Rating: 
Summary: A bridge once forgotten.
Review: Stephen Ambrose has done a remarkable job in giving the reader a front row seat to the fighting at Pegasus Bridge. His writing takes you right to the action and flows over into the heat of battle as if you were there at the time of the attack.He vividy describes the training leading up to the assault on bridge in such detail that you may need to set aside the book to rest, and catch your breath from the rigors of the last double time march. Even though this aspect of the invasion (Pegasus Bridge) encompasses such a small area, the high level of detailed research lends itself to a wonderful account of the early morning hours of 6 June 1944. This book is very easy to read and is a must for those intrigued by the battle that took place at this simple stone bridge over the Caen Canal in the Norman countryside.
Rating: 
Summary: Commandos can work
Review: Stephen Ambrose has written a concise tactical story that deserves to be told, that of the superbly planned and executed commando raid by the British on 6 June 1944. Ambrose is no stranger to the stories of D-Day, but readers of his works might be surprised by something so concise (another one of his books on Upton is equally concise and insightful). Ambrose does a stellar job of presenting the importance of intelligence, secrecy, surprise, mass and logistics in any military operation. He further demonstrates the value of a small attack in the grand scheme of maneuver. The story of Pegasus Bridge, since so re-named by the French in honor of the Pegasus shoulder crest worn by the British, is a thrilling one of specially selected men, precise training, superb small unit leadership, and the role of fate in battle. Like the more well known Rangers at Pont du Hoc, the British were all volunteers, specially selected over a year in advance for a mission of which none of them knew anything. They worked hard at cross training in all of the infantry specialties of small unit tactics, teamwork, weapons handling, communications and that intangible, espirit de corps. The local French Résistance provided precise intelligence to the British so that, in conjunction with photo reconnaissance flights, the British knew exactly what they were facing in the dark night of 5-6 June 1944. In keeping almost iron clad secrecy about the mission, and using silent gliders in small numbers to disguise the hit as a diversion of some sort, the British achieved total surprise and took both bridges almost without a hitch. What they lacked was the same as all amphibious and airborne assault forces: mass of numbers and logistical supplies. They made up for both of these the way that paratroopers and marines, and centuries ago grenadiers, always have: élan, dash, toughness, resolute will and purpose, unflinching courage. They carried it off so well that armored Germans, admittedly not first rate Panzer Truppen, probed, were hit, and backed off to wait for daylight, reinforcements and more guidance. No doubt that had a ethnically pure German leadership group commanded this operation with their traditional leadership from the front and dogged determination, this might have turned out very much differently, but it is always better to be lucky than good, and in that last measure, the British were once again well served. The British participation in OVERLORD is frequently overlooked, and in fact, their failure to seize Caen and break into the French countryside decisively before the Germans could regroup must be regarded as a costly failure. Especially in lieu of the fact that they held Pegasus Bridge which offered exciting penetration and flanking exploitation possibilities, the British reluctance to attack fast and hard should be studied as a failure in command. With the stunning technical success at Arromanches with the Mulberries, and the dash and verve of the successful bridge seizure, though, it is time to also study the great British successes of OVERLORD: commando ops, intelligence, and logistics. Pegasus Bridge is a good quick read, and worth re-reading and contemplation for what it does not tell you, but indicates in absebtia.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite All The Way Across
Review: Stephen Ambrose is one of those authors that I would give anything he wrote a chance. In the past I have not been disappointed with his work. That positive track record came to an end with this book. To be fair this book was written a number of years ago and before his best World War 2 works - D-Day and Citizen Soldiers. This book also covers an event that was performed by UK soldiers and the author's real strength has been with American forces. With those two books in my mind I grabbed this book hoping for the same detailed account of this particular event. Unfortunately for me the detail level was just not there. He briefly touched on the training and lead up to the event but not in the kind of detail that would really give me some insight into the men. He covered the assault on the bridge, but his coverage of the importance of the bridge to the overall D-Day effort and the German response was a bit lacking. And finally he also touched on what happened to the group for the rest of the war but in such a general way that it left me wanting more and frustrated at the extremely brief overview. I do not want to come off too harsh, overall this is an interesting and easy to read book that gives the reader a better then average coverage of the event. I was just thinking it would be better based on the author's track record.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite All The Way Across
Review: Stephen Ambrose is one of those authors that I would give anything he wrote a chance. In the past I have not been disappointed with his work. That positive track record came to an end with this book. To be fair this book was written a number of years ago and before his best World War 2 works - D-Day and Citizen Soldiers. This book also covers an event that was performed by UK soldiers and the author's real strength has been with American forces. With those two books in my mind I grabbed this book hoping for the same detailed account of this particular event. Unfortunately for me the detail level was just not there. He briefly touched on the training and lead up to the event but not in the kind of detail that would really give me some insight into the men. He covered the assault on the bridge, but his coverage of the importance of the bridge to the overall D-Day effort and the German response was a bit lacking. And finally he also touched on what happened to the group for the rest of the war but in such a general way that it left me wanting more and frustrated at the extremely brief overview. I do not want to come off too harsh, overall this is an interesting and easy to read book that gives the reader a better then average coverage of the event. I was just thinking it would be better based on the author's track record.
