Voices of Valor: D-Day, June 6, 1944

by Douglas Brinkley

A compilation of firsthand accounts of the Normandy invasion presents forty oral histories that recount the events of D-Day from the perspectives of the veterans themselves, accompanied by a selection of interviews on CD.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, War

194 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2004

About the author

Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him “America’s new past master.” His most recent books are The Quiet World, The Wilderness Warrior, and The Great Deluge. Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Adam Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible retelling of D-day through the people who actually were there. I really like the timeline breakdown. The points of view from British, French and Canadian folks at Juno, Gold and Sword beaches, and the glider missions for Pegasus Bridge are definitely a plus as many books just cover American involvement. However, the best part of the book is the 2 CDs with soldiers reminiscences of their involvement in events. Their actual voices brought to you by the D-day museum. Fantastic!

[Luciano Elementi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing memory and a wonderful hearing from the people, I still am thoroughly moved. Wow, thank you

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous recounting the days leading up to and the D-Day as told by many of those who were there

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Familiar territory if you have watched Saving Private Ryan or HBO's Band of Brothers.

A shortish book on the build-up and preparation for D-Day and few days after the main invasion. Lots of photographs, including those of the soldiers who contributed their personal stories.

Soldiers from all branches of the services are interviewed: glider pilots, paratroopers, infantrymen, Rangers, tankers, landing craft crew and so on. Men from US, British and Canadian forces form the bulk of the personal stories. A single German recruit's story is included. I found this interesting but a little anomalous since it was the only one. Also included are some accounts from French resistance members.

Large focus on the American landings at Utah and Omaha so may be of lesser interest to anyone looking for information on the Canadian and British landings. I learned also that although the majority of the dead were indeed US troops killed on Omaha, the Canadians suffered almost the same percentage of casualties relative to the size of their invasion force.

[Abby Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-read and wonderful book that covers the amazing amount of work and fortitude that made the "Day of Days" possible gathered from the men who were there. A must have book for any WW2 history buff.

[Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Jonny; Account of D-Day

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading... I find myself searching for my grandfathers every time I read a work like this.