The Rising Tide: A Novel of World War II | 
 enlarge | Author: Jeff Shaara
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $9.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  92 reviews
Sales Rank: 4510
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 608
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 4.2 x 1.7
ISBN: 0345461371
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345461377
ASIN: 0345461371
Publication Date: May 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New, unread, unmarked
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Product Description
A modern master of the historical novel, Jeff Shaara has painted brilliant depictions of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and World War I. Now he embarks upon his most ambitious epic, a trilogy about the military conflict that defined the twentieth century. The Rising Tide begins a staggering work of fiction bound to be a new generation’s most poignant chronicle of World War II. With you-are-there immediacy, painstaking historical detail, and all-inclusive points of view, Shaara portrays the momentous and increasingly dramatic events that pulled America into the vortex of this monumental conflict.
As Hitler conquers Poland, Norway, France, and most of Western Europe, England struggles to hold the line. When Germany’s ally Japan launches a stunning attack on Pearl Harbor, America is drawn into the war, fighting to hold back the Japanese conquest of the Pacific, while standing side-by-side with their British ally, the last hope for turning the tide of the war.
Through unforgettable battle scenes in the unforgiving deserts of North Africa and the rugged countryside of Sicily, Shaara tells this story through the voices of this conflict’s most heroic figures, some familiar, some unknown. As British and American forces strike into the “soft underbelly” of Hitler’s Fortress Europa, the new weapons of war come clearly into focus. In North Africa, tank battles unfold in a tapestry of dust and fire unlike any the world has ever seen. In Sicily, the Allies attack their enemy with a barely tested weapon: the paratrooper. As battles rage along the coasts of the Mediterranean, the momentum of the war begins to shift, setting the stage for the massive invasion of France, at a seaside resort called Normandy.
More than an unprecedented and intimate portrait of those who waged this astonishing global war, The Rising Tide is a vivid gallery of characters both immortal and unknown: the as-yet obscure administrator Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose tireless efficiency helped win the war; his subordinates, clashing in both style and personality, from George Patton and Mark Clark to Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery. In the desolate hills and deserts, the Allies confront Erwin Rommel, the battlefield genius known as “the Desert Fox,” a wounded beast who hands the Americans their first humiliating defeat in the European theater of the war. From tank driver to paratrooper to the men who gave the commands, Shaara’s stirring portrayals bring the heroic and the tragic to life in brilliant detail.
A new level of accomplishment from this already acclaimed author, The Rising Tide will leave readers eager for the next volume of this superb saga of the war that saved and changed the world.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 87 more reviews...
 Historical Fiction at its Best! August 20, 2008
Admittedly, I'm not familiar with Jeff Shaara's work outside of the movie "Gods & Generals," the sequel to the movie ("Gettysburg") inspired by his father's own historical fiction, "The Killer Angels." While I was not as impressed with the movie's take on history, I was led to the conclusion that aside from the title, much of the book is left out of the film. That being the case, and since I am an avid WWII history buff, I decided to give "The Rising Tide" a chance. How very glad I am that I did!
If you're looking for spoilers, you might consider reading another review, as I do not like to ruin anything for anyone. However, if you know your WWII history, especially in those early years of US ground operations in North Africa and Sicily, then you likely already know many of the outcomes, subplots and personalities. Instead, let me address the book itself, rather than the content.
What I most enjoyed was the fair portrayal given to both the Allied forces and the German army. In particular, we follow the careers of Eisenhower, Patton, Rommel and Kesselring through the North Africa and Sicily campaigns. Instead of merely villifying the Germans as all Nazi collaborators, we see a more sympathetic figure, full of brilliance and energy, but also flaws and setbacks. The same can be said of the Allied forces. Rather than merely glorify their wonderous deeds, we also explore the human aspects of the men in charge, their own shortcomings, fears, worries and personal struggles. It humanizes these icons in a way that is attainable to any reader, puts them on a level almost equal to our own.
What I next liked was the in-depth struggles of the soliders in the field. Instead of the omniscient voice constantly dictating the action on the battlegrounds, we see the side of the army from the lowest level, a private with a tank, and a sergeant with a 'stick' of paratroopers. In both cases, the war is brought home to a human level, to our own experiences and history. We identify with these men, and we share in their anxieties, fears, joys and confusion. The surreal nature of the conflict is only broadened by these more intimate experiences, and we can plunge ourselves deeper into the history because of it.
Bear in mind, the third-person-omniscient is present, and at times, we are handed the inner thoughts of generals and enlisted men. Sometimes, the action is moved forward, with a recapping of the interlude given to us by the narrator. Still, the pace is quick, the action is enveloping, the language is not too cerebral, but it also is not dumbed down for simplicity's sake. On the whole, this work by Jeff Shaara is very readable, hard to put down, and engrossing for any fan of historical fiction, WWII, war stories in general, or even the occasional generic fiction lover. It is a work of fiction, this much is true, but its sources are real-life persona, men who had fought in the sands and rocks. I do not believe the fiction goes much further than to supply the actual conversations that we know took place, just perhaps not the actual words. The battles, the people, though, are drawn straight from the pages of history.
I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are turned off by war stories, or if WWII is not your fancy, then you might not get as much enjoyment out of it as someone else who is a fan. I would still recommend it, though, as history is always worth revisiting, especially if it demonstrates the best and worst aspects of human nature. (We could always use a little reminder of what should and should not be repeated throughout our lives). If you are a WWII buff, though, I suggest you add this first book of a planned triology to your collection right away!
Worthwhile August 16, 2008
Jeff Shaara's, The Rising Tide, is most certainly not your standard fare when it comes to historical / military fiction. In a welcome departure, the novel is long on history and relatively short on fiction. I purchased the book expecting an enjoyable but not terribly informative recounting of the North African and Sicilian campaigns and was instead pleasantly surprised by the depth of factual historical information presented.
The Rising Tide covers Operation Torch and Operation Husky, largely from the perspective of well known historical figures such as Eisenhower, Patton, Rommel and Montgomery. The book covers the former campaign more thoroughly than it does the latter. In fact, if I have one criticism of the book (admittedly minor), it's that I wish Shaara would have spent a little more time on Sicily.
One benefit resulting from the North African campaign receiving the majority of Shaara's attention is that readers are treated to a thoroughly engrossing examination of Rommel, particularly the considerable political and logistical obstacles which he faced. For the first time, I think I truly appreciate the crushing magnitude of Rommel's frustration and weariness. I don't believe that I'll ever grow tired of studying Rommel and Shaara's take on the man is very illuminating.
Overall, a very worthwhile read that has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.
A highly readable story of the early portion of the Second World War July 24, 2008
"The Rising Tide" is the first of a planned trilogy of novels dealing with the Second World War. It basically focuses on the war in the European/North Africa theater through the invasion of Italy. The North African Campaign is, of course, when and where the United States Army makes its debut in this Theater of Operations, and where it becomes blooded in tough struggles against Rommel's Afrika Corps. Hence the title "The Rising Tide."
This novel follows the format that Shaara Senior (Michael Shaara) first popularized in "The Killer Angels" whereby the author tells the story from the standpoint of both key historical figures of the time (i.e. Rommel, Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery) and also less well-known or renowned personages.
Here, the format is effective. The distinguishing feature of this Shaara novel is its readability. This one is a true page-turner, and the personalities in particular of Eisenhower and Patton, as presented here, were quite engaging, and more than a little insightful. The battle scenes, particularly those about the parachute jumps into Sicily, were particularly lucid and realistic. The author did a good job here, and some of these scenes crackle with authenticity.
A few nits. Shaara manages to beat to death the theme of Rommel's frustration with Hitler, Hitler's lack of interest in the African front, and the resulting lack of resupply of the Afrika Corps. This theme is endlessly repeated here. On the other hand, I felt that the author's treatment of Eisenhower, Patton, and Montgomery (particularly as Montgomery was perceived by Rommel) were dead on, and very interesting.
Readers who are already familiar with the historical events which form the context of this story will probably not learn a whole lot of new facts. On the other hand, such readers will likely enjoy this one tremendously. I did.
Review Rising Tide July 18, 2008
This author presents an excellant overview of a selective portion of the action in WWII (Africa and Sicily). At the same time he expresses the thoughts of the common soldier as well commanders of both the axis and allies. Shaara is among the best historical adventure writers in the world today.
 Rommel, the great, the only July 10, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Rommel, Rommel, Rommel, Rommel, Ike, Rommel, Rommel, private someone, Rommel,Rommel, Patton, Rommel, Rommel.
And it's not just that we get never-ending coverage of Rommel, it's that he was so put upon! No air support, not enough supplies, no reinforcements, not enough gas, no new tanks, no support from his superiors (who are all idiots because, well, they are not Rommel), dealing with a crazy Hitler, suffering fools all day, not having free reign to do whatever he wants whenever he wants.
C'mon!
Also, I have little confidence in the historical accuracy of this historical novel. I have read three or four books about Patton, including Carlo D'este's comprehensive biography. Patton: a Genius for War. Shaara seems to base his presentation of Patton solely on the movie-which is not that historical.
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