The Bedford Boys

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Bedford Boys is the astonishing true story of 21 young men who were killed during the first horrifying minutes of D-Day and the friends and families they left behind in the small town of Bedford. Twenty-one sons killed - no other town in America suffered a greater loss in one day. It is an unforgettable story of triumph, courage, and tragedy based on extensive interviews with survivors and relatives as well as diaries and letters.

Alex Kershaw's remarkable book brings to vivid, heartbreaking life the hitherto untold story of one small American town, their sons, and the brutal, bloody war that deprived them of their futures.

©2003 Alex Kershaw (P)2008 BBC Audio

gripping narrative of a community sacrifice

The story of the first wave of D-Day and how it affected the small town of Bedford, Virginia. The community lost 21 young men in the invasion for it's nationalized National Guard unit was chosen to spear head the greatest invasion in history. One community's sacrifice and the men who made it. The story is well told and you can feel the anguish of those involved.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

excellent

Takes you to the front line - the description of the D-Day landing is totally engaging and leaves you in no doubt as to the true despair and horror of that place as well as the courage and spirit of the men who fought and died there

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

What a story

This book is well written. It was a very enjoyable listen. After reading about this event in history we bought the book and listed on our way to Bedford VA for the DDay memorial.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it! A wonderful read or listen.

Any additional comments?

So glad I found out about the true story and sacrifice of these "boys". Very well written and narrated.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Kershaw’s WWII Stories are the Best!

Each of Kershaw’s stories are fantastic, absolutely the best out there. Among his works, this is my least favorite, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great...it means his books are all great and in choosing between his stories, choose others first. Great facts in this book, but it’s always the way he conveys the emotions of the people in his books that make them great. Other authors, eg Ambrose, convey the details as if you’re in a history class. Kershaw puts you in touch with the soldiers and their families. Of all his WWII books, the narrator of this one isn’t as good as the others. Only knock on the content is that it’s hard to keep track of which Bedford Boy is which when there’s over 20 of them. Very glad the story and emotions of the townspeople back in Bedford while their sons/friends/husbands were away was conveyed so thoroughly. I hope the descendants of Bedford enjoyed Kershaw’s memorialization of the incredible sacrifices of the Bedford Boys.

Moving

Those young men represented the greatest generation. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten. God bless the Bedford Boys.

Too Many Names

I spent the first half of the book worrying whether I would be able to remember the names. Second half of the book I realized I would never remember all the names and enjoyed it more. It is an amazing story!

It doesn't dig deep enough.

I loved this book for what was there but was disappointed that it didn't dig deeper. I really wanted more about the families of these men. I wanted to know more about how they dealt with the time their sons and husbands were at war and how they coped with the loss. I wanted to know more about the town itself and how it addressed the loss of so many. There must have been memorials. There must have been an unusual number of marriageable women who found husbands outside of the town. There must have been an upsurge in poverty, welfare, and the town must have been struggling to cope. I also wish there had been more about the few men who survived and how their lives went post-war. So, although the words that are on the page are hard-hitting and well-written; although I enjoyed every moment I cannot give more than 3 stars as I want more.

William Dufris narrates it well. I felt like I was listening to the author which alone makes it above average. However twice I found myself wishing that Edward Hermann had read it instead so I cannot give him 5 stars either.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I hope the author donates his interview tapes

What disappointed you about The Bedford Boys?

great material but poorly written. No analysis. Like reading a tabloid newspaper.Hopefully the interview material can be donated to other writer who could do a better job.

1 of 4 people found this review helpful

Sacrifice

Tells in gory detail and heartbreaking reference to the horror of war both at the front and at home where worry and lack of knowledge kindle burning fear. Future generations need to know about our mistakes to let them learn how we had to give up so many lives to achieve the peace that we all want. Todays political leaders should be made to read this.