Annotation
The dramatic final volume in Ryan's superb World War II trilogy focuses on the battle for Arnhem. Ryan draws from a vast cast of characters--from Dutch civilians to British and American strategists to common soldiers and commanders--to bring to life this daring military operation. Photos.
From the Publisher
In A BRIDGE TOO FAR the subject is Arnhem, the greatest airborne operation of WW II, the masterstroke by which Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery proposed to end the war. His plan: drop the combined airborne forces of the American and British armies behind German lines, capture the crucial bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem and send an immense army on the run into Germany.
But the brilliant plan went wrong and this daring operation ended in bitter defeat for the Allies -- a defeat with twice the casualities of D-Day.
"Tremendous! I know of no work in the literature of WW II as moving, as awesome and as accurate in its portrayal of human courage." --George M. Gavin
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Marking the 50th anniversary of events leading up to the end of WWII are these two reissued historical works from the late war correspondent, author of The Longest Day. (May)
Library Journal
Published in 1974 and 1966, respectively, these comprise the second and third legs of Ryan's World War II trilogy begun with 1959's The Longest Day (Classic Returns, 4/15/94). Bridge examines the Allies' failed plan to open a venue into Germany, while The Last Battle profiles the growing tensions among the ranks of both the Allied and the Axis powers toward the conclusion of the European war. LJ's reviewers praised Ryan, finding his analysis "exciting and fast paced" (LJ 8/74) and "the tensions of the period are there on each page" (LJ 3/1/66).
The dramatic final volume in Ryan's superb World War II trilogy focuses on the battle for Arnhem. Ryan draws from a vast cast of characters--from Dutch civilians to British and American strategists to common soldiers and commanders--to bring to life this daring military operation. Photos.
From the Publisher
In A BRIDGE TOO FAR the subject is Arnhem, the greatest airborne operation of WW II, the masterstroke by which Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery proposed to end the war. His plan: drop the combined airborne forces of the American and British armies behind German lines, capture the crucial bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem and send an immense army on the run into Germany.
But the brilliant plan went wrong and this daring operation ended in bitter defeat for the Allies -- a defeat with twice the casualities of D-Day.
"Tremendous! I know of no work in the literature of WW II as moving, as awesome and as accurate in its portrayal of human courage." --George M. Gavin
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Marking the 50th anniversary of events leading up to the end of WWII are these two reissued historical works from the late war correspondent, author of The Longest Day. (May)
Library Journal
Published in 1974 and 1966, respectively, these comprise the second and third legs of Ryan's World War II trilogy begun with 1959's The Longest Day (Classic Returns, 4/15/94). Bridge examines the Allies' failed plan to open a venue into Germany, while The Last Battle profiles the growing tensions among the ranks of both the Allied and the Axis powers toward the conclusion of the European war. LJ's reviewers praised Ryan, finding his analysis "exciting and fast paced" (LJ 8/74) and "the tensions of the period are there on each page" (LJ 3/1/66).
Another classic WWII Book. This book is a powerful and well documented account of Operation Marker Garden. Mr. Ryan gives a vivid desciption and analysis of why Monty's ambitious plan failed. He covers both sides of the story (Allies and Axis) at such great lengths that you almost feel as if you are right in the middle of the action yourself. The most compelling part of Mr. Ryan's book is his perspective of this disaster from the individual soldier level, both officer and enlisted. The drama that resulted from this operation, especially in Arnhem, will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens in the end. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who has read Mr. Ryan's other books (The Longest Day, The Last Battle), or has an interest in WWII, and airborne operations. The movie that was made based on this book is also a classic.
