New on Amazon: Unwell
$9.99 with 62 percent savings
Digital List Price: $25.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Joseph Balkoski
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944 Kindle Edition

by Joseph Balkoski (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 635 ratings
Includes maps, photos, and firsthand accounts of participants: “There is no better book on this vital chapter in American history.” —Terry Copp, author of Fields of Fire
 
Combining the personal recollections of soldiers with historical narrative and analysis of the actual invasion as it unfolded, this detailed description of the action at Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion of World War II comes from “the top living D-Day historian” (USA Today).
 
“Anyone who wants to know anything about Omaha Beach, where the fighting was heaviest and bloodiest, must begin with this foundational book…The research is unparalleled and comprehensive enough to satisfy even the most skeptical scholar, yet the story is absorbing. The carnage of Omaha Beach comes to life with vivid contemporary descriptions from participants and witnesses, while the whole tale is deftly steered along by Balkoski’s steady narration and his sense of the battle’s larger significance. ‘History can provide at least a little solace that there was some meaning to it all,’ he writes movingly. ‘D-Day was the decisive chapter of a twentieth century Iliad.’ Indeed it was—and Balkoski is its Homer.” —The Wall Street Journal
 
“Balkoski makes officer and enlisted-men’s first-person testimony the center of this account.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Intensely researched and definitive.” —Army magazine
 
“Balkoski’s depiction of ‘Bloody Omaha’ is the literary accompaniment to the white-knuckle Omaha Beach scene that opens Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.” —The New York Post
 
“The best D-Day-related book I have read.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    444 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Stackpole Books
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2023
  5. File size
    8.7 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Balkoski (Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Division in Normandy) makes officer and enlisted-men's first-person testimony the center of this account, with light contextualization in between, along with 34 b&w photos and 27 maps.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Balkoski is sometimes referred to as the finest living D-Day historian. For my money, the title fits. Anyone who wants to know anything about Omaha Beach, where the fighting was heaviest and bloodiest, must begin with this foundational book by a true maestro of original history. "History can provide at least a little solace that there was some meaning to it all," he writes movingly. "D-Day was the decisive chapter of a twentieth century Iliad." Indeed it was--and Balkoski is its Homer. -- John McManus, Wall Street Journal

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001GIPLBI
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stackpole Books; Illustrated edition (June 14, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8.7 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 444 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 635 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Joseph Balkoski

Joseph Balkoski

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

I was born in NYC and graduated from Vassar College in 1975. I also gained an M.A. in history at New York University. I moved to Baltimore in 1981 and have been here ever since. As soon as I moved here I became fascinated with the US Army's 29th Infantry Division because so many of my neighbors served in it. I have been very honored not only to know past members of the division well, but also its current members, since I serve as Historian for the Maryland National Guard. Both the old and young soldiers are fabulous people and always keep my life interesting. In my spare time, I play the piano and participate in various sports activities as much as I can.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
635 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers praise the book's meticulous research and comprehensive military history, with one review noting how it presents the story in a documentary style. The book features a good mix of firsthand accounts, detailed maps, and important planning details, making it a valuable resource for understanding the D-Day invasion. Customers appreciate the historical accuracy, with one review highlighting how it puts readers right in the midst of the events. The book receives mixed feedback about its pace, with some finding it keeps them up to speed while others consider it a slow read. The map resolution receives criticism for being relatively low quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

88 customers mention "Detail"72 positive16 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed and well-researched narrative, with one customer noting its documentary-style presentation.

"...and provides ample citation so the reader can trust the integrity of the story presented...." Read more

"...Omaha Beach has all the virtues that excellent history offers: impeccable writing, first-hand reports (both personal and organizational), continuity..." Read more

"...is important, but this is the first book I have read which chronicles in remarkable and systematic detail the planning, preparation, execution and..." Read more

"...full of great info of all kinds from an author who carefully put together a detailed text that involves many personal remembrances of those involved...." Read more

40 customers mention "Historical accuracy"40 positive0 negative

Customers praise the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as a fantastic and comprehensive military history that puts readers right in the midst of the events.

"This is how history should be recorded. Balkoski provides a good mix of firsthand accounts and thorough storytelling...." Read more

"...Very moving and touching detail facts of the time...." Read more

"...of the invasion at Omaha Beach has all the virtues that excellent history offers: impeccable writing, first-hand reports..." Read more

"...carefully put together a detailed text that involves many personal remembrances of those involved...." Read more

36 customers mention "Insight"36 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's fascinating insights, with one customer noting how it places readers right in the action, while another highlights its use of eye-witness accounts.

