Product Description

'Heroes' is the story of an extraordinary generation of young men, mostly British, who came of age in the Second World War. These young men -- and women -- found themselves facing life-threatening danger and the kind of responsibility few would be prepared to shoulder today. Whether fighting in the jungles of Burma or on the D-Day beaches, as submariners, pilots, spies or prisoners of war, young soldiers in WWII displayed astonishing courage and resilience, united by honour and bound by the fellowship of their comrades. Those who made it home are now a passing generation, and for many this is the last chance for them to tell their stories -- men like football legend Tom Finney, who saw action in southern Italy; or James Bond set-designer Ken Adam, a German Jew who flew as a fighter pilot for the RAF; or identical twins Tom and Dee Bowles, who landed together on Easy Red beach on D-Day. Many of these young men never returned home and those who did faced insurmountable challenges assimiliating back into civilian life. 'Heroes' is a moving and uplifting tribute to an remarkable generation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92246 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
Praise for 'Together We Stand': 'Anyone who wants to know how it felt to fight in the desert war should read Holland's book!The author will surely have a lot more to write about the Second World War. We can be confident it will be worth reading.' Sunday Telegraph, Max Hastings 'Holland has produced a wonderful book!He is a master at evoking time and place, with haunting descriptions of the desert landscape!If there is a better book on the North African campaign, I haven't read it.' Daily Telegraph, Saul David 'Using personal testimony and private memoirs as effectively as official archives, he recreates the hardships and challenges faced by ordinary soldiers and reassesses the tactical and strategic innovations that finally gave the allies the upper hand.' Sunday Times 'Stands out from the crowd.' Literary Review, Nigel Jones 'Holland tells the story brilliantly. He has delved into archives for letters and diaries and diligently tracked down survivors!Vividly, intelligently, movingly, Holland's monumental chronicle tells it like it was.' Patrick Bishop, Mail on Sunday 'The book gives the individuals, be they commander-in-chiefs or infantry, space that attests to their bravery and sacrifices!' Good Book Guide '"Heroes" is an excellent book, gently and unflinchingly detailing the great effort for which those of us favoured by a late birth have so much to be thankful.' Observer

About the Author
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. He is the author of 'Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege', '1940-1943', and a novel, 'The Burning Blue'. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.

Customer Reviews

One of the best
Having read many books interviewing WW2 veterans this is possibly the best.
Its difficult sometimes for the author to distance him/herself from the subject and not in some small way project themselves into the stories. Mr Holland must be congratulated as he re-tells these amazing tales of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances in a way that makes you feel you are hearing this from the heroes themselves.
Great Book, couldnt put it down.

Brilliant...
As the review previous to this one suggests, this isn't just about war, but about those everyday people who did extra ordinary things, most didn't even realise what they had actually done. Now a number of them feel it's the right time to pass on their life stories so that they are never forgotten.

It makes you think if the same would happen again today if people were put into the same situation. I think not with the how selfish and self centred people have become. Who knows...

ordinary people, extraordinary lives
This is undoubtedly the most readable book about the exploits of individuals in wartime that i have read. Each hero has a completly different story to tell ,but all show how so-called ordinary people can acheive extraordinary things and live through extreme hardship and emotional trauma whilst maintaining their humility and humanity.
This is not really a book about war, this is a book about amazing people and as such can be enjoyed by anyone.
Would make a good christmas present!