Hardcover
D-Day’s untold stories: courage, sacrifice, and Britain’s critical Sword Beach.

Sword Beach

D-Day Baptism by Fire

$42.96

  • Hardcover

    400 pages

  • Release Date

    11 November 2025

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Summary

Between 1941 and 1944, the British army contributed relatively little to World War II. On the unremittingly bloody Eastern Front, no Russian or German soldier had experienced the luxury of having four years to prepare and train for a resumption of the European continental campaign. But on D-Day—June 6, 1944—the lives of British soldiers changed. Thirty-five thousand infantrymen, airmen, and special service operatives were sent headfirst into the whitest heat of war, almost overnight.

…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781324117575
ISBN-10:1324117575
Author:Max Hastings
Publisher:WW Norton & Co
Imprint:WW Norton & Co
Format:Hardcover
Number of Pages:400
Release Date:11 November 2025
Weight:643g
Dimensions:33mm x 160mm x 236mm
A-Format
B-Format
C-Format
Sword Beach by Max Hastings - ISBN: 9781324117575
160 × 236 mm
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

“Admirably captures the tumult of war.” – Lawrence D. Freedman - Foreign Affairs
“Required reading for anyone interested in [World War II] history… . [Hastings] has an exceptional talent for detail.” – Ron Kaplan - Bookreporter.com
“Hastings [is] a master of military history… A new look at D-Day from perhaps the best possible source.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“An incisive exploration of a WWII turning point and of the complex psychology of men in battle.” – Publishers Weekly
“Impressive… Hastings’ new book makes gripping reading.” – Gary Sheffield - Times Literary Supplement
“Enthralling… Just when you think there’s nothing new to say about D-Day, Max Hastings proves you wrong with this gripping, insightful and extraordinarily vivid retelling of the pivotal moment of the Second Front.” – Saul David - BBC History Magazine
“With sensitivity and beautiful prose… Hastings deserves praise for bringing [these men] to life and, more importantly, for understanding them.” – Gerard DeGroot - The Times
“The best kind of history books draw on compelling, richly textured human stories in order to chronicle wider events—and Hastings does this with aplomb.” – Anna Bonet - The Independent
“Exceedingly well [told]… A cracking tale in the hands of a practised storyteller.” – Jonathan Boff - Spectator
“Hastings is a prolific military historian, experienced war reporter and commentator, and consummate storyteller… D-Day was one of the British army’s finest hours, perhaps the finest. The author has matched that hour admirably.” – Allan Mallinson - Country Life

About The Author

Max Hastings

Max Hastings is the author of more than thirty books, including Sword Beach, Inferno, and The Secret War. Knighted in 2002 and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, he served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Telegraph, then editor of the Evening Standard. He lives in West Berkshire, England.

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