The Allied attack of Normandy beach has been immortalized in film and literature; but it was the Allied campaign on the beaches of Western Italy; at Anzio; that reigns as the bloodiest battle in the Second World War’s western theater. One of the world’s leading military historians; Lloyd Clark; delivers a gripping narrative and fresh interpretation of this remarkable but overshadowed battle. About six months before D-Day; in January 1944; a united force of 36;000 soldiers launched one of the first attacks on continental Europe at Anzio; a small coastal city thirty miles south of Rome. But the advance stalled; and the Allies were unable to exploit initial German weakness that could have led to a decisive strike to liberate the undefended Italian capital. As the Germans gained strength; their force growing to 120;000 men; Anzio beach became a death trap. With winter beating down; the Allies held on; pushing more men; guns; and armor into the stalemate; though their men were still sorely outnumbered. After five months of fighting; and monumental casualties on both sides; the Allies were able to successfully crack the German line; capturing Rome on June 4; just two days before D-Day.
#137283 in Books 1984-09-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.16 x 1.39 x 5.88l; 1.54 #File Name: 0870234587448 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent addition to the understanding of John Brown; the fight to end slavery and the currents of the US from 1820-1860.By Glenn D. RobinsonInteresting bio on John Brown; perhaps the igniter of the Civil War. This book goes into great depth about his network of supporters. He communicated; met with and received money from leaders all across the North with a big concentration in Boston and Cleveland. According to this take; he has been planning this raid for at least 10 years and many in leadership were aware of it. It is interesting that once it took place; politicians on both sides were being blamed and were blaming others. Those in leadership scrambled to deny any knowledge while those in the arts were shouting out that this was a great thing and that Brown was a great leader.Brown sought out key leaders across the board in the North. Frederick Douglass and John Brown were very close and Douglass came down to Chambersburg before the raid to advise against proceeding. After the raid; Douglass went to Canada and Europe. Brown also consulted with Ms. Tubman for advice on transporting freed slaves and to get an idea of the landscape. It is clear he really did not listen as he went to a spot in Virginia were there were few plantations and chose a day were the field slaves and house servants were given their time off to leave and come back Monday morning (something he did not think was possible.Well written with insights into the national and local leaders; their views; their actions and their attempts to end slavery (or support) from the 1820's to 1860.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. To the pointBy Rich AnkerholzExcellent book about John Brown for those who want to gain further insight to the man; his life; and his thought process without being bogged down with too much information. An excellent resource.3 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Seminal Work on John Brown of Kansas and Harpers FerryBy Kyle F. McgroganI cannot recommend too highly this 1971 work by Stephen B. Oates on John Brown's life and times; it is one of the most balanced and readable biographies of a man who has had over 70+ works written on him since his death in 1859. Brown is; and was; a difficult man to handle by any standard morality context; but he was willing to do what others only spoke about guardedly; and that was to take on the grave evil that existed in this land under the cognomen of "Slavery". We are still wrestling wioth its ill effects 150 years later; and no where more so then here in the South; it is the skeleton in too many closets. The 16th of October will be the 150th of Brown's Raid on the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry; (W)Va; and I recommend that if you can get there for the event; your eyes will be opened. Get a copy of this book and read it; you will be enlightened.
