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Title: The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II by John Bierman, Colin Smith ISBN: 0-670-03040-6 Publisher: Viking Books Pub. Date: 30 September, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $32.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.11 (9 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Good literary intro to the desert war
Comment: Much has been said and written about Alamein and what role this battle in the desert played in the outcome of the Second World War, but The Battle of Alamein (also known by its alternative title - War Without Hate) by John Bierman and Colin Smith is not merely another presentation of the well known story. Bierman and Smith have collaborated to produce a lucid and riveting tale of what has often been called the turning point of WWII for the Western combatants. Whether this belief is strictly true or not, it is clear that the German Army, in this case represented by the Afrika Corps (and its Italian ally), went from a victorious and seemingly unbeatable army to a broken, to a retreating and utterly spent group of soldiers discarded by their leader.
The Battle of Alamein is more than a story of the major engagements so well known and oft told, it is also a story of little known elements that played important, if somewhat side-stage, roles in this first major tactical victory for the British Army (represented by the 8th Army in this case). It is in fact this component of the book that makes it most compelling. Bierman and Smith tell, with considerable literary style, of how the British Long Range Desert Group, founded and initially lead by the 30's desert adventurer Ralph Bagnold, went through several incarnations which ultimately developed many of the most important desert warfare tactics used by the 8th in its victory over Rommel. The reader also learns about a behind the lines sabotage group formed from German Jews that caused considerable havoc to the German forces, despite considerable loss to their own little band. But the victors are not solely presented. The reader is taken down an equal number of paths that explain both well and lesser known exploits of the Afrika Corps and the Italian Desert Army.
As a chronicle of the combat itself The Battle of Alamein quite often falls short. There are a number of errors and misstatements but the background and sidestories larger make up for this deficiency. Thi is a work crafted in a way amateur historians can enjoy and have their interest piqued - professional or more serious amateurs should approach it open minded and willing to accept some "issues". If the reader wants a great one-two punch try Rick Atkinson's Army at Dawn in combination with The Battle of Alamein. The former is a 5 star effort of serious historical value and literary flair, while The Battle of Alamein, while flawed, delivers a sound and fun 4 star read.
Rating: 4
Summary: Prepare to be entertained!
Comment: The European title of this book is far more relevant and accurate.
Alamein, war without hate.
This book proves that History can be entertaining. There are no doubt better researched and more detailed accounts of the desert war. I doubt if any come close to being this readable or have its style. Bierman and Smith prove that English belongs to the Englishman.
The authors have been able to give a general history of the whole desert war in what amounts to a "cracking read". For those who desire a concise and highly entertaining account of a very different war than that fought in other theaters, this is a must. This book will certainly fulfill the function of a first read in this sector of operations. I wouldn't take other reviews too seriously when they refer to inaccuracies in this work. It bothers me not that an MP40 is referred to as a Shmeisser etc. There is a definite place in our bookshelves for introductory histories. Once ones interest is fired up by books of this ilk, it will encourage one to seek greater detail in more comprehensive books.
One of the most pleasing aspects of this book are the delightful footnotes that appear on nearly every page that give one fascinating insights into the characters and events in the desert war. The bottom line is that the book is just so damm readable that I could not put it down. It has kindled an interest in a theater of war that has never really engrossed me.
Go out and buy it and be prepared to be entertained!!
Rating: 4
Summary: Excellent Read
Comment: Having read numerous Eastern Front narratives recently, I felt as if I needed a change of pace. This book did the trick. The Commonwealth's troops and Rommel's Afrika Corps had somewhat of a chivalry between them. This is in glaring contrast to the hellish Russian steppe battles. As an earlier reviewer states, the authors do not use all 400+ pages to write about the actual Alamein battle. For anybody new to the North African war, this is an excellent primer. The side stories alone are quite interesting... almost Stephen Ambrose-ish. A recommended follow up book would be Rick Atkinson's "An Army at Dawn" which begins with Operation Torch, loosely where "Alamein" breaks off.
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Title: An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943 (The Liberation Trilogy, Vol 1) by Rick Atkinson ISBN: 0805074481 Publisher: Owl Books (NY) Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Alamein by Jon Latimer ISBN: 0674010167 Publisher: Harvard University Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Rommel's Greatest Victory by Samuel W. Mitcham, Samuel Mitcham ISBN: 0891417303 Publisher: Presidio Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Another River, Another Town: A Teenage Tank Gunner Comes of Age in Combat--1945 by John P. Irwin ISBN: 0375507752 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 07 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Eagle Against the Sun: The American War With Japan by Ronald H. Spector ISBN: 0394741013 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 November, 1985 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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