The Normandy Battlefields: D-Day and the Bridgehead (Then & Now) Hardcover – Illustrated, March 19, 2014

There’s a lot here. The research looks to be impeccable—gratefully without the usual—look how wonderfully the Commonwealth troops performed while the poor Americans foundered. Getting harder and harder to find that as history is slowly rewritten.The passages are apparently backed by informative photographs. The problem is they scale poorly if you try to enlarge them, to even a small degree—no big shock for 70 year-old prints. And the captions get difficult to follow since they’re rarely on the same page as their photograph, but sometimes are—back & forth etc.However, since it’s electronic, you’re able to take screenshots of everything you’d like to see and then use it as a very handy guide—as I plan to during my 75th anniversary visit next year. Should be much easier than the books with notes I used for the 70th anniversary visit 5 years back.If this is your only source with no visit planned, definitely buy the hard copy.

I am a WW2 history buff and very much a visual learner. This book was like having a movie in my hands. It is laid out so nicely and the selection of maps & pictures was excellent. Especially enjoyed each "then" and "now" sequence. I am assuming a lot of the spectacular pictures came from a drone camera. I bought the book because I am planning a trip to Normandy and I am now more excited to go there. You can tell from the quality of pictures and the layout that this whole book was a labor of love. Really nice job. I bought a 2nd copy for a friend that shares my interest in WW2

My wife and I have been to several WWI and WWII battlefields and national cemetaries. This book has great photos and is an easy read. For those of you that have been to Normandy, it will vividly bring back your visit. For those who have not gone, this book will give you a decent overview of the invasion's successes and failures. It has a lot of information as well: Most Americans do not know that there were more British and Canadian troops in the invasion than American; that 80% of the ships that took part were British and that aside from Eisenhower, the four other top commanders under him including his top deputy and those commanding land, sea and air operations were all British. This book honors all who fought and died and survived during the invasion and is worthy of reading.

If you want a book with high quality photograph reproductions you should try another book.This is a book of maps, historical photos and recent photos of the D-Day sites. Most pages are 3/4 or more photo and map with the remaining portion of the page being caption. The captions and explanations are very good and add a lot of value. Many of the historical photographs are juxtaposed with a modern aerial photo of the same area. The maps and historical B/W photos are reproduced well here but the recent color images are dull and the aerial photos are sometimes poorly focused.The D-Day sites themselves are well worth a visit. Two years ago I visited the D-Day beaches and cemetery with a tour and on a blustery April day many French school kids and families were visiting the sites.

This book makes the D-Day battle sights come alive, at least in this readers opinion. We have all seen the black and white photos, and newsreels. But viewing these sights in color really brings them alive, color makes all the difference. It is still amazing that these brave men managed to establish a foothold, and drive inland in the face of determined german resistance. The germans knew that the cross channel invasionhad to come, they prepared for it , and it still suceeded, in spite of Rommel's best efforts. This book is well worth buying for anyone interested in WW2, it adds another dimension to this stirring story. JRV

Mostly a pictorial with maps and charts. Great pix, even on a FIre, but not designed for a black and white ereader. Something for the home library, especially for someone like me, whose dad was in Utah Beach.

I like "Then and Now" photographs and the effort the current photographer tries to shoot from the same point of view to compare spaces and time was lacking in this book which I find would have it easier to envision the changes of the battle fields terrain and landmarks. Perhaps this was not the intention of the author to present this form of photographic detail. On in all if you are a D-Day scholar and buff you will get enjoyment from adding this book in your collection..

In Kindle edition photos and explanations often on different pages. Photos lack resolution to read signs, even when the sign is the whole photo. Too many abbreviations are not explained. Frustrating and disappointing.

I've only browsed this at present, and it's certainly chock-full of pictures, both old and new (i.e. WWII and 'how it looks now'), plus maps and commentary. I got this because I'd like to travel these areas some time soon. I'm also currently reading Beevor's D-Day book, and I like to supplement such reading, where poss, with additional topographical insight. Certainly this looks promising on both fronts. But I'll just give it a temporary/cursory four-stars for now - as I do indeed 'like it' - with a view to maybe leaving a more detailed review at some future point, if/when we use it for a Normandy road trip.

A very engaging book which is mostly photographic in content, period photographs of the battle for Normandy beaches and contrasting present-day images.The photographs are clear sharp and well proportioned showing all aspects of the battle both Allied and German. The captions and supporting text are concise yet informative backed up by a good selection of maps and diagrams.The book is a good guide and whilst it gives a brief history and overview of the Allied and German moves both to defend and secure the bridgeheads on the invasion beaches.Each beach is looked at in terms of the events which took place, what was and what is today by way of structures, changes, and the monuments to those who fought there.Information is presented in a logical and thoughtful manner and in spite of the complex nature of the battles the book does not overwhelm but informs the reader, deeper histories are available from other authors and formats.This would be a good book to take to Normandy and it will interface well with more detailed works.Good value for money.

I think this is a very nice book indeed. I like playing boardgames like Avalon Hill's The Longest Day and GMT's The Battle for Normandy. In these games I use large maps depicting the Normandy terrain, but they're stylized maps only, where terrain features and towns are just marked on the map as a symbol. I hoped the book would bring a number of these features to live, and fortunately it did so splendidly.The book deals with the Normandy beaches individually from west to east. For each of them a number of important landmarks are shown as they were and as they are now. Key features are marked in these pictures and are enlarged, with captions added. Towns like Saint Mère Église, Carentan, Isigny, Bayeux and Caen are shown, but also the beach defenses get their share of attention. I like the formula used, where I got to see both the current situation and the way it was in 1944, and it's interesting to see what's left and what's changed.The story of the invasion is thus told using these pictures. I think this means the story is not the most detailed you'll find, but it is certainly illustrated in a unique way, and that means it is a very nice addition to my library. It certainly brings those symbolized features on my gaming maps to live, and for that I highly recommend it.

A very well researched book with some pictures of D Day that I have never seen before.The pictures of the beaches and bridges takenfrom the air are superb,and show in greater detail the task that the Allies had before them,on that day.Also the then and now picturesare really excellent,and in some cases the sites have not changed that much in 70 years!If you are a D Day addict like myself,this book is a must for you.Well done to Leo Marriot and Simon Forty for producing such a brilliant book!

Nice book for Americans! 90% of content and photos are about our American friends but very little about British and British Empire action, after 6 years of fighting very disapointing not to be given more credit.