6th June, 1944

Any opinions as to the best book on D-Day?

The Longest Day is a classic but I go for Antony Beevor's D-Day: The Battle for Normandy.

The Penguin Atlas of D-Day is good for maps and I'm glad I have a reprint of the Michelin map 102 'Battle of Normandy'.

I haven't read the Beevor book but I did read The Longest Day just recently and was surprised (I'm not exactly sure why) by how satisfying and interesting I found it to be. I would like to gradually go through Beevor's works, though. His book on the Spanish Civil War is the only I've read so far and I thought it was excellent.

I've more or less given up on the Beevor book, which has surprised me because I have enjoyed all his earlier books, including the Spanish Civil War, which I also found to be excellent.

>3 John5918: What problems have you had with the Beevor D-Day book?

I still consider Carlo d’Este’s Decision in Normandy to be the best book on the campaign.

>4 rocketjk:

My apologies. I'm travelling and don't have my books with me, and I think I have mixed up in my mind Beevor's D-Day with his Battle for the Bridges. The former was fine but the latter just didn't draw me in the way his books normally do.

For something a bit different and depending on your point of view slightly controversial, see if you can track down a copy of Max Hastings "Overlord". Second hand copies should be readily available.