Citizen Soldiers

The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: George K. Wilson

Citizen Soldiers opens on June 7, 1944, on the Normandy beaches, and ends on May 7, 1945. From the high command on down to the enlisted men, Stephen E. Ambrose draws on hundreds of interviews and oral histories from men on both sides who were there. He recreates the experiences of the individuals who fought the battles, the women who served, and the Germans who fought against us.

Ambrose reveals the learning process of a great army: how to cross rivers, how to fight in snow or hedgerows, how to fight in cities, how to coordinate air and ground campaigns, how to fight in winter and on the defensive, how citizens become soldiers in the best army in the world.

A masterful biography of the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations, Citizen Soldiers provides a compelling account of the extraordinary stories of ordinary men in their fight for democracy.

©1997 Stephen E. Ambrose (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

" Citizen Soldiers [is] a high point in Ambrose's long fascination with the nature of leaders and followers. (John Lehman, The Wall Street Journal)

"History boldly told and elegantly written.... Gripping." (Kyle Smith, People)

"Ambrose proves once again he is a masterful historian.... Spellbinding.... The book captures the bizarre contradictions, random kindness and unexpectedly comic moments of the push to Berlin as memorably as a great war novel." (John Omicinski, Detroit Free Press)

Extremely insightful

Very well researched and written. A significant historical reference for the actions and geography of the war in Europe.

Fabulous

Must read for anyone interested in WWII. I always love hearing the stories as told by the men & women who were there. I'm glad i listened ri this book.

Excellent first hand stories, awful narrator.

What a great book, I feel like I should have been taking notes, so many stories!

Sadly the narrator constantly licks his lips, speaks with dry lips and makes other extremely annoying mouth sounds. I had to struggle through to finish.

Great book!

I absolutely love this book! I love hearing and reading the history of our great military and the struggles it took to build it.

Very listen worthy

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's hard to imagine what people had to get through during the second world war. This book opens the door a little and gives us a glimpse at the daily lives of those who served during this dark period.

Excellent

Well read, great book! Like an oral history of the ETO in world war 2. Hats off to Ambrose for is one.

amazing

I couldn't stop listening to this book, so well written and read. What this country did is absolutely amazing. Thank you

Epic, Sad, Inspiring

Only bad parts were hearing about the jerks, in the whole chapter dedicated to them. Too bad the narrator swallowed the mic, otherwise he did a good job changing to people's voices.

Thoroughly Wonderful

Exceptionally done and wonderful orchestrated it’s a must for any World War II Enthusiast. Everyone should read!

Not propaganda, focused view

Mr. Ambrose has done a fine job of culling the facts and critically assessing performance that cuts through the propaganda contained in most historical accounts and text of this cataclysmic world event.