The Liberator - Alex Kershaw

The Liberator

By Alex Kershaw

  • Release Date: 2012-10-30
  • Genre: History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 358 Ratings

Description

The untold story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War—now a Netflix original series starring Jose Miguel Vasquez, Bryan Hibbard, and Bradley James
 
“Exceptional . . . worthy addition to vibrant classics of small-unit history like Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers.”—Wall Street Journal
 
Written with Alex Kershaw's trademark narrative drive and vivid immediacy, The Liberator traces the remarkable battlefield journey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks through the Allied liberation of Europe—from the first landing in Italy to the final death throes of the Third Reich.

Over five hundred bloody days, Sparks and his infantry unit battled from the beaches of Sicily through the mountains of Italy and France, ultimately enduring bitter and desperate winter combat against the die-hard SS on the Fatherland's borders. Having miraculously survived the long, bloody march across Europe, Sparks was selected to lead a final charge to Bavaria, where he and his men experienced some of the most intense street fighting suffered by Americans in World War II.

And when he finally arrived at the gates of Dachau, Sparks confronted scenes that robbed the mind of reason—and put his humanity to the ultimate test.

Reviews

  • Outstanding!!!

    5
    By Ajbebrx
    Lived in Oklahoma my whole life and didn’t know much about the 45th infantry until I read this riveting book. The Liberator is one of the very best books I’ve ever read! I plan to go Oklahoma City this month and visit the outstanding 45th Infantry museum.
  • Fantastic thunderbird

    5
    By shay houser
    Awesome read
  • Great book about a truly great man

    5
    By Hiker at heart
    This book is well researched and written which is icing on the cake. Felix Sparks was what the greatest generation was all about and this book gives us a better appreciation for the man, the generation and what they mean to the world we live in today.
  • Spectacular

    4
    By Felix Sparks
    The story of Felix Sparks is cold, scary and beautiful. This is the first book that truly made me understand the horrors of war. The author's ability to paint a crisp picture, while maintaining the factual integrity, and also making the story engrossing, is very impressive. It was hard to put this book down, and I am happy to know that people like Felix Sparks exist in this world. Makes me proud to be an American.
  • The Liberator

    4
    By Marty DG
    One of the best true life stories of an American hero and his fellow heroes. The true grit of a young boy who grows to old age, doing the right thing. This book will keep the heroics of the Thunderbirds alive.
  • The Liberator

    5
    By Super Clock
    Brigadier General Sparks was a true warrior. The book shows how a leader should act in combat. General Sparks was a man on a mission--to keep his Soldiers alive and setting the example by leading from the front. His civilian career was a mirror image of his military ethics, which lead him to be quite successful. This book should be on all lieutenant's reading list, as it shows a true warrior, who wasn't a yes man, because he thought of his troops and let his seniors know how he felt.
  • Great book

    5
    By yo yo felos mama
    Very interesting
  • Lucky me!

    5
    By Hungry Dave 18
    Couldn't put it down. War certainly IS hell. Is it ever worth the sacrifice? WW11? No doubt.
  • The Liberator

    5
    By Ghostrover78
    Vivid, outstanding account of 1man, 157th Regiment and the Thunderbirds of the 45th Division during WWII. Must read for all to truly appreciate what our forefathers faced in war. War is hell and they saw it.
  • The Liberator

    5
    By TBird04
    Superb personal account of a valiant officer during WWll. A commander who exemplified what an officer should do in combat- lead and protect his men. The author provided a perspective from the combatants that enhanced the narrative . Detailing Sparks life after the war was insightful and necessary to completely understand this man of integrity .