 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com On a cold morning in December, 1944, deep in the Ardennes forest, a platoon of eighteen men under the command of twenty-year-old lieutenant Lyle Bouck were huddled in their foxholes trying desperately to keep warm. Suddenly, the early morning silence was broken by the roar of a huge artillery bombardment and the dreadful sound of approaching tanks. Hitler had launched his bold and risky offensive against the Allies-his "last gamble"-and the small American platoon was facing the main thrust of the entire German assault. Vastly outnumbered, they repulsed three German assaults in a fierce day-long battle, killing over five hundred German soldiers and defending a strategically vital hill. Only when Bouck's men had run out of ammunition did they surrender to the enemy. As POWs, Bouck's platoon began an ordeal far worse than combat-survive in captivity under trigger-happy German guards, Allied bombing raids, and a daily ration of only thin soup. In German POW camps, hundreds of captured Americans were either killed or died of disease, and most lost all hope. But the men of Bouck's platoon survived-miraculously, all of them. Once again in vivid, dramatic prose, Alex Kershaw brings to life the story of some of America's little-known heroes-the story of America's most decorated small unit, an epic story of courage and survival in World War II, and one of the most inspiring stories in American history. Average Customer Rating:  
Another great book by Kershaw
| Customer Rating: | | Alex Kershaw has another great book. As he does in his past books he does a tells the personal experiences of the average soldier on both sides. The book is easy to read, but really adds to your understanding. Especially his telling of the POW's experiences. And as always he can really move emotions. |
GI Joe's Story
| Customer Rating: | "The Longest Winter" is largely a collection of well organized anecdotes from the men of the 99th Division, particularly a platoon of eighteen men who performed one of the most important small unit actions of World War II.
Composed of regular inductees, men from the discontinued ASTP program and "90 Day Wonders", the 99th was organized in the U.S. before being shipped to Europe where it was situated right in the path of the Battle of the Bulge. Most of the story is told through the eyes of the men of the 99th, although actions of the Germans and some civilians are also included. Much of the book relates the hardships of the platoon which was taken as POWs.
Although not recognized at the time, the platoon on which this book focuses played a pivotal role in blocking the German advance, thereby enabling the slowing, blunting and turning of the offensive. Years after the war its heroism was recognized and the platoon became the most heavily decorated small unit of the war. This book follows the men of both through the war in to their civilian careers.
I am generally not a fan of "personal histories' but this one got and held my attention. Details of it conformed with stories I had heard from veterans and other parts told of a horror which one who did not live through it can barely imagine. For anyone with an interest in GI Joe in World War II, this book is a good one.
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Great book
| Customer Rating: | | I enjoyed this book. It follows a platoon through the longest winter. It tells their story in a personal way. The book does not provide an over all view of the war or any the grand strategy stuff. It is fast read, which I can appreciate. The author does throw the occasional stories about the generals, but the book is definitely about the soldiers on the ground. |
Must read for WWII buffs
| Customer Rating: | | I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A must read for any WWII buff and anyone who wishes to read a true account of American heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. |
excellent story of heroism
| Customer Rating: | The other reviews tell it much more eloquently than I can. I would only add that I especially liked the scene after Bouck has been captured and Joachim Pieper enters the house demanding to know why the attack has been held up.
The Baum Task force story illustrates that even Patton was not beyond making mistakes, and for selfish reasons: to save his son-in-law Lt. Colonel Waters.
An excellent read. |
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