Book Review: ‘A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge’

A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge

By: Charles B. MacDonald

Publisher: William Morrow

Year Published: (Reissue) 1997

Genre: Military History, World War II (European Theater of Operations, 1944-45)

On December 16, 1944, four German armies—comprising 14 infantry and five panzer divisions—launched a surprise counteroffensive against the American First Army along an 80-mile front bordering Belgium and Luxembourg. The attack struck a sector the Allies had deemed quiet, ideal for resting battle-weary units and acclimating fresh arrivals from the States. Instead, the dense, wintry Ardennes Forest became the stage for Hitler’s last major gamble in the West: a bold thrust through the American lines, across the Meuse River, and toward the vital port of Antwerp. He aimed to fracture the Allied coalition, isolate the Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group, and perhaps even force the Soviets to reconsider their advance.

For several days, the offensive seemed to favor the Germans. Poor weather grounded Allied aircraft, English-speaking German commandos sowed confusion behind the lines, and isolated American units were overwhelmed or forced to surrender. Yet amid chaos and bitter cold, scattered groups of GIs held firm, buying precious time for Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and his commanders to regroup and counterattack. After a month of brutal fighting, the German advance was halted and slowly driven back to its starting point.

In A Time For Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge, the late Charles B. MacDonald—himself a company commander during the campaign—offers a masterful account of the largest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army. Drawing on his deep understanding of infantry combat and his skill as a historian, MacDonald vividly reconstructs the drama, confusion, and heroism that defined this pivotal moment in World War II.

The book explores not only iconic episodes like the 101st Airborne’s stand at Bastogne, the Malmedy massacre, and the infiltration by German soldiers in American uniforms, but also the strategic missteps and intelligence failures that allowed the offensive to unfold. MacDonald examines the tensions between Allied commanders, particularly the controversy surrounding Eisenhower’s decision to place Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in charge of the northern sector. He also highlights the skepticism within the German high command, many of whom recognized the futility of Hitler’s plan.

Despite the battle’s complexity, A Time For Trumpets remains accessible and compelling. Maps and photographs help readers navigate the sprawling conflict, while appendices offer valuable insights into unit composition and orders of battle. MacDonald’s work stands as both a tribute to the soldiers who fought and a definitive chronicle of one of World War II’s most dramatic chapters.