*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a very interesting read! I've read many war books and learn something new every new book i read, this was no different! Learned a lot from this book, would recommend.

Book Recommender: The Heroic Story of a Ranger and the Battle That Defined WWII
The 2nd Ranger Battalion did what a 30-times-larger unit couldn’t

Ronald Reagan made the 2nd Ranger Battalion famous with his 1984 “Boys of Pointe Du Hoc” speech. There, he extolled the exploits of the Rangers who scaled those heights on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Ever since, many believe that the Rangers started and ended their World War II efforts on that day in June.

In fact, the battalion faced challenges throughout 1944. “The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII,” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, shows that D-Day was just the start of the Battalion’s World War II combat.

Their greatest challenge came six months later, in December 1944, at the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. The battalion’s 512 men were ordered to take and hold Castle Hill, a 1,320-foot-tall, flat-topped mound that once held a medieval castle. The key to the Hurtgen battlefield was several Wehrmacht regiments defending the hill. Holding it was critical to Germany’s upcoming Ardennes offensive. The U.S. 28th Infantry Division, 30 times larger than the Ranger unit, had tried and failed to take it.

Drury and Clavin show why U.S. Army commanders assigned the job to the Rangers: It was based on the unit’s earlier performances. The book covers the 2nd Ranger Battalion’s history throughout the war.

The authors start by presenting the battalion’s initial organization and training in the United States. They show how the arrival of Lt. Col. James Rudder changed everything. Rudder, a Texas A&M graduate and pre-war football coach, transformed the trainees from a collection of oddballs into a finely-honed combat unit. The book follows the Rangers to Europe, showing their combat exploits between June and December 1944. They fought at D-Day and helped liberate the fortified French port of Brest before going on to Hurtgen Forest.

The heart of the book is their struggle for Castle Hill. The Rangers arrived at Hurtgen Forest on November 14 and fought for a month. Of the 130 Rangers that occupied the hill, only 16 came out the other side uninjured. “The Last Hill” offers readers a gripping account of men in battle—one that will keep you reading until the end. Drury and Clavin provide a poignant reminder of why the soldiers who fought in World War II have been called the Greatest Generation.

“The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII,” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin (St. Martin’s Press, 2022).

In 2021, Clavin and Drury published Blood and Treasure, an outstanding biography of Daniel Boone, several American Indian tribes, and their relationship to the American Revolution. When I saw a chance to hear their new audiobook titled The Last Hill, I jumped on it. And the early portion of it convinced me that I was missing too much by listening but not seeing, so then I went back and requested the digital version as well. My thanks go to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and Net Galley for the review copies. This book is for sale now.

This meaty yet readable book details the fight for Castle Hill, a strategically essential location that leads into the core of Nazi Germany. Several entire American divisions had tried and failed to take it, and so General Eisenhower ordered the Rangers to go in. Rudder’s were the most elite, battle-hardened unit of the already elite group known as the Rangers. Led by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, they were ordered to fight to the last man, if necessary, and they very nearly did; 130 special operatives, as they were known, ascended the hill, and only 16 were left standing when it was over. Nobody there knew that Hitler’s Wehrmacht had been given nearly identical instructions, as it was through here that a massive number of German troops were slated to descend through the gateway and conclude the Battle of the Bulge for the Axis powers.

The most interesting and enjoyable part of this book, for me, was in the first chapters, where we see the contrast between the misleadership early on, when the Rangers were being trained in rural Tennessee, and that which Rudder provided. The troops were sent on marathon marches without canteens, and their superior officer would be driven alongside them, where they could see him relaxing in his seat and drinking as much water (or whatever?) as he chose. Some men quit; others died. There were also war games, including “…the pit fighting competitions” that took place in a three foot deep, forty foot square hole in which “…entire platoons jumped in to attack each other like ancient Spear-Danes, screaming lusty war cries that echoed throughout the camp…by the ordeal’s conclusion, the sawdust looked as if it had been coated with red paint and the pit itself smelled like the inside of a leper. Afterward, the medical team—whose members were not spared the crucible—found themselves treating gashes, sprains, dislocations, and a no-inconsiderable number of broken bones, sometimes their own. At the end of these long days the Rangers returned to their tent city too exhausted to make the two-mile, round-trip walk to the barracks showers.” Angry servicemen, when they finally scored passes to the nearest town named Tullahoma, brawled with the locals and left the bars and taverns with splintered wood and broken glass. Lieutenant Colonel Saffarans had to go.

