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The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II | 
 enlarge | Author: Jeff Shaara
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $28.00
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Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 1696
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 528
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 5.8 x 1.7
ISBN: 0345461428
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345461421
ASIN: 0345461428
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
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Product Description
Jeff Shaara, America’s premier author of military historical fiction, brings us the centerpiece of his epic trilogy of the Second World War.
General Dwight Eisenhower once again commands a diverse army that must find its single purpose in the destruction of Hitler’s European fortress. His primary subordinates, Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery, must prove that this unique blend of Allied armies can successfully confront the might of Adolf Hitler’s forces, who have already conquered Western Europe. On the coast of France, German commander Erwin Rommel fortifies and prepares for the coming invasion, acutely aware that he must bring all his skills to bear on a fight his side must win. But Rommel’s greatest challenge is to strike the Allies on his front, while struggling behind the lines with the growing insanity of Adolf Hitler, who thwarts the strategies Rommel knows will succeed.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Jesse Adams, a no-nonsense veteran of the 82nd Airborne, parachutes with his men behind German lines into a chaotic and desperate struggle. And as the invasion force surges toward the beaches of Normandy, Private Tom Thorne of the 29th Infantry Division faces the horrifying prospects of fighting his way ashore on a stretch of coast more heavily defended than the Allied commanders anticipate–Omaha Beach.
From G.I. to general, this story carries the reader through the war’s most crucial juncture, the invasion that altered the flow of the war, and, ultimately, changed history.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 Disappointing for those knowledgable about the subject. May 19, 2008
Deygan Brendan (Sherman Oaks, CA United States)
19 out of 35 found this review helpful
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.
Beginning of the End June 3, 2008
Robert C. Olson (Vacaville, California USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Beginning of the End
The Steel Wave is very good historical novel about D-Day. Mr. Shaara does a creditable job of covering the general events surrounding the WW2 D-day invasion of Europe that signaled the beginning of the end for Germany. His use of real historical persons interspersed with fictional characters was excellent at developing the massive problems, difficulties and chaos surrounding those eventful days in June, 1944. In essence, it was all one giant Allied crap shoot. A successful landing spelled the beginning of the end of German hegemony in Europe. A failed landing spelled disaster for the Allies and meant Germany was secure in Europe, and could turn its military power to fight the advancing Russian hoards in the East. The stakes were monumental. The pressure for success huge. Failure was NOT an option. BUT, what if the Allies failed? Mr. Shaara highlights all this with powerful prose, and grapples with the entire picture from the "grunt" level to the highest levels of command on both sides. He expertly discusses the complex interpersonal relationships of the various political leaders and military commanders and how they affected the eventual outcome. All in all a good superficial, broad brushed look at one of history's climatic moments.
I can't help but think back to Herman Woulk's epic series concerning WW2. It was a masterpiece of sorts. Mr. Shaara's WW2 epic is excellent but lacks the subtleties of Woulk's human interaction. The overall character development in The Steel Wave generally lacked depth, although Mr. Shaara did an excellent job in regards to General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Rommel. The minor characters appeared to be there to simply flesh out the novel. The battle scenes were adequate but seemed to lack punch.
All in all I liked the book and am looking forward to the final installment next year. Can you read this work without reading his first novel on WW2? Yes, but it would make it all the more pleasurable to read them in sequence. Mr. Shaara is an excellent historical fiction writer. Good read.
Insightful and well-written historical fiction July 31, 2008
Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
"The Steel Wave" by Jeff Shaara is the second novel (following "The Rising Tide") in Shaara's planned Second World War historical fiction trilogy. The theme of this novel is the planning and execution of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Northern France. In this piece Shaara uses his now-familiar technique of examining the time period in question from the perspective of historical figures -- some eminent indeed, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, others less exhalted, i.e. a sergeant of paratroopers. In this novel the approach works superbly, because this novel passes the first critical test--it is one extremely engaging read. The novel moves along at a brisk pace, never loses the reader's interest, and has the ring of realism about it.
The other notable trait of this novel is that once again, Mr. Shaara appears to have done his homework. Shaara's insights into the problems faced by General Eisenhower, the various political leaders, and the men in the field, go well beyond the superficial. Here, the reader truly appreciates the risks and uncertainties that faced the planners and fighters of Operation Overlord. Shaara takes us into the infighting, indecisions, and ultimate risks with which the Allied generals had to contend. My sense is that here, Shaara is fairly evenhanded, although *very minor spoiler* partisans of British General Montgomery will probably not be pleased. And of course, Shaara does a creditable job showing us the invasion from the perspective of the incredibly brave men who actually undertook Operation Overlord and made it a success.
Overall, this is excellent historical fiction about a great subject, that is very well told. Highly recommended.
Practically sings with the beauty and the simplicity of its writing May 20, 2008
Bookreporter.com (New York, New York)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
World War II is a frequently mined swath of history. Writers and historians have trod back and forth across those fields of battle, physically and figuratively, churning out a neverending stream of books on the subject, all with varying perspectives, opinions and conclusions. Hollywood has added its visual representation on many aspects of the war. One section that always draws major attention is the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. With the considerable coverage of this event, one would think that nothing about it could be compelling or inspiring in any further exploration.
