Customer Reviews

Cassino: The Hollow Victory: The Battle for Rome January-June 1944

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This book was first published in 1984 and is still one of the better researched books covering the fighting around Cassino in Italy in 1944. In over 587 pages the author covers nearly ever facet of the fighting both from the Allied side and the Axis. From the soldier in the ruined villages and trenches to the Top Brass wondering what to do next. This is a well researched and well presented account and the story moves along with numerous maps and B&W photos to assist the reader. This is as good an account you will get covering this battle.

John Ellis's "Cassino: The Hollow Victory: The Battle for Rome January-June 1944" is the definitive book on this overlooked battle in World War II. Ellis describes the four battles that made up this campaign in Italy from January through June 1944.

Ellis focuses on the big picture during the battles, and - with the help of excellent maps - does an excellent job describing the various actions on the front. He describes the commanders' planning, tactics, and decision-making during the battle, while also describing the conditions for the soldiers on the front lines. He also includes lots of useful information, such as orders of battle, in the many appendices.

Ellis also does an excellent job critiquing and analyzing the commanders and their decisions during the battle, along with an in-depth discussion of the bombing of the monastery at Monte Cassino. His insight and comments are well-supported and add a lot to this book. He also argues persuasively that the Allied victory was hollow because they let the German Army escape to fight another 11 months when they could have achieved a decisive strategic victory.

This is an excellent book on the battles around Cassino that led to the capture of Rome. Ellis gives an excellent description of the battle and this book should be read by anyone with any interest in World War II. This is a 4 1/2-star book.