When “Big Jim” Rudder came in, the pit fights vanished and he marched alongside his own men, not for just a portion of the hike, but for the whole thing. When his feet became blistered, he waved away the medics and took care of himself. Soon morale improved, and so did the quality of the troops.

As we move from training to the European theater, I see less information that I didn’t already know. It’s not badly done, but I was so inspired by the earlier portion that I felt a little let down. I am also chagrined—though this is not the authors’ faults—at the casual way that the US Army threw its soldiers into the line of fire. Why could they not soften the area up before sending these poor men to the slaughterhouse? There were 260,000 grave markers in the hold of their transport ship. Whereas I have never been a proponent of nuclear war, it does seem to me that if someone was going to be hit with the bomb, Hitler’s minions were likely very strong candidates; the Japanese that were nuked at Nagasaki and Hiroshima were nearly beaten already, and the bomb was nearly superfluous. And I’ve said it in earlier reviews but I’ll say it again: it’s too bad that the U.S. Military treated white enemies gently, and its nonwhite ones ruthlessly.

Do I recommend this book to you? If you are looking for just one book about American forces in World War II, this is probably not the one you’re looking for. It’s specific to just one part of Germany and just one hill, so it’s better suited to those that already have the basics mastered.

I might not recommend it at all, as I personally was offended by some of the remarks intended as humorous in reference to local women, as well as women in the service. Whereas I have no doubt that the misogynistic jokes told here are legitimately jokes that were told back then, there are some things that don’t bear repeating, and surely not in detail. I also wasn’t crazy about the clipped bro-speech of the narrator in the audio version.
For this reason, I recommend the printed version over the audio, for those that are interested.

As in many other times, I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. And, as in many other times, I bought the book for my library when it was published. It’s that good.

The Last Hill tells the story of the formation of the elite Army Rangers in World War II. Drawn from the experiences of British Commandos, this new venture by the Army was not readily received by all. It did not take long, however, for the reputation of this all-volunteer force to rise among the ranks. Tracing one Ranger Battalion’s’ feats from D-Day to the commencement of the Battle of the Bulge, The Last Hill refers to Hill 400, a strategic height from which German artillery was able to rain devastating fire on advancing allied forces. The Rangers fought valiantly, incurred heavy casualties, and were awarded many much deserved medals.

The Last Hill has extensive cites to back up its account. One of the features of this tale is the inclusion of an afterward, which briefly told the lives of the men featured in the book after their service in the war. Included In the book are pictures of the men whose deeds are chronicled.

Drury and Clavin have written another winner, and I highly recommend this book.

I read a lot of WWII books, I guess to learn some of the things my grandfather went through. Though this one was centered on the Rangers and the European theater, not Asia where my grandfather served.

It tells of just how the Rangers came to be during this time. How they really became the fighting machine they are now with the four man recon unit. We see some of their first battles, and one that becomes a defining moment for the Allied Forces during WWII.

While reading, I could tell that this book was well researched. Drury and Clavin did a wonderful job in writing this book. I will warn it may be a little gory for some.

Published November 1, 2022

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📚 Happy Reading 🙂📚

#nonfictionnovember
#netgalley
#stmartinspress

I thought it was quite fitting that I finished this book today, Veterans Day. I was extremely impressed with the information and details of the Rangers (WWII). I am not a reader, generally, WWII battle(s), but was interested in learning about the Rangers. The authors did a wonderful job of making me not only learn and understand some of what it took to be a Ranger, but they also make the men 'real'. The lives lost and the injuries incurred were overwhelming, but equally overwhelming was their commitment to each other and the war.

