WAR STORIES: WWII FIRSTHAND - D-Day: The Campaign Across France wins International Book Award

May 24, 2012 - PRLog -- WAR STORIES: WORLD WAR II FIRSTHAND – D-Day: The Campaign Across France,  which was recently honored with a Silver Medal in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) in the World History category, has also been named the winner in the History: Military category of THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS.

JPX Media Group announced the winners and finalists of THE 2012 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA) on May 23, 2012. Over 300 winners and finalists were announced in over 100 categories covering print, e-books and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Author Jay Wertz and Weider Publishing took first place in the History: Military/Political category of the International Book Awards in 2011 with WAR STORIES: WORLD WAR II FIRSTHAND – The Pacific– Volume One – Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal.

Tom Brokaw, of NBC News, recently praised The Pacific – Volume One as “a stunning and evocative reminder of the personal heroism and epic battles over and on seas, island, and mainland, as told by those who were there.  Magnificent."

WAR STORIES: WORLD WAR II FIRSTHAND – D-Day: The Campaign Across France presents a perspective on the military campaigns and actions of World War II anchored on the stories told by the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and other front line personnel who experienced the conflict. This volume features heart-wrenching testimony from those who stormed the beaches of Normandy and Southern France; those who jumped behind the lines, manned the ships and flew the missions overhead in the great invasion of Europe, an event unparalleled in history.

"I am honored that our D-Day book won a Silver Medal award in the History (World) category of the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards, as well as being honored by THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS in the History: Military category” says Bill Breidenstine, publisher. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all involved in the WAR STORIES: WORLD WAR II FIRSTHAND project. In particular, I want to thank the World War II veterans themselves who came forward and shared their experiences with us.  It is because of them that this endeavor of ours to preserve their legacy is truly worthwhile."

The IPPY awards are considered to be the "World's Largest Book Awards Contest."  The awards are open to all members of the independent publishing industry, and to authors and publishers worldwide who produce books written in English and intended for the North American market. On Monday, June 4th, the 16th Annual IPPY Awards will be presented via a ceremony in New York, kicking off the annual BookExpo convention.  Since 1996, over 4,500 books have received IPPY Awards.  

Besides penning WAR STORIES, Jay Wertz is also the author of three books -- The Native American Experience, The Civil War Experience: 1861-1865 (both now in their second edition), and co-author of Smithsonian's Great Battles and Battlefields of the Civil War. His television credits include the award-winning 13-part documentary
series Smithsonian's Great Battles of the Civil War.

For more information visit http://www.historynet.com/d-day-the-campaign-across-franc....  

For info about the Weider History Group, visit www.historynet.com.  To order books, visit www.historynetshop.com.  

A complete list of the winners and finalists of The 2012 International Book Awards are available online at http://www.InternationalBookAwards.com

Jay Wertz is available for media interviews and speaking engagements.  Contact Karen Morris, Sand Castle Communications, sandcastlecomm@verizon.net for more information.