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Dark December: The Full Account of the Battle of the Bulge
Dark December is Robert E. Merriam's famous blow by blow chronicle of the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945), the German Army's last major offensive of World War II. Merriam was chief of the Ardennes section of the U.S. Army and his dazzling narrative is one of the most detailed first-hand accounts of the conflict. Presented from both Allied and German viewpoints, Dark December examines events leading up to the offensive, the massive engagement of German forces against unprepared American units, and finally the turning back of the defeated German Wehrmacht.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 10, 2022
I usually read Historical FICTION. This novel is a first person researched novel full of maps and interviews of both American and German military officers involved in the last land battle which ultimately led to German surrender. It is as far from fiction as you can get.
Looking back, we know there were times we thought Hitler was out of his mind (no judgement) and there are times during this book he appears to make decisions to support that theory, but Americans did not always make the best decisions either.
The book was well written for its time. It's more of a textbook than a novel, but it's history. Back when it was published I'm sure it provided Americans a lot more information than they ever got anywhere else.
My father, brother and nephew grew up with the Merriam historical literature focus at University of Chicago. He was well respected, and still is. I recommend this book.
Looking back, we know there were times we thought Hitler was out of his mind (no judgement) and there are times during this book he appears to make decisions to support that theory, but Americans did not always make the best decisions either.
The book was well written for its time. It's more of a textbook than a novel, but it's history. Back when it was published I'm sure it provided Americans a lot more information than they ever got anywhere else.
My father, brother and nephew grew up with the Merriam historical literature focus at University of Chicago. He was well respected, and still is. I recommend this book.
July 18, 2022
A great behind the scene review of both the Americans and the Germans, battle plans.
The one thing that struck me was how the author, Mr. Merriam, pointed out several times, that Hitler was crazy. I believe the rest of the world thought the same thing. But like our Generals, he was underestimated as to how hard he was going to fight back. The Battle of the Bulge and the fights through Aerdenns were the last big push by Hilter. He, of course, thought the American Generals and the American foot soldiers, would give up and he would be able to push all the way back to the seas.
He found out that even though the Americans were shooked up, they regrouped and fought harder to regain the ground they lost, and, he's the spoiler, won the battles and the war.
Very interesting read, and gives the reader, a lot of historical information.
The one thing that struck me was how the author, Mr. Merriam, pointed out several times, that Hitler was crazy. I believe the rest of the world thought the same thing. But like our Generals, he was underestimated as to how hard he was going to fight back. The Battle of the Bulge and the fights through Aerdenns were the last big push by Hilter. He, of course, thought the American Generals and the American foot soldiers, would give up and he would be able to push all the way back to the seas.
He found out that even though the Americans were shooked up, they regrouped and fought harder to regain the ground they lost, and, he's the spoiler, won the battles and the war.
Very interesting read, and gives the reader, a lot of historical information.
October 21, 2018
This is the most detailed description of the Battle of the Bulge that I have read. It was written just after the war by someone who was there. The author served in a historical unit and was present before and during the battle and had access to interview both American and German generals who took part in the planning and operations. It was well written and readable. If I have one complaint it is that he spent too much time on the German planning of the battle and not enough time on the battle itself. Half of the book was spent on the planning phase and troop movements leading up to the battle.I would recommend the book to anyone with a serious interest in World War II history and in the the war in Europe in particular. The author does a good job of describing the personalities and motives of the German generals and leaders. However if you only interested in a more casual description of the battle I would suggest either Stephen D. Ambrose's Citizen Soldiers or John D. Eisenhower's history of the battle.
May 30, 2017
PERSONAL RESPONSE
I thought that The Battle Of the Bulge was an amazing book because it told the story of what really was going on over in Germany and on the front lines with the Americans and Germans. It told how the Germans tricked the Americans and kept playing mind tricks to make the troops lose morale.
PLOT
The massive German counteroffensive through Belgium’s Ardennes Forest in December 1944 took the American and British Armies by surprise and changed the outcome of the war. With multiple whole divisions destroyed, the American Army scrambled to contain the German threat, while also trying to determine how such a well planned attack had gone undetected. The Americans succeeded in winning the month-long battle, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. They won due to the tenacity of several pockets of troops, notably those in the Belgian town of Bastogne. The remarkable rapid movement of Patton’s Third Army to seal the wide hole in the American lines also aided in the victory. The battle stalled the British and American advances and lengthened the war, which resulted in the Soviet Union making greater gains in Europe than previously anticipated. This book was a thorough and engrossing examination of the Battle of the Bulge by a historian who had the opportunity to prepare notes as the battle occurred. He also consulted classified American and German records. The book also contained unique and critical information, including details taken from interviews conducted by the author with commanding officers on both sides. Some of these interviews were the only reports gathered from these sources.
