First published 2015
December 16, 1944. German forces surge through the frozen Ardennes forests in a desperate assault on American positions. Hitler has gambled everything on this surprise offensive, hoping to split Allied forces and negotiate a separate peace. For more than a month, soldiers fight through brutal winter conditions as the fate of the European war hangs in balance. Atkinson traces each phase of the conflict that Winston Churchill would call the greatest American battle of the war. The author follows the attacks and counterattacks, the tactical advances and costly retreats that defined this massive engagement. Tens of thousands of casualties mount as both sides commit everything to the struggle. Drawing on extensive research, Atkinson presents the battle through clear prose accessible to both history enthusiasts and newcomers to World War II. The book includes photographs, statistics, and compelling details that bring this pivotal moment to life.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, world-war-ii, non-fiction, military-history, american-history
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Ardennes, United States
Period: 1944, December 16, 1944
237 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Content warnings: death, graphic-violence, war