Landing on the Edge of Eternity: Twenty-Four Hours at Omaha Beach

For someone who has studied WW2 from many angles and via many authors, this book ranks as "top shelf" to me. Very well done, researched, and presented. I highly recommend it.

Simply put if you or anyone you know is a WWII ETO history buff, this book is a winner! Kershaw tells this epic story from the American, German and French perspectives. Intertwining stories/observations from the cliffs and from the beach. Horrific but incredible attention to detail. Best so far I’ve read about Bloody Omaha!

Excellent collection of stories from individuals who fought at Omaha. Stories were put into context of the 1st day's strategy and tactics. I did not agree with the false accusations that Major Cleveland Lytle was a drunk and was removed for cause from the Rangers. Such ridicule were Army fabrications to hide their planning screw-ups. Lytle was justified in the ridicule of his command.

Harrowing tales of men landing at d-day,truly the greatest generation to ever grace this earth.Its hard to imagine landing at d-day and knowing the chances of getting killed by a German mg42 was extremely high.thank god for all those great men.

Keyshawn has written an excellent story of the first day at Normandy. I’ve always preferred the perspective of “boots on the ground” and this delivers a wide spectrum of stories from the soldiers of both sides as well as the civilians in the area. Highly recommend to anyone with an interest on this subject. We can’t do or say enough to recognize their sacrifices. Applicable to all participants of the storming and conquest of Fortress Europe, as the common quotation goes, “All gave some; some gave all”.

This is a gripping and somber story of the horror of the E Day landing. Now I know why my father in law never spoke of it until he watched Saving Private Ryan with our son. His only comment them was that they captured the confusion of the landing perfectly. He won 2 purple hearts and a bronze star. He lost his leg in Belgium.

Just a damned good read of one of the most important historical events in the history of the United States. I highly endorse it!!

Before the war, Normandy was an area dotted with small villages. But by 1944, German General Erwin Rommel had transformed the beaches into a fortress; an Atlantic wall bristling with guns of all sizes as well as numerous obstacles and mines. Omaha Beach thus became a heavily-defended area loaded with criss-crossing arcs of fire and many reinforced strong points. In the early hours of June 6th, 1944, the Americans landing there for the invasion of Europe would find out just how effective these German defenses were.Robert Kershaw describes this monumental day from both the American and German perspective. Readers get a glimpse of the German defenders staring at the huge armada of American ships, while the young American boys climb down ropes into their Higgins boats and, battling seasickness and enemy fire, head toward the far away beach.The men in the first wave were referred to as the "suicide squads" due to the fact that they were the first to land. Indeed, these men faced well over 90% casualties. General Omar Bradley had to decide whether to continue or evacuate. The men kept coming, however, and finally, a beachhead was established.This book is a fine testimonial to that harrowing day. Countless tales of heroism and bravery are described, and as each hour passed, the Americans slowly grew stronger. I recommend this book very highly. It contains much good information on that fateful day in June, 1944.