The Dead and Those About to Die

D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach

By: John C. McManus

Narrated by: Don Hagen

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

“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!!!!

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.

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!

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.

Hated the reader

This is the first book (in all my years of listening to Audible), that I disliked the announcer so much that I stopped listening in 10 minutes. I then downloaded the print version to finish. I thought his read was bland and uninspired. This heroic story deserved a voice that was into the subject and not just a page reader. Also the tone of his voice sounded to me condescending and arrogant. If this was a college class I would have dropped it.

Strapped in a crash test car and fired at a wall

This isn't like listening to a novel. As things start you know that for a large number of the people it isn't going to end well. And yet you find yourself hopeful that maybe this one will survive or that calamity won't occur. But they do anyway. How could they not.

Still so sad for the people who lost everything that day. This book does a good job of putting a human face on the names on the tomb stones in the Normandy cemeteries.

I have nothing but respect for the men on the beach. How could anyone have anything else.

But the conclusion that it was a good plan that went astray is harder to respect. Lack of reconnaissance, poor intelligence briefing, worthless bombardment, landing people in the wrong place, USN being too timid to provide close in support, ridiculous loads, lack of medical evacuation. All these and more got so many people killed unnecessarily. But it is all done now.