"...The book includes several appendixes which provide allied casualties at Omaha, listing of Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross Award..." Read more

"...the landing and of the combats on the first day, embellished with anecdotes and feel-good stories, one will probably be satisfied...." Read more

"...and methods, maps and photos that supplement the narrative, and analysis of events that appears to offer objective assessments of the successes and..." Read more

"...documents are used to move the story along or add depth to the gut-wrenching narrative...." Read more

19 customers mention "Planning"15 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the book's planning details and maps, which serve as an excellent guide to the D-Day buildup and deployment.

"...The book includes good use of maps showing the landing location of units and movement of units down to the company level in most cases...." Read more

"...-hand reports (both personal and organizational), continuity and clear organization, comprehensive research scope and methods, maps and photos that..." Read more

"...first book I have read which chronicles in remarkable and systematic detail the planning, preparation, execution and aftermath of the most critical..." Read more

"...other conversions to Kindle format this also suffers from problems, failures and a failure to have the conversion proof read...." Read more

15 customers mention "Account variety"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the variety of accounts in the book, particularly the good mix of firsthand reports and enlightening eye-witness stories.

"This is how history should be recorded. Balkoski provides a good mix of firsthand accounts and thorough storytelling...." Read more

"...the virtues that excellent history offers: impeccable writing, first-hand reports (both personal and organizational), continuity and clear..." Read more

"...battle histories, official US Army after-action reports, and eyewitness accounts...." Read more

"...IMHO, Mr Balkoski's brilliant account of the subject is unsurpassed...." Read more

9 customers mention "Citation quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's citation quality, with one review noting its detailed account of Omaha Beach landing, while another mentions its extensive use of references and maps.

"...The book is well researched (over 20 years) and provides ample citation so the reader can trust the integrity of the story presented...." Read more

"...* There is a nice assortment of sources, from Privates to Generals...." Read more

"...I learned things I have never see elsewhere. Fully documented and referenced, but still full of actual accounts and quotes; I found it hard to put..." Read more

"...Well written also. This now is the go to book on Omaha Beach, the good and the bad as well as the actions of both the German forces as well as the..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pace"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pace, with some finding it keeps them up to speed while others say it makes for a slow read.

"...Then it is off to the races and never slows down for a moment. Wow, just a great book." Read more

"...size and line height several times on a single page really slowed down the reading, not from a contextual standpoint but the simple reading..." Read more

"...It has a good pace, reads very well and delves from Supreme Commander to Generals, Field and Company Grade officer, to the enlisted ranks' points of..." Read more

"...The most difficult part was because it was a slow read for me, but that is because I wanted to follow and understand it all." Read more

5 customers mention "Map resolution"0 positive5 negative

Customers report issues with the maps and photos in the book, noting that they are relatively low resolution and don't display well.

"...only limitation of the Kindle format is that the rendering of maps is relatively low resolution...." Read more

"...I was also disappointed with the low resolution of the maps. But maybe that is the fault of my tablet?..." Read more

"...is good on both devices but, unfortunately, the maps and photos don't display very well on e-ink Kindles, even with the zoom feature...." Read more

"At times I found it too wordy and lacking in pictures but nevertheless another stellar book in the d Day lexicon" Read more

An endless day.
5 out of 5 stars
An endless day.
Having just visited Utah and Omaha Beaches, Balkoski's discription of DDay in pointalistic detail was almost overwhelming
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • JH
    5.0 out of 5 stars All You Want to Know About D-Day at Omaha Beach
    Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is how history should be recorded. Balkoski provides a good mix of firsthand accounts and thorough storytelling. The author attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the events of D-Day at Omaha beach and succeeds. As the author admits, there remains more to be discovered about the story of Omaha beach, and sifting through all the available material and determining what to include was one of the most difficult parts about writing this history, but the presentation that Balkoski provides will keep readers interest from start to finish. The book is well researched (over 20 years) and provides ample citation so the reader can trust the integrity of the story presented. The author also had his manuscript read by numerous veterans of Omaha and D-Day historians.

    The book tells the story of the Omaha landings in roughly chronological order from the inception of D-day to the completion of actions on the evening on D-Day. The reader will be gripped by apprehension as Balkoski tells the story of the ineffective aerial bombings and naval barrage and devastation of the first wave of assault troops. Then you will get caught up in the story of individual soldiers and units as they struggle to get off the beach. Balkoski inserts in brackets information into the firsthand accounts to make them more readable and complete and correcting inaccuracies. The book includes good use of maps showing the landing location of units and movement of units down to the company level in most cases. There are also numerous pictures which enhance the story. The book includes several appendixes which provide allied casualties at Omaha, listing of Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross Award recipients on D-Day at Omaha, listing of the allied units involved in the first wave, composition of typical assault boat teams, and uniform and equipment of boat team leaders. My only complaint is that there was very little provided about the German side. The units engaged are identified by regiment and the fortifications are described, but little else is provided about specific unit allocations and movements. The author admits that the source material is very one sided and says there is little available except high command accounts and the majority of the rest can't be fit into the timeline. I hope more will be uncovered to provide a fitting composite to the story. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book immensely.

