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Review
'A thoroughly interesting and informative read, pitched to the right level with a good balance between the details and story.' --Soldier magazine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Attractive and readable account of the 242-day siege of Tobruk in 1941.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If only all military history could be as readable as this as perhaps I could get through the piles of books awaiting attention on my shelves in half the time! I'm always slightly weary of saying that I `enjoyed' any work about warfare as the subject matter isn't meant to entertain; however some works are made all the grimmer by colourless prose and dull lists of unit numbers, dates & times and other military jargon. Robert Lyman manages to strike a near perfect balance of enough detail and facts to keep the military buffs happy whilst peppering his narrative with many well chosen personal accounts that enhance the human element to the story. In addition, at least for the first half of the book, he doesn't lose sight of the wider strategic picture and the reader can appreciate the reasons for the sacrifices needed.
This work doesn't just cover the 1941 siege of Tobruk but gives a pretty extensive account of the Western Desert campaign from its beginnings with the Italian invasion of Egypt in 1940 up to the end of the siege with Operation Crusader. The book covers the 70th Division's breakout contribution to Operation Crusader in some detail but only lightly touches upon the wider parts of the operation by 8th Army's other units.
If it came down to sheer readability this would get the full five stars, however reluctantly I have to knock off a point for some omissions. The work is mainly drawn from a British and Australian perspective and in this the British artillery, armour and anti-aircraft units get an equal share of the limelight with the Diggers. There are some German voices included but the Italians are noticeable by their absence. Once the siege gets underway, the author is primarily interested in the details of life under constant air attack and the conditions of the troops in the field. At this point we lose the wider strategic decisions affecting the outcome, in particular, the commencement of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 which diverted German attention away from North Africa and the British planning and build-up for Operation Crusader. There is also little follow-up at the end with barely a mention of the Tobruk's fall in 1942.
These omissions however do not distract from an otherwise compelling story told with real skill and gusto. The author knows how strike the right balance between exposition and firsthand accounts of the participants. This is a book which anyone with an interest in recent history should find a rewarding experience and I for one shall definitely be adding more of Mr Lyman's works to my reading list.
This work doesn't just cover the 1941 siege of Tobruk but gives a pretty extensive account of the Western Desert campaign from its beginnings with the Italian invasion of Egypt in 1940 up to the end of the siege with Operation Crusader. The book covers the 70th Division's breakout contribution to Operation Crusader in some detail but only lightly touches upon the wider parts of the operation by 8th Army's other units.
If it came down to sheer readability this would get the full five stars, however reluctantly I have to knock off a point for some omissions. The work is mainly drawn from a British and Australian perspective and in this the British artillery, armour and anti-aircraft units get an equal share of the limelight with the Diggers. There are some German voices included but the Italians are noticeable by their absence. Once the siege gets underway, the author is primarily interested in the details of life under constant air attack and the conditions of the troops in the field. At this point we lose the wider strategic decisions affecting the outcome, in particular, the commencement of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 which diverted German attention away from North Africa and the British planning and build-up for Operation Crusader. There is also little follow-up at the end with barely a mention of the Tobruk's fall in 1942.
These omissions however do not distract from an otherwise compelling story told with real skill and gusto. The author knows how strike the right balance between exposition and firsthand accounts of the participants. This is a book which anyone with an interest in recent history should find a rewarding experience and I for one shall definitely be adding more of Mr Lyman's works to my reading list.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an easily readable book but has all the 1941 detail you could want. I was disappointed that it did not follow on with what happened in 1942 when Rommel surged back (no siege then)and subsequently was finally thrown out. The British-Italian battles are very interesting - a part of WW2 often ignored.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am biased in writing this in so much as having read previous work by the author and being hugley impressed with his work. this book reinforces my belief that Lyman is an writer of greater talent than he is being ackknowledged for, but only for the time being. I have read many books on the desert campaign and aspects of it , some good, some arduous, some that wouldnt go amiss as a sleep aid. Tobruk was a joy to read,an absolute pleasure. not only for its excellent reserch and lay out ( I am quite capable of returning to maps at the front of books without finding it a chore) but more for the mans style. so many book, especially history books are padded. the author will get worried about what to put in and what to leave out and so puts in everything, which usually turns a great story into a turgid morass of data that in the end overwhelms the reader. Lyman is succint and totally to the point. You get the feeling he self edits his work as its flow is very natural yet authortive and confident in his subject matter. Its a bit like having that beloved history teacher in the room who knows how to keep you spell bound and not try and compress the whole of world war two into an hour. What needs to be said he writes, and whatever has been covered previously he mentions breifly ( yes people you have to read more than one book on a subject to get the full picture on any subject) but never leaving you without enough of an explanation. his use of first hand testimony is well crafted into the story alongside a proffesional understanding of strategy, and the operational art and how all these factors effect one another ( the devil is always in the detail ). all whilst managing to weave a clear deffined narrative that keeps you interest until the end. A fine window into the siege of tobruk.
A great book and he gets better, have already bought his book on SLIM and look forward to all his next books
A great book and he gets better, have already bought his book on SLIM and look forward to all his next books
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Readable Account Of The Siege
The author has pieced together recollections from many combatants on both sides to put together a very readable account of this long lasting siege,The bravery of the men was... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mb Davis
The Longest Siege
I bought this because my father was Italain and was taken prisoner in North Africa. Being young I never asked him much about his experience there, so thought this book would help. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mapochia
Recommended.
An informative description of the comings and goings across North Africa during WW2, concentrating on the siege of Tobruk, which helped to break Rommel's Afrika Korps. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Shupi
Australians, British... fighting for freedom...
Kindly, do not forget the Polish Carpathian Brigade....For many months there were more polish soldiers in Tobruk than english...(Austrialians, obviously, were most numerous). Read more
Published 13 months ago by thomas
Another excellent purchase from Amazon
Bought this book for Christmas present as it was an excellent price. It arrived in plenty of time and in excellent condition.
Published 16 months ago by Julie45
A good book about the North Africa campaign
This is a very readable book, very good but not excellent; for an excellent book about the North Africa campaign "War Without Hate" is 5 stars. Read more
Published 23 months ago by sandbagger
an unneccessary campaign
The Ultra decrpyts sent to Churchill stated quite clearly that Rommel being short on food, fuel and ammunition could be ignored. Read more
Published on 24 April 2010 by James Wells
Brilliant
Having read half a dozen books on Tobruk now, this one stand head and shoulders above the rest. A real insight into the siege. You won't go wrong with this one.
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Mr. Ben Parer
Nice, One-Sided
A well written, highly readable account of the desert war since its inception until the raising of the epic Tobruk siege in late 1941. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by Haydn
The Longest Siege
The Longest Siege is a well written and excitng book. I would heartily recommend it. The story is a fitting tribute to those who braved terrible conditions and appalling odds to... Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Tom Beardmore-gray
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