Book Description

June 6, 2014 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, when 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany and essentially spur the campaign that would end World War II. Nowhere are the landings at Normandy captured more eloquently and dramatically than in Cornelius Ryan's classic book "The Longest Day." Widely considered to be the most important book on D-Day ever written, "The Longest Day" has sold tens of millions of copies in 18 different languages, and inspired a star-studded 1962 film by the same name. This new collector's edition of "The Longest Day" commemorates the 70th anniversary of the invasion with previously unpublished printed and audio archive material. Inside the beautifully designed slipcase, readers will find an unabridged reprint of the classic text, 120 meticulously researched photographs of D-Day, plus 30 previously unseen and unpublished removable facsimile documents from Ryan's own archive, including: Eisenhower's handwritten note, taking responsibility if the D-Day landings failed Interview transcripts and handwritten research questionnaires from key D-Day participants Rommel's diary excerpts from the lead-up to D-Day in May 1944 Hand-annotated translations of German diaries and telephone logs D-Day mission weather reports Ryan's original book proposal to "Reader's Digest" explaining his new approach to military history writing Six full-color battle maps Historians, military enthusiasts, and anyone who genuinely loves tales of adventure and courage will be thrilled by this unsurpassed collection of D-Day memorabilia. It includes an exclusive audio CD featuring Ryan's previously unheard, original research interviews with many of D-Day's senior commanders, including Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as the soldiers, paratroopers, sailors, and airmen who fought in this most famous and decisive battle of World War II.