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World War II Liberation Trilogy #1-3
The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set
The definitive chronicle of the Allied triumph in Europe during World War II, Rick Atkinson's Liberation Trilogy is now together in one boxed set
From the War in North Africa to the Invasion of Normandy, the Liberation Trilogy recounts the hard fought battles that led to Allied victory in World War II. Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author Rick Atkinson brings great drama and exquisite detail to the retelling of these battles and gives life to a cast of characters, from the Allied leaders to rifleman in combat. His accomplishment is monumental: the Liberation Trilogy is the most vividly told, brilliantly researched World War II narrative to date.
From the War in North Africa to the Invasion of Normandy, the Liberation Trilogy recounts the hard fought battles that led to Allied victory in World War II. Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author Rick Atkinson brings great drama and exquisite detail to the retelling of these battles and gives life to a cast of characters, from the Allied leaders to rifleman in combat. His accomplishment is monumental: the Liberation Trilogy is the most vividly told, brilliantly researched World War II narrative to date.
2349 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2005
348 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Rick Atkinson
41 books1,770 followersRick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of seven works of history, including The Long Gray Line, the Liberation Trilogy (An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light), and The British Are Coming, the first volume of the Revolution Trilogy. His work as a historian and journalist has won numerous awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 18, 2015
Wow. I just finished the 3300 pg "Liberation Trilogy" about the allies march from Africa to Italy and on through France into Germany in WW2. I feel like I've really accomplished something. I've been reading it all summer. Of course we you finish I have to give it 5 stars because it is mind boggling how much research and work the author put into these books. I thought I was pretty well read on WW2 but I learned so much I wouldn't know where to start. I thought the 3rd book "The Guns at last Night" was the best and was the easiest for me to get through. It is absolutely required reading for anyone interested in WW2. I thought the book was best when it analyzed strategy or went into the private lives of the players in the war. If I had to complain I would say that I wished there was more written from the German perspective because I found those moments particularly fascinating. overall if you love ww2 history you gotta read it. Just mark off about 3 months from your reading schedule.
June 16, 2014
It was a very tedious read, but it has great "snippets" of diaries and letters that really helped described how life was during the war. I learned a lot reading this series.
March 3, 2024
I love every author who dares to put their words out there for me and others to read !
God, sometimes some of you make me feel like I never graduated kindergarten.
God, sometimes some of you make me feel like I never graduated kindergarten.
August 4, 2020
I didn't buy the boxed set, I had purchased all three individually. I began reading Volume 1 in April 2020 and finished Volume 3 at the end of July 2020. This was my COVID-19 project.
Atkinson paints a picture of war in all its horror and valor. The death toll was unimaginable. "Heroic" officers making decisions that cost way too many lives. Ill-prepared soldiers being thrown into combat. The personality struggles and the politics between the the big three leaders and their generals made for very interesting reading.
Reading these books at this time in our history is eye-opening. The amount of resources that were expended in both material and people to conquer this thing called "Nazism" makes me wonder what happened to our country and our veterans who are silent when people say there are "good folks who are Neo-Nazis." How can we allow this "ism" to rise anew in our world? Where are the voices of the men and women who paid so dearly to destroy this horrible philosophy?
Kudos to this author. I look forward to reading his book on the Revolutionary War.
Atkinson paints a picture of war in all its horror and valor. The death toll was unimaginable. "Heroic" officers making decisions that cost way too many lives. Ill-prepared soldiers being thrown into combat. The personality struggles and the politics between the the big three leaders and their generals made for very interesting reading.
Reading these books at this time in our history is eye-opening. The amount of resources that were expended in both material and people to conquer this thing called "Nazism" makes me wonder what happened to our country and our veterans who are silent when people say there are "good folks who are Neo-Nazis." How can we allow this "ism" to rise anew in our world? Where are the voices of the men and women who paid so dearly to destroy this horrible philosophy?
Kudos to this author. I look forward to reading his book on the Revolutionary War.
September 8, 2019
Never have I seen and felt the terror of war until I read these three books. Like driving by a car wreck, I could not look away.
But my interest was deeper than curiosity. I felt like I needed to know what the men endured when they fought in World War II.
The grim truth of war is that boys ship overseas to be trained to do vile things. They see things that change them for life, and they’re rarely shown the bigger picture of the greater good. Books like this can help us see the broad view as we peer through history, but the men in the trenches had to endure the daily struggles of the heat of North Africa (Book One: An Army At Dawn), the freezing seasons of Italy (Book Two: The Day of Battle), and the wet seasons of Europe (Book Three: The Guns At Last Light) on their way to Berlin.
These three books are masterfully arranged, well-researched, and brutally honest. It is disturbing, at times, to think of the “Greatest Generation” in terms of killing machines, but what they overcame in such a short time was truly incredible.
Note: this book is non-Christian and includes profanity.
But my interest was deeper than curiosity. I felt like I needed to know what the men endured when they fought in World War II.
The grim truth of war is that boys ship overseas to be trained to do vile things. They see things that change them for life, and they’re rarely shown the bigger picture of the greater good. Books like this can help us see the broad view as we peer through history, but the men in the trenches had to endure the daily struggles of the heat of North Africa (Book One: An Army At Dawn), the freezing seasons of Italy (Book Two: The Day of Battle), and the wet seasons of Europe (Book Three: The Guns At Last Light) on their way to Berlin.
