The Day of Battle

The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944

By: Rick Atkinson

Narrated by: Rick Atkinson

The harrowing story of one of history's most compelling military campaigns.

In An Army at Dawn—winner of the Pulitzer Prize—Rick Atkinson provided a dramatic and authoritative history of the Allied triumph in North Africa. Now, in The Day of Battle, he follows the American and British armies as they invade Sicily in July 1943, attack Italy two months later, and then fight their way, mile by bloody mile, north toward Rome.

The Italian campaign's outcome was never certain; in fact, President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and their military advisors bitterly debated whether an invasion of the so-called soft underbelly of Europe was even wise. But once underway, the commitment to liberate Italy from the Nazis never wavered, despite the agonizing price. The battles at Salerno, Anzio, the Rapido River, and Cassino were particularly ferocious and lethal, yet as the months passed, the Allied forces continued to drive the Germans up the Italian peninsula. Led by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, among the war's most complex and controversial commanders, American troops became increasingly determined and proficient. With the liberation of Rome in June 1944, ultimate victory in Europe at last began to seem inevitable.

Drawing on extensive new material from a wide array of primary sources, and written with great drama and flair, The Day of Battle is narrative history of the first rank.

Outstanding!

A really great book and the author does a great job reading it for audio book. I didn't realize this was a part of a series until after I purchased it. I will surely go back to read the first of the series and will be anticipating the third book. My only reason for not giving this five stars is that the book comes from an 90% American perspective. Minimal time is dedicated to the Commonwealth and German forces. I only wish it had been a little more well rounded but for what it was, it was an outstanding book on the American forces in the MTO!

A reporter's eye with a historian's perspective.

Rick Atktinson really seems to capture the strength of the reporter, to give the gritty detail and a feel for the experience of the participants, but still capture the larger perspective of the historian for the events. The Day of Battle manages to illuminate this under reported and ill-understood theater of war without overblowing its importance. North Africa/Italy was a sideshow of a sideshow, with the main event taking place on the Eastern Front, but it was also the crucible that formed the Anglo-American army destined to liberate Western Europe. I really wish an unabridged version was available however.

The Day of Battle (abridged)

Rick Atkinson is a consumate story teller using the English language to good effect. His research is superb.

A Day of Battle another great addition

As a member of the U.S. Military I have read many books about wars. I find that Mr. Atkinsons books draw you in and hold you to the words. The insights and little facts about the key players are great it brings them to life. I can hardley wait for the next book.

Breathtaking

This is the brutal retelling of the Italian campaign. If you can stomach the vivid reality of war, this book will change your ideas about what WWII really was for the men fighting in Italy. Another marvelous piece of history and prose from Mr. Atkinson.