Nothing but Courage

Praise for Nothing But Courage:“James Donovan’s Nothing But Courage is a riveting, brilliantly-researched account of one of the most overlooked yet heroic actions of WWII—the battle for La Fiere after the Allies landed in Normandy. With great skill, Donovan brings the actions of the ‘All American’ paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne to dramatic life. This is a wonderful and important addition to the literature of D Day.” —Alex Kershaw, author of Patton’s Prayer and Against All Odds“James Donovan shines a long overdue spotlight on the crucial role played by the 82nd Airborne Division in the Normandy invasion and afterward. Led by Matthew Ridgway and James Gavin, two of the most outstanding commanders in American military history, the All Americans inflicted irreplaceable damage upon many German formations in Normandy and made a major contribution to a momentous Allied victory.” — John C. McManus, Ph.D., author of The Americans at D-Day, The Americans at Normandy and The Dead and Those About to Die.“I loved this book. James Donovan’s 360-degree, first-hand accounts from all sides—American, German, and French—and from all echelons, from general and field marshal to paratroopers and soldiers, bring this incredible story to life in a unique and powerful way. A must read to fully understand the courage and accomplishments of the 82nd Airborne in Normandy.” —General (ret.) John W. Nicholson, Jr., former 82nd Airborne commander“The invasion of Normandy is a dauntingly complex event, a shoal where many historians have wrecked. But I am pleased to report that James Donovan has navigated it brilliantly. He has accomplished the two most difficult challenges in writing about D-Day: he has made it both clear and fun to read.” — S.C. Gwynne, author of Empire of the Summer Moon, Rebel Yell, and Hymns of the Republic“I was there, fighting the Germans in Normandy, and I participated in the charge across the La Fiere bridge. This book brought it all back. It’s a great account of the 82nd Airborne’s D-Day mission. I’m proud to have been a part of it.” —S/Sgt. (retired) Bud Olson“His book [Nothing But Courage] is filled, end to end, with incredibly researched depictions of valor by the paratroopers and glider-men of the 82nd Airborne Division. It is very evident… that [Donovan] religiously assumed a writer’s noble responsibility to tell this story accurately and honestly, in order to properly honor to the men who bravely fought, and especially those that died, during the fierce individual battles he so vividly describes.” —Major General Jack Leide, USA (Ret), The Cipher Brief“Meticulously researched and comprehensive.” —World War II Magazine“A straight-shooting account…plunges readers into the thick of battle.” —Publishers Weekly

James Donovan is the author of Shoot for the Moon, A Terrible Glory, The Blood of Heroes, and several other books. Nothing but Courage is his stirring saga of American heroism, sacrifice, and triumph during one of the greatest—and lesser known—stories of World War II. James has been a literary agent since 1993 and lives in Dallas.