A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge

This is not an easy book to read; it makes demands on the reader's attention and ability to connect the dots. If you're looking to be entertained, maybe this isn't the book for you. But if you want truly to *understand* the Battle of the Bulge, then this is *the* book to start with and also probably return to more than once.MacDonald is even-handed in discussing both the US and German perspectives, from command level down to small unit actions. He understands that it was small unit actions in a broad N to S arc E of Bastogne that contributed decisively to the eventual successful defense of Bastogne by delaying the German advance, even if only for a few hours, thus disrupting the German timetable and route assignments, and by forcing unanticipated expenditure of scarce supplies. Many of the US units involved were eventually overrun or broke, and orderly withdrawals were certainly the exception. But their often stubborn resistance were what enabled the ultimately successful defense of Bastogne. An entire hagiography has been built up around the defenders of Bastogne, but magnificent as they were, that defense is but one part of a much larger story. That story would have turned out very differently, for example, without the valor and plain old-fashioned grit of the combat engineers who blew bridges and created road barriers, or lightly armed recon units who fought house-to-house delaying actions. After all, it was SS LTC Joachim Peiper himself who reportedly exclaimed, after a small combat engineer detachment blew a bridge at Habiémont to finally block Peiper's advance, "Those engineers. Those damned engineers." MacDonald gives those engineers the credit they deserve.MacDonald's attention to small unit actions, to soldiers in the ranks, to NCOs and junior officers, is for me a major reason to place his history above other general histories of the Bulge. MacDonald is an excellent historian, able to provide all the order of battle and after action report information anyone could desire. But more importantly, he was at the Bulge himself, commanding an infantry company (his "Company Commander" is a classic, an absolute must read for anyone who wishes to begin understanding what combat command is like). He gets what it was like for the grunts and other front line troops. He knows first hand how cold, snow, hunger, fatigue, confusion, and fear affected them. He knows their perspective is lost in reports and official histories, so to be sure this didn't happen in his book, he interviewed or corresponded with as many of them as he could. He knows that at bottom it is *their* story he is telling, and this comes out in many small ways throughout his book that make it a very rich read. Just how rich became evident to me on recently walking some of the ground at the Bulge. Establishing this kind of connection between written text and the actual places events happened is the mark of good historian in command of his subject.

This book is an incredibly detailed and factual account of the Battle of the Bulge. If you do not know the geography of this area of Europe, it can be very confusing keeping the places straight. Even with a map of the area, one can become frustrated. A simplified set of maps showing the names of just the towns and rivers and major roads labeled would have been so helpful.The first 2-300 pages of the book set the stage for the battle and are somewhat dry and unexciting. It was tedious getting through some sections. On the other hand, when the author describes the personal stories such as those of two survivors of the Malmedy massacre and interpersonal conflicts and relationships between key people (especially Eisenhower, Bradley, and Montgomery), the writing is brilliant and exceptionally engaging. I could not put the book down during the second half. My advice to a prospective reader would be to “stick with it”! I am so glad I finished the book!I read a lot about WWII, but there were several events in this book that I had never heard of—at least not in enough detail to make them as memorable as this book has—specifically the sinking of a troop transport ship named Leopoldville. I actually found myself crying because the description was so sensitively written.

Okay, 5 Stars given, even though the Kindle version didn't have maps (which would have been helpful). Despite that, a VERY enjoyable and informative read if you like WW2 history. Better imo than McDonald's "Company Commander".This book, detailing both American and German perspectives (along with Belgian civilians too), gives an all encompassing look at the Battle of the Bulge and in a way few others have even attempted (and I've read more than a few). From individual PFCs in their foxholes, to American and German tank commanders, up to the Generals and Field Marshals the battle is detailed in sometimes an hour by hour recounting. It's fascinating to see how literally minutes, or even seconds, matter in combined arms combat. That immediate time factor, and the fog of war, contributed to many actions recounted.Perhaps most informative, the legend that has perpetuated over the years of initial hysteria and panic by US forces in the initial German attacks are finally put into perspective and ultimately, dispelled.A great read, almost novel like in presentation, a meticulously documented, this is a solid choice not only for details about the specific battle, but about combat in the European Theater during WW2.

Very well researched and written. Kindle did not have maps othewise perfect. Very vivid at the tactical level and at the army level.

Me ha encantado, he descubierto cosas que no sabía sobre las Ardenas, la última gran batalla de la última gra guerra

This is an outstanding account of the Ardennes offensive. Charles B Macdonald was a captain serving with the US infantry during the battle of the Bulge. It's a detailed account of the battle mixed with anecdotes that portray the human side of war in all its horror. The profiles of the generals on both sides make interesting reading. This is a very readable and balanced book considering what the author must have faced during the battle. A great history.

A well written, researched and enjoyable read, giving a close up view of life during the battle of the bulge. Highly recommended to those who are passionate about military and world history.

Well researched ,if your a history professor looking for the minutest details, but not an entertaining read.

I bought this book thinking that there was even more information regarding the battle of the Bulge.. To my astonishment this book has been rebranded from an old book from the same author called The Battle of the Bulge. It is exactly the same, bearing in mind the book I had was published in1984. same amount of pages exactly the same as A time for trumpets.So I now have two books exactly the same? Apart from that its a good read.