For the allied armies fighting their way up the Italian boot in early 1944, Rome was the prize that could only be won through one of the greatest offensives of the war. Following upon his book about the battle of Ortona, Mark Zuehlke returns to the Mediterranean theatre of World War II with this gripping tribute to the valiant Canadians who opened the way for the Allies to take Rome. The Liri Valley is testament to the bravery of these Canadians, like the badly wounded Captain Pierre Potvin, who survived more than thirty hours alone in the hell of no man's land. This book, like the battle it records, will live long in readers' memories.

Originally published: Toronto ; New York : Stoddart, 2001.

Introduction: The road to the Liri Valley --Prelude to Operation Diadem -- Military sins -- Unwanted Canadians -- Baptism of fire -- Frustrated Ambitions -- Deceptions -- Gustav Line -- A Just and righteous cause -- An unholy balls-up -- A most satisfactory day -- One could not afford to grieve -- It is stiff fighting -- Fog of war -- Hitler Line -- Don't let it get you down, chum -- Where are you going like that, Little Pot? -- Operation Chesterfield -- It's sheer murder -- Hardest thing to watch -- Those were fine boys -- An honour to die -- A Gruesome task -- Pursuit -- Punch --|t Our somewhat weary shoulders -- Be very, very careful -- A bit of a black eye -- Push on -- Viva il Canadese -- Epilogue: valley of loss -- Appendix A. Eighth Army Order of Battle -- Appendix B. Canadians at the Liri Valley -- Appendix C. Canadian Infantry Battalion (Typical Organization) -- Appendix D. Canadian military order of rank -- Appendix E. German military order of rank -- Appendix F. Decorations.