    Potential readers should keep in mind that this history is extremely focused on the events of Omaha beach. While there is some background into the planning of D-Day, much is left out which the author deemed to be out of scope of Omaha. The author does tell the story of the Eight Air Force pre-landing bombing mission at Omaha beach and arduous cross-channel movements of the Navy Assault Force "O". However, discussions about the other landing (while they are named) are avoided as well as the airborne operations. If you would like to know more about the overall operation and its planning, I would recommend Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day and Last Battle: The Classic History of the Battle for Berlin (which includes a lot information on the planning of Operation Overlord). Cross Channel Attack by Gordon Harrison is also a great resource. Having said that, Balkoski does what he sets out to achieve and any reader would benefit from this account.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Bob Cunningham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very detailed and moving a must read.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great book about the details snd actions of the history of the D-day invasion of Omaha Beach. Very moving and touching detail facts of the time. I read this book in preparation for my visit to Omaha Beach, I’m so glad I read it before my visit there.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Otavio Maia Chelotti
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but I expected more from the author
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed Balkoski's "Beyond the Beachhead" and looked forward to his description of actions on the whole of Omaha beach, but I was somewhat disappointed, however, by his approach.
    As another reader noted, the first third of the book is a general setting out of the context. It is OK, even if rather light on the German side. Balkoski could have given more detail on the beach defenses, their disposition and their equipment, since this actually had great importance for the fighting. In "Beyond the Beachhead", for instance, he gave a masterful discussion on infantry tactics and equipment of both opposing sides and their influence on the fighting in the bocage, something entirely lacking here, except for too-broad brushstrokes.
    This neglect has the effect also of giving the impression that the beach was full of "88" guns, something actually extremely improbable. Not only did the German 352 ID had no 88s in its inventory, but the 716 ID, which was also deployed in the British landing zone, had at most two (see Zetterling's work on Normandy). The guns in fixed fortifications were most likely captured pieces pressed into German service, very often with strictly limited ammunition stocks.
    The actual description of the tactical battle, on the other hand, is rather thorough -even if entirely on the American side- and the maps may be schematic but are clear to read. As such, if someone wants to have a factual description of the landing and of the combats on the first day, embellished with anecdotes and feel-good stories, one will probably be satisfied.
    From a literary point of view, however, Balkoski does something very irritating: instead of weaving the anecdoctes about combat or other set pieces into his own narrative, he simply breaks off and puts in some sort of (more or less) official recollection or record. This needlessly disturbs the narrative flow and feels like a cop-out to make the book easier to write, even if the intention was to bring forth the heroism of the attackers in their own words. This hagiographic intent, unfortunately an extremely widespread habit indulged by writers of all nations, pervades the whole book. This is reflected in a rather cursory summing up, virtually a paean to the American soldier, with little analysis of what could have been corrected or done to improve the results. I happen to dislike this habit thoroughly, so this is a minus for me.

    Not withstanding my opinion on style and tone, Balkoski's "Omaha Beach" does a fairly good job of describing the combats on Omaha on D-Day and will probably please most readers.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • OverlordSJD
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not as described
    Reviewed in France on February 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The item arrived very late both the delivery time and carrier was not advised at point of purchase. The image of the book was NOT as described. If you but from this seller ask questions before buying.
    Report
  • Paul MacGillivray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch! A field day for any grognard.
    Reviewed in Spain on July 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A surprisingly accessible study of the battle filled with eyewitness reports, interviews and unit histories. My only complaint is that very little information is given to flesh out the German forces in terms of numbers and equipment. This is very much the American experience on Omaha Beach.
    Report
  • Billy Bastogne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clear analysis in a friendly manner.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent hour by hour account, complete with relevant maps. Clear writing style. Suggest it be read along with he's book on Utah beach.
    Report
  • Tamar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and authentic!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an excellent, fact-based read for those interested in the mammoth and courageous struggles of the Allies and "ordinary" combat soldiers in World War II as they bled and died to overthrow the 3rd Reich. Omaha Beach was an horrific invasion battleground ..
    Report
  • Alan Whelan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If your a committed historian or a casual reader of D-Day history then this book is for you. It encompasses the entire creation, preparation and execution of the assault on Omaha beach on June 6, 1944. Dotted throughout with reports and observations, some from just days after the operation from Generals to Privates and all ranks in between, including some from the enemy perspective. Great selection of maps throughout and some photos to round it all out. This book has really helped my personal studies of the battle of Omaha beach. The information us presented in an easily accessible narrative. Unreservedly recommend to all who have an interest in the topic.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report