re: D-Day invasion spinoff - want to learn more about WWII

To me, the crux of the war was Germany. And for that, as was said, read the dictionary sized but glorious book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Epic. Don’t try to speed through just soak it in when you can. Of all the shite I’ve read it does the best explaining to you how the Germans got to the point of mass extermination. For TV, so many documentaries but WW2 in Colour is a great summary and great video footage.

There is so much out there that you can get lost. All the good stuff has been covered, so I won't rehash them. I am a huge WWII buff and particularly like the air war.

We do tend to understate or more often fail to understand the Russian side of WWII.

The war in the Pacific was mostly carried out by the USA but the war in Europe was really an allied affair with the Russians paying a huge toll.

I've read and studied the history of World War II since I was ten years old. I had one great advantage over you, however. I grew surrounded by World War II veterans - neighbors, five great-uncles, and my grandfather. They were of cross-section of men who served in all branches on different fronts, and all were kind and patient enough to answer questions from a curious teenager. All of them are gone now, and it was an honor to have known them.

Starting off, I would suggest reading some of Stephen Ambrose's works, such as Citizen Soldiers, Band of Brothers, D-Day, and The Victors. There are many good pictorial histories out there. There are also works by Tom Brokow. I would watch "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." Also watch some of the older classics, such as "The Longest Day", "A Bridge too Far", "Bridge Over the River Kwai", "Tora Tora Tora", "Midway", "Patton," and "Twelve O'Clock High." "Downfall" is also a must-see.

When you are ready to tackle a one-volume history of the war, I would recommend "The Second World War: A Complete History" by Martin Gilbert.

Get you hands on a copy of "To Hell and Back" by Audie Murphy, which I am partial too because Murphy is a personal hero of mine.

Also look for some personal memoirs to read. One unknown one I would recommend is "The Wrong Stuff" by Truman Smith. Another good one is "Roll Me Over" by Raymond Gantter.

"No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kerns Goodwin was a great read. It covers the entire Presidency of Frankiin D. Roosevelt, but covers his activities during World War II and his relationship with the genrals, Churchill, and Stalin.

"War at Sea" by Nathan Miller is an excellent introduction to the naval history of the war.

Later one, when you are ready for heavier reading, I would recommend "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William L. Shrier, "Inside the Third Reich" by Albert Speer, and Churchill's volumes on the history of the war.

Search around on YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix for Russian movies about the war. Many have been made in the last twenty years and are excellent. You gotta be cool with subtitles, though.

There are literally thousands of documentaries out there, and tens of thousands of books written about every aspect of the war. You'll never be bored or lack material to see and read.

Of course, a visit to the World War II Museum is a must, if you are local or pass through this way.

EDIT: I re-read the OP and saw your update. My advice still stands!