Jeff Shaara has introduced the first installment of a trilogy of historical novels set in the MTO and ETO. He is perhaps best known for continuing the work of his father, Michael, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his American Civil War novel, The Killer Angels. Shaara's first novel in the series, The Rising Tide, begins in North Africa in May, 1942, and ends with the Sicily Campaign. I've read about a third of it so far, to November, 1942, and Rommel has retreated west of Benghazi. The Americans and British have landed at Casablanca, Algiers, and Oran. The Americans are moving west, and have seen not single German yet. All of their combat thus far has been against the French. Darlan and Giraud have been dancing their imitation of Benito, yet some of the French, including Darlan, have come over to the Allied side. I was surprised to learn how many French were actually serioius about their alliance with the Axis. And some French have the temerity to call Albion perfidious! So far, a well-done book. JT
i really like both of their books, however i havent read any of Jeff's World War II books. I am currently reading "to the last man"
I've been ploughing through Shaara's books in audiobook format. The Rising Tide was an eye opener for me. A real look into the war at all levels, from the major players at the top through to the guys at the bottom. He writes in a very similar style to his father (I've previously listened to the Killer Angels audiobook), and I think theres something to be said for having it read to you, with the reader, voicing and adding the accents of the people in this epic story. It sort of helps you empathise with the likes of Rommel, hearing his accent and his thoughts. I've downloaded the unabridged versions of his next book as audiobooks from audible.co.uk and I'm really looking forward to starting the second one in the series The Steel Wave, 24 hours of insight and drama from all sides of the conflict.
I have yet to read it myself, but 'To the Last Man' gets a complete slating on GWF! Hopefully (for him anyway!), his WW2 books get better reviews. Roxy
