America storms the beaches, 1944

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-As in America Goes to War: 1941 (Walker, 1991), Devaney devotes his considerable research and writing skills to a very important year in the Allies' conduct of military strategy and tactics during World War II. He begins with a prologue that quickly summarizes the events that took place from September 1, 1939-December 31, 1943, and immediately segues into a chronological account of 1944. Through an extensive use of primary-source accounts culled from newspaper dispatches, books, and magazine articles written during and after World War II, he makes the events of 50 years ago more understandable to today's readers and brings to life real flesh-and-blood people caught up in what seemed to be at times chaotic and directionless. In this way, the big picture is made clear from the use of many little pictures.This feature, plus the inclusion of photographs, reproductions, portraits, maps, short bios of military and political leaders, and a lengthy list of suggested titles for further reading, combine to create a book that is interesting as well as informative.-David A. Lindsey, Lakewood Junior/Senior High School, WA