First published in 1958 Montgomery s memoirs cover the full span of his career first as a regimental officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and then as a Staff Officer. His choice of the Warwickshires was due to his lack of money. He saw service in India before impressing with his courage, tactical skill and staff ability in the Great War. Despite his tactless uncompromising manner his career flourished between the wars but it was during the retreat to Dunkirk that his true brilliance as a commander revealed itself. The rest is history but in this autobiography we can hear Monty telling his side of the story of the great North African Campaign followed by the even more momentous battles against the enemy and, sadly, the Allies as he strove for victory in North West Europe. His interpretation of the great campaign is of huge importance and reveals the deep differences that existed between him and Eisenhower and other leading figures. His career ended in disappointment and frustration being temperamentally unsuited to Whitehall and the political machinations of NATO.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By gille liath
Format:Paperback
A recent discussion on the History forum brought home to me how little the course of the war in northern Europe is understood in this country. Insidiously we have come to accept the American version, that the British played only a support role, Montgomery was a lag-along general, and his one big venture - Arnhem - was a disaster of his own making.
Though it obviously needs to be treated as a primary source rather than history per se, this book is essential to comprehension of those events - especially as it reproduces many of the original memos, orders etc of the time. The picture that emerges is of a High Command crippled by political sensibilities; unable or unwilling to control headstrong generals; lacking strategic sense; and refusing to look beyond Germany's defeat to the problem posed by Russia. The cost in life and in the western powers' post-war position was immense.
In fact, though Montgomery says lots of warm and apparently genuine things about him, it's hard to escape the conclusion that Eisenhower (however good a politician) was a military incompetent.
The book also deals with the earlier war years, though not in great detail: several times Monty refers the reader to his previous publication on those campaigns, 'El Alamein to the River Sangro'. In fact the emphasis all round is on what happened in meetings and conferences rather than on the battlefield.
It is not an indulgent read; the style is as clipped and military as you would expect, though surprisingly engaging if you buy into the 'Monty' persona. Anyone who doesn't might find this as irritating as crumbs in bed. And it ends with his rather chilling vision of the future, and the need to allow ourselves to be annihilated, if necessary, to preserve our cherished British way of life.
Though it obviously needs to be treated as a primary source rather than history per se, this book is essential to comprehension of those events - especially as it reproduces many of the original memos, orders etc of the time. The picture that emerges is of a High Command crippled by political sensibilities; unable or unwilling to control headstrong generals; lacking strategic sense; and refusing to look beyond Germany's defeat to the problem posed by Russia. The cost in life and in the western powers' post-war position was immense.
In fact, though Montgomery says lots of warm and apparently genuine things about him, it's hard to escape the conclusion that Eisenhower (however good a politician) was a military incompetent.
The book also deals with the earlier war years, though not in great detail: several times Monty refers the reader to his previous publication on those campaigns, 'El Alamein to the River Sangro'. In fact the emphasis all round is on what happened in meetings and conferences rather than on the battlefield.
It is not an indulgent read; the style is as clipped and military as you would expect, though surprisingly engaging if you buy into the 'Monty' persona. Anyone who doesn't might find this as irritating as crumbs in bed. And it ends with his rather chilling vision of the future, and the need to allow ourselves to be annihilated, if necessary, to preserve our cherished British way of life.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By MONTGOMERY
Format:Paperback
In his own inimitable way, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery relates his life as a soldier in service to his country -- both in peace and during the First and Second World Wars --- which lasted 50 years (1908--58).
Born in Britain in 1887, Montgomery spent his early years in Tasmania, where his father, an Anglican priest, worked for a time. While Montgomery considered his father one of the prime influences in his life (along with his wife, Winston Churchill, and Dwight Eisenhower), he makes clear that there was no love lost between him and his mother, who showed him little care and affection as a child. Indeed, she would more often give him a hard time than not.
While Montgomery mainly speaks about his military career and the people who played key roles in said career, he speaks (albeit briefly) with deep love of his wife and son David.
All in all, an interesting memoir.
Born in Britain in 1887, Montgomery spent his early years in Tasmania, where his father, an Anglican priest, worked for a time. While Montgomery considered his father one of the prime influences in his life (along with his wife, Winston Churchill, and Dwight Eisenhower), he makes clear that there was no love lost between him and his mother, who showed him little care and affection as a child. Indeed, she would more often give him a hard time than not.
While Montgomery mainly speaks about his military career and the people who played key roles in said career, he speaks (albeit briefly) with deep love of his wife and son David.
All in all, an interesting memoir.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Stuart
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent and far reaching outline of events in Europe during and after World War II. Still readable and thoroughly concise for the modern reader whether they student or just general reading for the average reader with an interest in the war.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
A wonderful walk through Montys life and career. This book does not go into the details of the many battles that he was involved in as he has already written about them in his... Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. G. Lappage
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
Interesting how history has changed since revelations of Enigma and Bletchley park have come out, things he took credit for have now been identified as work by station X
still... Read more
still... Read more
Published on 22 April 2011 by R. Packham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review: Montys Memoirs
cracking book. by far the best account ive read on issues involved. monty gives a very fair analysis on all battles ad people involved. Very highly recommended
Published on 5 Aug 2008 by Ann Newberry
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