Title: A Bridge Too Far
Author: Cornelius Ryan
First published January 1, 1974
670 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780450837319 (ISBN10: 0450837319)
Rating: 4.26
Overview
In Cornelius Ryan’s A Bridge Too Far, readers will be transported to the Battle of Arnhem, where the greatest armada of troop-carrying aircraft ever assembled was deployed in an effort to end the war in Europe. Ryan’s masterful storytelling captures the Allied effort to drop combined airborne forces behind German lines in an attempt to capture the crucial bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem.
Through Ryan’s vivid prose, readers will meet a vast cast of characters, including Dutch civilians, British and American strategists, and brave soldiers and commanders. This compelling work of history will leave readers on the edge of their seats as they experience the terror, suspense, heroism, and tragedy of one of the most daring and ill-fated operations of the war.
A Bridge Too Far is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II history.
About the Author
Ryan was born and raised in Dublin, but moved to London in 1940 after finishing his education. He began working as a war correspondent for ”The Daily Telegraph” in 1941, covering the air war in Europe during WW II.
Ryan flew on fourteen bombing missions with the Eighth Air Force and Ninth Air Force United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), and later joined General Patton’s Third Army to cover its actions until the end of the war. He then transferred to the Pacific theater in 1945, and later moved to Jerusalem in 1946.
In 1947, Ryan emigrated to the United States to work for a magazine, where he reported on the postwar tests of atomic weapons carried out by the United States in the Pacific. He later worked for other magazines and married Kathryn Morgan, a novelist.
He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1951.
During a trip to Normandy in 1949, Ryan became interested in telling a more complete story of D-Day. He conducted over 1000 interviews and gathered stories from both the Allies and the Germans, as well as French civilians.
This led to his book, , which tells the story of the invasion of Normandy. Published in 1959, it was an instant success.
Ryan’s next work was (1966), about the Battle of Berlin. This was followed by (1974), which tells the story of Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated assault by allied airborne forces on the Netherlands culminating in the Battle of Arnhem.
Ryan was awarded the French Legion of Honor, and an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Ohio University, where the Cornelius Ryan Collection is housed (Alden Library). He was diagnosed with cancer in 1970, and struggled to finish during his illness.
He died in Manhattan, while on tour promoting the book, , only two months after publication.
Four years after his death, Ryan’s struggle with cancer was detailed in written by his wife, from notes he had secretly left behind for that purpose. He is buried in the Ridgebury Cemetery in northern Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Editoral Review
Cornelius Ryan’s A Bridge Too Far is a stunning piece of historical writing that truly brings to life the harrowing events of Operation Market Garden, a pivotal World War II battle. Published in 1974, Ryan’s novel remains a defining work in the war drama genre.
Ryan, a celebrated journalist and author, meticulously researched the battle, speaking to survivors and immersing himself in first-hand accounts in order to create a vivid and accurate retelling of the events. The novel follows the events leading up to and during Operation Market Garden, a daring plan to end the war quickly by seizing a series of bridges in the Netherlands.
Its success would open the door for the Allies to push into Germany and end the war. However, things go wrong quickly as the airborne troops drop too far from their landing zones, key bridges stay in German hands, and the Allies quickly become outnumbered and outgunned.
The novel delves deeply into the lives of the characters, both soldiers and civilians alike, as they struggle to survive the grueling battle and make sense of the madness that has engulfed them. Ryan’s writing is incredible, bringing a level of detail and humanity to the battle that is often absent in other works on the topic.
The characters are complex and feel incredibly real, with their motivations and fears laid bare for the reader. The battle scenes themselves are incredibly tense and gripping, causing the reader to feel as if they were there alongside the fighting men.
The novel’s themes of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice are incredibly poignant, and the book is a testament to the bravery and valor of those who fought and gave their lives during the war. Ryan’s work has become an important historical document, providing a vivid and visceral account of the battle that shaped the course of the war.
While the book is not without its flaws, such as the occasional appearance of cliched or predictable plot points, these are overshadowed by Ryan’s incredible writing and attention to detail. A Bridge Too Far is a must-read for any fans of military history or war drama, and for anyone interested in the sacrifices and struggles of the brave men and women who fought in World War II.
Overall, A Bridge Too Far is a true masterpiece of historical writing, and Cornelius Ryan’s passion for his subject matter is evident on every page. The novel is completely engrossing, and a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in history.
We whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in military history or WWII, and give it a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
