Jared Frederick Bücher

Spring 1944. The world held its breath as the Allies leapt across the English Channel in the largest amphibious operation of the Second World War. The Normandy invasion, legendary in myth and astounding in scope, comes to life as historian Jared Frederick resurrects long-forgotten tales of individual struggle, sacrifice, and community. In a rare form of engaging scholarship, Frederick paints an eloquently moving portrait of the soldiers and civilians dramatically affected by what Dwight Eisenhower called "the great crusade." Among those personalities were intrepid correspondents who demonstrated the meaningful significance of the free press in wartime. In this sweeping narrative, readers will embark upon a journey between the lines as the powerful saga of D-Day unfolds with insightful interpretation and profoundly enduring lessons.

His comrades called him “Killer.” Of the elite paratroopers who served in the venerated “Band of Brothers” during World War II, none were more enigmatic than Ronald Speirs. Rumored to have gunned down enemy prisoners and even one of his own disobedient sergeants, Speirs’ became a foxhole legend amongst his troops. But who was the real Lieutenant Speirs? In Fierce Valor, historians Jared Frederick and Erik Dorr unveil the full story of Easy Company’s longest-serving commander for the first time. Tested by trials of extreme training, military rivalry, and lost love, Speirs’s international odyssey begins as an immigrant child in Prohibition-era Boston, continues through the bloody campaigns in France, Holland, and Germany, and sheds light on his lesser known exploits in Korea, the Cold War, and embattled Laos. Packed with groundbreaking research, Fierce Valor unveils a compelling portrait of an officer defined by boldness on the battlefield and a telling reminder that few soldiers escape the power of their own pasts.

For over a century, Altoona, Pennsylvania, was a bustling industrial hotbed. The town thrived as a gem of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which constructed some 6,000 steam locomotives. However, like so many communities in the wake of World War II, Altoona struggled amidst deindustrialization and cultural shifts. The 1968 end of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a decreasing population, and a dying downtown slowly made the city a shadow of its former self. However, recent developments reveal potential--as is seen in the corporate presence of Norfolk Southern and Sheetz. Additionally, the growth of Penn State Altoona, regional health care systems, and the Altoona Curve baseball club continue to make the city and its environs a unique place within the heart of the Allegheny Mountains.

The book offers a compelling photographic history of Gettysburg National Military Park, highlighting its transformation from a Civil War battlefield into a space for commemoration and public engagement. It explores the park's evolution since World War II, addressing themes of historical memory, preservation, and the impact of modern tourism. Through striking images and insightful commentary, it captures the dynamic relationship between the park and the American public, illustrating its role as both a memorial and a venue for leisure and education.

One of the last great memoirs of World War II, Into the Cold Blue is a riveting account of the air war over Europe, when hell was four miles above the earth.