Rating: 
Summary: Left Flank Covered.
Review: Stephen Ambrose states in "Band Of Brothers" that as an honorary member of D Company Ox and Bucks and of E company,506,101st,he has both his flanks covered. Indeed so. "Pegasus Bridge" should probably be read in conjunction with "Band of Brothers" although it is much more the story of a single action on a single night than the odyssey that is the record of Easy Co. Ambrose writes vividly of the night of the 5th June ,his style ideally suited to his subject. One feels the elation ,the fear ,the shock of the combatants as the events unfold.The death of Den Brotheridge ,the key destruction of a mk4 Panzer and later a patrol boat by men armed with only the erratic and makeshift PIAT,the discordantly amusing destruction of a German OP situated on a water tower by means of a captured AT gun, all clearly recreated in the mind of the reader by the concise prose and carefully chosen eyewitness accounts. There are some minor gripes.Most non-American readers will feel that Ambrose has more understanding of the pysche and motivations of G.Is than of Tommies, but this is understandable. While wholeheartedly agreeing with his assessment of the Sten and PIAT as erratic and alarming weapons to use, he errs when describing the Bren in like terms as inferior to the German equivalents. These are not major issues. "Pegasus Bridge", with "Band of Brothers", stands as a wonderful read and a fitting tribute to the young men of 1944 who gave so much for freedom.
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD STORY, TOLD
Review: Stephen Ambrose's book tells the story of D company, 6th para. and the taking of the bridges over the Orne canal and river. It is an excellent, if skimpy, telling of one of the facinating stories of WWII. I have always found the incident interesting since seeing it portrayed in "The Longest Day" It is a quick read, and I'd have liked more detail, but it is a good book none the less.
Rating:
Summary: A GOOD STORY, TOLD
Review: Stephen Ambrose's book tells the story of D company, 6th para. and the taking of the bridges over the Orne canal and river. It is an excellent, if skimpy, telling of one of the facinating stories of WWII. I have always found the incident interesting since seeing it portrayed in "The Longest Day" It is a quick read, and I'd have liked more detail, but it is a good book none the less.
Rating:
Summary: Unique and excellent
Review: The postion of this book dealing with the battle is good, not great. It is worthwhile for its unique level, dealing with a company,not divisions. The real hidden gem in this book is the inside look at the role of personalities and training time on a military unit. The book is a worthwhile read for that portion; both showing how the process works, and how it impacts what happens on the battlefield.
Rating:
Summary: great for the person who wants to know what it was like.
Review: this book should be at the top of your list. the book is well written and takes you into the planning and importance of this attack during the early morning hours of D-Day. i enjoy facts and this book has plenty. i also recommend "band of brothers" by ambrose.
Rating:
Summary: Pegasus Bridge book review.
Review: This is the story of the Ox and Bucks regiment who captured Pegasus bridge on D-Day. This book is superb it gives an excellent account of the importance of the mission and the training of the men leading up to the actual assault and capture of the bridge. The book then goes on to explain how the bridge was held and includes good detail of when the re-enforcements arrived. The book is written very well and it has lots of eye witness accounts in it by people who were actually there. I recently visited the bridge during the 60th anniversary of D-Day and I would certainly reccommend reading the book if you are to visit the bridge ( I would also reccommend a visit to Pegasus bridge). This book has inspired me to purchase another book titled "The devils own luck" which is about the Ox and Bucks regiment after Pegasus bridge up to the end of the war.
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