Book Review Hitler's Atlantic Wall - Pas de Calais

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Roxy, Apr 2, 2013.

  1. Roxy

    Roxy Senior Member

    Review of:
    Hitler’s Atlantic Wall – Pas De Calais
    Paul R Williams
    Pen and Sword’s Battleground Europe Series
    176 Pages
    ISBN 184884817 – X
    UK £12.99 / US $19.95

    I really wanted to like this book. Paul Williams is, obviously, passionate about this subject, and, there is much about the book to like. However, the author has been badly let down by whomsoever (if indeed anyone did) proofread his draft:

    The introduction does not really tell the reader what the book is about, although it does somewhat set the scene in the Pas de Calais in mid-1944. I remain unconvinced of the validity of the travel advice; although I was possibly put off by the disastrous attempt at promulgating websites! eg DFDS Seaways (HYPERLINK “ http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk” http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk).

    The glossary is, in my opinion, a half-hearted attempt – Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine are translated, but Heer is not (this is just one example). The index is not much better; there is significant discussion on the fortifications at Cap Griz Nez; however, it is nowhere to be seen in the index.

    There are numerous inconsistencies – OMAHA and JUNO beaches; but Gold beach; Operation Sealion, but Operation WELLHIT; weapon ranges given in kilometres, but target range in miles; one particular type of fortification referred to as either a Tobruk, Tobruk or Tobrukstande depending on where in the book it is mentioned; some things are translated in the text, others are not and whether it is German with the English translation in parenthesis or vice versa appears to be at the drop of a hat.

    There are numerous repetitions: almost a complete paragraph referring to the use of smoke generators during the attack on Calais is repeated – almost ver batim – in the very next paragraph! The ‘mysterious’ death of Fritz Todt is mentioned more often than needed; as is the thickness of Category B concrete walls.

    Whilst the Organisation Todt, its origins and personnel, are of interest, I remain unconvinced that, in a book of 176 pages, the inclusion of seven pages of ver batim transcript of Adolf Hitler’s eulogy to Fritz Todt added value.

    Not all photographs are annotated; none are acknowledged.

    In some instances, I had to re-read paragraphs a number of times – particularly when discussing the Canadian attacks of the Atlantic Wall fortifications and defended coastal towns to work out to which event the author was describing.

    Directions are given to a number of particular sites; although, I couldn’t quiet work out from where the directions were given. I’d suggest that, if possible, the postcode is given (useful for satnav systems).

    Even by the end of the book, I was not quite sure what it was the author was trying to tell me: How was the Atlantic Wall constructed? By whom were the emplacements constructed? What did the Allies do in order to overcome the Atlantic Wall? Who defeated the Germans deployed on the Atlantic Wall? All these questions were, at least partly, answered during the book; however, to my mind at least, there appeared to be a lack of focus – I’m still not sure what the book is about. That said, it was used in anger last week on a visit to Cap Griz Nez to some success; the map showed the lay of the land in 1944 very well.

    In sum, some good research by Paul Williams suffers due to significant failures in the proof reading process. Resolution of repetition and inconsistencies, a better glossary and index and some minor ‘tidying up’ (including a bit more in the introduction of what he is trying to tell us) will help a lot. At the moment, I doubt that it is worth the cost; however, it could so easily be an excellent book.

    Roxy
     
    Owen likes this.
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I was also disappointed; for a book in a series of battlefield guides it has precious little information about what there is to see today - that almost seemed an afterthought.

    I also really wanted to like it, too. Shame.
     
  3. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    I had seen and thought about this one but might just pass on it.
     

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