Nothing But Courage - by James Donovan (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the bestselling author of Shoot for the Moon and A Terrible Glory comes the ... story of the courageous paratroopers and glidermen of the 82nd Airborne, who risked their lives to seize and secure a small, centuries-old bridge in France that played a pivotal role in the success of D-Day"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

From the bestselling author of Shoot for the Moon and A Terrible Glory comes the dramatic story of the courageous paratroopers and glidermen of the 82nd Airborne, who risked their lives to seize and secure a small, centuries-old bridge in France that played a pivotal role in the success of D-Day.

In June 1944, German and American forces converged on an insignificant bridge a few miles inland from the invasion beaches. If taken by the Nazis, the bridge might have gone down in history as the reason the Allies failed on D-Day.

The narrow road over it was each side's conduit to victory. Continued Nazi control over the bridge near an old manoir known as La Fière--one of only two bridges in the region capable of supporting tanks and other heavy armor--would allow the Germans to reinforce their defenses at Utah Beach, one of the five landing areas chosen for Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-held Europe. But because control of the bridge was also essential to moving U.S. troops inland and off the beach, it could not simply be destroyed: it had to be taken--and held--by the Allies.

This was part of the formidable mission of the 82nd Airborne, whose lightly armed but superbly trained troopers had dropped behind--and into--German lines five hours before the seaborne assault on Utah. While blocking enemy reinforcements, they had to seize and secure avenues of approach from the beaches to the interior of Normandy, including two bridges over the modest Merderet River and the key crossroads village of Sainte Mère Église. Failure would give Hitler enough time, and the opportunity, to build up the resources necessary to defeat the invasion and turn the tide for the Nazis. The village was taken early on D-Day, and the 82nd endured repeated attacks by much larger German forces. But the bridge at La Fière became a bloody three-day standoff against tanks and artillery that culminated in a near-suicidal charge across it and the narrow 500-yard causeway beyond--straight into the teeth of a fierce German defense ordered to hold it to the last man.​

Review Quotes

Praise for Nothing But Courage:

"James Donovan's Nothing But Courage is a riveting, brilliantly-researched account of one of the most overlooked yet heroic actions of WWII--the battle for La Fiere after the Allies landed in Normandy. With great skill, Donovan brings the actions of the 'All American' paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne to dramatic life. This is a wonderful and important addition to the literature of D Day." --Alex Kershaw, author of Patton's Prayer and Against All Odds

"James Donovan shines a long overdue spotlight on the crucial role played by the 82nd Airborne Division in the Normandy invasion and afterward. Led by Matthew Ridgway and James Gavin, two of the most outstanding commanders in American military history, the All Americans inflicted irreplaceable damage upon many German formations in Normandy and made a major contribution to a momentous Allied victory." -- John C. McManus, Ph.D., author of The Americans at D-Day, The Americans at Normandy and The Dead and Those About to Die.

"I loved this book. James Donovan's 360-degree, first-hand accounts from all sides--American, German, and French--and from all echelons, from general and field marshal to paratroopers and soldiers, bring this incredible story to life in a unique and powerful way. A must read to fully understand the courage and accomplishments of the 82nd Airborne in Normandy." --General (ret.) John W. Nicholson, Jr., former 82nd Airborne commander

"The invasion of Normandy is a dauntingly complex event, a shoal where many historians have wrecked. But I am pleased to report that James Donovan has navigated it brilliantly. He has accomplished the two most difficult challenges in writing about D-Day: he has made it both clear and fun to read." -- S.C. Gwynne, author of Empire of the Summer Moon, Rebel Yell, and Hymns of the Republic

"I was there, fighting the Germans in Normandy, and I participated in the charge across the La Fiere bridge. This book brought it all back. It's a great account of the 82nd Airborne's D-Day mission. I'm proud to have been a part of it." --S/Sgt. (retired) Bud Olson

"A straight-shooting account...plunges readers into the thick of battle." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

James Donovan is the author of Shoot for the Moon, A Terrible Glory, The Blood of Heroes, and several other books. Nothing but Courage is his stirring saga of American heroism, sacrifice, and triumph during one of the greatest--and lesser known--stories of World War II. James has been a literary agent since 1993 and lives in Dallas.