"The Last Hill" by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is a history book. In a well-researched and equally well-written story of nonfiction, they tell the story of Captain Rudder and the 2nd Ranger Battalion. The story starts with the controversial creation of the specialized unit and continues with its training and its struggle for recognition as an elite and well-trained band of soldiers. They penetrated the impenetrable and did the unimaginable. On D-Day, they scaled the cliffs that could not be scaled being a major part of the forces that made the taking of the beachhead possible. They continued thru the long months that followed to make their mark on history. Castle Hill or Hill 400 was still in front of them. A Battalion that started out with 300 was left with 16. Read this incredible account of their history. This book is raw so be prepared for the realities of World War II. For history buffs, this is a must-read. Well-written and life-like in its descriptions it will give the reader pause to reflect on those men of "The Greatest Generation". Thanks to #NetGalley#TheLastHill for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Title: The Last Hill
Author: Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Page Count: 416
Start Date: October 14th, 2022
Finish Date: November 1st, 2022

Review:
I feel like I learned something that I didn’t know about World War 2 with this book. Got to know people I’d never heard of before. I mean I get that there’s no way that school can teach everything that happens in history. I do think that there are ways that more can be added. That’s just my opinion. Anway. My point is that I learned something new with this book. I fully recommend it.

THE LAST HILL is an engrossing military history that explores the brutal WW 2 battle in the Hurtgen Forest on the border of Belgium and Germany. The book provides a description of the Army Rangers' formation during the 1940's as well as a vivid and rigorous account of the battle to win and defend Hill 400 from the Germans. Shifting between biographical details of combatants, historical analysis, and intense action scenes, the authors skillfully portray the harsh, conditions, the heroism and savagery, and the costliness of this bloody conflict. The book is well researched and an excellent contribution to WW 2 military history.

I’ve always loved books about military history and this one was no exception. It gives a detailed and well researched history of the Rudder’s Rangers and their fight to take and hold Castle Hill, near the German border, from the Germans. They suffered devastating losses and only 16 out of 130 men survived. These young men, teenagers really, fought a courageous battle and this book tells their story. For lovers of military history this book is a a must read

I was given an advance reading copy (arc) of this book by NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. Tom Clavin is one of my favorite authors. His books are always well-written and well-researched. The Last Hill is no exception. The story of the specially-trained ranger battalion who fought valiantly during World War II is remarkable. The men who made up the 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. James Rudder were the bravest of the brave. Rudder's men said that if he had been The Titanic, the iceburg would have sunk--just to give you an idea. The rangers were sent to Normandy just ahead of the great invasion and tasked with clearing the area of enemy troops before the allies got there. As if that wasn't enough, they were also ordered to take Hill 400, or Castle Hill, where German troops hunkered down in a last attempt to hold their ground. Before the rangers arrived, the American troops that fought there were pretty much annihilated. No one should have to see what greeted those rangers as they arrived on the scene just before the Battle of the Bulge took place. These men fought with solid bravery with little concern for their own safety and still retained a sense of humor. This book was a real page-turner for me as I held my breath hoping that every last one of these valiant soldiers made it home. Sadly, many of them didn't, but thanks to Tom Clavin and Bob Drury, their stories are documented. If you are interested in history, World War II, or just want to read a fabulous book, this is it!

If you know World War II history, you know of Rudder's Rangers. They were the 2nd Ranger Battalion that climbed the cliffs at Omaha Beach to seek and destroy the big guns. They also played an important role in the capture of the port of Brest. They performed magnificently on both, but then came their final major mission - the storming and holding of Castle Hill (also known as Hill 400) in the Hurtgen Forest in December 1944. The Last Hill is a detailed look at this key fight.

