This is a fantastic treatment of the Battle of the Bulge originally researched and written in the late 1950's when many of the principals and participants were still around with relatively fresh memories. Toland provides a very comprehensive chronological overview of the entire battle which doesn't bog the reader down with needless minutia. He accurately captures the fluid, chaotic nature of the battle with all its uncertainties, mistakes and tragedies.

The historical summary is interspersed with moving personal anecdotes from soldiers on both sides of the conflict and various civilians caught up in the conflict. The participants comes across as far more than just names and ranks. Toland does an admirable job of humanizing the men and women who suffered and sacrificed so much.

Far and away one of the best military history books I've ever read. Highly recommended.
June 23, 2008

Excellent Bulge book to begin with...

I can't claim to know if this is the BEST book ever written on the Bulge as I haven't read all of them. But, as someone who was looking for an easy to read introduction into the overall scope of the Battle of the Bulge, I can highly recommend this work. Lots of fascinating first hand accounts from civilians caught in the struggle as well the the GIs and the Germans fighting the battle on both sides. Also, there are several detailed maps showcasing the major engagements as the conflict progresses. A good jumping off point that could lead to more extensive study of the Bulge.
March 31, 2008

Battle: Story of the Bulge

Battle: The Story of the Bulge
John Toland is one of the best writers I have come across in my reading of military history. I still believe his book is the best I have read for individual accounts of the battle and it was published in 1959. He carries the battle from day-to-day with stories of the GI's along with some Germans and also some civilians.
January 20, 2008

Message from Bastogne: Nuts!

My first contact with Mr. Toland's writings was "Gods of War" and found it a great WWII novel. At that time I wasn't aware Mr. Toland was a professional historian on war themes. Researching in Amazon, for bibliography on the Bulge subject, I was gratefully surprised to find another edition of this non-fiction book.

Mr. Toland collects hundreds of testimonies from the actors of this war drama, ranging from generals to privates; medics, nurses, peasants, priests. Blend all of them in an overwhelming and coherent picture. He gets in touch with the suffering of the confronting soldiers, their acts of desperate bravery and gallantry, but at the same time having a look into the planning of higher levels of command.
Both sides in conflict are researched, their actions scrutinized and compared.
His prose is entertaining and informative. The reader has the sensation of "being there".

Even if this book was written in 1959 and many documents were not available for investigators at that time, it stands as milestone on the subject.
A great stuff to read for historians, students or casual readers.
Enjoy!!!.
Reviewed by Max Yofre

October 01, 2007

Hilter's final attempt

A well written account of the Battle of the Bulge. Invaluable personal histories from the men that lived through intollerable conditions. Incredible carnage and amazing bravery from such young men. Toland give you an inside view of the confusion and strategy of war.
November 05, 2006

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The Bitter Woods: The Battle of the Bulge
by John S. D. Eisenhower

The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day
by Cornelius Ryan

A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge
by Charles B. MacDonald

A Bridge Too Far: The Classic History of the Greatest Battle of World War II
by Cornelius Ryan

The Last 100 Days: The Tumultuous and Controversial Story of the Final Days of World War II in Europe (Modern Library War)
by John Toland