I know this is the vaguest, most non-descript way to begin a review, but...this book is amazing.

A diligent researcher, Ambrose sifted through historical evidence and spoke with family members and, when still possible, the troops themselves--which is an invaluable addition to the book--to humanize the story and tell it as accurately as possible. It's an incredible story to hear, and while I would never say "it's like you're actually there," Ambrose does as good of a job as any in making you feel the cold, the frustration, the confusion, the bravery, the suffering (physical and otherwise). Reading this book will, if anything, help you appreciate that it's not all about you.

D-Day was nearly 70 years ago, and many of the men who lived through it have passed on. This book ensures that what they did will remain in our collective conscious.

N.B.: The HBO mini-series is incredible, too - just don't watch it until a) you've read the book and b) you can devote at least 10 hours to sitting in front of the TV uninterrupted, because you'll want to watch them in one sitting, one after the next, until you're done.