The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of World War II's Most Decorated Platoon

by Alex Kershaw Narrated by Grover Gardner

Overview

The epic story of the vastly outnumbered platoon that stopped Germany's leading assault in the Ardennes forest and prevented Hitler's most fearsome tanks from overtaking American positions

On a cold morning in December, 1944, deep in the Ardennes forest, a platoon of eighteen men under the command of twenty-year-old lieutenant Lyle Bouck were huddled in their foxholes trying desperately to keep warm. Suddenly, the early morning silence was broken by the roar of a huge artillery bombardment and the dreadful sound of approaching tanks. Hitler had launched his bold and risky offensive against the Allies-his "last gamble"-and the small American platoon was facing the main thrust of the entire German assault. Vastly outnumbered, they repulsed three German assaults in a fierce day-long battle, killing over five hundred German soldiers and defending a strategically vital hill. Only when Bouck's men had run out of ammunition did they surrender to the enemy. As POWs, Bouck's platoon began an ordeal far worse than combat-survive in captivity under trigger-happy German guards, Allied bombing raids, and a daily ration of only thin soup. In German POW camps, hundreds of captured Americans were either killed or died of disease, and most lost all hope. But the men of Bouck's platoon survived-miraculously, all of them. Once again in vivid, dramatic prose, Alex Kershaw brings to life the story of some of America's little-known heroes-the story of America's most decorated small unit, an epic story of courage and survival in World War II, and one of the most inspiring stories in American history.

Editorial Reviews

Roanoke Times

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a renewed sense of patriotism.

Army Magazine

Kershaw is a fantastic storyteller.... Anyone who enjoyed [his earlier book The Bedford Boys would like this too.

Wall Street Journal

America's enemies would do well not to underestimate this platoon's sense of courage and duty.

New York Sun

Gripping and unsentimental....shows that valor comes in many forms.

Topeka Capital-Journal 8/6/05

"Kershaw does a masterful job .... A fascinating little-known story. Amazing."

Library Journal

Though this book's subtitle is plainly overstated, there's no doubting the extraordinary heroism and pivotal contribution of the 394th Infantry Regiment's scout platoon in blunting the German advance during the opening hours of the Battle of the Bulge. The platoon's gallant stand has been chronicled in works like Charles MacDonald's A Time for Trumpets, but Kershaw (The Bedford Boys) relates the story of the platoon from its inception at Camp Maxey, TX, to its desperate fight at Lanzerath, Belgium, on December 16, 1944, as well as platoon members' subsequent experiences in captivity. Though the story itself is remarkable, the narrative is somewhat meandering and not entirely satisfying. A casual reader might well overlook the grammatically incorrect German phrases that the author liberally sprinkles throughout. However, this poor attention to detail surfaces elsewhere, as when the author incorrectly places Hammelburg, the site of the platoon's POW camp, 70 miles west of Frankfurt in the Rhone valley; misidentifies Generals Bradley, Montgomery, and Devers as army commanders; and credits the 2nd Division with originally preparing the scout platoon's fighting positions at Lanzerath. An optional purchase for public libraries.-Edward Metz, Combined Arms Research Lib., Ft. Leavenworth, KS Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

"This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a renewed sense of patriotism."
—Roanoke Times

"Kershaw is a fantastic storyteller and excels at describing small-unit action. Anyone who enjoyed The Bedford Boys would like this book."
—Army Magazine

"America's enemies would do well not to underestimate this [platoon's] sense of courage3 and duty."
—Wall Street Journal

"Gripping and unsentimental...Shows that valor comes in many forms."
—New York Sun

"Kershaw handles both combat and internment skillfully and respectfully. A good read for observing the 60th anniversary of the Bulge."
—Booklist

"Kershaw has written a concise and winning account, one based largely on interviews with the platoon members. He vividly depicts the battlefield heroism and subsequent survival of these valiant American troops. Those interested in military history will find much here that is pleasing and heretofore uncelebrated."
—San Francisco Chronicle

"A gripping, true life saga."
—Midwest Book Review

"Kershaw...once again has succeeded in producing a fascinating, little known story. Amazing."
—Topeka Capital-Journal

"Kershaw skillfully tells the vivid and inspiring story."
—Military Officer Magazine

"This is a well-written book detailing the individual exploits of both American and German combatants. I required a second reading to better grasp the details of the individual experiences. I think that perhaps a third or fourth reading will be necessary to fully appreciate the impact of this incredible true story."
—Curled Up With a Good Book

AUG/SEP 05 - AudioFile

THE LONGEST WINTER brings the 18 brave men of a WWII platoon to life as they fight a fierce battle in which they kill 500 Germans. When captured, the heroes suffer severe hardships--such as soup made from insects and intractable diarrhea--in a German POW camp. Since the story moves back and forth between conversations of American and German troops, some German accents would help indicate when the enemy is speaking. Nonetheless, Grover Gardner, sounding inspired and involved, inflects the narrative with a vitality suited to the changing scenes. History lovers can look forward to a story not told in audio before. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192743881
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	08/27/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged