Rick Atkinson's third volume of his ambitious and excellent history of American forces in Africa and Europe during the Second World War (the Liberation Trilogy) is now available. The Guns at Last Light: The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945 covers the lead up to D-Day until the end of the war in Europe. Atkinson's first two volumes on North Africa and Italy were well received by general readers and scholars alike and this offering is no different. Generals and dogfaces are covered as their stories are told. There is a special emphasis on the leadership problems among the Allied leadership (Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton and Montgomery) but also the problems faced with the integration of French forces into the effort to liberate France. Ike's reputation as a master of personal diplomacy is well deserved according to Atkinson. The author's talent for "you are there" reporting is evident throughout the book as it was in the first two. This volume might win the author another Pulitzer.
Reviewer: Dr. Mel Steely
No comments:
Post a Comment