The text is best suited for military buffs, as Holland delivers an intense, 400-page description of the regiment’s nearly yearlong battle across France, Belgium, and Germany. He] ably sets up his main characters: men he had the good fortune to interview, or those who left detailed diaries, letters and reminiscences behind . S.-built Sherman tank in which they fought was one of the finest in action, and he presents a vivid and original perspective on the endgame of WWII in Europe"--,Provided by publisher. This book is an analogue to Ambrose's Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest as it follows a single unit from D-Day to the end of the war, although in this case, a British armored regiment. The renowned historian and author of Normandy ’44 recounts the operations and personal experiences of the legendary Sherwood Rangers during WWII.

The author of a number of bestselling histories, including Battle of Britain, Dam Busters, Normandy '44 and, most recently, Sicily '43, he has also written nine works of historical fiction, including the Jack Tanner novels.Being with your partner may feel like rainbows and unicorns, but that doesn't mean you have a healthy, functioning relationship. From D-Day to VE-Day, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, a British armored regiment, fought their way across western Europe. Readers also learn much about tank warfare, the British Army, and the bitter fighting in northwest Europe during World War II. Having interviewed veterans, spoken to their families, read their letters, seen their photographs and walked in their paths, Holland has delved into their world and brought their characters to life.

Although I can't be sure, I suspect Holland manages to get in every casualty along the way, thus commemorating the tremendous courage exhibited by these young (and they were young) men who knew they had a job to do but also knew that death or maiming could come at any moment and whether you survived the day could be a matter of simple chance. Holland clearly put a lot of effort into this book and I appreciate the fact he took the time to meet up with many of the descendants of the Regiment like Stanley Christopherson's son David who the book is dedicated to. Prewar, the Sherwood Rangers had been a Territorial Army unit of part-time “Saturday Night Soldiers,” the British equivalent of the National Guard. This book is a testimony to Hollands handwork over the years of speaking to the veterans, their families and doing what he does best walking the ground. When Douglas’s parents divorced and his world fell apart with their marriage, it left a permanent mark on his sensitive soul.New and familiar characters abound, voiced by a bright mix of performers, including Kat Dennings, Regé-Jean Page, Emma Corrin, Michael Sheen, Kristen Schaal, Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Jeffrey Wright, and so many more, including fan-favorite narrators Simon Vance and Ray Porter. Inspired by Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers, acclaimed WWII historian James Holland memorably profiles an extraordinary group of citizen soldiers constantly in harm's way. Winning acclaim in the North African campaign, the Sherwood Rangers then spearheaded one of the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944, led the way across France, were the first British troops to cross into Germany, and contributed mightily to Germany's surrender in May 1945. In less than a month after D-Day they had already lost some 40 tank commanders, many shot through the head.

Painful to read, impossible to put down' Gerard DeGroot, The Times BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Epic and moving. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you.It seems invidious to pick out one in particular but, for me, Padre Skinner particularly stands out, with his devotion to the wounded and, especially, the dead. They were not professional but temporary solders, who wanted nothing more than to see the job through to the end, be “demobbed,” and go home to their families. I also recommend a novelization of what is was like to be an individual tank unit of 5 men, Warriors for the Working Day , written by an actual British tank commander, serving in the same theatre as the Sherwood Rangers. although I enjoyed this for the most part I felt some details of the many figures in the regiment could have been spared, or possible have had a more focused look on just a few of the soldiers to limit confusion on the endless amounts of stories taking place.