An Army at Dawn: The First Step to Liberation by Rick Atkinson (2012)

Multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Rick Atkinson, presents "An Army at Dawn: The First Step to Liberation" at the 2012 International Conference on WWII, presented by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. www.ww2conference.com
Rick Atkinson recently completed The Guns at Last Light: The War in Europe, 1944-1945, the final volume of his Liberation Trilogy, a narrative history of the U.S. military's role in the liberation of Europe in World War II. The first volume, An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943, received the Pulitzer Prize and was acclaimed by the Wall Street Journal as "the best World War II battle narrative since Cornelius Ryan's classics, The Longest Day and A Bridge Too Far." The second volume, The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944, drew praise from the New York Times as "a triumph of narrative history, elegantly written...and rooted in the sight and sounds of battle."

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

This guy is counted among the few researchers who both speaks well and writes even better. He is a real treasure.

[@steveperry6492]

Rick is a regular speaker at the International WW2 Conference and never fails to deliver. His trilogy on the ETO is great.

[@ppj0241]

This series of books is the best ever written. I love his writing style and the anecdotes he supplies. He's even a better speaker! Thank you, NWW2M, from one of your loyal minions!

[@TheWarriorprincess09]

I agree totally on both counts!

[@lawrencemyers3623]

His writings remind me of Bruce Catton's works on the Army of the Potomac, though Atkinson's offer more detail.

[@mottipier]

Ho letto due volte, a distanza di 5 anni la prima dalla seconda, un esercito all alba questo libro. È ben documentato e ben scritto. Frequenti punti leggeri e pieni di curiosità amene. Un resto equilibrato, senza troppi particolari tecnici ma arioso e interessante. La lettura ha preso una dozzina di sere che sicuramente sono spese bene. Mr atkinson i thank you so much

[@jaypoole8056]

Have to say, I'm shocked that I found out reading bits and pieces of An Army at Dawn, that Rick Atkinson is an American. I was certain from his writing style (that doesn't shy from using words long-since absent in most correspondence today) that he was an Englishman. I'm glad he's a younger historian...he's a real American treasure!

[@windyhillbomber]

In his 70s now

[@mattemge31]

This book was fantastic.

[@garthcameronauthor5600]

A+ for the book and the lecture. The wrecked USAAF fighter is not a P38 Lightning. It is probably a P39 Airacobra

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Almost the same thing, easily confused, but you make a good point.

[@thevillaaston7811]

Atkinson is wrong. Britain opposed ROUNDUP because the allies had too few troops and landing craft, not because of any lack of experience of the US troops.

[@bubiruski8067]

Not a single person - not a single building. Nice mistake !

[@terrysmith9362]

Languid. GARBAGE

[@pacwest1000]

What do you mean?

[@terrysmith9362]

@@pacwest1000 great speaking style but his history is plain Hollywood

[@MichaelSheffield-ox8yd]

​@@terrysmith9362 You prefer stuffy academic tomes? I think Mr Atkinson works through all that, then makes it interesting for people who like to read.