Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780670025312)

The prizewinning historian and bestselling author of D-Day, Stalingrad, and The Battle of Arnhem reconstructs the Battle of the Bulge in this riveting new account

On December 16, 1944, Hitler launched his 'last gamble' in the snow-covered forests and gorges of the Ardennes in Belgium, believing he could split the Allies by driving all the way to Antwerp and forcing the Canadians and the British out of the war. Although his generals were doubtful of success, younger officers and NCOs were desperate to believe that their homes and families could be saved from the vengeful Red Army approaching from the east. Many were exultant at the prospect of striking back.

The allies, taken by surprise, found themselves fighting two panzer armies. Belgian civilians abandoned their homes, justifiably afraid of German revenge. Panic spread even to Paris. While some American soldiers, overwhelmed by the German onslaught, fled or surrendered, others held on heroically, creating breakwaters which slowed the German advance.

The harsh winter conditions and the savagery of the battle became comparable to the Eastern Front. In fact the Ardennes became the Western Front's counterpart to Stalingrad. There was terrible ferocity on both sides, driven by desperation and revenge, in which the normal rules of combat were breached. The Ardennes--involving more than a million men--would prove to be the battle which finally broke the back of the Wehrmacht.

In this deeply researched work, with striking insights into the major players on both sides, Antony Beevor gives us the definitive account of the Ardennes offensive which was to become the greatest battle of World War II.

Author: Antony Beevor
ISBN-10: 0670025313
ISBN-13: 9780670025312
Publisher: Viking
Language: English
Published: 11/03/2015
Pages: 480
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.20w x 1.30d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 06/01/2015 pg. 72
Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2015
Publishers Weekly 09/21/2015
Library Journal 10/01/2015 pg. 91
Shelf Awareness 11/13/2015
Kirkus Best Nonfiction 12/01/2015 pg. 7
New York Times Book Review 12/13/2015 pg. 28
New York Times Book Review 03/10/2016 pg. 28
Choice 04/01/2016
Library Journal 06/01/2015