The Battle of the Bulge: The Photographic History of an American Triumph
Army Magazine“Military historian and author John R. Bruning wanted to tell the story of this battle ‘through the photographs taken by brave and dedicated combat cameramen,’ and he does so inThe Battle of the Bulge. The text is accompanied by more than 400 photographs, some never before published. The majority of them are black and white, with a few color photographs interspersed. They portray not only American troops, but Germans as well, with snowy forest expanses and decimated urban ruins serving as backdrops. Some photos were taken in the heat of battle; others in the sad aftermath….Along with the photographs, Bruning provides a detailed account of the battle, beginning with background discussion of the race to the Seigfried Line and analysis of Hitler’s plan. He then gives a detailed play-by-play of the action—the moves and countermoves on various sections of the battlefield….The images inThe Battle of the Bulgeconvey with stark honesty the brutality of war, along with the fraternity and solidarity it inspires. Sixty-five years after the largest land battle in U.S. Army history, those American soldiers who ‘played a vital role in defeating the Third Reich’s last offensive and turned it into a death spasm instead of a victory march’ still stand as the ‘ultimate symbol of who Americans are as a nation and a people.’”The Free Lance-Star“The body of work dealing with the 1944-45 Battle of the Bulge is extensive, yet in his photographic history, John R. Bruning adds to it by providing further understanding of its importance and, more impressively, what participants went through. The 300-page book is made up of several hundred photographs, many of which have never been published. These photos draw you into the world of the soldiers. Frigid conditions, exhaustion, victory, defeat and death are all conveyed through the lenses of combat photographers from both sides of the battle….In addition to being an excellent addition to any military history buff's collection, this book will serve as a reminder of the overwhelming hardships faced by American soldiers one cold and dangerous winter 65 years ago.”