Normandy to Victory: The War Diary of General Courtney H. Hodges and the First U.S. Army (American Warriors Series)
"Winner of the 2009 Distinguished Writing Award from the Army Historical Foundation." --"Named a 2009 Choice Outstanding Academic Title." --""Normandy to Victory is an essential source for anyone examining the story of the U.S. Army in Northwest Europe in 1944 and 1945. From D-Day through the pursuit across France and the Battle of the Bulge to the bridge at Remagen, this diary shows the inner workings of the only American field army headquarters present for the entire campaign."--David W. Hogan, Jr., author of A Command Post at War: First Army Headquarters in Europe, 1943-1945" --""Normandy to Victory" is a fascinating book, filled with detail and immensely useful to anyone trying to understand the Allied campaign in Northern Europe during World War II. John T. Greenwood has done an excellent job of editing the diary as well as the terms, military equipment and obscure references that the general reader might not understand." --J. W. Thacker, Bowling Green Daily News" --""…Greenwood…has meticulously annotated and documented the diary, enabling readers to gain important insights into both the war and Hodges command style and leadership. Long needed, this is a vitally important work for understanding the war in the West in 1944-45." --R.P. Hallion, Choice" --""John T. Greenwood has done an excellent job editing Hodges's headquarters diary. Normandy to Victory is a significant resource for understanding how an American army fought in northwest Europe, and it is an important contribution to the published literature of the Second World War." --The Journal of America's Military Past" --""First and foremost a terrific book that provides new insight into the relatively overlooked 1st Army and the significant role played by its commander, General Hodges." --Parameters" --""Courtney Hodges is among the least known, yet most important, American generals of World War II... During the war, two of the general's aides, Major William Sylvan and Captain Francis Smith, kept a detailed diary recording the everyday decisions, activities, and experiences of Hodges and his First Army staff... John Greenwood... took it upon himself to transcribe and edit that diary for publication. The result is this handsome, and useful, volume that historians will value for its convenient access to the inner workings of Hodges and his First Army staff." -- Global War Studies" --"Provides a rich personal account of events, people, and places as told by an observer at the center of the action...This memoir is a significant contribution to our understanding of a legendary American soldier and the historic events in which he participated." -- McCormick Messenger