CHARACTERIZATION
Throughout this book, the narrator wrote about everyone who was involved in the fighting and planning of how to defeat the Germans. He did not go in depth with the characters except to say their rank and what they were doing. He then moved on to talk about other soldiers.
IMPACTS OF SETTING
The setting of this book took place in the years of 1942 - 1955 in Belgium, the Ardennes, Nazi Germany, and Luxembourg. This book took place in those places because that was where the Americans pushed the Germans back and held a line. They were trying to get past the Americans to win and decimate the American troops. The Germans made mistakes and lost most of their army. This left the Americans with the driving power to end and win the war.
RECOMMEND
I recommended this book to anybody who had an interest in what was going on during the Battle of the Bulge or was into reading about the military. I would put an age advisory of 15 and older on this book, because it talked about the bloody battles and used a bit of foul language.
I thought that The Battle Of the Bulge was an amazing book because it told the story of what really was going on over in Germany and on the front lines with the Americans and Germans. It told how the Germans tricked the Americans and kept playing mind tricks to make the troops lose morale.
PLOT
The massive German counteroffensive through Belgium’s Ardennes Forest in December 1944 took the American and British Armies by surprise and changed the outcome of the war. With multiple whole divisions destroyed, the American Army scrambled to contain the German threat, while also trying to determine how such a well planned attack had gone undetected. The Americans succeeded in winning the month-long battle, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. They won due to the tenacity of several pockets of troops, notably those in the Belgian town of Bastogne. The remarkable rapid movement of Patton’s Third Army to seal the wide hole in the American lines also aided in the victory. The battle stalled the British and American advances and lengthened the war, which resulted in the Soviet Union making greater gains in Europe than previously anticipated. This book was a thorough and engrossing examination of the Battle of the Bulge by a historian who had the opportunity to prepare notes as the battle occurred. He also consulted classified American and German records. The book also contained unique and critical information, including details taken from interviews conducted by the author with commanding officers on both sides. Some of these interviews were the only reports gathered from these sources.
CHARACTERIZATION
Throughout this book, the narrator wrote about everyone who was involved in the fighting and planning of how to defeat the Germans. He did not go in depth with the characters except to say their rank and what they were doing. He then moved on to talk about other soldiers.
IMPACTS OF SETTING
The setting of this book took place in the years of 1942 - 1955 in Belgium, the Ardennes, Nazi Germany, and Luxembourg. This book took place in those places because that was where the Americans pushed the Germans back and held a line. They were trying to get past the Americans to win and decimate the American troops. The Germans made mistakes and lost most of their army. This left the Americans with the driving power to end and win the war.
RECOMMEND
I recommended this book to anybody who had an interest in what was going on during the Battle of the Bulge or was into reading about the military. I would put an age advisory of 15 and older on this book, because it talked about the bloody battles and used a bit of foul language.
August 28, 2010
This good read I liked as a teenager as it is divided up into
easy reading sections from various perspectives and 7 maps.
It is an abridged version of 'Dark December' the original title.
easy reading sections from various perspectives and 7 maps.
It is an abridged version of 'Dark December' the original title.
January 2, 2018
Battle of the bulge was Hitler's last offensive against the allies. It was staged in the Ardennes region of Belgium.
While the allies had, after Normandy invasion, gained hard earned and steady victories and the time had come to make foray into Germany. SHAEF decided to winter camp at Belgium because the supplies had to replenished for the final push in to Nazi heartland, and that was when Hitler hit them.
It was a brilliant plan in the sense that its objective was very clear and rewarding--push the allies to Antwerp and deny delivery of men and material and ultimately drive them off Europe. It proved to be highly successful because of the surprise element attached to it. The allies had never anticipated such a move and suffered heavy causalities.
However, what began as a successful offensive tuned out to be complete rout of the German war machine. The reasons are too many and the following are the most obvious
(a) Hitler had become suspicious of his generals and interfered in every tactical move/decision.
(b) German soldiers had lost the resolve because of continuous fighting for the last 4-5 years.
The book gives a detailed blow-by blow account of what transpired in those dark days of 16-26Dec 1944. Although the battle continued till better half of 1945 but the German back was broken by then of 1944 itself.
This is an excellent text book material for all world war 2 enthusiasts and military experts.
While the allies had, after Normandy invasion, gained hard earned and steady victories and the time had come to make foray into Germany. SHAEF decided to winter camp at Belgium because the supplies had to replenished for the final push in to Nazi heartland, and that was when Hitler hit them.
It was a brilliant plan in the sense that its objective was very clear and rewarding--push the allies to Antwerp and deny delivery of men and material and ultimately drive them off Europe. It proved to be highly successful because of the surprise element attached to it. The allies had never anticipated such a move and suffered heavy causalities.
