Armageddon [Hardcover]

Max Hastings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2004

A stunning new book from one of Britain's most highly regarded military historians destined to be the Keegan of his generation One of the greatest military feats during the Second World War was the transformation of the German force's activities in the weeks following the battles in Holland and the German border, where the Allies had finally inflicted the greatest catastrophes of modern war on them. Somehow the Germans found the strength to halt the Allied advance in its tracks and to prolong the war to 1945. This book is the epic story of those last eight months of the war in northern Europe. 'As a military historian Max Hastings has few equals' Times Literary Supplement 'Max Hastings now stands in the first rank of writers on modern war' Financial Times

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'As a military historian Max Hastings has few equals' Times Literary Supplement 'Max Hastings now stands in the first rank of writers on modern war' Financial Times" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

MAX HASTINGS, author of eighteen books, was editor of the Daily Telegraph for almost a decade, then for six years edited the Evening Standard. In his youth he was a foreign correspondent for newspapers and BBC television. He has won many awards for his journalism, particularly his work in the South Atlantic in 1982. He was knighted in 2002.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan (October 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333908368
• ISBN-13: 978-0333908365
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,582,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The End of Europe's Calvary., May 4, 2007

By 

Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Armageddon (Hardcover)

First of all let me state that "Armageddon" is a great history book, very readable, well structured and addressing many different key aspects of the period.

Max Hastings is a highly opinionated and to some extent controversial author. Nevertheless he support his points of view with facts collected from diverse sources, some already known and many just recently at disposition of historians and in that sense is a treasure for the readers.

Historians from Thucydides onwards have written history as they were able to perceive it. That is to say they "see" the facts influenced by their nationality, social status, political & religious beliefs. Even when they want to be "neutral & detached" these special filters are unavoidable. So it is with Mr. Hastings and this in no way invalidates his statements. Nevertheless the reader should take them and where possible confront them with other authors view-point and make his own mind about "why, who and how" events took place. As a quick reference interested people may consult Toland's "The Last 100 Days" or Beevor's "The Fall of Berlin" to have other perspectives.


The book starts in September 1944 when the elated Western Allies were hoping to end war in Europe by Christmas. Alas! Operation Market-Garden and the fateful Battle of the Bulge will dilute their hopes.
At the same time the victorious Russian armies after their first great breakthrough take a respite before launching the final assault over Germany.
Germans take advantage of all this and prepares to follow their Leader's mad Gotterdammerung to its last consequences.
All this issues are minutely described by the author presenting valuable testimonies from front line soldiers, NCOs and low level officers from all participating armies.

There are full chapters dedicated to POWs and concentration camps; bombing over Germany and how civil life was like inside floundering Germany.

A great stuff to read for historians, students or casual readers. Enjoy!!!.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars APALLING SACRIFICE, November 24, 2009

By 

Gene K. Wyne - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Armageddon (Paperback)

Armageddon is a wonderfully written history of the apalling , unfathomable carnage that was perpetrated during the middle of the 20th century in Europe. A dimunition of the Caucasion people.
Hastings' best contribution is his interrogation of the participants, the survivors, and his assessment of the ethos of the conflict from each opposing factor. He is as unbiased as a writer can be to all of the belligerants and his assessments of tactical performances, both politically and militarily make for excellent reading!
Armageddon is a somewhat misleading title for this magnificent history work, because of the tendency for hyperbole and a certain disaffection biblical history congers up to the secular student.
The leaders of the four great powers are revealed for their sanguinary lust for power. Eisenhower is correctly evaluated in his wanting performance as allied commander.
Overall, a must read for serious historians concerning WWII