The Valour and the Horror

Back in print, this classic details the first few hours of the invasion of Normandy. The late Cornelius Ryan was a journalist covering the D-Day landings and the advance of Patton's Third Army across France and Germany. In this book, he takes you through the day, hour by hour and minute by minute. What happened? What was it like to be among the men swept into this great battle? How were strategic decisions re-made in the face of fighting on the beach?

"Private Percival Liggins of the Canadian 1st Battalion saw [a] flaming plane. It was "at full power, with pieces falling off it, blazing from end to end," and seemed to be heading for him. He was so fascinated by the sight that he was unable to move. It swept overhead and crashed in a field behind him. He and others tried to get to the plane in an effort to rescue anybody still in it, but "the ammo started to go and we couldn't get near it."" (page: 124)

Other book(s) we recommend:

D-Day Stephen E. Ambrose - This classic account of D-Day was a national bestseller when it was released.