Overlord: The D-Day Landings

Ken Ford and Steven Zaloga's new book Overlord: The D-Day Landings takes a broad look at the opening chapters of the campaign, chronicling what is considered one of the major turning points of the European War. In fine detail, it reviews the German Normandy defenses, the Allied preparation and planning for the assault, the decision makers (both on strategic and tactical levels) of each side, and the unfolding at each of the five invasion beaches. With all those topics covered, it is an exhaustive account of the Normandy landing which ranks high among other works of similar scope. Osprey is a publisher known for its ability to use photographs and maps to supplement the narratives effectively, and once again this is done most wonderfully. Overlord: The D-Day Landings will remain at my study within easy reach as my ready reference for the Normandy beach assault. --C Peter Chen, World War II Database, ww2db.com (February 2009)

All the features one has come to expect from an Osprey book are here in this handsomely produed coffee-table volume -- only more of them... Scores of authentic photographs, many of which will not be familiar to most readers, help move the story along... Illustrated with three-dimensional maps, a wealth of tables, and wonderful paintings and photographs, Overlord is both the complete story of the invasions and the best reference book to date on D-Day. No matter how you approach the study of World War II, this book belongs on your bookshelf. --Brian John Murphy, America in World War II (June 2009)

Osprey has applied its highly effective formula to D-Day. There's nothing new here--this work is essentially a hardcover amalgamation of four shorter Osprey efforts that were in Osprey's more usual paperback format--but readers will conveniently find good research by two practiced authors who are thoroughly familiar with their subject from both Allied and German perspectives. There are thoughtfully selected pictures and Osprey's usual excellent diagrams of battles. This comprehensive work will do good service in library circulation as a sturdy rendering of the earlier separate volumes. Highly recommended. --Library Journal (May 1st, 2009)

It is gripping and informative and best of all, at a price that is hard to pass up. It is one that every student of history should have on their shelves. --Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com (April 2009)

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in history from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an emphasis on the US Army in World War II as well as Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Ken Ford was born in Hampshire in 1943. He trained as an engineer and spent almost thirty years in the telecommunications industry before a change in career led him to become a full time military historian. He is the author of over twenty books on various aspects of World War II. Ken now lives in Southampton.