Destiny in the Desert: The road to El Alamein – the Battle that Turned the Tide [Hardcover]

'By turns fascinating, thought-provoking and entertaining - and always beautifully written - 'Destiny in the Desert' explodes a number of self-serving myths about the Desert War and its apogee, the battle of El Alamein, while letting the reader appreciate why this incredibly story has spawned so many of them. In their place emerges a tale of heroism and sacrifice, told from the point of view of the highest grand strategist down to the lowliest serviceman, which is far more entrancing than any comforting myth. Jonathan Dimbleby lets us see El Alamein anew.' -- Andrew Roberts

'A wonderfully incisive, superbly written history that underlines the key role the Desert War played in Hitler's downfall.' --Saul David, author of 'All The King's Men'

'Dimbleby takes the investigative and narrative approach superbly paced and expressed and is justifiably wary of academic certainties' -- The Times

'Covers a broad canvas - as wide as the desert itself. Dimbleby expertly weaves the dramatic events of the desert war together with the decisions and dilemmas of the great war leaders. He tells this story with real pace, drama and insight and his new perspective returns the desert war to its deserved place as one of the pivotal campaigns of the Second World War.' -- Dr Niall Barr, author of 'Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein'

'An engrossing read, focusing on grand strategy' -- Martin Kitchen, author of 'Rommel's Desert War'

'Dimbleby persuasively explains why it was the side-show which wasn't a side-show and links his explanation to a vivid portrayal of life - and death - in the desert' --Stephen Bungay, author of 'Alamein'

'What makes this book so attractive is its crisp and authoritative treatment of the wider context in which this pivotal battle was fought. Dimbleby doesn't pull his punches in assessing the qualities of the main players Churchill brilliant but brutal, Auchinleck underestimated, Montgomery over-hyped and self-serving. Read this fresh and provocative account and you ll be in little doubt that this was for Britain the single most critical battle of the Second World War.'

'Extremely well written. Dimbleby obviously has a passion for his subject, and he tells the story with confidence of a man who knows the historical terrain intimately. Anyone who does not yet know about this period of the war could certainly do worse than pick up this book' FT

'Lucid and very well written' Independent

'A compelling multi-strand narrative' --Mail on Sunday

'What makes this book so attractive is its crisp and authoritative treatment of the wider context in which this pivotal battle was fought. Dimbleby doesn t pull his punches in assessing the qualities of the main players Churchill brilliant but brutal, Auchinleck underestimated, Montgomery over-hyped and self-serving. Read this fresh and provocative account and you ll be in little doubt that this was for Britain the single most critical battle of the Second World War.' --Peter Snow

A unique single-volume history of the road to El Alamein - 'the end of the beginning' - and the bloody battle that followed ...