CITIZEN SOLDIERS : The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany — June 7, 1944-May 7, 1945 by Stephen E. Ambrose

One sentence summary:

‘CITIZEN SOLDIERS’ by Stephen E. Ambrose is a riveting account of the U.S. Army’s role in defeating Nazi Germany during the final year of World War II, from the invasion of Normandy to the surrender of Germany.

Book Genre:

Book genre: Military history/non-fiction.

Main Topic:

Main topic of the book: The U.S. Army’s pivotal role in the final year of World War II, specifically from the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 7, 1944 to the German surrender on May 7, 1945.

Key Ideas:

• The bravery and sacrifices of the U.S. soldiers who fought on the front lines as they fought their way through Europe.
• The strategic decisions and actions of top military leaders, including Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton, that helped lead the Allies to victory.
• The harsh realities of war and the toll it takes on soldiers physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• The crucial role of logistics and supply lines in supporting and sustaining the troops on the battlefield.

Main Parts:

• Part I – D-Day and Beyond: Covers the preparations and execution of the D-Day invasion, as well as the subsequent battles in Normandy and the race to capture the key port city of Cherbourg.
• Part II – Breakout and Pursuit: Describes the intense fighting as the Allies broke through German defenses and rapidly advanced across France, facing obstacles such as the heavily fortified city of Saint-Lô and the fanatical resistance of German troops.
• Part III – The Push East and the Race to Germany: Chronicles the Allied push into Germany, including key battles such as the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Rhine River.
• Part IV – Into the Heart of Germany: Details the final stages of the war, from the capture of the city of Trier to the preparations for the German surrender.

Key Takeaways:

• The bravery, resilience, and determination of the American soldiers who fought in World War II.
• The crucial role of leadership and strategic decision-making in warfare.
• The significant impact of logistics and supply lines on the success of military campaigns.
• The devastating toll of war on soldiers and civilians alike.

Author’s Background and Qualifications:

• Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002) was an American historian and biographer, known for his extensive research and writing on U.S. military history.
• He was a professor at the University of New Orleans and the founder of the National D-Day Museum (now known as the National World War II Museum) in New Orleans.
• Ambrose was also a military consultant for the movie Saving Private Ryan, which was based on his book D-Day: June 6, 1944.
• He was a renowned author and historian, having written numerous books on various periods of American history, including several on World War II.

Target Audience:

• Target Audience: Military history enthusiasts, World War II buffs, readers interested in the personal stories of soldiers and the major events of the war, and anyone looking for a gripping and detailed account of the U.S. Army’s role in the final year of World War II.

Publisher and First Publication Date:

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster.
• First Publication Date: September 1, 1997.

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