The author opens with a memoir of his own war years as a child in England's west country where he experienced the war through the Yanks who were stationed nearby and became his new friends - and whom he later learned were so crucial in the success of D-Day. Keegan then outlines the Normandy invasion from the perspectives of the Americans, Canadians, Scots, Brits, Germans, and Poles - each army playing crucial roles From the preparations and execution of D-Day and the weeks of battles that followed and resulted in the expulsion of the Germany army from Normandy, Keegan discusses the major figures and actual battles in each area. I read most of the book on audio, but then got the book to look at the maps and photos.
I read this book shortly before visiting Normandy, a pastoral and quiet corner of northern France, in December 2015. Though nothing can prepare one for the silence of the now-peaceful Omaha beach nor the dignity of the memorial and the rows of crosses and stars of David at the American cemetery at Coleville-sur-Mer, still is was helpful to read this account to get a better picture of what happened in Normandy 74 years ago.
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