Published in 1995, this book, in many ways, is a revisionist view of World War II and how the Good Guys won it. As such, you may not agree with the author on everything. I know I didn't.
Some examples... Overy states, in a very short sentence or two, that Japan was going to surrender before we dropped the A-bomb. I disagree, as do many historians who know better than I. There are even sources which show the Japanese disagree. Look at how the military leaders even tried to overthrow the Emperor to prevent him from surrendering. And all you need to do is look at the carnage in Berlin from another power which faced extinction, but kept fighting. I think Overy keeps his statement short, knowing it would provoke outbursts from other historians.
Overy also believes too much in British General Montgomery's memoir of World War II. Montgomery writes the invasion plan for Normandy, France, was for the British to hold the German forces in the East, near Caen, while the Americans broke though in the West. This was proven a lie from Montgomery to explain why he didn't break through quickly to seize Caen and the ground beyond it. This is just a famous military post-conflict, "Oh, look. See. I planned this all the time." There is a very good reason Montgomery waited until Eisenhower was dead before publishing his memoir.
Overy also credits Montgomery with coming up with the idea for Operation Cobra, which finally broke the German line in France and allowed Allied forces to race across that country, destroying German divisions by the dozen. I believe Omar Bradley, whose idea it was, would lecture Overy strongly over this mistake.
Having said all that, this was a fascinating look at the many reasons the Allies won. I especially appreciated the long discussion on the value of the bombing campaign and the real reasons why it was a major assist to defeating Germany. Many other books disparage the bombing campaign as a waste of resources.
Finally, Overy exposes some of the major errors the Allies made which cost them heavily. As examples, the losses in the bombing campaign could have been greatly reduced if someone had thought much earlier of fitting disposable wing tanks on the fighters accompanying the bombers. And the RAF's refusal to lend more long range bombers for convey duty until 1943 resulted in a great loss of shipping and lives.
If you are a serious reader of WWII history, this book needs to be read. And while this review may seem long, it is short in comparison to the many reviews on Amazon.
Some examples... Overy states, in a very short sentence or two, that Japan was going to surrender before we dropped the A-bomb. I disagree, as do many historians who know better than I. There are even sources which show the Japanese disagree. Look at how the military leaders even tried to overthrow the Emperor to prevent him from surrendering. And all you need to do is look at the carnage in Berlin from another power which faced extinction, but kept fighting. I think Overy keeps his statement short, knowing it would provoke outbursts from other historians.
Overy also believes too much in British General Montgomery's memoir of World War II. Montgomery writes the invasion plan for Normandy, France, was for the British to hold the German forces in the East, near Caen, while the Americans broke though in the West. This was proven a lie from Montgomery to explain why he didn't break through quickly to seize Caen and the ground beyond it. This is just a famous military post-conflict, "Oh, look. See. I planned this all the time." There is a very good reason Montgomery waited until Eisenhower was dead before publishing his memoir.
Overy also credits Montgomery with coming up with the idea for Operation Cobra, which finally broke the German line in France and allowed Allied forces to race across that country, destroying German divisions by the dozen. I believe Omar Bradley, whose idea it was, would lecture Overy strongly over this mistake.
Having said all that, this was a fascinating look at the many reasons the Allies won. I especially appreciated the long discussion on the value of the bombing campaign and the real reasons why it was a major assist to defeating Germany. Many other books disparage the bombing campaign as a waste of resources.
Finally, Overy exposes some of the major errors the Allies made which cost them heavily. As examples, the losses in the bombing campaign could have been greatly reduced if someone had thought much earlier of fitting disposable wing tanks on the fighters accompanying the bombers. And the RAF's refusal to lend more long range bombers for convey duty until 1943 resulted in a great loss of shipping and lives.
If you are a serious reader of WWII history, this book needs to be read. And while this review may seem long, it is short in comparison to the many reviews on Amazon.
