DOC No Silent Night: The Christmas Battle For Bastogne by Leo Barron; Don Cygan in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. You can do betterBy thomas walichThis is the kind of book that makes me think I could write history. Hire some research assistant to go through a bunch of randomly collected narratives from veterans; string them together with a known timeline and -- voila! you have a book! This is not a criticism of Mr. Barron but rather a criticism of a growing trend in history books. Personal combat narratives always hold a certain amount of implicit interest buit too often those stories are strung together without much relation other than time and place. There were several good observations in this book -- I probably would have enjoyed it if it was more focused on the author's arguments about the battle and less on the eprsonal reminiscences.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. MAGNIFICENT FEWBy TaurusI have read many; many combat books on WWII battles; including descriptions of generals; views with a German perspective;Russian; Japanese; English; and so on. This particular book gives you equally the German view and the American defenders locked in deadly combat while you feel like you are in a fox hole with the 101st Screaming Eagles and other American units defending the Bastone area.The author gives equal time to the German soldiers and their officers from the foot soldier to tank crews. You go from a German HQ; to an American HQ; to an American Machine gun crew to a German Panzer crew. I never read a book where I was so transformed to the battlefield by mere descriptions. This author is so descriptive you can feel the winter cold; rain and snow. The mud and hunger of the surrounded GI's and the average German infantryman and the ongoing slaughter. You can hear the cannons from both sides; hear the difference between a German machine gun and an American .50 .30 caliber machine guns. You feel like you can hear the officers giving orders and watch as an American or German respond or don't. You can visualize the casualties and the dead bodies; you feel like you know some of these men and understand the German soldier on a more personal level. I would readily recommend this book to the WWII buff; history major; or somebody who wishes to learn what war was like in 1944 Europe and how unbelievably well trained and disciplined were the American men of the 101st and adjacent units; such as anti-tank crews; artillery crews and machine gun and bazooka crews. I was amazed by these American units in relation to their bravery; discipline under fire; maneuver to trap many enemy units and destroy them while refusing to surrender knowing they were surrounded. "NUTS" was the answer from General MacAuliff when he was offered terms. The average American soldier had no intention of surrender and fought in snowy; freezing conditions. Germans who had fought on the Eastern front were surprised by the Americans ferocity in combat with help from the USAAF; dropping needed supplies to bombing and strafing when weather permitted. I highly recommend this book for a really great read.;5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The Best of all the books I have readBy C. B. GriggsI am an 89 year old Veteran of the South Pacific; New Guinea and the South Pacific; as well as the Army of Occupation of Japan. I have about 150 books; plus 45 plus on my kendall Reader. This book is5 star for accuracy; dilligence; and orderly account. It is composed of sections giving place and time of a particular event; or events. Remember; readers; all this is happening outdoors and in the cold. Communication was not what it is today. Imagine if our boys had had smart phomes. One must remember Unit numbers; and the outfits. Remember the commanders and units. It is not only an After Action report; but gets down to individual behavior; privates to Generals. Read slowly. Use maps; etcCannot use an adjective that describes full credit.Will make a personal observation of the well used term; The Greatest Generation. Thanks for allowing me to be considered worthy of that honor. However; my personal evaluation of that term describes the ones who raised; or reared; "The Greatest generation". Caqn you imagine carrying your son; born in 1916; came of employaable and marriagable age in1934; and had not been regularly employed to the bus station to leave for camp in 1941? Those were the parents who stuck together to rear them; and sent them off to War. Thanks a lot. A Veteran of the Sixth Infantry Division; South Pacific