First Wave

History’s greatest story reinvigorated as only Alex Kershaw can —Adam Makos, New York Times bestselling author of A Higher Call

An absolute triumph—James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and national bestselling author of Target Tokyo and Rampage

The unforgettable human drama of historys most consequential invasion —John C. McManus, author of The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day—The Big Red One at Omaha Beach

Beginning in the pre-dawn darkness of June 6, 1944, The First Wave follows ten men attempting to carry out D-Days most critical missions. Their actions would determine the fate of the invasion of Hitlers Fortress Europe.

The ten make a charismatic, unforgettable cast. They include the first American paratrooper to touch down on Normandy soil; the only British soldier that day to earn a Victorias Cross; the Canadian brothers who led their decimated troops onto Juno Beach under withering fire; the colonel who faced the powerful 150mm guns of the Merville Battery; as well as a French commando who helped destroy German strongholds on Sword Beach. The book will give authentic voice to the invaders enemies, the German enlisted men and officers tasked with destroying the Allies as they hit the beaches.

The result is an utterly immersive, adrenaline-driven drama, an epic of close combat and extraordinary heroism. It is the capstone Alex Kershaws remarkable career, built on his close friendships with D-Day survivors and his intimate understanding of the Normandy battlefield. For the seventy-fifth anniversary, here is a fresh take on the Second World Wars longest day.

Praise for Alex Kershaw:
‘From the opening pages, when Kershaw...drops us into the invasion of Paris, we know that we are in good hands. This is classic narrative nonfiction, constructed and written like a thriller.’ Chicago Tribune

‘Exceptional.... balances evocative prose with attention to detail and is a worthy addition to vibrant classics of small-unit history like Stephen Ambroses Band of Brothers.’ Wall Street Journal

‘Kershaws writing is seamless. He incorporates information from a vast array of sources, but it works--you get a sense of the different voices coming into the story....A gripping read.’ Minneapolis Star Tribune