It was the decisive battle of World War I. German commander Erich Ludendorff called it "the black day of the German army." Many authors have stated that it was the beginning of the end of the great conflict. And yet, until now, no book has been published on the climactic battle at Amiens.

Amiens was one of the first "modern" battles, and certainly the first attempted by the Allies. Employing the troops of five nations (including Canada) and utilizing secrecy, deception, and combined operations, the Allies won the first of a string of victories culminating in the Armistice one hundred days later. Amiens: Dawn of Victory is the first book to study the historic battle in minute detail. Using eyewitness accounts from dozens of survivors, plus many accounts, both published and unpublished, by the participants, the authors take us into the trenches, the tanks, and the cockpits.

James McWilliams and R. James Steel are avid military historians. They have collaborated on two previous books on World War I: The Suicide Battalion (1978, 1990) and Gas! The Battle for Ypres, 1915 (1989) - as well as a unit history - The Battery (1996). R. James Steel is also the author of The Men Who Marched Away: Canada's Infantry in World War I, 1914-1918 (1989).

James McWilliams' profile page

James McWilliams and R. James Steel are avid military historians. He has collaborated with James McWilliams on two previous books, World War I: The Suicide Battalion (1978, 1990) and Gas! The Battle for Ypres, 1915 (1989), as well as a unit history, The Battery (1996). R. James Steel is also the author of The Men Who Marched Away: Canada's Infantry in World War I, 1914-1918 (1989).

R. James Steel's profile page

"This clear-minded account of the days leading up to that sequel is overdue and welcome."

The National Post

"McWilliams and Steel have done a magnificent research effort as they go into great detail into the planning, attack and movement of the battle, liberally interspersed with comments from the participants."

Convoy

"... carefully researched and appealingly written."
"In bringing this important battle to light, McWilliams and Steel also do us the great service of providing a reminder that thereare many other battles of Canada's Great War that await their own historian."

Canadian Military History