Battlefields of the Second World War [Hardcover]

Richard Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002 | ISBN-10: 0563537825 | ISBN-13: 978-0563537823

This study of war skillfully clarifies the complexities of four major World War II military campaigns: El Alamein, Monte Cassino (Italy), Operation Market Garden (of which Arnhem formed a crucial part), and the Battle of Britain (the RAF's bomber offensive against Germany). The book originates in Holmes's conviction that the sacrifices made by British service personnel are not properly understood. It uses eye-witness accounts to illuminate the horror, confusion and sheer enormity of war, and puts this in the wider context of the conflict's broader strategy. As the 20th century, so deeply marked by war, slips away, this is the time to recognize the price that so many of its men and women paid for freedom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Richard Holmes is everyone's favourite television battlefield guide. Having already taken us on two TV tours of Europe's most famous battlefields, he now embarks on a third tour of duty in a four-part series called Battle Honours to be broadcast on BBC2. This time, he looks at four major areas of combat in the Second World War, namely Alamein where the jetsam of war still lies in the desert, the attrition of Cassino in Italy where the monastery has been lovingly restored, Arnhem with those bridges, and the horrific impact of the RAF bombing offensive against Germany, both in loss of aircrew and ruination on the ground. In the programmes and the accompanying book, Holmes recreates the experience of what it was like to be involved in this combat through letters, diaries and interviews with veterans awarded campaign medals for their heroism. The previous two books of his TV series have gone on to become bestsellers, so no doubt we can expect the same from this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: BBC Pubns (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563537825
• ISBN-13: 978-0563537823
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,809,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great work by a renowned author, October 17, 2004

By 

David Mills (TROY, NEW YORK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battlefields of the Second World War (Hardcover)

The author is a Brigadier from the Territorial Army which is the equivalent of the US National Guard. He is undoubtedly very well versed in the subject and has produced an excellent account,

0 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Childish, September 14, 2004

By 

Devl's Advocate "RSHA" (Hölle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battlefields of the Second World War (Hardcover)

As an author who wrote children's books. Holmes may be excused for treating its readers as totally ignorant, and thus suceptiible to his revisionist tracts on how great the British Army was.

Only problem is, we are not fooled.