The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback)

Customer Reviews:

rommel papers .......2007-09-11

great book written from the surviving papers after his death there would have been more but a lot of his stuff was taken by the Nazis, and much more was lost to the US Army but his wife and son saved some and from this B.H. LIDDELL-HART was with the help of the wife and son to put his great skill as a battlefield commander in a new light A must read for any student of WWII also checkout ATTACKS by Rommel this book is about his time as a young lieutenant in WW I

Up there with the master himself.......2007-06-06

This is one of those books that made the shivers run down my spine while reading it. It felt like being right there in the thick of it with this amazing field commander. This man is a born leader and has the audacity and knighthood to fight an honest fight. He did what he believed was right and he is portrayed as human as possible in this text. War is a terrible thing, but it still is a part of our way of life. This cannot be denied! These memoirs are of the highest value and a must-read for anyone interested in the war in Northern Africa.

Fascinating!.......2006-12-31

This book is one of the best memoirs I have read. It is Erwin Rommel's account of the Second World War from start through finish. The best and most interesting thing about this book are Rommel's thoughts. He talks about all of his battles, and experiences throughout the war, but he weaves in personal things as well which make this a superb piece of writing. You will definately not be disappointed in purchasing this book. Anyone interested in Rommel, the German view of WWII, or WWII in general, should buy this book, hands down.

War as Only He Knew It!.......2006-02-11

Legendary Field Marshall Erwin Rommel narrates the war effort from the German point of view. Outnumbered, out gunned, but never out "generaled," Rommel explains both his early successes and ultimate defeat. His work is rightly considered a military classic and also provides a unique insight into the Nazi high command.

Rommel begins by talking about the victory in France. Utilizing superior tactics and equipment the Germans achieved in six weeks what they failed to accomplish in four years in World War I. The lesson is simple: Military planners should always plan for the next war, not the last one.

Then it was off to Africa. Rommel again outclassed his opponents until the material superiority of the U.S. and British destroyed any chance of success. He repeatedly decries his inadequate air support and lack of supplies. Only much later was ULTRA revealed to be the cause of much of his difficulty. (See, The ULTRA Secret, by F.W. Winterbotham, Harper and Row, Publishers, 1974.) Read this section with a map of North Africa in hand!

Last, was his defense of Normandy. Knowing he would have only Goering's promises for air cover, the once foremost exponent of mobile warfare opted to defend at the shoreline in an attempt to force the Allies into a negotiated peace. Alone, with grossly inadequate supplies, and only a short time to prepare he orchestrated a masterful defense which well might have succeeded if Hitler had allowed him to fight his own battle.

Finally, after service in two wars, and fighting valiantly against overwhelming odds, Hitler gave him his "reward." In true Nazi fashion, he was "allowed" to commit suicide to save his family rather than face a Peoples Court.

This work shows how the Nazi high command repeatedly violated the Principles of War of Mass and Unity of Command with disastrous results. Furthermore, it shows how a dynamic leader can accomplish nearly miraculous results even against all odds. The fact he unwittingly served an evil regime in no way diminishes his greatness as a military leader. When the names of the great Generals of history are recited: Lee, Jackson, Forrest, Guderian, and Patton; Rommel's name is sure to be included. A true classic in military literature; 5 stars!!

Harold Y. Grooms

Great Insight.......2005-07-07

Very insightful and interesting look inside the mind of one of the greatest generals of WWII. He was a true soldier - it's unfortunate he was associated with Hitler and the Nazis. He may have been considered one of the greatest generals of all time if it weren't for the evil of the regime he fought on behalf of.

Worthwhile reading if you want to understand what "the other side" had to deal with during the war. It allows you to better understand the mind of the soldiers who believed they were fighting for their country without simpathizing with the Nazi government.

Rommel's support for the assasination of Hitler, while not proven, also offers an interesting perspective on how the army came to fear and distrust Hitler's intentions.

Strategy: Second Revised Edition (Meridian)

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Not historically objective
The Optimistic Jew
Purely Brilliant
An Early Examination of the Operative Sphere of War
The best Strategy book (but a tough read)

Strategy: Second Revised Edition (Meridian)
B. H. Liddell Hart
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Roots of Strategy Book: 4 Military Classics : The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783, Some Principles of Maritime Strategy, Command of the Air, Winged Defense (Roots of Strategy)
Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age

ASIN: 0452010713

Book Description

This is the classic book on war as we know it. During his long life, Basil H. Liddell Hart was considered one of the world's foremost military thinkers--a man generally regarded as the "Clausewitz of the 20th century."

Liddell Hart stressed movement, flexibilty, surprise. He saw that in most military campaigns dislocation of the enemy's psychological and physical balance is prelude to victory. This dislocation results from a strategic indirect approach. Reflect for a moment on the results of direct confrontation (trench war in WW I) versus indirect dislocation (Blitzkreig in WW II). Liddell Hart is also tonic for business and political planning: just change the vocabulary and his concepts fit.

"The most important book by one of the outstanding military authorities of our time." (Library Journal)

Customer Reviews:

Not historically objective.......2007-09-07

Liddell-Hart's magnum-opus, "Strategy", purports to demonstrate that "throughout the ages, effective results in war have rarely been attained unless the approach has had such indirectness as to ensure the opponent's unreadiness to meet it." In short, his book is predicated on the notions that an indirect strategy is the only strategy which succeeds, and that history shows this to be the truth.
"Strategy" is impressive in its scope, and it contains much of value for the student of military history; however its content is not objective. Liddell-Hart interprets events to support his thesis regarding the superiority of the indirect approach. One instance of such interpretation is his discussion of the Allied landings at Normandy in June 1944. Liddell Hart correctly describes the theater strategic decision to land in the Normandy region vice landing in the vicinity of Pas de Calais as a variation of the indirect approach, in which allied planners demonstrated "an inclination to avoid the most strongly defended approach" (p 296), but he fails to address the fact that an invasion of Northwest Europe to defeat Nazi German was in itself a strategic direct approach. The Allies' Mediterranean strategy had succeeded against Axis forces and protected British access to the Suez Canal; however it did not strike a decisive blow. Rather, it contracted German forces into a denser defensive posture on the mainland of Europe, requiring a direct assault on the defenses of the Atlantic Wall in preparation for the drive into Germany.
Clausewitz wrote, "if...some historical event is being presented in order to demonstrate a general truth, care must be taken that every aspect bearing on the truth at issue is fully and circumstantially developed." Liddell Hart sought to raise the efficacy of the indirect approach to the status of a general truth, but in the process of doing so failed to consider all aspects of his argument. This failure leaves his work ultimately unconvincing and thereby demonstrates the utility of Clausewitz's admonition to be thorough when using history to illustrate theory.

The Optimistic Jew.......2007-08-31

Liddell Hart was considered one of the world's foremost military thinkers of the 20th century. I consider him to be the fundamental thinker for policy making. His clear definitions of the differences between ideology, policy, grand-strategy, strategy, tactics and operations must be the methodological framework for national policy. His military thinking had great influence on the Israeli army. He was a champion of indirect dislocation and condemned direct confrontation. This along with his concepts of the "strategy of the indirect approach" and a "policy of limited aims" served Israel well in its early years. Rejection of this philosophy following the Six Day War has caused untold mischief to the Zionist Enterprise -- a point I make over and over again in my own book "The Optimistic Jew: a Positive Vision for the Jewish People in the 21st Century". I would make Liddell Hart's book required reading for anyone who presumes to make Jewish policy of any sort.

Purely Brilliant.......2007-06-23

A great book that will allow you to apply the classic military strategies to the current day biz warfare.

