The Guns at Last Light

Volume Three of the Liberation Trilogy

“A magnificent book… Though the story may seem familiar, I found surprising detail on every page… Atkinson’s account of D-Day is both masterly and lyrical… [He] is an absolute master of his material.”

—Max Hastings, The Wall Street Journal

“A tapestry of fabulous richness and complexity… The Liberation Trilogy is a monumental achievement, about 2,500 pages in all, densely researched but supremely readable.”

The New York Times Book Review

“Breathtaking, unforgettable… This volume is a literary triumph worthy of the military triumph it explores and explains..”

The Boston Globe

“Monumental… A masterpiece of deep reporting and powerful storytelling.”

The Los Angeles Times

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Overview · Reviews · Excerpt · Major Figures · Photos · Video

Rick AtkinsonRick Atkinson is the bestselling author of An Army at Dawn (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history), The Day of Battle, The Long Gray Line, In the Company of Soldiers, and Crusade. His many other awards include a Pulitzer Prize for journalism, the George Polk award, and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award. A former staff writer and senior editor at The Washington Post, he lives in Washington, D.C.

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News

Rick Atkinson interviewed on Morning Joe

Rick Atkinson and Chuck Todd join Mike Barnicle in Normandy to describe the D-Day landing on the 70th anniversary. Watch to the interview Here.

Rick Atkinson interviewed on WBUR’s Here & Now

Rick Atkinson discusses a Missouri family that lost 3 Sons in WWII. Listen to the interview Here.

Rick Atkinson interviewed on PBS NewsHour

Rick Atkinson on Understanding the ‘Morally Indefensible’ Actions of WWII. You can watch clips from the interview Here and Here.

Rick Atkinson to Write New Series on the American Revolution

Click Here to read the press release.

Rick Atkinson Interviewed on NPR’s “Up to Date”

Rick was interviewed on Kansas Public Radio’s “Up to Date” to discuss The Guns at Last Light. You can listen to the interview Here.

Rick Atkinson Interviewed on Meet the Press “Press Pass”

Rick discusses The Guns at Last Light with David Gregory on Meet the Press “Press Pass”. You can listen to the interview Here.

Rick Atkinson Interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition

Rick was interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss The Guns at Last Light. You can listen to the interview Here.

Rick Atkinson Interviewed on Morning Joe

Rick was interviewed on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss The Guns at Last Light. You can listen to the interview Here.

Video


Rick Atkinson and Dr. Nick Mueller, President and CEO of The National WWII Museum, discuss The Guns at Last Light, the final book in the epic “Liberation Trilogy.” In the first installment of this “sneak peek” video series, Rick shares just a few of his discoveries regarding the Normandy invasion.

Video Two: In the second installment of this “sneak peek” video series, Rick introduces us to a lesser-known member of the famous Roosevelt clan.

Video Three: In the third installment, Rick tells the story of John K. Waters and his involvement in General George Patton’s ill-advised raid on Hammelburg prison camp.

Video Four: In the fourth installment, Rick details the invasion of southern France and one of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s most controversial decisions.

Video Five: In the fifth installment, Rick discusses tensions that existed between Eisenhower and Montgomery.

Video Six: In the sixth installment, Rick discusses the Allies failure to fully secure Antwerp by securing the Scheldt River in a timely manner.

Video Seven: In the seventh, and final installment, Rick discusses Eisenhower’s strategy change in regards to taking Berlin and the “fiction” of the National Redoubt.