Product Review

Rudder’s Rangers is the true story of the men of the United States Army’s Second Ranger Battalion. The author introduces the commander, Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder, and the men of the battalion as they are preparing to climb aboard their small assault landing craft which will take them to shore on a Top Secret, exceptionally dangerous D-Day mission. He presents the facts of their formation, training and mission, but more importantly, he expertly weaves the thoughts and words of the survivors of the operation into a story of great perseverance and unhesitating sacrifice, a story that will continue to serve as an inspiration to all who enjoy the freedoms bought with the lives and sacrifices of these brave men. The insights he has gained were made possible by interviewing the men themselves, and hundreds of people associated with Earl Rudder and his Rangers. Personal letters, along with official Army records and files, add a historical perspective unmatched by any other account of the Ranger attack on the Normandy cliffs. D-Day was characterized by sacrifice and uncommon valor. Yet even among the valorous deeds that were common on 6 June 1944, the exploits of the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach stand out as tributes to human courage. This book details those exploits, proving that courage, human ingenuity, focus and ultimate sacrifice prevailed over the confusion, fear and turmoil of battle.