A Blood-Dimmed Tide by Gerald Astor

[Larry Heider]

This book by 97th Division veteran Gerald Astor is a really well researched accounting of the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Astor is an award-winning journalist who has done his homework by interviewing a great number of vets who fought in the battle, including our own resident resource expert John Kline. The 106th's story is featured quite well and the style of writing is very vivid and real and puts the reader right in the center of the action.

[connie]

Looks like we're working from the same library.

I was unaware of this book and stumbled across it by accident not too long ago in a used book store. I was amazed as the personal accounts of members of the 106th began to unfold!

As noted, these are not the only personal accounts covered. Other divisions are represented. But the 106th certainly has a substantial representation.

I checked on the web. Not only is this a good book, but you won't have to spend much to add it to your library. I still have a bookmark in my copy. I have not finished it. But, what I have read so far has been well done and helpful.

[connie]

Thought this book was worth bringing to the top of the list again.

I've been making my way through the stories of vets who were also POW's an who posted their stories on Jim West's Indiana Military site.

Yesterday in accounts by two different men I saw positive mention of this book. One noted that this book should be in every Battle of the Bulge library-- high praise from someone who was there.

The subtitle of the book is "The Battle of the Bulge by Men Who Fought It." As noted above, it is built around accounts of men who were there.
Others who were there have apparently approved the results.

P.S. As I searched the web I noted there is another book out there with a similar title but different author. Be sure you spot the one by Gerald Astor. I'm not pushing any sales venue, but here's one link to the correct book that also has a review: www.amazon.com/Blood-Dimmed-Tide-Battle-Fought-Library/dp/0440215749

HERE'S ANOTHER LINK WITH EXTENSIVE QUOTES: www.penguin.com/ajax/books/excerpt/9780698404977

[bigjohn]

I asked for and received this book for Christmas 2010 from my mother. It was a very well researched and written book. It is now on loan to my brother but when I get it back I am going to read it again. One of the best books out there about the Battle of the Bulge.

[connie]

The subtitle of this book is " THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE BY THE MEN WHO FOUGHT IT.+ It is built around information and insights from men from a number of divisions, but the 106th is well represented. I thought that a list of the members of the 106th whose stories appear in the book might be of interest. The list of "The Soldiers" appears at the front of the book:

Alford, Sgt Barney- Section Chief Battery A, 589th Field Artillery BN

Broadwater, Clifford, M Sgt, Antitank Co., 423rd Infantry Regiment

Buck, James, Pvt, Court Reporter Hq Co. 106th Infantry Div.

Collins, John, S. Sgt, Co. A, 81st Engineer Combat Bn.

Hannon, Philip, 81st Engineer Combat Bn.

Jones, Alan Jr., 1st Lt. 423rd, Hq Co 1st BN

Leisse, Leo S. Sgt, 422nd, Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon, 3rd Battalion

McKee, Richard, 422 A

Martin, Harry, Pvt, 424 L

Mills, James, Pvt. 423 I

Raila, Frank, Pvt. 423 E

Ward, Nathan Duke, Cpt., Hq Co 81st Engineer Combat Battalion

Wood, Eric Fisher Jr., 589th A

[connie]

Also Mentioned in this book:

p. 4 Staff Sgt. John Collins Co. A 81st Eng Bn. mentions at onset of the Bulge he was lodging in a house near Auw, Germany with a German family and:
Lt. Woerner, Smitty (the Jeep driver) and Stanley (the tool keeper). In some hunting discussions he mentioned Privates Suckow and Skaggs


The "also mentioned notes" will be a slow work in progress... if I follow through...