In Books
  • All Departments
  • In Books
  • In Bargain Books
  • In eReading
  • In Kids' Books
  • In Teens' Books
  • In Toys & Games
  • In Video Games
  • In Lifestyle & Paper
  • In Movies & TV
  • In Music
  • In Used & Rare Books
  • In Used & Rare Movies & TV
  • In Used & Rare Music
Ortona: Canada's Epic World War II Battle

Average rating: 5/5

Based on 17 ratings

Rate this

Ortona: Canada's Epic World War II Battle

by Mark Zuehlke

D&M Publishers, Inc. | November 1, 2003 | Trade Paperback

BOOK ONE in the Canadian Battle Series

In one blood-soaked, furious week fo fighting, from December 20 to December 27, 1943, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division took Ortona, Italy, from elite German paratroopers ordered to hold the medieval port town at all costs. Infantrymen serving in the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders, supported by tankers of the Three Rivers Regiment, moved from house to house in hand-to-hand combat amid heavy shelling and wrested the town from the grip of the fierce German defenders. When the vicious battle was over, 2339 Canadians were dead or wounded. But the town that had become known as "Little Stalingrad" was now in Allied hands.

Ortona brings Canada''s first major triumph of the war to life in a dramatic, suspenseful narrative, weaving reminiscences of the Canadians, Germans, and Italians who were there together with a blow-by-blow account of the fighting that raged in December 1943 from the Moro River Valley through the infamous Gully and finallly into the streets of Ortona itself. It is masterful work, a story told from the soldier''s-eye view.

Save 34 %

$27.95
$18.44
$17.52

In Stock

  • Eligible for FREE Shipping on orders over $25. + Details.

Reviews

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    Duncan

    Rating: 4/5

    Ortona

    Duncan

    8 years ago

    Ortona is the best book of Canadian military history I have read. Like Ted Barris' Juno: Canadians at D-Day, this book is part novel and part military history. It maintains the reader's interest through the tension of story telling. It also teaches. The book includes a few good maps. For the amateur historian, the text can be easily related back to the maps by river and place names, unit names, or date. I will be reading this book again and picking up copies of the other two in this series.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    Michael Dorosh

    Rating: 3/5

    Nothing New Here

    Michael Dorosh

    9 years ago

    A readable precis not just of Ortona, but of the entire Moro River campaign (the title is a bit of a misnomer). Covers ground ably covered by Daniel Dancocks in D-DAY DODGERS and by Gerry Nicholson in the official history THE CANADIANS IN ITALY, but really offers no new insights into how the battle of Ortona itself was fought. A good book for anyone looking for a general description of the Canadians in the Moro, and some good interviews with vets, but again - the appendices are strewn with errors, there has been almost no research done regarding the German side of the story, and the actual fighting in Ortona isn't touched until page 251, and takes up less than 100 pages of this 400 page book. Anyone expecting a detailed study of the house-to-house struggle tht came to be known as Little Stalingrad will be sorely disappointed, as I was. Search for Ortona and pick up the comic book version by Saverio di Tullio - it is at least researched from both sides of the battle.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?
    Claudio Quinteros

    Rating: 5/5

    Terrific!~!~!*

    Claudio Quinteros

    11 years ago

    This book was better than Currahee! I am a Soldier and have never read a book so fine as this! I almost pictured myself with those brave soldiers! I could read it again which I am! I recomenned it to people that like Canadian or American military history, Even for young soldiers in the Canadian Army!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    ORTONA is a magnificent, exhaustive account of one of the most significant battles ever fought by the Canadian Army Overseas. Mr. Zuehlke has based his commentary primarily upon veterans' accounts, which makes for a unique, fascinating and lively story. This book should be required reading for any course on Canadian history, and is a model for what any such history should be. Well done sir!

see more

Details

From the Publisher

BOOK ONE in the Canadian Battle Series

In one blood-soaked, furious week fo fighting, from December 20 to December 27, 1943, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division took Ortona, Italy, from elite German paratroopers ordered to hold the medieval port town at all costs. Infantrymen serving in the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders, supported by tankers of the Three Rivers Regiment, moved from house to house in hand-to-hand combat amid heavy shelling and wrested the town from the grip of the fierce German defenders. When the vicious battle was over, 2339 Canadians were dead or wounded. But the town that had become known as "Little Stalingrad" was now in Allied hands.

Ortona brings Canada''s first major triumph of the war to life in a dramatic, suspenseful narrative, weaving reminiscences of the Canadians, Germans, and Italians who were there together with a blow-by-blow account of the fighting that raged in December 1943 from the Moro River Valley through the infamous Gully and finallly into the streets of Ortona itself. It is masterful work, a story told from the soldier''s-eye view.

About the Author

Mark Zuehlke is the author of the critically acclaimed Canadian Battle Series and many other books. Having worked as a journalist, been educated as a historian, and written award-winning fiction, he draws on these varied experiences and skills to bring history to life for a general audience. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Trade Paperback

480 Pages, 6.25 x 9.31 x 1.3 IN

November 1, 2003

D&M Publishers, Inc.

English

Canadian Author


1550545574
9781550545579

From Community

< close and return to chapters.indigo.ca
kobo
  • Take your library with you wherever you go
  • Use the device you want to use… smartphone, desktop and many of today’s most popular eReaders
  • Use Indigo gift cards to buy eBooks and subscriptions

WHY KOBO?

We love the Kobo eReading service… and we know you will too. We’ve partnered with them to bring you the most flexible, enjoyable eReading experience in Canada.

SHOPPING ON KOBO

You’ll be asked to sign in or create a new account with Kobo. Once you do, you’ll immediately get access to millions of titles and be ready to start eReading. Anytime. Anyplace.

continue to kobo

Sign up for email

Be the first to know

about discounts, promotions and new releases.

Sign up now 

Self Publish

Get your book published

and on our shelves!

Find out how  

Protected by Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and Terms of Use | Privacy Policy  

Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation © 2010

Powered by EndecaVeriSign SecuredEssential Accessibility 

As Canada’s purveyor of ideas and inspiration, Indigo is the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada. Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigo Books, Gifts, Kids; IndigoSpirit; Chapters; The World's Biggest Bookstore; and Coles. The online channel, www.indigo.ca, features books, eBooks, toys and gifts and hosts the award winning Indigo Online Community.

111