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A review by charles__
The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 by Rick Atkinson
4.0
I've read both of the earlier Liberation Trilogy books over the years. I had forgotten how Atkinson uses his journalism skills to make, the well-trod history of, America's WWII efforts in Europe very approachable.
There are two things that standout about this book: good use of maps and the use of anecdotes. I tend to think of the books in this series to be Edu-tainment instead of histories. If I take exception, its that the analysis could be deeper. I also think the photographs chosen could have been better.
Use of maps is the best I've seen in any military history. They are a modern, graphics design spin on the best of breed visualization from more traditional texts. All modern histories should have maps of this quality.
Atkinson is a journalist with literary pretensions first, and a historian second. His histories are stories. His descriptions are evocative. This is a talent most military historians do not have. In addition, he peppers his narrative of events with short anecdotes on people, places and historical events. The added context is sometimes amusing. (Churchill's imbibition of alcohol comes to mind.) Many times its informative.
For example, I liked the geographical comparison between Napoleon's return from Elba and the 100 Days with the progress of Operation Dragoon.
The analysis of important command decisions and the results of circumstance is brief. I suspect I miss any what if discussion because this book has a story-like narrative.
For example, the implications of not forcing the Belfort Gap which would have uncovered the Saar region and affected the September/October 1944 Allied drive on the Ruhr.
This is also very much an Allied, chiefly American history. The preponderance of anecdotes, and excerpts from correspondence, diaries, and biographies are American. It would have been an interesting counterpoint to include a reminiscence of Cpl. Franz Bauer of Panzer Lehr's on the retreat to the Rhine, to compare with Sgt. Joe Farmer of the 101st Airborne.
This is a worthy read for those interested in the American history of WWII in Europe. In particular, because not since [a:Cornelius Ryan|48305|Cornelius Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332088952p2/48305.jpg] has there been an author writing easily readable books on the subject. I'm sad to see the series end.
There are two things that standout about this book: good use of maps and the use of anecdotes. I tend to think of the books in this series to be Edu-tainment instead of histories. If I take exception, its that the analysis could be deeper. I also think the photographs chosen could have been better.
Use of maps is the best I've seen in any military history. They are a modern, graphics design spin on the best of breed visualization from more traditional texts. All modern histories should have maps of this quality.
Atkinson is a journalist with literary pretensions first, and a historian second. His histories are stories. His descriptions are evocative. This is a talent most military historians do not have. In addition, he peppers his narrative of events with short anecdotes on people, places and historical events. The added context is sometimes amusing. (Churchill's imbibition of alcohol comes to mind.) Many times its informative.
For example, I liked the geographical comparison between Napoleon's return from Elba and the 100 Days with the progress of Operation Dragoon.
The analysis of important command decisions and the results of circumstance is brief. I suspect I miss any what if discussion because this book has a story-like narrative.
For example, the implications of not forcing the Belfort Gap which would have uncovered the Saar region and affected the September/October 1944 Allied drive on the Ruhr.
This is also very much an Allied, chiefly American history. The preponderance of anecdotes, and excerpts from correspondence, diaries, and biographies are American. It would have been an interesting counterpoint to include a reminiscence of Cpl. Franz Bauer of Panzer Lehr's on the retreat to the Rhine, to compare with Sgt. Joe Farmer of the 101st Airborne.
This is a worthy read for those interested in the American history of WWII in Europe. In particular, because not since [a:Cornelius Ryan|48305|Cornelius Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332088952p2/48305.jpg] has there been an author writing easily readable books on the subject. I'm sad to see the series end.