D-DAY The Oral History

D-DAY The Oral History by Garrett M. Graff is a landmark new account of the single most pivotal day of World War II. On 6th June 1944, the Allied forces launched a massive invasion to liberate Nazi-occupied Northwest Europe, storming the beaches of Normandy in the largest combined air and seaborne invasion in history. Over 150,000 troops crossed the channel, battling fierce resistance to establish a crucial foothold that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Third Reich. This book provides a comprehensive and intimate retelling of that historic day through the eyes of those who lived it, on both sides of the conflict.

Garrett M. Graff, known for his best-selling work The Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11, brings the same meticulous attention to detail and narrative power to this project. Drawing on over 600 voices from US, Canadian, UK, French and German participants, Graff compiles a vivid tapestry of personal testimonies. The voices range from paratroopers and fighter pilots to nurses, generals, French villagers, and German defenders, even including prominent figures like Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.

The book is praised for its comprehensive coverage and emotional depth. As the events of D-Day increasingly fade from living memory, D-DAY The Oral History ensures that future generations understand the profound human experiences behind this critical moment in history.

'Comprehensive... from a large and wide range of witnesses on both sides' - The Telegraph

'A sprawling history of D-Day from the point of view of participants on both sides.' - Kirkus

'A masterpiece of oral history. Stirring, surprising, grim, joyous, moving and always riveting.' - Evan Thomas

'A new, complete portrait in time for the 80th anniversary [...] Graff uses a wide array and diversity of voices that give a fuller picture of the lead-up to the invasion, as well as the fighting itself.' - Associated Press

As the events of that day fade from living memory, it is more important than ever to understand what it felt like to be there and to live through it, on both sides. In this definitive work, Garrett M. Graff compiles over 600 US, Canadian, UK, French, and German voices to tell the full story of exactly how that historic day unfolded, in visceral detail – as well as the weeks and months leading up to it. From paratroopers to fighter pilots to nurses, generals, French villagers, German Defenders to Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt, this is the most intimate re-telling of D-Day published to date.

Praise for The Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11:

"The most moving and chilling oral history you will read." - The Times

"Incredibly evocative and compelling." - The Washington Post

"A hugely powerful new book." - Dan Snow

"Astonishing book about an astonishing, terrifying atrocity, relived in real time by those who were there. I read it in one sitting & was utterly gripped from start to finish." - Piers Morgan