Battle of the Bulge [The Young Readers Adaptation]

by Rick Atkinson

Overview

On the 16th of December, 1944, in the frozen forests of the Ardennes, the German army attacked American Allied forces, launching a final bid to turn the tide of World War II. Thus began the long, hard slog of a battle that was nicknamed by the media as the Battle of the Bulge. Lasting more than a month, it led to tens of thousands of casualties. Sir Winston Churchill called it "the greatest American battle of the war and . . . an ever-famous American victory." Atkinson skillfully guides his audience through the attacks and counterattacks, the advances and retreats of this terrible bloodbath. Whether history buffs or newcomers to the topic, young readers will appreciate the author's clear and accessible prose, as well as the many fascinating facts, photographs, and statistics.

A historical exploration of World War II's Battle of the Bulge from Pulitzer Prize–winner and New York Times–bestselling author Rick Atkinson.

This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627791144
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/30/2015
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	897,441
Lexile:	NC1270L (what's this?)
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rick Atkinson is the bestselling author of An Army at Dawn (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history), The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light, among others. His many other awards include a Pulitzer Prize for journalism, the George Polk Award, and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award. A former staff writer and senior editor at The Washington Post, he lives in Washington, D.C.
Rick Atkinson is the bestselling author of the Liberation Trilogy—An Army at Dawn (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History), The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light—as well as The Long Gray Line and other books. His many additional awards include a Pulitzer Prize in journalism, a George Polk Award, and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award. A former staff writer and senior editor at The Washington Post, he lives in Washington, D.C.

Table of Contents

List of Maps

The Siegfried Line Campaign, Sept. 11-Dec. 15, 1944 18

Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 16-25, 1944 40

Bastogne, Dec. 21-26, 1944 121

Map Legend vii

Allied and Axis Commands and Armies Engaged in the Battle of the Bulge viii

World War II Timeline x

Key Players xiv

A Note to Readers xvii

The European Theater: September 1939-November 1944 1

Hitler's Plan 6

Zero Day: December 16, 1944 46

War in the Raw 106

Epilogue 196

The End of the War 201

Charles De Gaulle 203

Changing the U.S. Draft Laws to Supply Reinforcements 204

U.S. Winter Battle Clothing 206

Radio Communications on the Battlefield 206

Tracks, Tanks, and Planes at the Battle of the Bulge 209

Napalm and Poison Gas 212

Winter Takes its Toll 213

"Kilroy was Here" 215

Horses, Mules, and Dogs of War 216

Signal Corps 217

Weapons Used by Infantry 219

Numbers Tell Part of the Story 221

Battle of the Bulge Timeline 223

Glossary 224

Places to Visit 227

For More Information 230

An Interview with Rick Atkinson 231

Discussion Questions 235

Excerpt from D-Day 239

Bibliography 247

Image Credits 247

Index 248

Editorial Reviews

The format is similar to that of [D-Day], with useful area and battle maps, captioned period photos, and an appendix with descriptions of winter fighting, equipment, and weapons . . . a solid choice for high school reports and military buffs.” —School Library Journal

“Atkinson seats readers at the secret meetings of the Allied commanders, ejects them with paratroopers over the foggy French countryside, puts them into landing craft to hear soldiers barf and exclaim, and sends them out to die bloodily on the beaches wracked with enemy fire. . . . A grand and historically significant tale told with dash and authority.” —Kirkus Reviews on D-Day

From the Publisher