However, what began as a successful offensive tuned out to be complete rout of the German war machine. The reasons are too many and the following are the most obvious
(a) Hitler had become suspicious of his generals and interfered in every tactical move/decision.
(b) German soldiers had lost the resolve because of continuous fighting for the last 4-5 years.
The book gives a detailed blow-by blow account of what transpired in those dark days of 16-26Dec 1944. Although the battle continued till better half of 1945 but the German back was broken by then of 1944 itself.
This is an excellent text book material for all world war 2 enthusiasts and military experts.
June 3, 2018
Just finished Dark December: The Full Account of the Battle of the Bulge by Robert E. Merriam. Before reading this book I thought the Battle of the Bulge was one battle for the Belgian town of Bastogne. This book details Hitler’s last high-risk initiative to retake the port cities of Northern Europe in November/December 1944. It was high risk because if Germany lost these battles the Allies would have a clear path to finish Germany off. Hitler hoped to stall WW2 long enough to allow deployment of his super weapons, like the V1/2 rockets and the jet airplane. Troops and war material were held back or withdrawn and it almost worked. The Battle for Bastogne and the famous response of General Anthony McAuliffe, “Nuts” in response to the Germans who surrounded the city was the most publicized part of the whole campaign. Interesting work for WW2 history buffs.
September 25, 2018
Well written and researched overview of the Ardennes Offensive, 1944. Unlike most of the accounts available, this one does not provide individual stories from the various battlefronts, but rather focuses on the overall view of the battle, the key objectives of the Germans and how the Allies responded, and how that resulted in the loss of the battle over the month or so that it was waged. This is a very good strategic overview and explains the decisions made at command level far better than many of the alternative accounts.
January 19, 2021
If you believe that all German generals were excellent ( except Dietrich) and the American generals were inept and confused throughout the offensive you will like this book. You also have to believe that Hitler and not his generals lost he Battle of the Bulge, forgetting that the General Command Staff was with Hitler in Berlin devising the plans.
It was an excellent book on strategy and the tactics and details the many battles in good detail with a few helpful maps.The pontification at the end left me cold.
It was a good read.
It was an excellent book on strategy and the tactics and details the many battles in good detail with a few helpful maps.The pontification at the end left me cold.
It was a good read.
May 8, 2017
What makes this account so beneficial to the understanding of what happened during this last major German offensive is that the author is a contemporary of the action. Not only was Merriam there, but he was able to interview both sides of the conflict after the war but before the memories faded. This is a great way to get historical perspective that is rare in the clinical research that is behind many of the books describing historical events.
October 11, 2017
The most informative account of the battle of the bulge i know of.
Clear and concise. Very well edited and exciting to read. Answers so many questions not clearly explained in previous accounts. My father's unit, the second armored division, "HELL ON WHEELS", was a welcomed mention for me, personally. Also, as l have always suspected, criticism of Montgomery was largely undue. I highly recommend this book .
Clear and concise. Very well edited and exciting to read. Answers so many questions not clearly explained in previous accounts. My father's unit, the second armored division, "HELL ON WHEELS", was a welcomed mention for me, personally. Also, as l have always suspected, criticism of Montgomery was largely undue. I highly recommend this book .
June 29, 2018
Every word a revelation to this 80 yr old
I will never forget. The Day ww2 ended. One of my favorite aunts from California was in town, driving her great convertible. Everyone was celebrating so the adults put together an effigy of Hitler which hung from the back a and we rode up and down main street whooping and hollering. The whole thing was just a lot of fun for the kids. It was a few years later when we realized what was over.
I will never forget. The Day ww2 ended. One of my favorite aunts from California was in town, driving her great convertible. Everyone was celebrating so the adults put together an effigy of Hitler which hung from the back a and we rode up and down main street whooping and hollering. The whole thing was just a lot of fun for the kids. It was a few years later when we realized what was over.
December 2, 2019
Dark December: The Full Account of the Battlestar of the Bulge
Libro interesante muestra detalles que otros libros sobre la historia militar omiten y que tiene gran importancia en el desarrollo de las operaciones, como es el apoyo logístico y de personal, el clima, la interferencia de los políticos. El incluir los gráficos de las operaciones facilita la comprensión de la excelente narración de lo sucedido.
Libro interesante muestra detalles que otros libros sobre la historia militar omiten y que tiene gran importancia en el desarrollo de las operaciones, como es el apoyo logístico y de personal, el clima, la interferencia de los políticos. El incluir los gráficos de las operaciones facilita la comprensión de la excelente narración de lo sucedido.
February 25, 2020
A lot of Facts and Realities
To me this book was great because of all the facts it presented including actual truths coming from the field as opposed to the media. Gave it a 4 star though because many times it was hard to read, too much data that wasn't presented fluidly. Not told in a story but more as a long report, but I still genuinely enjoyed the material presented and learned a lot of new facts about this battle.