An Early Examination of the Operative Sphere of War.......2006-11-20

B.H. Liddell-Hart was an excellent historian and able strategist, but his greatest strength here is in illuminating the operative sphere of war (labeled "strategic" sphere here, as opposed to the strategic and tactical spheres, which Hart labels grand strategy and tactics, respectively) and its role in modern maneuver warfare (which seeks "a better peace" rather than destructive war.) In this, Liddell-Hart out paces Clausewitz by several hundred meters, and, indeed, revises Clausewitz's much-quoted axion, "In times of peace, prepare for war." Liddell-Hart understood that, in an age of nuclear arms and shifting alliances that lead to global conflicts, the better axiom is "In times of peace, KNOW war." Preparation is liable to be seen as preemption.

Strangely, the historic examples used in this text do not represent Hart's best work. An able narrator, Hart usually weaves various operations into thoroughly readable histories. Not so here, where his work is a tad dry. For a better look at Hart's skills, read "Scipio Africanus: Greater Than Napoleon" or "Great Captains Unveiled." The book is strongest in he beginning and in the appendices, where Hart develops his theories.

That said, the work itself is definitive. If modern strategists successfully applied half of the thoughts outlined here, then the western world would find itself prosecuting much more successful wars as well as winning a much more prudent peace.

The best Strategy book (but a tough read).......2006-10-21

This book is as relevant today as it was when it was first published 50 years ago.If your business function revolves around strategy (sales, marketing, leadership), then you should read this book from cover to cover. Be forewarned, it's a little dry in places....

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The Oldest Treatise on Game Theory
A well thought out treatise, all in a little book
The Optimistic Jew
Required reading at many military colleges around the world
Human Nature

The Art of War
Sun Tzu
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195014766

Amazon.com

The Art of War is the Swiss army knife of military theory--pop out a different tool for any situation. Folded into this small package are compact views on resourcefulness, momentum, cunning, the profit motive, flexibility, integrity, secrecy, speed, positioning, surprise, deception, manipulation, responsibility, and practicality. Thomas Cleary's translation keeps the package tight, with crisp language and short sections. Commentaries from the Chinese tradition trail Sun-tzu's words, elaborating and picking up on puzzling lines. Take the solitary passage: "Do not eat food for their soldiers." Elsewhere, Sun-tzu has told us to plunder the enemy's stores, but now we're not supposed to eat the food? The Tang dynasty commentator Du Mu solves the puzzle nicely, "If the enemy suddenly abandons their food supplies, they should be tested first before eating, lest they be poisoned." Most passages, however, are the pinnacle of succinct clarity: "Lure them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion" or "Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent." Sun-tzu's maxims are widely applicable beyond the military because they speak directly to the exigencies of survival. Your new tools will serve you well, but don't flaunt them. Remember Sun-tzu's advice: "Though effective, appear to be ineffective." --Brian Bruya

Book Description

Like Machiavelli's The Prince and the Japanese Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's The Art of War is as timely for business people today as it was for military strategists in ancient China. Written in China more than 2,000 years ago, Sun Tzu's classic The Art of War is the first known study of the planning and conduct of military operations. These terse, aphoristic essays are unsurpassed in comprehensiveness and depth of understanding, examining not only battlefield maneuvers, but also relevant economic, political, and psychological factors. Indeed, the precepts outlined by Sun Tzu regularly applied outside the realm of military theory. It is read avidly by Japanese businessmen and was touted in the movie Wall Street as the corporate raider's bible. Providing a much-needed translation of this classic, Samuel Griffith has made this powerful and unique work even more relevant to the modern world. Including an explanatory introduction and selected commentaries on the work, this edition makes Sun Tzu's timeless classic perfectly accessible to modern readers.

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Sun Tzu's classic treatise on the art of warfare

Customer Reviews:

The Oldest Treatise on Game Theory.......2007-09-30

There are many translations of this work which has long been in the public domain. This is the popular translation by Lionel Giles made even more popular by the introduction from the best-selling author of Japan epics, James Clavell. It contains Giles' commentary along with the translation. The annotations give historical examples of the strategies in action.

Game theory is calculated strategy. The Art of War by Sun Tzu is probably the oldest and most important book on game theory ever written. It is the culmination of the development of the best warfare tactics prior to the 5th century BC. It is considered the foundation for all military plans and is still used to this day. It is most popular for its ability to win wars without fighting one. Its application has shaped the world as we know it.

The Art of War can be understood as a breakdown of the chaos of warfare into components that can be analyzed and understood. The tactics are mostly about controlled organization, recognizing environments and situations and the correct response to each one. Organization is subject to change in competition. The Art of War is essentially the strategy of responding to changing environments. Response is thus relative to evolving conditions.

1 - "Laying Plans"
The core message of this chapter is to calculate as much as possible before committing yourself. Important themes include discipline, ethics, environmental conditions and assessing the competition. It's about setting up the mission and evaluating the competition.

2 - "Waging War"
The important detail of this chapter is to win as quickly and as economically as possible. Prolonged struggle means wasting resources and undermining confidence. When winning, use the spoils as rewards and capital. It's about making war pay.

3 - "Attack by Stratagem"
This chapter is about deployment of the previous two chapters. The central message is to know thyself and know thy enemy. This stage indicates problems such as sieges, bad management and interior anarchy or legal/government interference. Advantages such as good management, exploiting opportunities and attacking tactics are covered. Strength is about cohesiveness and is independent of size.

4 - "Tactical Dispositions"
This one stresses putting yourself in a position where you cannot be defeated and waiting for the opportunity to defeat the enemy. It is about recognizing the breaks and taking them as opposed to creating the breaks.

5 - "Energy"
This part focuses on the power of deception to lull the enemy into a false sense of security and the use of spies to learn the enemy's moves. It also stresses the need to evolve in battle. It's about building up war capability.

6 - "Weak Points and Strong"
This chapter encapsulates all the previous five chapters into an advanced war strategy producing outcomes, calculating and responding to events as they unfold. The strategies are developed here. It is about creating breaks.

7 - "Maneuvering"
This deals with managing units and the internal problems they face on top of how to respond during movement to various circumstances. It is a chapter based on types of situations and responses.

8 - "Variation of tactics"
This section expands on the evolution of tactics and strategies based on situations and responses but concentrates on what causes failure.

9 - "The Army on the March"
This is advanced maneuvering especially across long distances with different terrains and how to deal with encounters. It is about interpretation.

10 - "Terrain"
This describes the various terrains that an army can encounter and when and how to occupy them. It talks about distances, potential dangers and obstructions. Positioning is important.

11 - "The Nine Situations"
This piece explains the condition of each terrain in terms of its tactical advantages and disadvantages and how to deal with both. It is a very intensive chapter because of the number of complex conditions dealt with.

12 - "The Attack by Fire"
Arson in war is probably the single most troubling weapon that an army could have inflicted on the enemy around 500 BC. This chapter is obviously based on the most advanced weapons of the time which have since been developed. It is about using the principle of creating disorder and chaos to win.

13 - "The Use of Spies"
Without spies don't war. War is won based on foreknowledge not by calculation but by direct information about the plans of the other side from spies. Spies are managed in this chapter.

Even though the work is quite short (about 100 pages or less with commentary) it is complex enough to warrant several readings. It is the equivalent to learning how to play advanced chess, a game which compliments this study. There is a lifetime of thought within the pages. Napoleon was said to have used it and lost when he didn't follow it.

The Art of War has become one of the most important self help books of this century popularized in big business as many executives have had recourse to this material because it offers a sound winning strategy. Most readers come away believing that the book's message finds it adaptable to many environments because it is all about adjusting to variations and so can be applied to anything and everything.

The Art of War is not supposed to be an exciting read. It is a strategy book, a step by step guide to how battles are won and why they are lost. It is more to be memorized as a set of responses, including when not to respond, than to be understood. The combinations of the responses are unlimited. There is enough on the plate without asking why. Understanding why would come later and the answers to these questions would come from a very sophisticated understanding of the theory. It is an endeavor that remains open to the reader if they can come to terms first with the information that is here.

Even if the book is not followed up on by subsequent study it can still leave a long lasting impression with its tips on discipline and achieving goals. It is great value for the amount of information contained in such a short burst. It will get you thinking strategically and that is more or less its claim to fame.

A well thought out treatise, all in a little book.......2007-09-12

A very good treatise on the Taoist perspective on war. It carries so many parallels to today's modern combat, and is required reading in Asian businesses and for Asian military officers, especially the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It's a fairly easy read and very good to understand as well. Compare it to the Machiavelli book of the same name and you'd see a stark contrast to it. Recommended for those who want to learn what would be good military strategy and tactics, especially if those support a military with greater autonomy than many countries have now.

The Optimistic Jew.......2007-08-31

B.H. Liddell Hart's favorite military thinker even though he lived 2,000 years earlier. Like Liddell Hart his thought transcends the military sphere and influenced me in my writing of "The Optimistic Jew". Worthwhile reading even today.

Required reading at many military colleges around the world.......2007-08-21

Written in approximately 470 BC, The Art of War is a Taoist treatise on martial and political philosophy ... one of the most famous ever written, and one of the most often quoted. The fact that it is still popular and well quoted, after more than 2,000 years, should say something about its timeless qualities.

It's composed as a list of terse, keen and ingenious observations, sayings, and maxims ... with various translators over the centuries each adding their own interpretations and commentary. There's something on almost every topic ... from siege planning, use of formations & maneuvering, the virtues of adaptability and cunning, speed, the use of positioning & terrain, disinformation and the use of spies, etc.

The author's advice spans both low level tactics ["do not stop an army on its way home" {Brad: because they'll be more likely to fight to the death} ... "a surrounded army must be given a way out" {Brad: channel their retreat into a killing zone of your own creation}] ... and high level strategic thinking ["a superior militarist foils enemy plots without the need to fight; the next best {strategy} is to ruin their alliances; next {best strategy} after that is to attack their armed forces; worst {strategy} is to beseige their cities"]

It's required reading at many military colleges around the world.

Human Nature.......2007-05-24

The reason this book is a timeless classic is because it analyzes all aspects of war from the standpoint of human nature, and makes a solid case that any endeavor that fails to take into account human nature is doomed to failure. Because the subject is warfare, including its causes, and the analysis is solid, one is left with not only the first order result (how to handle a war situation effectively) but also a life changing understanding of the humbling constraints of human existence and the pragmatics of applied psychology. Anyone who is bored by this book (and this particular one is excellent) is not yet ready to learn basic lessons about human existence. Anyone who is capable of humility will be changed by this book. It should be read by everyone, several times throughout life.

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Laudation of a humane genius in politics, strategy and tactics
A Great General Gets His Due
Innovative Commander.
Excellent and Interest premise for book
Great work

Scipio Africanus: Greater Than Napoleon
B. H. Liddell Hart
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306813637
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Book Description

"An intensely interesting book." --Spectator Scipio Africanus (236183 b.c.) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander, he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in public memory.

As B.H. Liddell Hart writes, "Scipio's battles are richer in stratagems and ruses--many still feasible today--than those of any other commander in history." Any military enthusiast or historian will find this to be an absorbing, gripping portrait.

Customer Reviews:

Laudation of a humane genius in politics, strategy and tactics.......2007-09-26

The first brilliance of Publius Cornelius Scipio "Africanus" laid in his humane appreciation that the most stable peace situation can be achieved, even in most escalated collective conflict situations, by avoiding humiliation and misery of the enemy (i.e. by avoiding Versailles type conditions, regardless of the antecedents). This worked for ever with the Iberic Peninsula, for centuries with Asia Minor and for five decades with Carthage, were the policy of his great enemy, the "hawk" Marcus Porcius Cato "Censorius", was to prevail later on, aided by the stupidity of Carthage's ruling caste.
The Italic peninsula was being devastated and sacked by Hannibal since nine years, when the 25 years old Scipio proposed the strategy, to conquer Hannibal's and Carthage's supply base of Spain, an than to attack the enemy in its homeland, both poorly defended. This brilliant strategic approach was not within the mainstream of Roman politics and Scipio had to recur to donations, to finance his plan, the Senate assigning him only the remnants of the troops beaten at Cannae, since then punished by a ban to Sicily.
During the execution of his plan, Scipio Africanus deployed his third mastery, a superb tactical preparation and performance of battles, combining intelligence gathering, feints, fast actions and re-arrangements of battle formation during action. Also in this aspect he has been probably second to nobody in History, being one of the very few great generals never to have lost a battle, not even against Hannibal, whom he bet on the political, strategic and the tactical plane altogether. (It is difficult to imagine that Scipio Africanus would have ever made the mistakes of Napoleon in Spain and Russia.) Liddell Hart undiscovered all these aspects and argued them in a thrilling manner.
There are also sad personal aspects he relates, about the injustice Scipio Africanus suffered in Rome (by Cato's instigations) after his triumphs: false charge of personal enrichment with the loot, and later of treachery by presumed negotiation concessions for the release of his son taken prisoner of war by the Seleucids. He retired from politics to his landed property at Liternum (by today's Giugliano near Naples) were died at the age of 52, in the same year as Hannibal.
Liddell Hart deserves our gratitude and respect, because he formulated his view, against negative appraisals on Scipio Africanus of the hardliner fans among traditional historiography, up to Theodor Mommsen.

A Great General Gets His Due.......2006-10-31

We've all heard of Hannibal and of the man who finally defeated the invader of Rome (on his own turf). But who does history remember? It certainly isn't the victorious general who *NEVER* lost a battle. While Hannibal might not have lost a battle until Zama, he simply wasn't able to finish the Romans off. This was simply due to the fact he wasn't equal to Scipio when it came to siege warfare. The author finally gives Scipio a book worthy to his name. What struck me the most about Scipio was the way he was treated by politicians back in Rome. One would think that the Senate would have done everything possible to ensure that Scipio was victorious and save Rome. However petty rivalries and jealousy were yet other obstacles to be overcome. History repeating itself. The man himself was not only a brilliant general but a very humble man who always put the republic needs above his own. Even though in the end he died in exile, on charges of bribery bought about by his enemies. Rome later cleared his name but the man who saved them from Hannibal, brought Spain, Carthage, Numidia, Sicily and Greece into the empire was treated no better than a common thief. History does indeed repeat itself.

Innovative Commander........2006-04-09

First, the authors initial premise that the victor does not always get the credit is sadly true. Which dispells many myths revisionists have been spewing for decades. Aspiring leaders could learn much from this and the authors other books. Here he has created a great story outlining the exploits of one of the worlds most underated generals. Dare I say hardly known? Chapters 10 and 11 is where the true nature of the subject comes to life. In three dynamic years he crushed Carthaginian Spain, then launched his daring attack on Carthage. He details how Scipio's depth of thinking was far beyond most one-dimensional doctrines of his day. Without him Rome and the European Civilization that we so often take for granted, may have ended as part of a huge North African Empire. We owe the subject and the author a debt of gratitude.

Excellent and Interest premise for book.......2005-09-29

The author starts off with an interesting premise - that the victor doesn't always get the credit due his achievements. He mentions Hannibal's fame over his superior on the battlefield - Scipio. Other examples are Wellington over Napoleon and Grant over Lee.
A very interesting biography overall with a concentration on his wartime accomplishments, this book is a good read for those interested in military history and the politic intrigue that plague successful military leaders. Recommended reading!

Great work.......2005-02-25

I do not give 5 star ratings on much of anything that I review, this was an exception. I had barely heard of this great general before and now I know much more about him. That is what a historical book should do, but this one was also a joy to read and went too fast. For every statement about Scipio there is explination and justification. I'm sure he was a much more complicated man than even this book can go into, more's the pity, but a great general he was....possibly the greatest.
A must buy to the military reader and should be required reading for not only historians, and soldiers, but heads of state as well.

Lost Victories: The War Memoirs of Hitler's Most Brilliant General

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Fascinating insights into WWII by one of it's most active participants
Must read for people interested in the Eastern Front and WWII
Insightful
Erich von Manstein the German soldier's choice for Chief of staff
Lost Victories is an interesting study of the German high command

Lost Victories: The War Memoirs of Hitler's Most Brilliant General
Field Marshal Erich von Manstein , Anthony G. Powell , B. H. Liddell Hart , and Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Zenith Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Panzer Leader
BUT NOT FOR THE FUEHRER
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German Generals Talk
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ASIN: 0760320543

Book Description

Originally published in Germany in 1955, and in England and the United States in 1958, this classic memoir of WWII by a man who was an acknowledged military genius and probably Germany's top WWII general, is now made available again. Field Marshal Erich von Manstein described his book as a personal narrative of a soldier, discussing only those matters that had direct bearing on events in the military field. The essential thing, as he wrote, is to "know how the main personalities thought and reacted to events." This is what he tells us in this book.His account is detailed, yet dispassionate and objective. "Nothing is certain in war, when all is said and done," But in Manstein's record, at least, we can see clearly what forces were in action. In retrospect, perhaps his book takes on an even greater significance.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating insights into WWII by one of it's most active participants.......2007-08-29

Erwin Rommel is widely regarded as the best German general of the war by writers and historians in the West. This is, in large part, due to the fact that he is really the only general faced by Western Armies and there is a self-serving arrogance in claiming that the British and US forces `best the best' the Germans had. Among the Germans, however, Erich von Manstein is considered one of the top, if not the top, field commander of the war. I'm certainly not going to weigh in on that debate, but the memoirs of one of the most noted German officers of WWII can be regarded as nothing but fascinating. This is a must read for an serious student of WW II. You can't claim to be knowledgable about WWII without having read this memoir.

There are so many wonderful insights contained in this book that I can't possibly relate them all, I'll just give a few that particularly struck me as relevent. First, most of the book covers the war in the Eastern front, but in many ways the most interesting part of the book is the first several chapters describing von Manstein's role in the Polish campaign and the development of the plans for the invasion of France in 1940. The French defeat of 1940 is today considered to be one of the most catastrophic military defeats of all time, but how different would things have been if von Manstein (and others) were unable to force their view on the General Staff via Hitler? The details of the Sevastopol campaign are also enlightening, and von Manstein has some interesting insights into the Rumanian soldiers.

Second, von Manstein discusses at length the idea that Germany could have won the war even after Stalingrad if the decision had been made at that point to withdraw from large parts of the Soviet Union, go on the defensive, and use the superior German leadership and mobility to defeat one Soviet thrust after another. For a long time I accepted this as at least plausible, but now I doubt this to be true. The Soviets would have eventually ground the Wehrmacht into the ground. Much has been made about Hitler's decision to pursue the southern option in 1942 and defend Stalingrad to the last man in the winter of 1942/43 and that this was a strategic error. Von Manstein weighs in on this issue at length. My view about this has changed, and I challenge the reader of this review who disagrees with me to check out the book `Sunrise at Abadan' for a different view after reading von Manstein's memoirs. In particular, the Baku oilfields were critical to the Soviet war effort. Had they been occupied, the Soviet Union would have been knocked out of the war and Iran quickly occupied by Germany. This would have meant the loss of Abadan to the British and all their oil as well. The Germans lost the war when they couldn't break through to Baku, and Hitler may have wanted to hold onto Stalingrad in the winter of 42/43 to renew the attack in that direction in the spring/summer of 43. Fundamentally, the Baku oil fields and Iran were the decisive front in the war. Capture these and total German victory is assured, otherwise the combined economic and military weight of the allies ultimately ensures the defeat of Germany. In any case, von Manstein's views on this matter (how Germany could have avoided defeat after Stalingrad) are fascinating.

A third compelling aspect of this book is von Manstein's discussion of his relationships with and views of members of his staff and other German officers. For example, von Manstein discusses the issue of why Hitler refused to visit the soldiers at the front line. According to von Manstein the talk around the campfire was that Hitler was a coward. Von Manstein claims, however, that it was quite the opposite. Hitler didn't want to be weakened by seeing the solders and subsequently hesitating to make difficult decisions because he was in fact too sympathetic to their plight. I have no idea if there is any truth in this, but I was surprised by it.

My only negative comment is that this is not really a stand alone memoir, you have to know a great deal about the events to really get the most out of this book. This is not meant to be a complete or detailed history about any aspect of the war, only von Manstein's views and, from his perspective, the role that he played. As such, I can only recommend this to a serious student (for whom it is a must read).

Must read for people interested in the Eastern Front and WWII.......2007-08-19

This is one of the most interesting books I have read about WWII. Obviously it is biased by the author but I found it extremely interesting. Von Manstein, besides being one of history's most brilliant generals sheds some light on dealing with Hitler as well

Insightful.......2007-07-08

Very detailed book with many details not learned in normal history despite Holocaust references being conspicuously absent.

Erich von Manstein the German soldier's choice for Chief of staff.......2007-06-10

Field Marshal Erich von Manstein was born in Berlin in 1887 as Erich von Lewinsky, he fought in WW1 and was injured in Poland in 1915. He may have had Jewish relatives. He served on the Staffs of a number of Army Groups. General Erich von Manstein (he was adopted by his mother's brother-in-law, General von Manstein) served as Commander of 56 Army Corps in March 1941 spearheading the dash for Lake Ilmen during the attack on Leningrad. September 1941 he commanded the 11th Army and conquered the Crimea, he was promoted Field Marshal. In 1942 he assumed command of Southern Army Group attempting to relieve Stalingrad, he defeated a Russian Army at Kharkov March 1943, for this he was awarded Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross.
The title Die Verlorene Siege (Lost Victories) highlights von Manstein's disgust with Hitler over operations in the east, Hitler relieved von Manstein of command, he was not used in war operations again.
This book is an essential war diary for aspiring Military Commanders interested in dealing with large unit tactics.

Lost Victories is an interesting study of the German high command.......2007-04-28

Lost Victories is doubtless one of the best and most interesting studies of the German high command to be published and coming from one of Germany's greatest wartime military commanders in the most lucid language, it is an enthralling read from first to last. Indeed, it is one of the most readable war memoirs of any highly-placed commander of any belligerent in the Second World War; it is arguably the best. That said, the readability of the English-language edition has come at the cost of the excision of certain sections of the book.

In this instance I must echo the criticisms of others who have reviewed it. I do not think that the translator with the book's English-language editors or publishers should have taken it upon themselves (back in the late 'fifties when the English translation was published) to excise sections of the text to shorten the book, but left it whole and complete in translation as Manstein had written the text in the original German. And following on from this, the chapter on "Operation Citadel" should have been left entire and complete instead of excised from the English-language edition and a much shorter article on "Citadel" written by Manstein for the US Marine Corps Gazette inserted in its stead. I realise that these excised sections were so removed in order to increase the book's readability for publication in English-speaking countries, which readability, as I have said, is excellent; however, I would have preferred these deletions included as I believe that they probably would have given an even deeper insight into the character and attitudes of Manstein.

These criticisms aside, Lost Victories is still, I repeat, an exceedingly interesting book in which Manstein's excellent intellect with its great clarity and marvellous vigour shine through from beginning to end. It gives the reader a crystal-clear view of what the German Army's high command had become under National Socialism through Manstein's sharply-sensed and vivid though concise descriptions. Such descriptions include those of Hitler and his government's attitudes and general relationship to the German military and the converse relationship of the Wehrmacht's high command, as professional soldiers, to its National-Socialist masters, the leading personalities of these sometimes conflicting entities, and their interaction under the strain of conflict through the course of the European war up to Manstein's removal from command in 1944. All of which is riveting material for consumers of military history, and others. Indeed, I would recommend this book even for those who are not inclined as a rule to read military history, but would still like some understanding of the course of the Second World War from the German perspective (up to Manstein's dismissal) and of the interior history of the German military during Hitler's war.

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World War II from the British view
A good one-volume history
Liddell Hart's final "I told you so".
Good but not definitive
Big book, big subject, big read, big distinction to be made

History of the Second World War
Basil Henry Liddell Hart
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306809125

Customer Reviews:

World War II from the British view.......2007-07-20

History of Second World War proves to be a well written and highly insightful book on the Second World War. The author, Capt. B.H. Liddell Hart was a well known military analysist and proponent of armor theories between the two world wars and when he died in the 1970s, he was known as the "Captain who taught generals". He was also British so it will not be surprising that the book take a British-centric view of the war (many American authors often take an American centric view as well).

The book covers all aspects of the war although it pretty heavy where the British military was involved in the most. I read this book back in 1975 when it was initially available to me and I was surprised by its originality that maybe today's readers may not notice. The book was one of the first to be heavily criticial of many of the decisions made by FDR and Churchill. The book supported the concept that Hitler's invasion of Russia wasn't a mistake but what he did after the invasion was. There were other pretty original thoughts written here which turned out to be matter of facts today to a well read reader. I didn't mind Liddell Hart's 20/20 Monday morning quarterbacking since its a job of any historian to judge the actions of the past and make an analysis of what went wrong or right. In this, the author did an excellent job.

The author, who also wrote a well received and well regarded book titled "Strategy" which advocate the "indirect strategy" approach, often harped on this element in this book. He praised highly to those who uses elements from "Strategy" and lamented those who do not.

The book is extremely readable and on the whole, pretty fair in outlook. I agreed with one of the previous reviewers that by Liddell Hart's perception, the war really didn't end until the fall of the Soviet Union. Cold War was World War II: Part II.

When I first read it back in 1970s, I thought it was one of the greatest books on the war. Now, it still worth reading although there are better books out there.

A good one-volume history .......2006-01-17

In this book, Capt. B.H. Liddell Hart, the noted English military historian, describes how the British, led by the infallible Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, and with some trifling assistance from the Russians, won World War II. They did this, Liddell Hart tells us, despite the many gross mistakes of the Americans, and the severe misjudgments of Winston Churchill. This is another example of the truth that a history reveals as much about the period in which it was written, and the man who wrote it, as it does the period it describes.

Liddell Hart's final "I told you so"........2005-04-23

Captain Basil Liddell Hart was the most famous military historian of the 20th century. Everything he wrote is worth reading, and this is one of his best.

His style is clear, direct, and easy to read. He leaves you in no doubt as to what he thinks. He loves to say "I told you so", and was in a better position than most to exercise that unbecoming character trait. I don't know of any other historian who can say, as L.H. does:

"When in November, 1933, I was consulted as to how our fast tank formations - which the War Office was just beginning to form - could best be used in a future war I had suggested that, in the event of a German invasion of France, we should deliver a tank counterattack through the Ardennes. I was thereupon told that 'the Ardennes were impassible to tanks', to which I replied that, from personal study of the terrain, I regarded such a view as a delusion - as I had emphasized in several books between the wars."

Guderian's tank attack through the Ardennes in 1940 and the German Ardennes tank offensive of 1944 fully justify L.H.'s right to say "I told you so."

This is a straightforward chronological history of the military operations of the major belligerent powers of the Second World War, so much is left out that appears in more general histories. Also, it was written before the "Ultra" and other secret operations were declassified, which is a drawback. However, current thinking is shifting on the subject of just how much these operations actually contributed to Allied victory (see John Keegan's recent "Intelligence in War", for example), so that his commentary on the strategic and tactical mistakes of the various combatants is still very much worth reading. His "Epilogue", though controversial, is a brilliant and valuable summation of the overall course of the war.

He ends the book on a pessimistic note, clearly very disappointed that a war fought to defend Eastern Europe from a totalitarian power ended with a similar power in occupation of those countries:

"Thus the train of European civilization rolled into the long, dark tunnel from which it only emerged after six exhausting years had passed. Even then, the bright sunlight of victory proved illusory."

If we accept L.H.'s analysis, the Second World War didn't really end until 1989, with the demise of the USSR and the end of its long occupation of Eastern Europe.

Any student of politics, history or warfare, and anyone interested in how our world came to be the way it is, should be familiar with the writings of Basil Liddell Hart, including this book.

Highly recommended.

Good but not definitive.......2004-07-20

Lidell Hart can be overrated, and this book is a good example. It gives a good review of the operations in WW2, but often in a potted manner that sounds like a (gifted) high school term paper. There's not always the necessary effort to think about what events in the war mean for the big picture. To his credit, when he DOES connect the dots, it's interesting, as in his claim that Churchill's preoccupation with the African campaign led to Singapore's being undersupported.

And where his hobbyhorse gets rocked, as most flagrantly with his factually inaccurate section on the decision to drop the A-bombs, L.H. is positively pernicious. (See Richard Frank's excellent "Downfall," which I will go review after this.) I'm also surprised, given his obvious anger that the Soviets were left with half of Europe, that he doesn't go into some depth on whether the Allies should have pushed for Berlin.

Nevertheless, its scope and analysis make this a good book to have on the shelf, particularly if you're interested in the British campaigns. There is much more attention to the sideshow in north Africa than any non-Brit could justify, tho since Liddell Hart edited Rommel's papers, this was probably to be expected.

(If anyone reading this review can suggest a superior *military* history of the war, please do!)

Big book, big subject, big read, big distinction to be made.......2003-06-09

From the outset a presumably simple question needs to be posed and answered, due to the attributed authoritativeness of author Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart. Does this history of the Second World War give an exact account of the global war between the Axis Powers and The Allies from 1939 to 1945?

The answer is emphatically yes, but a distinction must be made. This book took me two months to read, taking into account its length this was not especially poor for a general history reader. But I believe the reason behind the prolongued read is precisely because it is not an account for general readership but for the reader of military history - it is in short, a military and strategist's view of the Second World War. An important categorization that I hope is understood.

This does not mean however that its worth is negated for the general reader. Liddell Hart's history is as thorough and epic in scale as the war itself, authored by an experienced military strategist who bore witness to its prosecution, it holds unique and valuable insight. Of particular value is the inclusion of German accounts of the war from interrogations and interviews made by the author.

Great eruditeness is also shown in describing the varying campaigns, invasions, battlefields, and military plans of all sides. The sheer detail he offers is immense and because of this nothing is gleaned over, of considerable use in gathering a full account of actual fighting. In addition, something of the art if essentially chaotic nature of the war and indeed warfare as a whole is infused into the reader's mind.

Yet, all this could have been achieved with much greater effect and with less long-winded and relentless detail if it had contained more frequent accounts from the protagonists involved. Indeed if the participants in the theatre of operations were taken account of at all, this history would have added a worthwhile human dimension above the confusing tactical and strategic aspects which tended to dominate the retelling.

If it had, this account would surely have become an unsurpassable tome leaving fellow historians of WWII to fight it out for the scraps of academic esoteric obscurity that is Hitler's dietary needs and "confused sexuality".

Yet despite my craving for some sort of personal narrative, which is probably unfair in view of Liddell Hart's obvious interest and authority on strategic and military matters, this book did provide me with the knowledge of the Second World War that I had sought from the outset. It is so thoroughly detailed that it covered all of the theatres of war with particular emphasis on the campaigns in North Africa, Italy and the Battle of Britain/Atlantic.

Readers from the United States may be disappointed however at the focus of the war upon British and Soviet battles in contrast to their own vital contribution to the Allied victory, namely in the Pacific Ocean, which I might point out in mitigation was one of the strongest sections imparted. But I consider that Liddell Hart has emphasized overall fairness, the Allies together defeated the Axis powers, it was not one partner exclusively, although the Soviet Union's all-important recoiling of Hitler's invasion has been given deserved focus in the book.

I would also put forward certain caution if any readers approached this conflict without any prior knowledge of its main events, you will undoubtedly lose track of any timeline, as I occasionally did. The narrative swerves from North Africa to the Russian Steppes and the Burma jungle, with no clear indication of its importance in relation to other theatres of the war.

My judgement upon this book ultimately has to be that of conflicting middle ground however. As an account of any war it has to be regarded as a classic. As a military history of the Second World War I doubt whether the understanding of Liddell Hart or his analytical brilliance shall be surpassed, and as an historian of the Twentieth Century he is rightly regarded as amongst its most esteemed.

This book however does not fully meet the requirements of modern readers to understand the Second World War beyond the concept of armies, war production figures and "losses". It rarely goes beyond a history of the conflict that is simply one of strategic/military problem and solution. Indeed, it neglects to emphasize at all that the war involved massive human taking up of arms with the resultant consequences. A history of war without human context bears no resemblance to the actual war itself and thus I believe this book is not as authoritative as it once seemed.

The Past as Prologue: The Importance of History to the Military Profession
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A brilliant intellectual defense of the study of military history

Doomed to Repeat History

Good food for thought
The Past as Prologue: The Importance of History to the Military Profession

Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521619637

Book Description

Exploring the usefulness of the study of history for contemporary military strategists, this volume illustrates the great importance of military history while simultaneously revealing the challenges of applying the past to the present. Essays from authors of diverse backgrounds--British and American, Civilian and Military--present an overwhelming argument for the necessity of the study of the past by today's military leaders in spite of these challenges. Part I examines the relationship between history and the military profession. Part II explores specific historical cases that reveal the repetitiveness of certain military problems.

Customer Reviews:

A brilliant intellectual defense of the study of military history.......2006-08-31

American strategic thought is cyclic. Ever since the end of the Civil War the study of military history has fallen in and out of style, even within U.S. Military War Colleges and Command and Staff Colleges. During the 1960s, the organizational and business accounting theories of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and his "whiz kid" advisors stated that war could be reduced to number crunching and statistical analysis. As a result military history suffered. By the 1980s, military history was reborn with the wide acceptance of the writing of Carl von Clausewitz. The application of his theories played a major part in the complete rebuilding of American military operational art and the success of Operation Desert Storm. By the mid-1990s, the tide began to shift. "New" theorists began to opine on the wonders of "network-centric" warfare and "effects-based operations". Once again the study of history was replaced by computer networks and mathematical formulas.

"The Past as Prologue" is a brilliant defense of the need for military officers and policymakers to continue to vigorous and constant study of military history and resist attempts to reduce warfare to scientific analysis. The book is a collection of essays from some of the top military theorists and historians of our time. The famous historian Michael Howard's essay on the role of military history in warfare is worth the price of the book alone. LtGen Paul Van Riper's essay demonstrates that military history is not for other academics, but was a critical element in his success as a battlefield commander. His respect for the topic lead him to be a major force in the rebirth of professional military education within the United States Marine Corps.

The essays on Thucydides and Clausewitz clearly show their continued relevance in today's post 9/11 world. The second half of the book is a collection of essays that demonstrate how ignoring the lessons of history led to eventual battlefield defeat. While excellent, essays they did seem to drift a bit away from the central themes of the book and often got bogged down in detail.

The first 2/3 of the book were outstanding and should be required reading during the first week of all major defense colleges and universities, not to mention the need for policy makers to take the time to delve into these critical topics.

Doomed to Repeat History.......2006-07-08

We all think that our times are unique. And little makes this as clear as the opening few pages of this book.

After getting rid of the leader of a country, there were difficult challenges in getting a new regime in power -- Panama after Noriega.

There were great difficulties in learning to recognize and deal with an insurgency -- Vietnam.

Couldn't these have taught us something about going into Iraq?

After World War I, the Germans looked for new methods to prevent a repetition of the deadlock of the trenches. The French looked at the trenches of World War I and decided to build the untimate trenches, the Maginot Line.

No senior German leader expressed any doubt about the invasion of Russia until the days began to lengthen, then they looked as some of the memoirs of Napoleon.

This is not to say that learning from history is easy. Douhet learned from World War I that the 'bomber would always get through.' This exactly fit what the bomber boys of the RAF and the US Army Air Corp wanted to hear. And a lot of young men died in the skies over Germany.

This book is a series of historical articles from a wide range of thinkers of and about history. It presents a clear analysis of why history is so important if we are not to keep repeating ourselves.

Good food for thought.......2006-06-13

The editors of this book have put together an outstanding series of essays derived from a conference at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and later presented at the Marine Corps University, Quantico. The book's theme is stated in the subtitle; "The Importance of History to the Military Profession;" its view point is that the study of military history is critical for the military. There are two introductory chapters. The first, by Editor Williamson Murray, argues that only by studying military history can a soldier begin to understand war. Not that there aren't pitfalls and, "for history to be of any use, its very complexities demand skeptical inquiry rather than reliance on a smattering of inevitably oversimplified historical anecdotes." The second chapter, by eminent military historian Sir Michael Howard, argues that only military history can provide contextual understanding for many more conventional historians in explaining many issues, such as the impact of World War's I and II on society.

The rest of the book is divided into two sections; the first focuses on the relationship of military history to the military profession, and the second looks at historical cases that illustrate recurring military problems. The essays rely on academics and on military officers both of whom provide insight into history's role in understanding war. The authors include many familiar names such as LTG (R) Paul Van Riper, USMC, MG (R) Jonathan Bailey, British Army, John Gooch, Colin S. Gray, and the two editors themselves.

If you believe military history allows a better understanding of war, or if you just enjoy military history, this book will give you insight into the positive aspects of the field and its pitfalls - and there are many. At the same time, if you tend to believe today's problems are unique, read the book so that you can find the true path.

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The psychology of leadership
Classic Study of Sherman by Military Expert Hart
An Excellent Work
The Greatest Strategist of the Civil War
not up to Liddel Hart's usual level

Sherman: Soldier, Realist, American
Basil Henry Liddell Hart
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The White Tecumseh: A Biography of General William T. Sherman

ASIN: 0306805073

Book Description

A vividly written, thorough work by Britain's celebrated military writer, first published in 1929.

Customer Reviews:

The psychology of leadership.......2007-07-12

This biography of Sherman is a study of the man Liddell Hart believes to be the great strategic thinker of the American Civil War. It is more a study of his psychology, much of it derived from original sources such as telegraphic messages, than an account of battles. Sherman was a complex man with a background in banking and commerce that served him well in planning his campaigns in the Confederacy. At the outbreak of hostilities, he was headmaster of a military academy in Louisiana and the local people tried to induce him to stay in spite of his open Union sympathies. He was offered a positon as Assistant Secretary of War but declined to seek a military command. His contempt for politicians was later expressed in his famous refusal to accept a nomination for the Presidency. He was the most intellectual general of the war and Liddell Hart is very interested in his thinking. This is a valuable book for those interested in leadership.

Classic Study of Sherman by Military Expert Hart .......2005-01-30

This is a classic written by Liddell Hart in highly readable compact detail. Hart, an English veteran of WWI, was a 20th century military expert who had a great appreciation for Sherman's strategic ability and understanding of an enemy morale. In contrast to what Hart calls a game of "shuttle cock" in the east, Sherman's strategic maneuvers and splitting of command out frequently force Johnson to give up ground while shedding very little blood. Hart notes that he does not spend too much analytical detail on where every "man stood" in reference to regimental history but Hart provides the reader the necessary detail to appreciate the battles and over all campaign. Hart's appreciation of Sherman's ability to take the war to the Deep South, live off the land and take a great risk of literally disappearing from his line of communications is well detailed here as Sherman's penetration through three states eventually undermines Lee's great efforts in Virginia. Hart, the veteran of the stalemate battle of trenches that featured great loss appreciates Sherman's successful plan of warfare. Of course, there are many historians who believe that General Joe Johnston's propensity to retreat may have made him a weak opponent but Johnston did keep a strong army in the field until Hood decimated the Army of Tennessee. This is a great book written by a man who not only lived through "The Great War" but was highly capable of writing about a war that was very similar in the eastern theater by late 1864.

An Excellent Work.......2003-07-21

When I first began to read this book I was concerned that it might be outdated. However, I found much of the subject matter to be quite timely. Of particular interest was the impact that Sherman's successful (albeit violent) trek through Georgia had on the 1864 elections. I never realized how close the Copperhead (Peace) Democrats came to winning that election and perhaps bringing the Civil War to a far differnet conclusion . Hart bring Sherman to life. He also vividly illustrates the behind the scene politics that almost prevented Sherman (not to mention Grant) from their historic roles in the Civil War. Don't be put off by the subject matter or the age of the book. It's worth the read.

The Greatest Strategist of the Civil War.......2002-09-19

Sherman was both the most original genius of the Civil War, and "the typical American". His career provides lessons to the modern world and to modern warfare. It was his conscious exploitation of the economic and psychological factors of war in his "March through Georgia" which helped to end the Civil War. The long and expensive battles in Northern Virginia were replayed on the battlefields of France in the Great War.

The Union attempted to take Richmond by the shortest and most direct route; but this way was blocked with natural obstacles. If the Confederates fell back they would be closer to their reserves, supplies, and reinforcements. These facts favored the entrenched defenders.

The western campaign ended in the capture of Vicksburg and control of the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans. Liddell Hart contrasts the maneuvers here to the stalemate back east. But the conditions, or politics, did not allow a wide flanking invasion through West Virginia or North Carolina. The threat to Richmond kept Confederate troops there. Longstreet proposed an invasion of Kentucky, a far flanking attack, but was turned down by Lee.

It explains how Sherman out-maneuvered Johnston from Chattanooga to Atlanta. By threatening to outflank Johnston, the Confederates fell back. His replacement by Hood did not prevent the capture of Atlanta. This revived the hope of victory for the North, and helped to re-elect Lincoln.

Sherman then abandoned his supply and communication lines (vulnerable to attack) and marched on to Savannah and the ocean. His army lived off the land. This enabled his army to be resupplied by the Navy. He then marched north, seeming to attack other cities, but passed between and continued to destroy railroads and bridges.

The end came soon after this, as other armies invaded the South. Sherman designed an armistice and amnesty where the Confederates would be disbanded, and their arms turned over to the states. The latter would allow repression of bandits and guerillas. He was criticized for this.

Sherman was a man of modest habits. When admirers raised [money]to buy him a house, he refused to accept unless he received bonds that would pay the taxes! He lived within his means. The resisting power of a state depends more on the strength of popular will than on the strength of its armies, and this depends on economic and social security (p.429).

Liddell Hart gave preference to contemporaneous correspondence rather than Official Reports (which are written for history to justify a policy). Some of the ideas in this 72-year old book may not coincide with more recent history.

not up to Liddel Hart's usual level.......2001-05-02

I will start by saying Liddel Hart is my favorite military historian/author and I own half a dozen books by him, and regard them as gospel. However I felt that Liddel Hart was not as well versed in this area as he is in European History. He lets his ingrained contrariness run away with him. He wants to create a "great captain" where there is none. He also, I believe, wants to convince the reader of the genius of the "inderect approach" which he expounds in his excellent book "Strategy". However I think considering Sherman's campaign as indirect is like calling D-Day indirect because the allies invaded Normandy as opposed to Calais. ( I must admit that I am biased because I am a Lee fan) Like every other book by Liddel hart though, it is a very quick and pleasant read. I would recommend his book on Scipio as a great intro to his work.

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Courage, and brains, are not the property of one side...
Good inside story of the German military
Heavy duty tactical stuff
A Must Read but Turgid at Times
One of the best Books on the German Army in WW2

Panzer Leader
Heinz Guderian , and General Heinz Guderian
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306811014

Book Description

The 50th-anniversary edition of the German general's legendary memoir. When published in 1952, Panzer Leader quickly became a best seller, but over the half-decade that followed, it also established itself as a classic, lauded by Stephen Ambrose as "a mesmerizing read." A dramatic first-person account by the father of modern tank warfare, it is also a searing group portrait of the Third Reich's leading personalities as they turned imminent victory into agonizing defeat.

Customer Reviews:

Courage, and brains, are not the property of one side..........2007-08-15

My son got me this for Christmas a couple of years ago...it may well be the finest memoir by a General Officer I have ever read [I have to admit that most of those by Confederate Generals are bure bilge]. Heinz Guderian was a commander of early, primitive, tanks in WWI, essentially invented modern tank warfare between the wars, then commanded Panzers in WWII, leading the invasions of Poland, France, and Russia.

General Guderian makes no moral judgments on the right or wrong of his job; he was told to go after lebensraum, and he did it. A devout Christian man, he must have been bothered at times, but....remember, Pope Benedict XVI fought for the same cause, though far below General Guderian's pay grade. He makes plenty of judgment on the stupidity of the Russian campaign, and on the defective plan in France, but that's all.

This was no modern day JEB Stuart [tanks are the military descendent of horse cavalry]; Guderian left the flash and style to the likes of Patton and Rommel, on whom it looked better. Maybe Guderian was Wade Hampton or Joe Wheeler. [The are no comparisons for Forrest; he was unique, though so few are].

This fine book is, of course, a translation. I can't vouch for the accuracy, as I can't read German, but it is quite readable. In most wars, the books are about, and by, the winners; the two exceptions are Germans from WWII, and Confederates. It has been said that that's because those are the two losing sides that still have adherents....maybe, but if you want to find out how a horse turned into a tank, and how a modern army is built, start right here.

Good inside story of the German military.......2007-05-05

Heinz Guderian's "Panzer Leader" provides an inside story of the development of the German armored forces before World War II and the operation of those forces during that war. Guderian was one of the major figures helping to develop the Panzer doctrine of quick striking and deep thrusting armored attacks. And the book portrays the resistance from more traditional army leaders in the German military.

The Introduction (by Kenneth Macksey) observes that (page vii): "'Panzer Leader' is about one man's endeavor, at a moment of institutional change, to defend his country by the modernization of its army." An obvious question is what do talented military leaders do when serving political leaders who are not worthy of their loyalty? In the "Foreword," B. H. Liddell Hart casually notes that (page 13): "'Their's not to reason why, theirs but to do and die. No nation that maintains fighting services can afford to revoke that rule of experience. Where soldiers begin to question the rightness of the cause for which they are fighting, armies soon collapse." And perhaps Hart unwittingly makes a point. When should a military recoil from the madness of a leader like Hitler? Hart may be far too forgiving of soldiers fighting for wicked causes. Still, a difficult issue.

The book itself traces, briefly, Guderian's early life. It then considers his role in the development of German armor and the consequent doctrines of warfare based on the use of armor. He discusses the German movements against Austria and the Sudetenland and then the invasion of Poland.

The role of armor was most dramatically seen with the German attack on the Western front. The Panzer divisions sliced deep into the allied defenses, creating havoc. Only Hitler's foolish calling off the army at Dunkirk allowed the English to rescue substantial elements of its ground forces.

Guderian's tale of the preparation for and carrying out of the attack on Russia is detailed (and dry). Much detail is provided (and see Manstein's book on the same subject, "Lost Victories"). Perhaps most telling is his tale of the slashing retreat as German forces found themselves vastly outnumbered by Russian forces and subject to the awful weather of Russia. Guderian explains the mad strategy of Hitler of refusing to let the German forces find better sites to defend their positions. For his criticisms of Hitler (pretty courageous of Guderian), he was relieved--only to come back later as, of all things, Chief of the German General Staff.

At the end, he ventures a few observations on leading personalities of the Third Reich and concludes with some very brief comments. It would have been interesting to get deeper reflections from his perspective on the nature of the war, the role of the army vis-à-vis a despotic government, his own sense of the role that he played. The final part of the book is a series of Appendices that are useful (memos of critical events, for example).

This is a book, like Manstein's, that is useful for providing graphic detail of the military struggles of the Second World War. And both reveal little perspective by the two fighting generals of their role in the misery created by the Third Reich.

Heavy duty tactical stuff.......2007-03-16

Guderian was a military theorist and innovative General of the German Army during the Second World War. Germany's panzer forces were raised and fought according to his works, best-known among them Achtung - Panzer!

As some have already pointed out, this is not a cowboy action book like a "D-Day" or "Bridge too far". Instead, it is a detailed account covering the formation of german tank forces, key battles and an exhaustive analysis of the russian campaign. This book is not for casual WW2 readers - you need to be passionate about WW2 to appreciate this book. The lack of coherent maps (while describing campaigns, strategies, offense etc) is the only reason why I am giving 3 stars instead of 4.

A Must Read but Turgid at Times.......2007-03-01

Any student of World War II in regard to the Germans in Russia should read this one. Of course, Poland [1939], France [1940], and the second Ardennes or Battle of the Bulge [1944] are dealt with, as well. Guderian, as he goes along, reveals the fantasy land of the Fuehrer and the "yes men" around Hitler, back at the Wolfschanze or other places.

Hitler's map fantasy and ideas are most helpful to the enemy, as things began to unravel. The main theme of this is Hitler's "fight for every inch," rather than fall back to good defensive positions and man them properly. Soon the German armies were used up. We see the terrible end in the bunker with Hitler maneuvering imaginary armies.

The battles in Russia have a certain monotony of places and actions we don't really know about, or all seem the same. In this, Guderian could have cut some of the material. We need to know what these individual battles mean in the big picture. However, the central issues are covered: the Russian winters; the T34 Russian tank; the two front war; the turning of the armies from Moscow to go south the first year; the terrible rains and mud on the very bad roads for armor and mechanized units; Hitler's interference and incomprehension of the situation at the local scene; the relieving and transfering of generals into command and from command; and finally, the Borman [Hitler's troll secretary] factor.

Turgid in places but a very good read.

By the way, Guderian is NOT a Christian and indicates he hasn't a clue about this. It is what he doesn't say that confirms this. It is interesting that many Nazi leaders give lip service to a God or a church but it means little. God is just an idea weakly fabricated and often mixed with all sorts of pagan philosophies. Die Aufklaerung resulted in something quite the reverse for Germany, as the Nazis applied it.

One of the best Books on the German Army in WW2.......2007-01-10

Having a strong interest in history and in particular the history of Germany and WW2 I have read a number of books on the subject, increasingly turning to personal accounts, valuing them as much for the unfiltered, raw insight as for the invariable personal bias they present.

This book, and Heinz Guderian, is all that and more; not only does he take you on a facinating journey, providing insight to the remarkable relationships and machinations that existed within the Army High Command at the time, but he clearly takes pains to present his facts and opinions in a way befitting a man of his stature and reputation. Equally interesting is the bias of opinion, evidenced as much by what is presented as by what is omitted, providing additional insight to the man and the times in which this was written.

If you are interested in the leadership of the German Army during WW2, then this is an excellent read.

A Spy On The Home Front: A Molly Mystery (American Girl Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Watch in amazement as American Girl alienates its core readership!
Well written and not heavy handed
this book rocks!! a kid
a new Molly story
Wonderful New Mystery for Middle Readers

A Spy On The Home Front: A Molly Mystery (American Girl Mysteries)
Alison Hart
Manufacturer: American Girl
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1584859881

Customer Reviews:

Watch in amazement as American Girl alienates its core readership!.......2005-10-23

The story is exciting, and the ending bittersweet, which is quite fitting given that the book concerns the internment of German-Americans as well as German citizens during WWII.

However, the historical notes section of the book is quite troubling. Opposition to American entry into the war prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as general political opposition to Roosevelt, is equated with support of Nazism. Furthermore, Hitler is described as wanting to eliminate all who were not white Christians, when in fact Hitler asserted the superiority of the German race and despised the Christian religion. Does the author not know that millions of Christians were also killed by Hitler including those of the Jewish "race" who were Christian converts or even Christians of mixed ancestry?
American Girl is a big enough business that they could hire a decent editorial department. Our daughters deserve history which presents fair arguments instead of the kind of propaganda that would make Joseph Goebbels proud.

Well written and not heavy handed.......2005-08-31

This is another in the History Mystery series from American Girl, in which a young American girl is confronted by a mystery that will test her resolve and her ability. This is another story of Molly McIntire, a ten-year-old orphan girl living on the home front during World War 2.

It's summer, and Molly is spending two weeks on her grandparent's farm. But, a dark cloud appears when Molly realizes that her friend's family is being harassed because they are immigrants from Germany. The situation goes from bad to worse when Molly's aunt, a WASP (Women's Air Service Pilot) is arrested by the FBI for carrying anti-war propaganda in her airplane. How did the leaflets get into the plane, and who put them there? This is a mystery that Molly must get to the bottom of...and before she leaves for home on Sunday!

Overall, my fourteen-year-old daughter and I found this to be a great book. The mystery is very well written, keeping you wondering just who is up to what. Also, I liked the view that the book gave into the American home front during WW2, and the fact that the author handled it without being heavy handed.

So, if you have a younger reader who likes a good mystery, then get this book. It is a wonderful addition to the Molly series of American Girls books, which my daughter and I both highly recommend.

this book rocks!! a kid.......2005-05-09

This was a great book. i own all the ag misterys(samantha, molly,kaya,and kit). it also teaches kids that even if we are difrent we can still be friends.

a new Molly story.......2005-04-04

"A Spy on the Home Front" is the first Molly mystery. In this story, Molly is visiting her grandparents in rural Illinois in the summer. She has a new friend, Anna Schulz, to play with. One day Molly's Aunt Eleanor (first introduced in "Molly Takes Flight") comes back and stirs up trouble when the two FBI agents stationed at the airstrip find anti-American literature on her plane. Aunt Eleanor is questioned, and Anna's brother is taken into custody simply because he's German. Molly and Anna become determined to prove Max's innoncence by spying around the hangar, and what they learn surprises them. In the end, Molly learns just how much the war has changed things. The peek into the past section talks about internment of Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants, efforts by the FBI to track spies, and the women military pilots of Molly's time (the WASPs). This mystery is a little bit different from the regular Molly books, and seems to be gaged for an older audience. (The book posts its reading level to be ages 9 and up.) At times the book could be a little dry and predicatble, which is why I give this book four stars. It was released with "The Count of Ravenscourt" a mystery involving Samantha, "The Silent Stranger" a mystery with Kaya, and "Danger at the Zoo" a mystery with Kit. Party kits were also released by American Girl and can be found on thier website. I'll have to get used to this new format of American girls books. I'd also like to see mysteries for Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten and Addy.

Wonderful New Mystery for Middle Readers.......2005-03-24

The year is 1944, and nine-year-old Molly McIntire is ecstatic to have the opportunity to spend a full two weeks at her Grammy and Granpa's farm. Like the previous summers visiting her grandparents, Molly spends the majority of her time with her very good summer-buddy Anna, a German girl. The two girls spend the hot, summer days swimming, eating cookies, and getting into all sorts of mischief. But this summer, things aren't so happy-go-lucky. When Molly's Aunt Eleanor, a pilot for the army, flies into town with a handful of propaganda fliers in her plane. Soon Anna's older brother, Max, is taken in by the FBI as the main suspect in the case. Molly now knows that it's up to her and Anna to solve the mystery, and clear Max's name, or else Anna may never see her beloved older brother again.

I have been reading the AMERICAN GIRL books since I was about 5-years-old, and even as I got older, my interest in the series never dwindled. So you can imagine how happy I was to hear that PLEASANT COMPANY was releasing the new AMERICAN GIRL MYSTERIES series. Molly, as always, is an exciting character whom middle readers will love, and identify with. Alison Hart has done a fantastic job with this mystery, and I can't wait to read the rest of the AMERICAN GIRL MYSTERIES, as I'm sure they are just as fascinating.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

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