 "A Bridge Too Far is very well documented" | 2008-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3GFVRVIJLB3ID |
| the book is another example of Cornelius Ryan's superb research. A good read, too. |
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| "Why Is This Out of Print?" | 2008-06-16 |
| - Reviewed By toddincharge |
One of the best-written WWII accounts of war, focusing on a disastrous Allied military operation near the end of WWII, I am absolutely flummoxed as to why this classic is now out of print. With millions sold, did no publisher think this great book might continue to generate interest?
As many here have already noted, this book is a must-read. Pick it up from a online seller or go to your local used bookstore, but don't miss this fine dissection of a huge strategic misfire. |
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 "Excellent Introduction in this Important part of WW2 History" | 2007-12-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A393IHHU219MZT |
| I can't say it much better than the previous reviews have already. I wanted to read something on this subject and was led to this book. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the topic. Broad in scope yet detailed in its descriptions of the soldiers, units, and battles in this massive offensive. This is an excellent jumping off point to begin studying the Battle of Arnhem. Well written and exciting to discover. |
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| "Should be in the library of every military history buff" | 2007-06-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1IE6VWY0U0VNT |
A Bridge Too Far: The Classic History of the Greatest Battle of World War II by Cornelius Ryan gives one of the best accounts of General Montgomery's ill-fated plan and operation to turn the German northern flank on the Western front during September 1944 of World War II. Montgomery hoped to push into the heart of industrial Germany. It was his plan for personal glory to end the war in 1944.
This narrative non-fiction work by Cornelius Ryan brings together the objectivity and insights of a historian with the narrative style of a novelist. Ryan brings historical events to life in a style like Stephen Ambrose. Ryan's writings keep your interest. He gives the experiences of the individual soldiers and Dutch resistance members. He tells the story from all sides. The roles and effects of these operations on the civilians unfortunate enough to be caught up in events are included. I was shocked to learn of the horrific communication issues among the British. I felt Ryan was placing blame for those problems at the feet of the Americans. From reading Ryan's work I found a dramatic lack of urgency on the part of the British. An example is after the 82nd had secured their main bridge objective which included tremendous sacrifice the British simply camped for the night brewing their tea while their fellow countryman were still encircled and dying in Arhen. I was disappointed that Montgomery was not slammed for this operation. From the account Montgomery is lucky he wasn't relieved of command or sacked on the spot.
I recommend the book, though at times I found the reading and story too slowly unfolding. It is one of the all time classics of World War II and should be in the library of every military history buff. |
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| "classic literature" | 2007-06-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YXHN23F69VGY |
| excellent book. i remember seeing the movie when it first came out and it blew me away. this book remains my favorite all-time military choice. if you can get your hands on the paperback, i suggest it. the paperback has more detail, but this book is truly remarkable even if it has been condensed a bit. cornelius ryan was a fantastic author. this book tells about a military campaign that is usually overlooked due to d-day and the battle of the bulge. i think this military campaign needs to be remembered due to the heroism of the men involved and cornelius ryan brings out that heroism as if you are actually seeing the battle unfold. great military literature. |
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| "A Most Moving Account of Monty's Market-Garden" | 2007-03-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2VHR6ACVNG7ZH |
A Bridge Too Far is one of the best accounts of Operation Market Garden. Ryan's writing style - a third person narration cycling from such major figures of the whole operation as Major General Roy Urquhart of the Red Devils and Lieutenant General Wilhelm Bittrich of the II SS Panzer Corps to the NCO's and officers that fought out the various skirmishes succeeds in presenting an unbiased account of the proceedings. Through Ryan's lucid, unexaggerated words, the reader will find himself/herself transported to the various scenes the author has chosen to portray and will personally experience the courage and resolve of the Airborne Units as well as the frustration the Germans no doubt felt at their inability to crush their outnumbered enemies.
The detail that Ryan so meticulously works in to the book outlines the situation for the Allies just before the conceiving of Operation Market Garden, the planning that went into it, the actual events that shaped its outcome, and finally the ending of what was to be the greatest Allied defeat on the Western Front. The scope that Ryan was able to incorporate in this book - with personal accounts of Germans, Britons, Americans and Dutch given, is in my opinion, his greatest achievement.
