By Bob Tedder (photo by Robert Capa) • There have been many books, monographs and commentaries on the Allied invasion of Europe during World War II. For those desiring a basic introduction to these events there is no better starting point than Bruce Bliven Jr.’s “The Story of D-Day June 6, 1944.” The author’s credentials are impeccable and the genesis of this particular volume is a compelling story.
Bliven, a Harvard graduate, was a prolific writer for The New Yorker magazine and renowned New York historian. Prior to those accomplishments he was a field artillery lieutenant who participated in the invasion of Europe. This particular book, one of Random House Publishing’s Landmark series of American history books for young people, was written by his own admission for children so he could “find out what happened there.” The result, for the neophyte, is an astonishingly lucid introduction to the campaign which also serves as an enjoyable refresher for those far more familiar with the event.
The book is laced with period photographs ranging from key personalities to the now-famous 11 surviving images (including the one above) shot by Robert Capa on Omaha Beach. Unlike many historical accounts these photographs are not lumped together but are appropriately placed throughout the narrative. Well researched and better told, Bliven does indeed satisfy his requirement of finding out what happened there. Nowhere in the book does he state he participated in the battle. However, an extended account of the 111th Field Artillery Battalion’s activities, when coupled with external knowledge of his participation, allows the reader to surmise Bliven’s part in this epic event. Whether you are a young reader with an interest in history or a seasoned veteran of the genre, Bliven’s account, now available at the Speckled Paw, should be given the attention it truly deserves.