The Boys of Pointe Du Hoc - by Douglas Brinkley (Paperback)

From the Back Cover

The 100-foot promontory known as Pointe du Hoc -- where six big German guns were ensconced -- was the number one target of the heavy U.S. and British warships poised in the English Channel on D-Day morning. Facing arguably the toughest task to befall U.S. forces during the war, the brave men of the Army 2nd Ranger Battalion boldly took control of the fortified cliff and set in motion the liberation of Europe.

Based upon recently released documents, here is the first in-depth, anecdotal remembrance of these fearless Army Rangers. Acclaimed author and historian Douglas Brinkley deftly moves between events four decades apart to tell two riveting stories: the making of Ronald Reagan's historic 1984 speeches about the storming of the Normandy coast and the actual heroic event that inspired them and helped to end the Second World War.

Review Quotes

"A gripping account of the Rangers who scaled Pointe du Hoc; and a bold, even brilliant treatment of Reaganesque stagecraft." - Richard Norton Smith, Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
"Both the novice and D-Day historian will want to read The Boys of Pointe du Hoc." - JoAnna McDonald, author of The Liberation of Pointe du Hoc
"Brinkley knows there is sometimes a theater to war and always to its remembrance." - Bookseller (London)
"If Ronald Reagan hadn't been president, no one would remember WWII...writes prolific historian Brinkley, if it had not been for two speeches Reagan gave in Normandy on June 6, 1984.... He makes a solid case." - Kirkus Reviews
"Brinkley's book is an endearing tribute.... [I]nteresting." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Brinkley has a fine style and captures the essence of the battle very well.... Well-written." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"The Boys of Pointe du Hoc are needed today.... An important and entertaining book." - Bill O'Reilly, host of The O'Reilly Factor
"Brinkley knows there is sometimes a theater to war and always to its remembrance." - Chris Matthews, host of Hardball and author of Kennedy and Nixon
"In this jewel of a book, Douglas Brinkley proves his skills as a master storyteller." - Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of No Ordinary Time
"A powerful tale that celebrates, and explores, the patriotism and pride inspired by America's brave soldiers." - Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin
"In this fascinating new study, Douglas Brinkley... sheds fresh light on the making of a crucial presidential moment." - Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston
"Compelling reading." - New Orleans Times-Picayune
"This insightful book effectively interweaves the story of D-Day... with the story of Reagan's presidency... as well as Reagan's legacy. Brinkley chose his subject wisely and argues his case convincingly." - Washington Post Book World
"An excellent read for those interested in media popularization and political demagoguery.... [The Boys of Pointe du Hoc] is a most useful and readable case study of the making of popular history." - Booklist
"Brinkley knows there is sometimes a theater to war and always to its remembrance." - Publishers Weekly
"A powerful tale that celebrates, and explores, the patriotism and pride inspired by America's brave soldiers." - Walter Isaacson
"An endearing tribute." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"A dramatic recounting of the heroic exploits of the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day, June 6, 1944" - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Riveting." - Chicago Tribune