The WWII invasion of Allied troops into German-occupied Europe, known as D-Day, was the largest military endeavor in history. The goal of D-Day was no less than the total defeat of Hitler's regime---and the defense of free democracies everywhere. The major players of D-Day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and countless others, have gone down in history. Acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson details not just their accomplishments, but the courageous contributions of commanders, service members, African-Americans, women, journalists, and others to this critical battle.

What is D-Day? -- And what's a regiment, anyway? -- Operation Overlord -- Invasion preparation: toy soldiers come to life -- Meet the Supreme Commander (and his dog) -- The weatherman -- "D-Day calling" -- The decision to go -- Across the channel by sea -- Before the jump -- Pegasus Bridge -- Crickets: Normandy before dawn -- Scenes from a Chaplain's D-Day -- Crash-landing into Normandy -- First battles -- Approach from the sea: voices from the Beachhead -- On Utah Beach: starting the war from here -- Some kind of prayer -- A scene of havoc and destruction -- A thin, wet line of khaki -- "29, let's go" -- The rangers at Pointe du Hoc -- The miracle of a toehold.