John O. (buzzby) -
Really informative book. Lots of maps, which show (just about) every geographical nook and cranny mentioned in the book. A good mix of tactics, strategy, and remembrances of the soldiers. The title comes from Rommell's biography, and the author never misses a chance to point out the chivalrous acts between the Germans and the English (not much about the American role, which of course was not there until the last 6 months.) It only mentioned in passing a joint Jewish-Arab brigade fighting in Ethiopia (hardly covered Ethiopia at all, athough there was extensive coverage of the bombing of Malta. The war as described resembled at times a donkey basketball game (my allusion), though the author gives a plausible explanation for that, too.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
With so many books written about the North African campaign in World War II it is hard to decide which one is best. Many deal with some aspect of the three year long campaign, and some have obvious bias. One of my favorites is "The Desert Generals" by the respected British historian Correlli Barnett.
But now I have another favorite, "War Without Hate" by Bierman and Smith. It is well written, entertaining, without basis, and delivers fascinating bits and pieces of the war which whets the reader's appetite for more detailed histories on individual aspects of the campaign, for example, Barnett's book.
One very small part of the book I enjoyed was Britain awarding its Victoria Cross to an Irish soldier who displayed great heroics during one battle. But it wasn't until 2000, when the soldier published his memoirs, that Britain discovered he was actually an Englishman who had earlier deserted from the army and later reenlisted under another name.
The two British authors are extremely fair in presenting their information, even revealing all of General Montgomery's faults and, what shall we call them, half-truths, as they also do with Rommel's and numerous other leaders. They also acquaint the reader with the American Colonel Fellers, our nation's military aide in its embassy to Egypt, and his detailed messages back to Washington, all of which were read by the Italians and Germans, giving Rommel the British plans before each battle. This isn't covered in so many other books on the campaign.
I've read many books on this campaign, but if someone was to ask me which to read first, I'd recommend this one.
But now I have another favorite, "War Without Hate" by Bierman and Smith. It is well written, entertaining, without basis, and delivers fascinating bits and pieces of the war which whets the reader's appetite for more detailed histories on individual aspects of the campaign, for example, Barnett's book.
One very small part of the book I enjoyed was Britain awarding its Victoria Cross to an Irish soldier who displayed great heroics during one battle. But it wasn't until 2000, when the soldier published his memoirs, that Britain discovered he was actually an Englishman who had earlier deserted from the army and later reenlisted under another name.
The two British authors are extremely fair in presenting their information, even revealing all of General Montgomery's faults and, what shall we call them, half-truths, as they also do with Rommel's and numerous other leaders. They also acquaint the reader with the American Colonel Fellers, our nation's military aide in its embassy to Egypt, and his detailed messages back to Washington, all of which were read by the Italians and Germans, giving Rommel the British plans before each battle. This isn't covered in so many other books on the campaign.
I've read many books on this campaign, but if someone was to ask me which to read first, I'd recommend this one.
