Second Front
Anglo-American Rivalry and the Hidden Story of the Normandy Campaign
Published on 22. April 2025
Book
Hardback
800 pages
978-0-300-27887-3 (ISBN)
Description
A revelatory new account of the Second World War-and how bitter competition between the Allies would shape the postwar world
In June 1944, an Allied army of British, American, and Canadian troops sought to open up a Second Front in Normandy. But they were not only fighting to bring the Second World War to an end. After decades of Anglo-American struggle for dominance, they were also contending with one another-to determine who would ascend to global hegemony once Hitler's armies fell.
Marc Milner traces this bitter rivalry as it emerged after the First World War and evolved during the fragile peace which led to the Second. American media and domestic politics dominated the Allied powers' military strategy, overshadowing the contributions of Britain and the remarkably critical role played by Canada in establishing this Second Front.
Culminating in the decisive Normandy campaign, Milner shows how the struggle for supremacy between Churchill and Roosevelt changed the course of the Second World War-and how their rivalry shaped our understanding of the Normandy campaign, and the war itself.
In June 1944, an Allied army of British, American, and Canadian troops sought to open up a Second Front in Normandy. But they were not only fighting to bring the Second World War to an end. After decades of Anglo-American struggle for dominance, they were also contending with one another-to determine who would ascend to global hegemony once Hitler's armies fell.
Marc Milner traces this bitter rivalry as it emerged after the First World War and evolved during the fragile peace which led to the Second. American media and domestic politics dominated the Allied powers' military strategy, overshadowing the contributions of Britain and the remarkably critical role played by Canada in establishing this Second Front.
Culminating in the decisive Normandy campaign, Milner shows how the struggle for supremacy between Churchill and Roosevelt changed the course of the Second World War-and how their rivalry shaped our understanding of the Normandy campaign, and the war itself.
Reviews / Votes
"An enlightening study of Anglo-American relations during the 1944 Normandy campaign."-Edward G. Lengel, Wall Street Journal"An important and engaging book. It deserves to be widely read."-Gary Sheffield, Times Literary Supplement
"Thought-provoking. . . . A fresh perspective on the Western alliance."-History of War
"Such an absorbing read that the chapters just flew by. . . . For those interested in the second world war it really should be considered a must read."-HistoryBookChat
"A fascinating treatise strongly recommended."-Gordan Corrigan, Aspects of History
"Marc Milner gives a compelling vision of the manifold differences that bedevilled-but did not break-the astonishing alliance of British Commonwealth nations and the United States during the Second World War. A brave and bold book, of deep understanding and wide-ranging insight."-Ashley Jackson, author of Churchill
"Modern history at its very best. . . . Milner's tour de force will prompt fresh debates on everything from the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the role of reporters in creating the first draft of history-as one would expect from a great book on a vital subject by a master of the art."-Andrew Lambert, author of Seapower States
"With the publication of this fascinating, deeply researched, insightful book, Marc Milner firmly places himself at the very top rank of Normandy historians. And he may well have permanently revised our view of this uniquely iconic battle."-John C. McManus, author of The Dead and Those About to Die
"A provocative examination of the historical roots of Operation Overlord that puts into perspective the Anglo-American struggle over global hegemony, the impact of domestic politics, and the critical role of Canadian forces-a fascinating departure from the triumphalist narratives surrounding the Greatest Generation."-Peter R. Mansoor, author of The GI Offensive in Europe
"A blockbuster in its originality and wide-ranging scope. This is a must-read among the profusion of books on the Anglo-American alliance of the Second World War and the climactic Normandy campaign of 1944."-Roger Sarty, author of Canada and the Battle of the Atlantic
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
24 b-w illus.+ 6 maps
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 52 mm
Weight
974 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-27887-3 (9780300278873)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Marc Milner is emeritus professor of history at the University of New Brunswick and former director of the Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society. He is the author of ten acclaimed books, including Stopping the Panzers and Battle of the Atlantic.