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The Desert Generals (Cassell Military Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Correlli Barnett (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 1 Feb 2007 | Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks

The distinguished historian Correlli Barnett gives here a complete and full account of the Desert Campaign 1940-43, an epic story set in a wasteland where soldiers fought for victory in a tumult of mechanical warfare. But THE DESERT GENERALS is also the story of five men under the strain of command in battle, the commanders who successively led the Allied forces against first the Italians and then the Germans in the ebb and flow of the desert war, culminating in the myth of Montgomery and the battle of Alamein, a myth that Correlli Barnett sets out to expose as ill-founded.

Brilliantly written, THE DESERT GENERALS captures at every level the intensity and human drama of a unique and compelling episode in the history of war and warfare.

Product details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Phoenix; New Ed edition (1 Feb 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0304352802
  • ISBN-13: 978-0304352807
  • Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 12.7 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 17,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Book Description

A classic account of the Desert Campaign of 1940-43, by a renowned military historian.

About the Author

Correlli Barnett is the author of six non-fiction titles. In 1970 he won the Royal Society of Literature Award for Britain and her Army. He has been historical consultant to three BBC Television series, including The Great War (1964) which he part wrote. In 1980 he was appointed the first Defence Lecturer in the University of Cambridge.
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First Sentence
WHEN Richard O'Connor took the field in a year of disastrous defeat his spectacular victories exhilarated his countrymen and astonished the enemy. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic account of leadership in the Desert War 18 Dec 2001
By JW
Format:Paperback
This book is a study of the leadership of the British army in the desert campaigns of World War II. First published in the 1960's, it caused a stir in its attempt to deconstruct the invincibility myth surrounding Field Marshal Montgomery.
Barnett makes a convincing case. His Montgomery is the villain of the book, a self-serving opportunist whose actual military skills never matched his inflated reputation. Barnett is especially indignant over Montgomery's dishonesty when first assuming command of the 8th Army, namely in taking the credit for much of Auchinleck's work and passing it off as his own. Consequently, there's a palpable relish in the way he describes how the famous Battle of El Alamein was unbelievably almost lost under Montgomery direction, and how the ensuing pursuit to the Tunisian frontier was hamstrung by his hesitancy and conservatism.
Barnett is equally highly critical of Churchill's direction of the war in the Mediterranean, for example with regard to the Greek campaign, which he maintains was based on unsound military strategy and fought by British forces for purely cynical political gain. Meanwhile, O'Connor is lamented as a forgotten hero, victor over a hugely superior Italian army. Ritchie and Cunningham are sympathised with as men hopelessly out of their depth. Auchinleck is the hero of the piece, a towering figure of stoicism and dignity, saviour of the Middle East yet virtually betrayed by his superiors in 1942 with his dismissal and replacement by Montgomery and Alexander. Throughout all this, Rommel flits in and out of the narrative, a genius with almost supernatural ability to prevail against overwhelming odds.... Read more ›
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A deep study of British commanders in the desert campaigns 15 Sep 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The author makes a superb study of the personalities, strengths and weaknesses of British commanders in the desert in the WWII. The high point is the psicological analysis, but this does not meant that the description of the campaigns is neglected. When first published the book created some controversy as the chapters devoted to Auchinleck and Montgomery defied conventional wisdom. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the fighting in North Africa. We should not forget that John Keegan himself also praises this book in his bibliography about WWII.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the dozen best books on the Second World War 16 Dec 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book did indeed cause controversy when first published. However this is not without good reason. This is one of the first books to give credit to Field Marshal Auckhinleck for halting Rommel at the First Battle of Alamein - The most decisive battle in The North African Campaign. It does criticise Montgomery but does so fairly. It is both a collection of biographies of five British Generals and a pocket history of the desert campaign. The battles are described with simple clarity and contain much interesting technical detail. One of the most favourable aspects of the book is the number of simple, well-drawn maps that help the narrative flow easily. This book is a must for anyone interested in the Second World War.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Rather biased? 5 May 2011
By Jimser10
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My bookshelves are full of books on the Desert War. I knew before I bought this one that Correlli Barnett wasn't a Monty fan but he really does come across as very biased. Leaving Monty's personality aside (and who wouldn't) we have to look at his progress in the army following Dunkirk. He took over badly organised commands and made them into first class fighting units. Why does Barnett seem ashamed of the plans to withdraw behind the Suez Canal should the Eight Army be defeated at Alamein? It's only logical that a fall-back position should be examined and preparations made for that eventuality. It's an interesting book but I would have preferred much better maps.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Armchair Generals 10 Jan 2011
By A. Hickson
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I didn't realise I was buying a controversial book. Its certainly entertaining,and well written. There are heroes and villains and curiously the villains aren't German. Its clearly the result of a lot of work and its been updated. Mr. Barnet sets out to tell the story of all the Desert Generals and suggests where mistakes have been made, sacking Wavell, invading Greece etc.

Apparently, Auchinleck was changing the Eighth Army into a mobile fighting force similar to the Africa Korps. The Auk is portrayed as a gifted commander able to outwit Rommel in the new mobile warfare. Apparently at First Alamein, Rommel had "the oppressive awareness of being mastered by a superior will." My view is that Auchinleck was skilled at planning and understood the latest tactics. He saw how good the Alamein area was for defence for example. But he lacked management skills, many of the attacks at First Alamein were poorly planned and executed. Second Alamein was much better organised. Auchinleck also seemed to dither about taking command. The defeat at Gazala, Field Marshal Lord Carver suggests, was partly the Auk's fault and Ritchie made a scapegoat. Barnet and presumably Auchinleck, blame Ritchie for the defeat. Barnet says little about Auchinkleck's faults.

The criticism of Churchill seems justified in most instances, except I do think Churchill was right to sack Auchinleck.

Barnet seems to speculate at great length on Monty's shortcomings. For example he says Monty should have trapped and destroyed Rommel at Alam Halfa, but there are other views of this battle. Some have said it was monty's best. By adopting a strong static defence Monty was able to damage Rommel with little cost to Eighth army.... Read more ›
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