The Last Bridge

The epic story of the last bridge standing over the Rhine and the daring men and mission that helped end World War II, by bestselling author and WWII historian, Alex Kershaw.

Alex Kershaw, author of five New York Times bestsellers about WWII, takes us on this heart-pounding, never-fully-told combat narrative about the extraordinary warriors who seized the last bridge standing across the Rhine in March 1945, carrying out the single most impactful mission of the war and saving untold lives. With a narrative built via deep research and an in-depth interview with Paul Priest, the one man still alive today to tell this amazing story, The Last Bridge goes minute by minute, in full and vivid detail.

Late winter, 1945: Allied forces have pushed the Germans towards the Rhine River and one elite reconnaissance unit from the 9th Armored Division - "a bunch of quirks and jerks" according to one officer - leads a push towards Nazi Germany.

Led by a German-born officer determined to throw off the shame attached to his name, the small band of Americans rushed into a hail of machine-gun bullets and across a bridge loaded with explosives. Battling through terrible casualties, they fought furiously in order to establish a foothold on the eastern banks of the Rhine and form the spearhead of an unstoppable thrust into Nazi Germany. In one of the most dramatic victories in military history, this cohort of warriors delivers a stunning strategic blow that helped cause the Third Reich to finally collapse.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs