×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

The Boys of Pointe du Hoc

Author:
ISBN-10: 0060759593
ISBN-13: 9780060759599
Contributor:
Review Date:

Full Title: The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: Ronald Reagan, D-Day, and the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion

Browsing through my local library's audio book collection online, "Pointe du Hoc" grabbed my attention. It was only after making good headway into The Boys of Pointe du Hoc by Douglas Brinkley when I realized that it was yet another book with a misleading title. "The Boys of Point du Hoc" referred not to the US Army Rangers who scaled the impossible cliffs during the Normandy invasion in 1944 and captured key pieces of German artillery, but rather it referred to Ronald Reagan's famous 1984 speech. While two of the three elements of the sub-title featured WW2-related topics, the content did not reflect so. The book's official marketing material described it as a "riveting account of the brave U.S. Army Rangers who stormed the coast of Normandy"; perhaps true, but such "riveting accounts" amounted to only a few pages of the book. Although I ultimately found myself learning a great deal about Ronald Reagan, including his WW2-era service with the US 18th Army Air Force Base Unit, which produced military training films, I was disappointed that this book became an unintentional diversion when I had hoped to pick up a book about the Normandy invasion.

I had reviewed this book in its audio book format. The author Douglas Brinkley read the book himself, which I enjoyed very much. As noted in previous reviews, authors knew their own words intimately, thus often resulting in good performances. Some audio book listeners might enjoy the dramatic flares in his reading as well. As for me personally, I found his pacing quicker than what I was used to, although that was not necessarily a bad thing, as it gave me the opportunity to move on to the next title at my local library's vast audio book collection. The audio book contained a recording of Reagan's speech given at Pointe du Hoc on the French coast, which was a treat.

Given this audience of WW2 military history enthusiasts, I would not recommend The Boys of Pointe du Hoc, as it contained very little by ways of WW2 history.



Back to Main | Back to Book Reviews Index




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
More on The Boys of Pointe du Hoc
Affiliated Link:
» The Boys of Pointe du Hoc
Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!