D-Day is one of history's greatest and most unbelievable military and human triumphs. Though the full campaign lasted just over a month, the surprise landing of over 150,000 Allied troops on the morning of June 6, 1944, is understood to be the moment that turned the tide for the Allied forces and ultimately led to the defeat of the Axis powers in World War II. Now, a new book from bestselling author and historian Garrett M. Graff explores the full impact of this world-changing event--from the secret creation of landing plans by top government and military officials and organization of troops, to the moment the boat doors opened to reveal the beach where men fought for their lives and the future of the free world.

War begins -- War comes to America -- 1943 -- The start of SHAEF -- Crossing the pond -- The American invasion -- Building the Atlantic Wall -- Keeping secrets -- Operation Fortitude -- The Mulberry Plan -- At Slapton Sands -- Exercise Tiger -- The transportation plan -- Picking the date -- Into the sausages -- Keep calm and carry on -- Learning the details -- Spring in Normandy with the Germans -- The D-Day weather forecast -- A note on chronology and military terminology -- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's order of the day -- Paratroopers take off -- Operation Coup de Main -- The 6th airborne arrives in Normandy -- The paratrooper skytrain -- Night in the hedgerows -- Liberation comes to Sainte-Mère-Église -- Neptune rises -- Confusing the enemy -- Ashore in Normandy -- In the air over the beaches -- Heading ashore at Utah -- Naval forces at Utah -- The second wave at Utah -- The rangers at Pointe du Hoc -- Omaha beach -- Into the devil's garden -- Ashore at Omaha -- Getting off Omaha beach -- Afloat off Omaha beach --Jig sector, Gold beach -- The Green Howards take King sector -- Ashore at Juno -- Sword beach -- The news spreads -- Holding the eastern flank -- The walking wounded -- The Battle of La Fière Bridge -- Afternoon for the Germans -- End of D-Day.