- Hardcover: 496 pages
- Publisher: Viking; 1st edition (26 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0670911097
- ISBN-13: 978-0670911097
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.4 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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- #30 in Books > History > Military History > World War II > Alamein
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Amazon.co.uk Review
There was little to romanticise in 20th-century warfare, as detailed in Alamein: War Without Hate. The bloody stalemate of the First World War trenches and the stark confrontation between a genocidal dictatorship and the forces of democracy in the Second World War could not be given the gloss of "chivalry" and "fair play" applied to the less mechanised slaughter of battles in previous centuries. The exception was the North African campaign, the Krieg ohne Hass (War without Hate), as it was described by the German commander Rommel. The myth of a desert war that was somehow "cleaner" and more noble than the fighting on other Second World War fronts has been perpetuated both by veterans of North Africa and by some historians.
In their fine account of the struggle between Rommel's Afrika Korps and Montgomery's Eighth Army which culminated in the second Battle of Alamein, Bierman and Smith replace myth with reality. However, they do show that the desert war was different from the other theatres of war. There is some basis to the myth of the "war without hate" and a good deal of the credit for this can be given to the German commander. Not that Bierman and Smith are primarily interested in the personalities of senior commanders. Even the pen portraits of Rommel and Montgomery are slightly perfunctory. What they want most to do is to provide a clear and readable narrative of events unfolding in North Africa from 1940 to 1943 and how they affected the ordinary soldiers who fought on both sides. In this they have succeeded admirably. Their book refuses to romanticise the desert war but, by giving so striking an account of its reality, does a different kind of justice to the men who fought in it. --Nick Rennison
Daily Mail, August 2, 2002
[an] excellent survey...Bierman and Smith have a good ear for anecdotes
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
John Bierman and Colin Smith's joint venture, 'Alamein: War Without Hate' follows hot on the heels of a number of other very good titles covering the Battle of El Alamein (Stephen Bungay's 'Alamein' and Clayton & Craig's 'End of the Beginning' to name just two). This title covers the history behind the desert campaign, the lead up to famous confrontation at Alamein and the results of that pivotal battle (at least in the eyes of the British Commonwealth).
In just over 400 pages of tense and illuminating narrative we learn more than just the 'what, why & how' of the battle. As readers we get the chance to have a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers who fought in this campaign. We read about soldiers from all parts of the Commonwealth and their German and Italian enemies and we get an idea why this campaign was known as the "war without hate".
The story was presented in a lively and interesting manner and although I have read quite a few books on this battle the story was fresh and retained my interest throughout. I found that at times the authors presented accounts with humor and sometimes a little sarcasm but at all times with fairness to soldiers on both sides of 'no-mans land'. There may not be much that is new here but this book does offer a refreshing and easy to read account of one of World War Two's more famous battles.
I also found that at times whilst reading this book I really got caught up in the lives of some of the participants and I was sadden by many of the outcomes. This is the story about the ordinary infantrymen, tankie, artillerymen, pilot, sailor and civilian, on both sides of the conflict. I really enjoyed the stories from these men and women and it was pleasing to see that the poor old Italian soldier get a fair place in this account. The author's style of writing was captivating and drew me into the narrative with ease, and I enjoyed many of the little snippets of information they provided on a range of subjects and characters...
This is a good story, well presented and well written. I am sure that many readers who enjoy WWII history will enjoy this book immensely.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a fluent and gripping account of the North African campaign, beginning with the Italian invasion of Egypt (well prior to the arrival of Rommel), and finishing with the decisive battle of el Alamein. It's perfectly pitched on the detail, enough for those keen on the divisions and weapons, but never getting bogged down in them.
There's a great mixture of the larger picture; troop and tank movements, overall strategy; with the smaller personal details of history and experiences that fill in the gaps as far as the real people and real lives are concerned. This is augmented by footnotes throughout that fill in the details of the fates of many of the figures very satisfactorily.
Overall a fascinating account of an almost unique campaign. Heartily recommended.
There's a great mixture of the larger picture; troop and tank movements, overall strategy; with the smaller personal details of history and experiences that fill in the gaps as far as the real people and real lives are concerned. This is augmented by footnotes throughout that fill in the details of the fates of many of the figures very satisfactorily.
Overall a fascinating account of an almost unique campaign. Heartily recommended.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Like their last joint effort - on Orde Wingate - Smith and Bierman have taken a challenging subject and treated it with their original blend of professionalism, humour and huge respect for their subjects (or most of them, at any rate). In addition, those elements of the book which have never been discussed before are fascinating, and must add to the book's importance.
By borrowing the subtitle War Without Hate they might have slipped into a misleading account of a soft-focus, rather comfortable sort of conflict. They make their point but leave you in no doubt just what a campaign like this means in terms of human loss. Why were we able to beat a better-equipped enemy who was also better-generalled (at least initially)? Because we had some outstanding junior officers and senior NCOs, many more of whom gave their lives in this campaign than in other armies and other wars. The account of the Rifle Brigade's action at Snipe, as well as a number of other accounts of individual acts of bravery (generally linked to a high degree of situational awareness), show how such people enabled Monty to achieve his objectives. And the stories are gripping.
I enjoyed the discussions of the generals in particular. There is some uncomfortable reading here, though, because of the comparisons between the two sides. Although the authors do not dwell on Montgomery, they leave you in no doubt how outstanding his contribution was; and, despite being a professional soldier not known for his tolerance or humanity, he understood that he needed to tailor his plan to the limitations of his citizen army.
I had the luxury of reading the book over Christmas and New Year, and so hardly put it down until I had finished it. I look forward to the next one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Superb Account
I was extremely pleased to read this fine book . My late father served as a wireless operator with the Long Range Desert Group in North Africa . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Terry J
Excellent read
Great book - very thorough but keeps the history story line going so well that you don't want to put it down. Read more
Published 3 months ago by W. Page
EXCELLENT
I like these types of history books that use personal anecdotes from soldiers from both sides to spice up the dry facts of the events ... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Colin Powis
War without hate?
Is there ever a war without hate? I doubt it.
However, in the context implied it is a valuable and rare reminder that the demagoguery, pogroms and civilian annihilation... Read more
However, in the context implied it is a valuable and rare reminder that the demagoguery, pogroms and civilian annihilation... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Roberto 66
memory lane
bought for my father who now at 90yrs old was actually there. he enjoyed reading the book, thoght it was well written and it also broght back some good memories. Read more
Published 9 months ago by colin
Authoritative and readable
When a history book comes along that is both authoritative and readable too, you should go out and buy it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by J A Taylor
Well researched and very readable
Very well researched, and the writers tell the story in a vivid and readable way. A difficult book to put down once you are reading it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by R Rumble
War writing without irony
I enjoyed and learned much from this book. The risk with books about military campaigns for the non-military (or this one at least) is that of confusion. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Paul Brough
Simply Fantastic
I have to admit that i bought this item 2 years ago and for whatever reason have only just got round to reading it. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Vintage Chic
Under desert skies: this story of a unique WW2 campaign is `the full...
The overall scope of this excellent book is a revelation, offering new perspectives of a unique 3-year campaign with its own special character. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by Dr. Trang
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