The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II
by Jeff Shaara
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Book Reviews of The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II
Book Review: Shallow & superficial
Summary: 1 Stars
This was a library loan; no way was I going to purchase this book, based upon previous works of this author I have read. I hold no personal animus against the author, but it amazes me how many positive reviews are generated for these mediocre efforts.
I consider myself very knowledgable about WWII, and I guess the first book I read about D-Day was Cornelius Ryan's classic "The Longest Day," when was originally published. What I would like to know is what Shaara was trying to accomplish with this book? The title would lead one to believe it would cover the amphibious assault upon Normandy, yet it was given cursory coverage at best. Instead, we basically have three main characters; Eisenhower, Rommel, and the ubiqutious Sgt. Jesse Adams, conversing ad nauseum, along with a few battle scenes with Adams. Not a compelling combination, in my opinion.
Small details offend, as in Shaara's previous book; Patton showing up late(??), and with a chrome plated helmet (???) at the famous St.Paul's School briefing prior to D-Day, flak mispelled numerous times as flack, workers stripped to the waist in January on the Channel coast, etc.
I believe the book to be a mismash of themes that do not come together in a coherrent manner, and the book does not generate a real passion or interest in the main characters, especially the fictional ones.
A well written work of fiction on this subject remains to be written, except perhaps for "Disaster at D-Day", by Peter Tsouras.
Book Review: More Like an Ocean Wave
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read Jeff Shaara "Rising Tide" and it was much more engaging and informative than this 2nd novel in a trilogy concerning the World War II, the European theater. After covering the North African campaign and the beginning of the invasion of Italy (although only veiled references are made of the fighting in Italy in the 2nd book), Shaara devotes most of his narrative in "Steel Wave" to the planning and the days following the Normandy Invasion. In other words, 2 and 1/2 years are covered initially and only a few weeks of combat are covered in this recent effort.
Most people with only a passing interest in the events surrounding D-day are familiar with the combined American, British, And Canadian endeavors on that colossal day in June of 1944; however, I feel, as possibly most who may read this fictionalized composite of the thoughts and actions of the strategists and common soldiers, that the drama was lacking. Perhaps our visualization of action via motion pictures like "Saving Private Ryan" has diminished the magnitude and sacrifices that can be captured on the written page. Perhaps, also, this holy ground has been covered too often by too many excellent journalist, correspondents, and writers for it to have any more impact or shed any more light on the subject.
In spite of my diappointment, I probably will read the 3rd book in this series, hoping to find in it the color and excitement missing in this work of Shaara.
Book Review: Disappointing for those knowledgable about the subject.
Summary: 2 Stars
Maybe I expected too much. A novel about the Normandy Invasion from a writer like Shaara - I was expecting something much more epic, much more detailed, much more intense, and much more entertaining. I'm a Shaara fan, but I was really let down by "Steel Wave", making it only to page 300 (out of 483). Maybe it reads better for those who don't know much at all about World War II, or D-Day, but to me this read like a fairly cursory coverage of the events.
Do not read this expecting some kind of literary equivalent of the first half-hour of "Saving Private Ryan", because it's nothing of the kind.
The first couple hundred pages lead up to D-Day, and while the most interesting sections deal with Rommel and his trying to toughen up the Atlantic Wall, those sections are few and far between.
From the moment the first US troops approach Omaha Beach on D-Day, Shaara spends all of 10 less-than-traumatic pages on the ensuing chaos - then suddenly skips ahead in time a bit when one of the characters is wounded. The following chapters were equally disappointing, giving rather quick once-overs of what it was like for the troops battling their way inland.
Like I said, if you don't know much about the subject, maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.
But for WWII buffs like me, this will definitely be a let-down.
Book Review: Another Shaara Delight!
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I want to admit two things right off the bat. I'm a history junkie and I love Jeff Shaara's books. My biggest complaint learning history in school was that it was never taught in context. Many authors have tried to deal with history in a macro-context ie. what was going on around the world when this history occurred. But what Jeff Shaara does so brillianly is create the micro-context; what was happening in these battles at the command and control level and what was happening to the poor bastards who were dying at the point of the bayonet. Jeff states right up front that this is "historical fiction", it is factually accurate overall but within this broad context Jeff takes many liberties with what might have been said or done. And he pulls it off everytime!! I always have problems getting started reading his book and then I can't put it down. It draws you in and holds you like a good novel should. If you want a very accurate historical dissertation on the Second World War don't buy this book. If you want a fascinating read about what may have been, buy this and enjoy. All the people complaining about historical accuracy have completely missed the point. This is a great read and I can't wait for Part Three of this series!Book Review: engrossing novel...
Summary: 4 Stars
THE STEEL WAVE picks up where THE RISING TIDE leaves off and takes us right into the planning and execution and aftermath of the Normandy invasion. Jeff Shaara writes historical fiction better then anyone and his meticulous research really shows. I never doubted or found any contradiction in the characters voices, especially Ike, Montgomery, Churchhill, Patton and Rommel. Their words and actions are always credible and coincide with everything we know historically about these characters. This is a novel and gives you another perspective about D-Day and Operation Overlord which did not start and end with June 6. No military operation has been written about more then June 6 so to come at it with a fresh perspective is a difficult challenge. Mr Shaara not only does that but he gets it "right" so to say. There are literally hundreds of books which will give you every bit of historical detail and fact but this is a novel not a history book. A fascinating, absorbing, page-turner which leaves you anticipating the third in this trilogy. This is a fine tribute to the men who participated and gave so much of themselves. Indeed, the greatest generation as written by one of our greatest historical fiction writers.