To me this book was great because of all the facts it presented including actual truths coming from the field as opposed to the media. Gave it a 4 star though because many times it was hard to read, too much data that wasn't presented fluidly. Not told in a story but more as a long report, but I still genuinely enjoyed the material presented and learned a lot of new facts about this battle.
January 19, 2019
About half the book was spent on events prior to the battle with some of them having had been repeated several times.
More space and time should have been spent on the actual events of the battle and the actions of the small units that stood to slow the progress of the German forces in the first days of the battle.
More space and time should have been spent on the actual events of the battle and the actions of the small units that stood to slow the progress of the German forces in the first days of the battle.
November 30, 2019
First Hand Account
This first hand account of the Battle of the Bulge is an entertaining and informative read. Covering the German planning and execution in a high level of detail, the book covers the lead up to the battle, as well as the battle itself. Written in 1946, the proximity of the fight to the writing creates an emotional tie that is evident. A good read.
This first hand account of the Battle of the Bulge is an entertaining and informative read. Covering the German planning and execution in a high level of detail, the book covers the lead up to the battle, as well as the battle itself. Written in 1946, the proximity of the fight to the writing creates an emotional tie that is evident. A good read.
May 17, 2017
Action packed and factual
Because it was a document there was a huge amount of references to those involved. The constant naming of those German Panzer tanks involved was a bit too much
Because it was a document there was a huge amount of references to those involved. The constant naming of those German Panzer tanks involved was a bit too much
April 15, 2018
You need a map while reading this book
This book had a lot of information but everything was about strategy and where all the units were located. There was nothing about individual battles and the men that fought them. It was all about what division was where.
This book had a lot of information but everything was about strategy and where all the units were located. There was nothing about individual battles and the men that fought them. It was all about what division was where.
July 9, 2018
The victory but the cost!
I have what my father in law went through in the one battle. The extent and magnitude seems to be lost in younger people today. We sure have a lesson in history about war and the cost of peace? I could not stop reading the account, great read.
I have what my father in law went through in the one battle. The extent and magnitude seems to be lost in younger people today. We sure have a lesson in history about war and the cost of peace? I could not stop reading the account, great read.
December 22, 2018
I liked it great history and a unique perspective, it was a little dated and the author really was there.... I would recommend to anyone looking to read and learn more about the battle of the bulge.....
April 18, 2019
Great Book
My father fought in The Bulge and now I know just how horrible the conditions were that he was in.
Mr. Merriams book strengthens the reason why should always remember and honor our Combat Veterans.
My father fought in The Bulge and now I know just how horrible the conditions were that he was in.
Mr. Merriams book strengthens the reason why should always remember and honor our Combat Veterans.
September 15, 2019
A Good Overview
A quick read that gives us a 1947 view of the battle. The author explains the mindset of the leadership of both sides and how they could make decisions that seem illogical to us today.
A quick read that gives us a 1947 view of the battle. The author explains the mindset of the leadership of both sides and how they could make decisions that seem illogical to us today.
November 18, 2019
Well written Book
This is a well researched and thoroughly written piece of non-fiction on the Battle of the Bulge. Having lived in tears pats of Germany for five years have me a unique perspective.
This is a well researched and thoroughly written piece of non-fiction on the Battle of the Bulge. Having lived in tears pats of Germany for five years have me a unique perspective.
July 11, 2017
Great read
Very detailed account of the battle of the bulge with insight from both sides. Would recommend for anyone wanting to know the full story.
Very detailed account of the battle of the bulge with insight from both sides. Would recommend for anyone wanting to know the full story.
August 23, 2017
what a horrible battle this was
as a retired US Army vet I met a guy 2 months ago at the grocery store who was there
His graphic description put me there
as a retired US Army vet I met a guy 2 months ago at the grocery store who was there
His graphic description put me there
September 4, 2017
Sit down and learn
As a student and lover of ww2 history was totally surprised by this book. I have read many book about the war however I learn so much more from this book.
Thanks
As a student and lover of ww2 history was totally surprised by this book. I have read many book about the war however I learn so much more from this book.
Thanks
January 30, 2018
Good overall account
This book covered a complicated WWII battle and examined many different struggles that occurred. But a map would have been helpful for the reader.
This book covered a complicated WWII battle and examined many different struggles that occurred. But a map would have been helpful for the reader.
May 27, 2018
Great book on one of the most amazing battle during world war II.
February 10, 2019
Wonderful historical account!
.All too often we forget the historical lessons that were so important to our world. History can help us understand the strength for both good and evil that man is capable of.
.All too often we forget the historical lessons that were so important to our world. History can help us understand the strength for both good and evil that man is capable of.
May 16, 2020
Really good overview from a contemporary source, though perhaps slightly out of date now and also a bit heavy on military info. Eyes may have glazed over at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews