Voices from D-Day

Voices from

by Jonathan Bastable

Collecting a wide variety of accounts from D-Day, the author recreates that fateful day from the perspective of politicians, clerks, factory workers, soldiers, sailors, and airmen, never losing sight of the human element while also painting a vividly rendered recreation of the most important day of World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2004

About the author

In 1982, just after I turned 20, I went to live in Leningrad for a year. I was cold and hungry most of the time, and most of my Russian friends were miserable or scared or both. The winter was dark and long, and the regime was oppressive. It was by far the happiest year of my life.

That year, and subsequent years spent at Moscow University as a postgrad, provided much of the core material for Devil's Acre. But I wasn' t then a writer, not yet. After returning to Britain I got a job as a feature writer on The Sunday Times Magazine, and in 1991 I was sent back to Moscow as the newspaper's Russian Affairs correspondent. I covered the slapstick Yeltsin years, and was present at the shelling of the Russian parliament building in 1993 – the moment when Russia's last best hope of a democratic future went up in smoke.

I have written many works of non-fiction, including a history of the Battle of Stalingrad based on eyewitness accounts. I am now, among other things, a travel writer, and I often go back to Russia on assignment for Conde Nast Traveller and other magazines. Devil's Acre is my first novel, and my proudest achievement.

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant and factual book provides a chronology of Operation Overlord, better known as the D-Day landings, from inception to realisation and beyond. The narrative is split down into separate chapters tackling different topics (each beach is dealt with separately), with Bastable's overview of the action interspersed with first hand accounts from the soldiers and civilians who were actually there.

I was gripped by the strength of the prose and the heartfelt honesty of the writing. The accounts of the bloody beaches and the carnage wrought in previously quiet Normandy are second to none and this quickly became the most enthralling war book I've so far encountered. Even better, Bastable's spare prose is easily understandable, with the author getting across the big picture clearly.

There's never a slow moment and most of the accounts are gripping, poignant and some tragic. I'll definitely be looking for more in the 'Voices' series if they're anywhere near as good as this one.

[Simon Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of this day in history. Captivating, exhilarating, brilliantly constructed to deliver a clear description of the landings. In no small part harrowing as heart-wrenching accounts are told by veterans, who are sadly, no longer with us.

The simply incomprehensible bravery of the troops and support units, takes your breath away. I cannot understand how they did, what they did but I'm eternally grateful for their actions.

Frankly, this is a must read and my first 5-stars in a long time

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book full of first hand narratives of what it was like at each of the D-Day beaches together with explanation of the overall picture.
Really shows what a mammoth operation the whole thing was and what a miracle it was that they managed to keep the details from the Germans when there were so many involved.
The description of Omaha beach is just like the start of the movie Saving Private Ryan.
The library book that I got out had last been borrowed in August 2009 though - I hope that we aren’t forgetting these heroes who liberated us.

[Efguirguis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very real, gripping.

Few war books match this one in its stark reality and truthfulness.
Brings the reader to a new awareness. Despite its frank narrative it manages better than many other war books to bring the reader close to the real action.
Gripping, interesting, makes you feel in there with the soldier unadorned, frightened yet brave.
A good read.

[Tom Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of first hand accounts about the Normandy Invasion, but doesn't just cover the invasion itself. It begins with the build up for forces in England, delays in the invasion, the attack itself and the weeks afterwards as the allies fought through hedgerows in northern France.

It contains a good mix of sources... soldiers, sailors, civilians and war correspondents, as well different national perspectives... American, British, Canadian, French and German. The one negative (if you can call it that) is that it does seem to contain a disproportionate number of British sources, but that doesn't take away from the overall message.

This book will appeal to military historians who have more background knowledge about WWII and to people who have a general interest in history. The editor includes some commentary and explanations, but lets the sources do most of the story telling.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent personal accounts of the landings interwoven with the author's historical insights. Never was so much owed by so many to so few...