The Conquest of the Reich: D-Day to Ve Day--A Soldiers' History

by Robin Neillands

Book Overview

The defeat of Nazi Germany in the words of those who were there

New Year's Day 1945 was not a day for rest or rejoicing on the embattled continent of Europe. Hard winter gripped the land, from the Channel coast to the distant Urals. Only the thought of victory warmed the frozen soldiers huddled in tanks and foxholes as the New Year dawned and they faced the prospect of battling onwards toward Berlin.

This is the story of the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814757898
• ISBN13: 9780814757895
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Detailed and Readable

At first I thought that this book might be a little heavy and unbalanced, but in fact the mixture of narrative and soldiers' reminiscences works well. The author has obviously done a lot of hard work and research and his efforts pay off. The book gives a grim and I'm sure accurate picture of the realities of war. The chapter on the concentration camps is particularly harrowing. But the book is very readable.

Common Ordinary People - life over death

As an avid reader of both Civil War and World War II material, this book struck me as filled with experiences of ordinary people. Common every day folk, many just telling their story of life and death. Yet, this book is more than that, it's a remembrance of those that "Have borne the battle", and how they survived to give us a glimpse into the past, through their eyes. As I opened the cover and began my journey into the past, I was introduced to camp inmates, civilians, soldiers, women and children of all ages. Each riveting me to my seat as I read their story.This book brings you from the comforts of your living room couch into the thick of battle and returns you safely as you move from chapter to chapter. Very hard to put down and at times very emotional to read.

Moving & Interesting Account of the Final Months of WW2

I have been a keen fan of Robin Neillands since reading his books on the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses. This book was a break from his usual manner of writing, similar in style to Gerald Astor and just as good. The author covers the final stages of WW2 using accounts of the participants, both military & civilian. From tank drivers, infantryman, pilots and gunners in the fighters & bombers and from every country involved - US, UK, USSR, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, etc.The narrative flowed along and was easy to read with the accounts from the veterans blending in without interrupting the flow of the story. Numerous B & W photos and maps along with drawings added to the story.Overall this book offers a different perspective to the War in Europe in those final few months. With the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' generating such interest in this period of history this book should offer many readers an insight to what people suffered and experienced in WW2.