I found this map on another site and thought it worthy of being on here. An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943, by Rick Atkinson
Drew - One thing you can take to the bank - that there is NO WAY that I shall be spending any money on those books........from just two phrases the author used - 1) - "the race to Messina" - there was NO race - it was all in Patton's head as he didn't want to help fight the main battle for Catania and so cajoled Alex to let him run to Palermo - then the easy way to Messina ! 2) - "Roosevedlt and Churchill had differences over the Invasion of Italy but once stared the Americans never wavered " ! - This one is on the wrong thread - it should be on Za Rodina's joke thread - the Americans - especially George Marshall couldn't wait to get out and after Rome he struck by taking SEVEN divisions over to the less than necessary South of France landings ..... When I buy a book - I go for the facts to be revealed but to line up this Trilogy with the Cornelious Ryan's Epics - says it all ! Cheers
Recce Mitch - I has some sort of suspicion about that inasmuch as he states that that he is writing about the American Forces involvement in North Africa - Italy and NW Europe...what he didn't tell us is that he was about to repeat much of the well known revisions of that History by too many Americans since that war finished. Cheers
Back to the actual map, it looks very cool, I can see myself spending alot of time there... Thanks for the link! Jess.
Pass Baby - here is a far better map and explanation of the Italian Campaign : - BBC - History - Animated Map: The Italian Campaign Cheers
My father enjoyed one of the books by this author, but I also would say there is an American bias. The portrayal of the British in books like this is 'interesting' to say the least!
I have seen the book "An Army at Dawn" in the local library (actually I live opposite a library!) but never borrowed it. And from the above posts, I dont think I'll bother.
Gotthard, As you live so close to a library it would be advisable to always order the book first to read, before purchasing it. That way you do not have to spend good money that you later regret! Regards Tom