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A Bridge Too Far

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A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan is a detailed historical account of Operation Market Garden, an ambitious Allied attempt during WWII to capture key bridges in Holland. The book covers the events leading up to the operation, the strategic planning, and the ultimate outcome. Through extensive research and interviews with over 400 individuals, including survivors and principals involved, Ryan vividly narrates the daring and ill-fated operation that resulted in significant casualties for the Allies. The book delves into the heroism, tragedy, and complexities of the battle, highlighting the role of paratroopers, soldiers, commanders, and even Dutch civilians and resistance fighters.

The narrative in A Bridge Too Far is described as thorough, comprehensive, and well-written, providing readers with a gripping and immersive account of the events surrounding Operation Market Garden. The book captures the essence of the battle, honoring the sacrifices made by the soldiers and shedding light on the human and military tragedies that unfolded during the operation. Ryan's writing style, enriched by personal stories and attention to detail, brings to life the terror, suspense, and historical significance of this epic wartime operation.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and narrative-driven, enriched by firsthand accounts that bring historical events to life.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on the ill-fated Operation Market Garden, portraying the miscalculations of Allied forces and the bravery of soldiers amidst imminent failure.

Setting:

The setting is primarily the Netherlands during WWII, focusing on the military campaign and its impact on the local populace.

Pacing:

Pacing varies; it can be slow due to detail, but becomes thrilling during battle scenes and personal anecdotes.
IN THE THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD Dutch village of Driel, people listened intently. Even before dawn, restless sleepers woke and lights came on behind shuttered windows. Initially there was only a sense of som...

Notes:

The book covers Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied attempt to invade Germany in 1944.
It was the largest airborne invasion in history, with tens of thousands of troops dropped over Holland.
The operation aimed to capture five key bridges to secure a pathway into Germany but ultimately failed.
The operation lasted from September 17 to September 24, 1944, but took nine days to achieve objectives instead of two.
Cornelius Ryan, the author, was a British war correspondent during WWII and later became a U.S. citizen.
Ryan interviewed over 400 people for the book, including soldiers and civilians, to capture different perspectives on the operation.
The book highlights the tragic sacrifices of Allied soldiers, particularly the British Airborne Division at Arnhem.
The title of the book comes from a comment about the operation being one step too far for the Allies.
Ryan's storytelling captures both the heroism and the harsh realities of war, making it appealing to a broad audience.
The operation was marked by serious logistical failures, particularly in ground troop movements.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings for graphic descriptions of war, violence, loss, and trauma experienced by both soldiers and civilians.

From The Publisher:

The classic account of one of the most dramatic battles of World War II.

A Bridge Too Far is Cornelius Ryan's masterly chronicle of the Battle of Arnhem, which marshalled the greatest armada of troop-carrying aircraft ever assembled and cost the Allies nearly twice as many casualties as D-Day.

In this compelling work of history, Ryan narrates the Allied effort to end the war in Europe in 1944 by dropping the combined airborne forces of the American and British armies behind German lines to capture the crucial bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem. Focusing on a vast cast of characters-from Dutch civilians to British and American strategists to common soldiers and commanders-Ryan brings to life one of the most daring and ill-fated operations of the war. A Bridge Too Far superbly recreates the terror and suspense, the heroism and tragedy of this epic operation, which ended in bitter defeat for the Allies.

About the Author:

Cornelius Ryan was born in 1920 in Dublin, Ireland, where he was raised. He became one of the preeminent war correspondents of his time, flying fourteen bombing missions with the Eighth and Ninth US Air Forces and covering the D-Day landings and the advance of General Patton's Third Army across France and Germany. After the end of hostilities in Europe, he covered the Pacific War. In addition to his classic works The Longest Day, The Last Battle, and A Bridge Too Far, he is the author of numerous other books, which have appeared throughout the world in nineteen languages. Awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1973, Mr. Ryan was hailed at that time by Malcolm Muggeridge as "perhaps the most brilliant reporter now alive." He died in 1976.

 
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