Jeff Shaara proves everyone wrong with his brilliant novel, THE STEEL WAVE. Continuing on the heels of THE RISING TIDE, this latest volume in his World War II saga covers January through September of 1944 and is such an engaging piece of work that one must continually remind himself or herself that the events are true. Granted, the specific conversations contained within are conjecture, but Shaara's meticulous research of personal diaries and letters gives these fictionalized discussions the weight of authenticity to go hand in hand with the historical facts of the machinations of the varied war strategies.
THE STEEL WAVE, like its predecessor, is more than just a dry look at the battles and outcomes of the time. Instead, you are with General Dwight Eisenhower as he lays the groundwork with the Allied commanders for Operation Overlord while trying to keep General Patton on a tight leash. At the same time, you follow Patton and his frustrations at not being free to engage the enemy as he sees fit. Sit alongside Field Marshal Erwin Rommel as he struggles to gain Hitler's attention and build his defenses for the invasion he knows is coming. Yet, while you get to cozy up with such historical icons, Shaara also throws in a few fictional everymen by which you can really connect and become embedded into the action.
Jesse Adams, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, drops behind the German lines and into the very heart of chaos. Meanwhile, you run alongside Tom Thorne as he and his infantry division gallantly struggle to make their way up the beach under the watchful and deadly eye of the German gunners. These two men, the enlisted commoners, allow you to be engulfed in the hell that is war, but Shaara spares the ghastly scenery and the carnage that ensues in such times because THE STEEL WAVE is not so much about the combat but about the men within.
Shaara's gift is in making every single character and figure in the book vivid and alive, and he delivers them to you in such a way that, as you see the problems of one man's situation unfolding, you get cut away to see the meticulous planning and problems from the other side. Together they fold into a dramatic and astounding piece of history and literature. In particular, Shaara's presentation of Rommel is exceptional, especially with his own personal struggle to fulfill his obligations as a soldier and a man of war, and his sense that Hitler is losing touch and that Germany needs to be spared. Shaara's work makes Rommel more than just a pastiche or a textbook cliche of the enemy soldier; the author makes him animated on the page for you to witness, and makes him human.
If you've ever avoided embracing World War II history for fear of dry facts and figures, you have nothing to worry about. THE STEEL WAVE practically sings with the beauty and the simplicity of its writing. Should you choose to take it up, you will be rapt and find yourself pushing to finish just one more chapter as the hours tick by. This novel is guaranteed to keep you engaged, from the opening pages until its surprisingly touching and solemn conclusion.
--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard
Better than Rising Tide but Average for Shaara May 27, 2008
A. R. Wheeler (Peoria, IL USA)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
Jeff Shaara's second installment of his planned four part World War II series, The Steel Wave, picks up steam from where A Rising Tide left off. While I found Rising Tide not up to Shaara's high standards, The Steel Wave contains more battle scenes than its predecessor, and thus more action to describe, which plays to Shaara's strength of character narratives.
Aside from Shaara's almost unrivaled ability to blend historical facts with fictitious components, it hit me when I read Steel Wave that his true genius is keeping your attention focused on an event about which you already know the outcome. In all of his books, we all know who won the wars. We can all recite the heroes of these wars. Yet, when I read his novels, I find myself ripping from chapter to chapter trying to get to the end as fast as I can to see how it all turns out...even though I know how it turns out.
The Steel Wave's first chapter draws you in. The opening chapter describes an Allied commando raid on the beaches of Normandy months prior to the invasion. Shaara's ability to describe the scene, the emotions, the thoughts of the men through whose eyes we see this event is amazing. I found myself constantly thinking, "Is this guy going to make it?" From this opening chapter, Shaara does a wonderful job of keeping you focused on the characters. His books are always about the characters.
Of note in all of Shaara's books, but especially in The Steel Wave, is his ability to tell parts of the story from one character's perspective and then in the proceeding chapters to rewind the story to tell you it from someone else's perspective. With so many moving parts to an event like the landings of Allied troops on D-Day, Shaara's style is like a yo-yo. He brings you out on a story line, pulls you back to the start, and lets you continue the same story line from another character's viewpoint.
The only negative of The Steel Wave, in my opinion, is Shaara's choice of the composite character Jesse Adams, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne as one of the lead characters. In most of Shaara's books, he tells you in the preface that many, if not all, of the quotes in his books are taken from primary sources (e.g., diaries, memoirs, transcripts, interviews, etc.). In The Steel Wave, however, he backs off from this standard by telling the reader in the preface that this is not the case for this book. Because he needed a character present in all of the major scenes, he created Jesse Adams, a sergeant, as being the omnipresent character. Adams is there for conversations with generals, majors, captains, and lieutenants. I found this a stretch, no matter how many times Shaara tried to sell Adams's unique friendship with a general as the reason for this type of access. It stretches credulity.
Overall, I found the book highly entertaining. In the pantheon of Shaara novels, I'd rank this one somewhere in the middle. Considering that I recommend all of his novels as "must reads," being "average" for Jeff Shaara is well above average for every other historical fiction author.
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