by Stephen L. Wright
|
| List Price: | $29.95 |
| Amazon Price: | $19.77 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
| You Save: | $10.18 (34%) |
| Average Rating: |  |
| Lowest New Price: | $18.55 |
| Availablitiy: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
|
 |
|
Product Description
Operation Varsity was the last major airborne offensive of World War II and remains the largest and most successful drop in history. Conducted primarily by the British 6th Airborne and the American 17th Airborne Divisions, including Canadian elements, the goal of the operation was to cross the Rhine River and gain a foothold in Germany. Drawing on war diaries, unit histories, after-action reports, and interviews with veterans, The Last Drop details the horrors of parachuting through flak-filled skies, the dangers of piloting a glider safely to the ground, and the struggles of infantry combat, and shows how thorough training, extensive planning, solid execution, and sheer guts combined to make Operation Varsity a stunning victory.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Average Customer Review:
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
 At last..., 2008-03-20
a book on Varsity, in English, that covers the exploits of both airborne divisions. I read this author's previous book and it's pleasing to see that the use of veterans' accounts (well over fifty) has, similarly, been made good use of in this book. Yes, there is more on 6th Airlanding Brigade's tasks, but the discrepancy in coverage is, honestly, explained by the author in his introduction. I find it difficult to see how the previous reviewer can say that `most of the book is taken from the magazine The Eagle' (it's the journal of the Glider Pilots Regimental Association). The author received permission to quote from it, and what he did quote were veterans' accounts. It is quite obvious that the book has been well researched to give the reader a balanced account of this rarely covered operation. I also think that the separating of the divisions' tasks into different chapters makes it easier to follow what happened in each divisional sector. All in all, it's a solid read and author and publisher should be congratulated.
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
 Missed the LZ, 2008-03-05
I was excited to finally see a book on Operation Varsity, which has not really been covered before in any great detail, I am still waiting. In all fairness Varsity did not have a lot of appeal for a book before since the whole operation took about two days however the drop (still the biggest in history) is worth a good look.
The book is very focused on the British glider landings and if you are interested in the use of gliders at war, this book is a solid 5. Most of the book is taken from the magazine The Eagle and some first person accounts. The accounts are mostly British and the US chapters are rather slim. The fact the book is broken up by nationality and by glider/parachute and not in chronological order makes the book a tough read.
For glider and hardcore airborne enthusiast I would recommend.
Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.
|
Store Categories
|