The Dead and Those About to Die

D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach

De: John C. McManus

Narrado por: Don Hagen

A white-knuckle account of the First Infantry Division’s harrowing D-Day assault on the eastern sector of Omaha Beach - acclaimed historian John C. McManus has written a gripping history that will stand as the last word on this titanic battle. Nicknamed the Big Red One, First Division had fought from North Africa to Sicily, earning a reputation as stalwart warriors on the front lines and rabble-rousers in the rear. Yet on D-Day, these jaded combat veterans melded with fresh-faced replacements to accomplish one of the most challenging and deadly missions ever. As the men hit the beach, their equipment destroyed or washed away, soldiers cut down by the dozens, courageous heroes emerged: men such as Sergeant Raymond Strojny, who grabbed a bazooka and engaged in a death duel with a fortified German antitank gun; T/5 Joe Pinder, a former minor-league pitcher who braved enemy fire to save a vital radio; Lieutenant John Spalding, a former sportswriter, and Sergeant Phil Streczyk, a truck driver, who together demolished a German strong point overlooking Easy Red, where hundreds of Americans had landed.

Along the way, McManus explores the Gap Assault Team engineers who dealt with the extensive mines and obstacles, suffering nearly a 50 percent casualty rate; highlights officers such as Brigadier General Willard Wyman and Colonel George Taylor, who led the way to victory; and punctures scores of myths surrounding this long-misunderstood battle.

The Dead and Those about to Die draws on a rich array of new or recently unearthed sources, including interviews with veterans. The result is history at its finest, the unforgettable story of the Big Red One’s 19 hours of hell - and their ultimate triumph - on June 6, 1944.

©2014 John C. McManus (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Magnificent! I could not put this book down. John McManus has expanded our knowledge of D-Day history by a considerable factor. It is a great read and will appeal to both devoted students of World War II as well as those with a more casual interest. Don't miss it!” (Joseph Balkoski, author of Omaha Beach and Utah Beach)

Good story terribly narrated.

Struggled to understand details important to the overall story because of lackadaisical narration. If you could possibly make the riveting story of DDay seem dry and bland then perhaps a congratulations is in order because that's exactly what this narrator does. Professional content deserves more than a nice voice.

Outstanding

A tremendous book on the Normandy invasion on June 6th. A must read for anyone interested in the horror that took place on Omaha Beach.

not for me

did not enjoy this book because I am not big on listening to statistics find it boring. please remove this from listen list!!!!

Incredible

What an incredibly factual and sad story to listen to about a very important event in history. The author did a great job of describing events and people. I felt that the author did a great job honoring the real life people that were there on D-Day.

Great Human Perspective

Dozens of personal stories bring the event to life. Narration and production are so-so.

Don needs to take a nap. sounds uninterested

good book. I listen and dead a lot of books on WWII and D Day.
narrated Byron Hagen. He sounds uninterested. I had to turn it off several times since I listen to book as I make long drives to and from the cabin. thought I would fall asleep.
otherwise it was a great book. next time I'll listen to him as I lay in bed trying to sleep. sorry Don.

Extreme detail

Extreme attention to thought full detail. If possible to much. Many of the chapters in stories almost seem to be repeating themselves over and over. Many times I had to re-check to make sure my device hadn’t gone back and started over. Good book for an already historian of this event who wants some of the extra detail. Not good for someone that does not have previous knowledge of this battle.

Not a surprise ending but a good story

well done. military Buffs will enjoy this deep dive. individual stories of soldiers and their leaders.

This story encapsulated the nightmares of D-day!

The novel helped to envision the thoughts hopes and struggles of American Heroes on the toughest day a World War II! Even as a current Soldier it's hard to Envision the terror these brave men faced yet show the intestinal fortitude to accomplish the mission on behalf of our nation!

Detailed Account of D-Day

John C. McManus gives the reader an in depth account of what occurred on D-Day on the eastern sector of Omaha Beach. This was where the First Infantry Division had been commanded to attack. The men who had engaged in many battles for the past year felt that they should have been allowed to go home. However, the brass had a different idea. Their division was known to get the job done, Therefore, they sent the First.

The invasion was harrowing, to say the very least. Men were shot dead in the water, which continued to get deeper. The packs the men carried made it almost impossible to tread through the deep water, let alone trudge up the sandy beach.

The beach was inundated with bombs that continued to explode, taking the soldiers with them. Those that made it to the beach had to find cover so as not to be killed or wounded. However, there was hardly any cover to be found. Trenches were dug, cliffs were found but nothing would keep the German's from firing.

The First Infantry Division were not cowards and the medals that some won and the death of too many proved that this was so.

The book was researched in depth. The author used names of the men that were too many to remember. He bared wide open the description of how the men struggled. What happened to the men when the bombs exploded beneath them. All of the gory details were in the words spoken by the narrator, Dan Hagen. He did a very good job. The character's that spoke left no idea of who it was because their sentences were short but their fighting was not.

I found this book provided me with the best description of what occurred on Omaha Beach on D-Day. The men faded into the darkness, both American and German. Tomorrow would come with the sun. Some men slept, yet other's laid awake. Both sides patrolled throughout the night.

The words, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, were not used, instead the words, Battle Fatigue. The words were and are one and the same.

Purchase, The Dead and Those About to Die, and you will be sure to listen and know just what Omaha Beach was then and remembered now and forever. The hallowed ground where American's fought and died to preserve world peace will maintain its memories forever, never to be forgotten.