Alamo in the Ardennes

At last, here is a book that tells the full story of the turning point in World War II's Battle of the Bulge-the story of five crucial days in which small groups of American soldiers, some outnumbered ten to one, slowed the German advance and allowed the Belgian town of Bastogne to be reinforced. Alamo in the Ardennes provides a compelling, day-by-day account of this pivotal moment in America's greatest war.

“* The 101st Airborne's legendary defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge hinged on small groups of outnumbered American soldiers slowing the German advance, argues McManus in this spirited account of December 1620, 1944, before the 101st arrived. By that time, Hitler knew that stopping the Russians was hopeless, but gambled that a crushing blow to the Allies might win a negotiated peace. His plan pivoted on the capture of Bastogne in two days, with German forces moving in fast before their advantage of surprise and local superiority in forces evaporated. Hitler believed American forces would crumble at the massive onslaught-and many units did flee or surrender. But McManus ( The Americans at D-Day ) makes an excellent case that victory came down to a dozen units battling against overwhelming odds until, after four days of brutal attrition, the remnants straggled into Bastogne to join the newly arrived 101st. Like all good niche military history, the book describes small unit actions in detail. Soldiers who ran away left few records, so almost everyone here fights bravely. By focusing on a less familiar period, McManus makes a modest but original contribution to the vast WWII literature. 20 b&w photos. (Mar.) ( Publishers Weekly , January 1, 2007)”

"...makes an excellent case...but original contribution to the vast WWII literature." (Publishers Weekly, January 1, 2007)

JOHN C. MCMANUS is the author of several books on World War II.He is a professor of military history at the University of Missouri-Rolla and a member of the editorial board at WWII magazine.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR ALAMO IN THE ARDENNES"A comprehensive and vivid account of the heroic defense of Bastogne, the linchpin in the Battle of the Bulge. With a scholar's precision and a writer's keen eye for the telling detail, John C. McManus has taken a great old story and made it new again." -Rick Atkinson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning An Army at Dawn and the bestselling In the Company of Soldiers"McManus's absorbing and forthright narrative will hopefully dispel several myths, namely that Bastogne was the decisive engagement of the Battle of the Bulge, and give long-overdue credit to the many brave Americans, some of them still alive today, who made victory possible in America's greatest-ever battle. You can't ask for more. Bravo!" -Alex Kershaw, author of The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon and The Few: The American "Knights of the Air" Who Risked Everything to Fight in the Battle of Britain"I have read hundreds of books about men in battle but seldom have I seen one that comes close to the intensity that John McManus achieves in Alamo in the Ardennes. To anunparalleled degree, his amazing research has enabled him to get inside the minds and hearts of dozens of soldiers, from generals to privates. This is a book that will become one of the classics of the literature of World War II combat." -Thomas Fleming, author of The New Dealers' War: FDR and the War within World War II

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR ALAMO IN THE ARDENNES "A comprehensive and vivid account of the heroic defense of Bastogne, the linchpin in the Battle of the Bulge. With a scholar's precision and a writer's keen eye for the telling detail, John C. McManus has taken a great old story and made it new again." --Rick Atkinson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning An Army at Dawn and the bestselling In the Company of Soldiers "McManus's absorbing and forthright narrative will hopefully dispel several myths, namely that Bastogne was the decisive engagement of the Battle of the Bulge, and give long-overdue credit to the many brave Americans, some of them still alive today, who made victory possible in America's greatest-ever battle. You can't ask for more. Bravo!" --Alex Kershaw, author of The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon and The Few: The American "Knights of the Air" Who Risked Everything to Fight in the Battle of Britain "I have read hundreds of books about men in battle but seldom have I seen one that comes close to the intensity that John McManus achieves in Alamo in the Ardennes. To anunparalleled degree, his amazing research has enabled him to get inside the minds and hearts of dozens of soldiers, from generals to privates. This is a book that will become one of the classics of the literature of World War II combat." --Thomas Fleming, author of The New Dealers' War: FDR and the War within World War II

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.