Conclusion- this book being one of the first accurate accounts of Market-Garden in that it gave readers in the victorious countries of the UK and the US the first proper account of the magnitude of its failure, is a great read for anyone who is interested in learning more of the events on the Western Front of World War Two, or simply searching for a good book that gives proper credance to the events of history, and to the bravery of the men who so gallantly shaped it. |
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| "A Masterwork" | 2007-01-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1FOXOTY524JOA |
| One of the best, perhaps THE best, accounts of the ultimately ill-fated attempt by the Allies to turn the German northern flank on the West Front during WWII and press into the heart of industrial Germany to end the war in 1944. Cornelius Ryan melds the objectivity and insights of a historian with the dramatic flair of a novelist to bring historical events to life. This work, like the others in his WWII trilogy that includes The Longest Day (the 1944 Normandy invasion) and The Last Battle (the 1945 Soviet drive that captured Berlin and ended WWII in the West), is structured and paced much like a screenplay, a fact not lost on a Hollywood that turned the Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far into star-studded movie epics. But it lacks nothing in historical content. Ryan's writings seamlessly span the gamut of military operations in context of the period, from strategic through operational and tactical events, and to the variegated experiences of individual soldiers. He places equal weight in telling the story from all sides. The roles and effects of these operations on the civilians unfortunate enough to be caught up in events are also portrayed vividly. I recommend that anyone with even a passing interest of WWII, military strategy, the personalities that drove the war machines, or the human cost of war, should buy all three of Ryan's books and enjoy the ride, especially given their relatively low cost in paperback. |
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| "An all time classic" | 2006-08-30 |
| - Reviewed By gator12 |
Simply a classic of military history and worthy of being read not only once, but once in a while to remind ourselves how good history can be.
Ryan's style created the bench mark for the modern military history books and this one is no slouch in comparison to his other books. Arguably one of the finest history books on the topic of world war two. Certainly a must for anyone interested in Airborne operations in World War Two.
In-depth and insightful, the book is a treasure trove of information for the historian and casual reader alike. In addition to interviews and facts about the battle the documentation is extensive and will lead to many other interesting books on the topic.
If I were teaching a class I would strongly consider placing this work on mandatory reading list along with Ryan's classic work, "The Longest Day."
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| "Details - the devil is in the details" | 2006-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By timandjuliecan |
I finally read this book and my impressions are those of one who has seen the movie many times and yet I was very, very impressed by both the scope and the detail of the book. The fact of its longevity is only matched by the near absence if critcal complaint making this volume both unique and definative.
While the details did drag down the narrative at times I never really minded although I sure there are readers who would. The maps were very good for paperback black and white creations and the photo sections were invaluable in getting a feel for the men behind the names we all know.
The book did some things the movie falled to convey well. Namely it did an excellent job of letting the reader visualize the siege of the British both as an observer so that you could capture the overview of the positions and then from the view of the man in the front-lines of this horrible urban warfare that raged for days- the majority of which was not fought at the bridge.
The book also surprised me not with how many men died or were captured, but in that the British managed to withdraw more than 2000 men from that hellhole.
Also mentioned are the reprisals from the Germans and the
terrible loss of life from the forced relocations.
Strangely for such a well researched book it leaves one with the impression that the ten days during the British seige were all that was involved. More a more complete picture I recommend Donald Burgett's books. He talks there about fighing for 72 days after being dropped with little to no support or resupply from Mongomery.
Overall an excellent book that any student of history or human interest will want to read and re-read.
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| "Good read but be warned" | 2006-05-13 |
| - Reviewed By wateronlotus |
I second the positives given to this book by other reviewers.
But be warned: This book does not read like a thriller and is more on the lines of an academic journal. The 'excitement', if that is the word to use, comes from the subject itself and definitely not from Ryan's prose. Two of my friends were in fact very disappointed by this book as they expected something on the lines of 'The eagle has landed'.
If you are looking for a WWII thriller for a breezy read on a flight, then pass this. On the other hand, if you want to read a meticulously detailed account of operation market garden and do not mind giving your undivided attention to tens of characters (while keeping track of scores of parallel incidents), then this is for you. |
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