But before they get to that fight, Bob Druy and Tom Clavin provides the reader the history and backstory of the 2nd Ranger Battalion by dividing the book into 5 parts with a number of chapters per part. Part 1: The Rangers - provides the background on why Rangers were created, introduce the members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and their training for D-Day. Part II: The Beach - follows the 2nd Rangers as they scale the cliffs at Omaha Beach, discover the empty bunkers and then locate and destroy the targeted weapons among other heroic actions. Part III: The Fortress - highlight the actions and individuals of the 2nd Rangers during the campaign to take Brest. Part IV: The Forest - covers the hellish experiences of the 2nd Rangers in the Hurtgen Forest. Part V: The Hill charges the reader alongside the 2nd Rangers as they make their way to Bergstein, assault and take Castle Hill from the entrenched defenders men that had turned back multiple regiments with 130 men and then held the hill against all that the Germans could throw at them. One week later, the Battle of the Bulge opened. The 2nd Ranger's role for the rest of the war is briefly covered in the Epilogue and Afterword.

In The Last Hill, Bob Druy and Tom Clavin provides the reader with insight on an epic battle that is all to often only a footnote in the fight for the Hurtgen Forest. This tale and these individuals should be more widely know! If you enjoy stirring history, you will want to read The Last Hill!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Last Hill by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. This well researched book is an exemplary example of powerful military non-fiction. This books covers the training and action of the Rangers who participated in key battles such as D-Day, Hill 400, and the Battle of the Bulge. Drury and Clavin provided such vivid and specific details I felt as if I was climbing Point du Hoc and sitting in foxholes with the Rangers as I read. If you are a fan of military history with a focus on WWII, this book is for you. I do recommend reading this one on your Kindle or E-reader because these authors have an extensive vocabulary and I found myself using the dictionary feature often. I learned tons of SAT caliber vocabulary words!

Excellent, well-written and researched history. Anyone with an interest in special operations units and/or World War II will enjoy this story.

Another WWII couldn’t get behind - though a true story and heroic - went a bit on for me. Definitely a book for war buffs

The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII by Bob Drury; Tom Clavin isa stunning and inspiring nonfiction of true patriotism.

This is the stunning true story of Rudder’s Rangers and their heroic effort given during the infamous Battle of the Bulge. These men were regarded as one the most elite and experienced attack units within the United States Army. I am so great full to be able to have learned so much about these brave and selfless men. They were instrumental and crucial in the success of the December 1944 battle commonly located at Hill 400. Of the 130, only 16 survived the battle. Their courage, strength, passion, and true sacrifice speaks beyond words.

I am so honored to be able to have read this stunning account of these men whom we can truly say are heroes: the men of Lt. Col. James Rudder's 2nd Battalion.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/1/22.

The Last Hill
By Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

This is the true story of America's Army Rangers, from their inception through all their service in Africa, Italy, D-Day and ultimately to the last hill in the Hurtgen Forest on December 7, 1944. The sacrifices and heroics of these diverse men, from all backgrounds and walks of life, are part of the reason their generation has come to be named The Greatest Generation.

This tale is fascinating – yet at the same time it is very difficult to read. The idea that a battle plan only lasts until the battle starts proved to be only too true for these brave men. War on this scale is a horror, but these men – and all the others who served in combat – after watching their comrades destroyed, stepped up, filled the holes, and miraculously managed to not only win the war, but to survive to tell the tale.

I had a hard time reading this book, often moved to tears. Still, I think that we Americans in our divided country today, need to read it and understand what true patriotism is all about.

This book narrates the early history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion also known as Rudder’s Rangers. It begins with the formation and training of the Rangers during early World War II. It then traces their involvement in the war in North Africa and Europe. It culminates with the battle for Hill 400. As with other books that I have read by the authors, this one is well written and researched making it an engaging read especially for a history book.

THE LAST HILL is just excellent in every way, and the story is just sitting right there for when Hollywood decides it's time to start making WWII movies again. (The Rangers do show up in THE LONGEST DAY--which didn't win any fans in the battalion--and in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.) It's a story of innovation, with the Army creating the Rangers and then not knowing quite what to do with them. It's a story of derring-do, of heroism and sacrifice, of big battles and small ones, of brave colonels and wise sergeants and foolishly brave lieutenants. It's a great story, an American story, and it's as compelling today as when it happened. Highly recommended.

This book is an interesting history of the ranger battalion from its beginning. There are many fascinating facts and stories shared throughout. I suggest this book for anyone interested in military history.