
JDK. has penned A historical World War II French Resistence Action Adventure, which begins the first day of June 1944. The French Resistence are aware that the Allied Forces will land on Normandy Beach sometime before the middle of June. They are prepared to assist the Allied Forces however they can. There primary mission begins on the second of June when they begin to interfere in the communication systems. They have left detailed maps in specified areas to assist the first landers. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
JDK. has penned A historical World War II French Resistence Action Adventure, which begins the first day of June 1944. The French Resistence are aware that the Allied Forces will land on Normandy Beach sometime before the middle of June. They are prepared to assist the Allied Forces however they can. There primary mission begins on the second of June when they begin to interfere in the communication systems. They have left detailed maps in specified areas to assist the first landers. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
March 8, 2021
The Heroes of Sainte-Mere- Eglise. J.D. Keene
Based on actual invasions and fighting that took place during WWII in this small French town it tells of the sacrifices and bravery that took place against the Nazi invasion to conquer , humilate and in the long run destroy all that they cherish and hold dear.This is an extremely well written and heartbreaking account of the sacrifices made by people who endured and lived thru this terrible time in the history of mankind. An excellent read!! My highest recommendation!!
Based on actual invasions and fighting that took place during WWII in this small French town it tells of the sacrifices and bravery that took place against the Nazi invasion to conquer , humilate and in the long run destroy all that they cherish and hold dear.This is an extremely well written and heartbreaking account of the sacrifices made by people who endured and lived thru this terrible time in the history of mankind. An excellent read!! My highest recommendation!!
November 27, 2019
A very good read!
A very good read! I couldn’t stop reading, page after page, chapter after chapter! Lots of insights into the way things actually could have transpired. Lots of detailed scenarios well woven into a story the flowed well. Even though the storyline if filled with sad and grim scenarios, you are swept along by the good bits, the heroic people and their acts of love and bravery! Well done!
A very good read! I couldn’t stop reading, page after page, chapter after chapter! Lots of insights into the way things actually could have transpired. Lots of detailed scenarios well woven into a story the flowed well. Even though the storyline if filled with sad and grim scenarios, you are swept along by the good bits, the heroic people and their acts of love and bravery! Well done!
March 2, 2021
Fighting and Freedom
The people and experiences of the people of Sainte-Mere-Eglise told of the bravery and burdens of many during the time of the occupation by the Germans. The people were strong in their defense of their village, and their determination to take the country back. It took great courage by the people to take on the Nazis, but they were determined to fight for their freedom!
The people and experiences of the people of Sainte-Mere-Eglise told of the bravery and burdens of many during the time of the occupation by the Germans. The people were strong in their defense of their village, and their determination to take the country back. It took great courage by the people to take on the Nazis, but they were determined to fight for their freedom!
January 28, 2022
This is an excellent tale about the D-Day invasion. However, it comes from a unique point of view: that of the villagers who were surrounded by the fighting in June, 1944.
The characters are rich and well developed. The environment described in the book is very detailed and reveals the amount of research Mr. Keene performed in order to enrich his story.
This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
The characters are rich and well developed. The environment described in the book is very detailed and reveals the amount of research Mr. Keene performed in order to enrich his story.
This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
June 9, 2019
This book was very interesting. Sorry line. Flowed easily. The characters were easy to keep straight. Recaptured a part in history and made the reading enjoyable and very intriguing. k
I would recommend this book to everyone. You don't have to be a history buff. It was hard to put down.
I would recommend this book to everyone. You don't have to be a history buff. It was hard to put down.
November 16, 2019
Incomplete
The writer spends a lot of time on things that don't seem to have much to do with the subject of the book, thus taking away from the drama of the book. Then then book comes to such a sudden ending, you feel cheated. It's like the author ran out of enough material to make this the book it could have been.
The writer spends a lot of time on things that don't seem to have much to do with the subject of the book, thus taking away from the drama of the book. Then then book comes to such a sudden ending, you feel cheated. It's like the author ran out of enough material to make this the book it could have been.
June 29, 2020
Excellent, Very Well Done.
Enjoyed the book to the max. My wife, son and I visited Normandy two years ago with the Beyond the Band of Brothers tour. One of our stops on the tour was Sainte-Mere-Eglise. I'm now turning the book over to my wife to read. I'm sure she will love it.
Enjoyed the book to the max. My wife, son and I visited Normandy two years ago with the Beyond the Band of Brothers tour. One of our stops on the tour was Sainte-Mere-Eglise. I'm now turning the book over to my wife to read. I'm sure she will love it.
April 6, 2021
French at their best
Good read. The revolving characters were used as giving the reader a feeling of how people had been affected by the times.
One sees how each character was a reflection of their background and society. Those of us who have visited French grave yards have seen the grave site’s of those French heroes,
Good read. The revolving characters were used as giving the reader a feeling of how people had been affected by the times.
One sees how each character was a reflection of their background and society. Those of us who have visited French grave yards have seen the grave site’s of those French heroes,
March 21, 2022
I read a lot of books, fiction and nonfiction, that are set in Europe during WW II, and found this one to be very good. I like the characters and plot. They seem true to the time and place of the story. I would recommend this to anyone who likes history or wants to learn more about those times. It is pretty pertinent to what is happening today in our world.
May 31, 2022
A refreshing telling of a War fought for all our freedoms.
Keene made it come alive again. From heroes to villains you can sense the dread and the excitement of that time. Tomorrow didn’t matter, survival of today was the only thing to consider. I hope that more stories from all wars can be so brought alive as this was.
Keene made it come alive again. From heroes to villains you can sense the dread and the excitement of that time. Tomorrow didn’t matter, survival of today was the only thing to consider. I hope that more stories from all wars can be so brought alive as this was.
July 19, 2022
A really good read and follows the lives of several families who try to escape the warth of the German invasion and the terrible invasion of Normandy dreadful things they endure while trying to escape and the slaughter of friends and comrades .
very disturbing and brings the horror of some of what went on .
very disturbing and brings the horror of some of what went on .
July 24, 2022
Superb story
Fact and fiction intertwined although you know the fictional characters are happenings of that conflict drawing you in and rooting for them. The story provided me many highs and lows, a cracking read, I'll search out more by the author.
Fact and fiction intertwined although you know the fictional characters are happenings of that conflict drawing you in and rooting for them. The story provided me many highs and lows, a cracking read, I'll search out more by the author.
July 10, 2019
Excellent Historical Fiction
I really enjoyed this novel about the French Occupation during WW 2. The writer does an excellent job relating the bravery of the Resistance fighters.
I really enjoyed this novel about the French Occupation during WW 2. The writer does an excellent job relating the bravery of the Resistance fighters.
July 10, 2019
Excellent new authoe
I most certainly read future books by J.D. Keene. Well researched and written. Good storyline, great characterization, intrigue and intensity.
I most certainly read future books by J.D. Keene. Well researched and written. Good storyline, great characterization, intrigue and intensity.
July 11, 2019
Very good book
The courage of all these people throughout is amazing. Such a deal emotional story. Thank God the allies were triumphant! Anyone would enjoy this story!
The courage of all these people throughout is amazing. Such a deal emotional story. Thank God the allies were triumphant! Anyone would enjoy this story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews