Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Duel for France, 1944: The Men and Battles That Changed the Fate of Europe by Martin Blumenson ISBN: 0-306-80938-9 Publisher: Da Capo Press Pub. Date: June, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Good operational account
Comment: Blumenson's book is still the standard operational account of the Allied breakout from Normandy and the pursuit across France. This important book is now again available, and I highly recommend that it be in everyone's libraray. For those serious about military history, the official Breakout and Pursuit (also by Blumenson) will provide more detail (and documentation), but for those looking for a solid operational history in a readable form, this is the book to get.
Blumenson chooses to focus primarily on army and corps commanders, with an extention to divisional command as needed. This is a nice focus, as it provides a look at the much of the "big picture" without losing sight of the actual combat taking place. With this focus, Blumenson also provides a good look at communications, logistics, planning, as well as inter-Allied politics. The portion on the liberation of Paris is particularly interesting, more due to the political concerns than anything (even to the point of American commanders having to tolerate insubordination from Leclerc's Free French Armored Division).
The only problem with the book (hence 4 stars) is that the British/Commonwealth/Canadian contributions are very much sidelined. This should not be surprising, as the book is an outgrowth of Blumenson's contribution to the official U.S. history, but writing as a private citizen, he should have broadened his view, especially given the title of the book which does not hint at such a narrow focus.
Rating: 4
Summary: The Duel for Fance, 1944
Comment: The Duel for France, 1944-The Men and Battles that Changed the Fate of Europe by Martin Blumenson, 2000, 432 pages (soft cover)
This easily read book never lets the reader forget that flesh and blood-soldiers, led by officers with human doubts, limitations, and determination conducted the Allies' breakout and pursuit from their initial Normandy lodgment to the German border during the summer of 1944. Martin Blumenson shows us the conduct of war. He shares command pressures and responsibilities, as well as the combat soldier's hopes and fears. The more familiar characters-Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Montgomery and their German counterparts are there. However, unlike most popular writings, opposing corps commanders also come sharply into focus. These particular individuals have been generally overlooked in popular writings {official as well as unofficial), in favor of regimental, divisional, army, and army group commanders. Blumenson succeeds admirably in correcting this imbalance. This is a masterly and dramatic military narrative in the great tradition-and a moving human record of a turning point in history. Its recent publication in paperback (2000) shows its enduring value.
This book was originally published less than a year after the author published the official World War II Army history of this same period of time-Breakout and Pursuit (1962). That official history represents the definitive account Operation Cobra and the Allied pursuit across France. The Duel for France, is similar in scope to the official volume but different in treatment. This is not simply a short version of Breakout and Pursuit. Rather, the author created a new book, no more definitive but more readable. He raised the level of treatment and provided a much more personalized account of the higher-level Allied and German commanders in action. In my opinion, this was because as a private author-instead of a government employee-Blumenson was able to avoid the desiccation process associated with the staffing and approval of official histories. I recommend this book to all those interested in the study of the military profession.
 |
Title: The Normandy Campaign: 6 June-25 August 1944 by Victor Brooks ISBN: 0306811499 Publisher: DaCapo Press Pub. Date: 04 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
 |
Title: Victory at Mortain: Stopping Hitlers Panzer Counteroffensive (Modern War Studies) by Mark J. Reardon ISBN: 0700612955 Publisher: University Press of Kansas Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
 |
Title: Patton: Operation Cobra and Beyond by Michael Green, Gladys Green ISBN: 076030498X Publisher: Motorbooks International Pub. Date: 01 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
 |
Title: Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Division in Normandy by Joseph Balkoski, Stephen E. Ambrose ISBN: 0811726827 Publisher: Stackpole Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: The Mighty Endeavor: The American War in Europe by Charles B. MacDonald ISBN: 0306804867 Publisher: Da Capo Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 1992 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