These three books are masterfully arranged, well-researched, and brutally honest. It is disturbing, at times, to think of the “Greatest Generation” in terms of killing machines, but what they overcame in such a short time was truly incredible.
Note: this book is non-Christian and includes profanity.
April 13, 2022
As many of the reviewers here, I have been reading about WW-II for years. Until this trilogy, I have never fully appreciated the logistical flow, timing and management of the overall war effort. In my career I spent a good deal of time traveling Europe, particularly, Germany where the author details the geographical challenges of the War. Thanks to the author, I now have a much better feeling for what our troops had to endure traversing those grounds and weather conditions. Not a big surprise but given the inexperience, ineptitude and egos of our commanders, thank God the USA demonstrated an insurmountable advantage in resource production.
Atkinson’s descriptions and detail concerning the horrors of the War will not fail to leave a lasting effect on readers.
I first read The Long Gray Line and very much enjoyed Atkinson’s writing style and would highly recommend that book as well.
Atkinson’s descriptions and detail concerning the horrors of the War will not fail to leave a lasting effect on readers.
I first read The Long Gray Line and very much enjoyed Atkinson’s writing style and would highly recommend that book as well.
November 4, 2020
I definitely came out of these books with a greater appreciation for just how WWII took place- but wow, this is a long and in depth series that covers a LOT of ground. It did a reasonably good job bouncing between the strategic and tactical levels of the war, and showcased personalities from the junior ranks up through the General Eisenhower. Of course, long as it was I would have enjoyed seeing a little more on the Army Air Force and Navy contributions to the war- but then, I'd probably still be reading it if it was any longer.
I am looking forward to Mr. Atkinson's Revolutionary War trilogy.
I am looking forward to Mr. Atkinson's Revolutionary War trilogy.
November 26, 2017
Having read a lot of Pacific theater World War 2, this one focuses on the Army operations.
February 3, 2020
I've been reading WWII books since the 8th grade, yet this set of books sticks out. Really interesting and fact filled.
February 10, 2020
Suberb
This is perhaps the best-written, most intelligent, and comprehensive history of the Anerican WWII Iin Europeever published. It is highly readable.
This is perhaps the best-written, most intelligent, and comprehensive history of the Anerican WWII Iin Europeever published. It is highly readable.
March 30, 2020
Excellent treatment
This trilogy is one of the easiest to read tomes covering the European Theater of Operations. I recommend it be read.
This trilogy is one of the easiest to read tomes covering the European Theater of Operations. I recommend it be read.
October 23, 2021
The Best
I read a lot of WWII history. This trilogy set educated me better then anything I have read previously. This is an epic work that should be read ASAP!
I read a lot of WWII history. This trilogy set educated me better then anything I have read previously. This is an epic work that should be read ASAP!
April 20, 2022
Outstanding piece of work!
March 8, 2025
Fantastic trilogy
May 27, 2025
Even though I've read a lot on WW2, this is one of the best history books on WW2, well researched and written.
October 12, 2025
One of the best on WWI and WWII.
July 7, 2021
Fascinating
Rick Atkinson did his homework and the letters home from dog soldiers to Generals were very telling and helped get to know these fascinating people. His descriptions of Battle were the best I’ve ever read. You felt you were there! Every young person today should read this Trilogy and learn of the sacrifices these Men and Women made to make the world safe from a mad man!
Rick Atkinson did his homework and the letters home from dog soldiers to Generals were very telling and helped get to know these fascinating people. His descriptions of Battle were the best I’ve ever read. You felt you were there! Every young person today should read this Trilogy and learn of the sacrifices these Men and Women made to make the world safe from a mad man!
February 14, 2017
Every page I flipped felt like footsteps as I explored a part of the war torn European continent. The sheer amount of research done by the author to write these books is simply mind boggling. I just didn't read a trilogy, I had an experience!
October 27, 2014
The Liberation Trilogy, as a whole, reveals the enormity of World War II, in all its horrific detail and with a brilliant, character driven narrative. From the campaign in North Africa to the Allied victory in Europe, Atkinson brings the horrific lessons of war home in a gifted storytelling style and does not wince from the brutal realities of the cost of World War II, especially in the price paid in human treasure.
January 22, 2016
This three-part series is a long history. I finished the North Africa campaign and now onto Sicily and the Italian Occupation.
About the first volume: a well-written book about a pivotal point in WWII with the introduction of American involvement. This beginning conflict driving the Axis out of North Africa was primarily a learning point for the Allies working together against a determined and able enemy. Lot of unforgettable vignettes of soldiers in war and tragedy.
About the first volume: a well-written book about a pivotal point in WWII with the introduction of American involvement. This beginning conflict driving the Axis out of North Africa was primarily a learning point for the Allies working together against a determined and able enemy. Lot of unforgettable vignettes of soldiers in war and tragedy.
April 12, 2020
The main thrust of the book seems to be the decision making process at the highest levels but he also gives details about the daily life of combat soldiers. The combination of war at the highest levels and on the front lines makes for a great read.
May 28, 2015
Enjoyable, but rather dry. Took me quite a while to work through...
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July 17, 2016Very informative information about WWII, very detailed.
July 14, 2017
Well researched and an in-depth analysis of the war in western Europe and Africa during WWII. I learned much of recent history through this trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews