December 1944.
Bastogne, Belgium.
The Battle of the Bulge.
"Perhaps God saved me for this effort."
--Gen. George S. Patton
"Drive like hell!" That was Patton's order for the tankers of his 4th Armored Division who had been tasked with reaching Bastogne. ... "Gentlemen," said Patton," this is a hell of a Christmas present, but it was handed to me and I pass it on to you. Tonight, the Third Army turns and attacks north. I would have much preferred to continue our attack to the east as planned, but I am a soldier. I fight where I'm told, and I win where I fight!"
This is a 5-star book of resilience, courage, faith and victory in World War II. Kershaw does an amazing job of relating the key role Patton's Third Army, and Patton himself, played in the Battle of the Bulge. It's an incredibly compelling narrative told with emotion, honesty and urgency. Though well-researched and full of detail, not once does it bog down. It's informative in the best possible way. I read it in two days and came away with a new appreciation for Patton, the men he commanded like Creighton Abrams and his 37th Tank Battalion, the 4th Armored Division, and the 101st Airborne who held Bastogne against all the odds while waiting for reinforcements to come. What a story! I loved it.
"Just how important was Bastogne?"
"It was as important as the Battle of Gettysburg was to the Civil War."
Happy Reading!
Sounds GREAT! I have a few books on or around that subject (typically unread) but not this one. I'll look out for it. The Battle of the Bulge is certainly one of the most interesting incidents in the closing phase of the European war.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't read much about it, but talk about key last moments in the war! So interesting.
DeleteA *massive* German mistake brought on by sheer hubris!
DeleteKind of the theme of that whole war. But oh the number of lives that were lost!
DeleteI love the sound of this. Next year I want to read more books about WW2, a little project of my own, I'll put this one on the list.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely check it out; it's SO good. I'm doing a similar project of my own next year but with the Revolutionary War, because it's the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and everything that followed, and I feel like I should honor that.
DeleteI saw the movie Patton and George C Scott's great performance. But this book I sense tells us so much more about Patton the man and World War II. And I know nothing about the battle of the bulge and would like to learn. Great Generals are so important.
ReplyDeleteI felt like I learned so much about Patton reading this book. And it really made me appreciate him more. (And I remember when that George C. Scott movie came out; my parents wouldn't let us see it because they said there was too much language in it. ;D )
DeleteThis does sound great. I read some other stuff about the Battle of the Bulge years ago--such an important moment.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a pivotal moment in the WWII. And I didn't know much about it beyond the name before reading this book. I feel like I have a much better understanding of it now.
DeleteThis sounds really good. I will have to look for this one. My grandfather was a WWII vet and we watched every war/army movie that existed I think.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever get to hear any of his stories and experiences from the war? Or did he not like to talk about it?
DeleteAdding this one to my reading list. I just listened to a book about Gettysburg and found myself captivated, as if I didn't what happened in the end.
ReplyDeleteYou do get caught up in these histories. Kershaw had such a sense of urgency in his writing in this book I was on the edge of my seat.
DeleteThis sounds like it would be good.
ReplyDeleteSO good!
DeleteMy knowledge of this part of the war is sketchy. Sounds an intense read.
ReplyDeleteIt was. :D
DeleteI don't think I have read anything about the Battle of the Bulge. We have seen a couple of movies but that is not the same. Sounds good. I just finished reading Eight Days in May about the eight days in May 1945 following Hitler's death by suicide. It wasn't exactly depressing but a very sobering read and sad at times.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a sobering read. But then any book about WWII is a little sobering because so many innocent people died.
DeleteThis isn't something that would normally interest me, but you've made it sound so good!
ReplyDeleteSometimes history books like these can be hard, boring slogs, but not this one. Kershaw really puts you in the moment with quotes and key details. It's a fascinating read.
DeleteThis sounds like something I'd really enjoy. I like reading WWII books, but it's been a while since I have, so this is going on my list. Great review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteI found it fascinating.
DeleteGreat review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy! :D
DeleteNot my kind of book but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure I would like it as much as I did, but it is so well written I ended up loving it.
DeleteGreat review of what sounds like a terrific book. Everything I know about Patton I learned from the movie starring George C Scott, and I last watched it decades ago. I'm gearing up for a dive into WWII, and this book goes on the list for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good. It gives you a whole new appreciation for Patton and what a good soldier he was and how well he treated his men.
DeleteI fear I do not really know my WW2 battles
ReplyDeleteI didn't either! So I definitely learned a lot from reading this one.
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