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Like myself prior to reading Denny’s book, I know what most folks will probably be thinking: “What more is there to know? I’ve seen Saving Private Ryan; I’ve seen and read The Longest Day and Band of Brothers; and I’ve read D-Day, The First Wave, When the Sea Came Alive, etc., etc.” I can assure you, however, that there is a lot more to know, and Denny’s unique approach to the subject provides an account that is both fresh in its telling and gripping in its realism.
First, the question of uniqueness: Instead of taking the traditional 25,000-foot aerial view of the battle and, then, bouncing from one disparate location to another (an approach that Denny describes as a “parallel” narrative), he takes a “linear” approach, which follows individual soldiers and small units from their points of disembarkation through achievement of their respective D-Day objectives. In essence, he brings the reader “along for the ride,” which is always harrowing, but (spoiler alert!) ultimately successful. At the same time, however, he does not mince words over the patently obvious planning errors and occasionally timid execution of those plans that undoubtedly led to unnecessarily high casualties on the beach.
Yet, in large measure, it is these same errors that also make the acts of individual courage and initiative even more exceptional and inspiring. Again, Denny’s “linear” approach to storytelling succeeds in making each of the six accounts related in his book – from beginning to end – appear to be in “real time,” versus 80 years after-the-fact.
Finally, I'd also commend Denny’s conversational writing style. Admittedly, you won’t find Cornelius Ryan or Stephen Ambrose in these pages, but you will find what Denny describes as “telling war stories in a bar.” Please believe me when I say that it’s a bar you ought to visit! Bill Maywhort |
