Topsham author releases novel about Battle of the Bulge

Pennsylvania publisher Stackpole Books released on Aug. 4 “Dead Man’s Ridge: The Bravery of American Paratroopers at the Battle of the Bulge” by Topsham author Peter M. Hanrahan. Hanrahan will present a talk, Q&A and book signing at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 at Topsham Public Library and at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at St. John’s Community Center in Brunswick.

Nillo and Oiva Liimatainen in England in 1944 during World War II. (Courtesy of Peter M. Hanrahan)

More than 30 years ago, the New Hampshire-born author spent a full day interviewing his wife’s uncle, Niilo Liimatainen, at his home in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, about Liimatainen’s experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. Liimatainen had been wounded and captured during the battle in Flamierge, Belgium. Hanrahan and Liimatainen agreed to co-author a book telling Liimatainen’s story. Liimatainen passed away before the book came to fruition.

The Battle of the Bulge, involving 600,000 Allied troops, was the largest and bloodiest land battle fought by American troops in World War II. In its last major offensive action of World War II, the Germans had deliberately focused their attack on American troops, who were considered weak and inferior.

Against this backdrop, “Dead Man’s Ridge” features many first-person accounts that illustrate the bravery, resolve and patriotism of young American men confronting a seasoned and determined enemy.

Visit globepequot.com/9780811778190/dead-mans-ridge/ to order “Dead Man’s Ridge.”

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Tagged: history, Maine authors, Times Record, Times Record Community, world war ii