Customer Reviews

The Crossing of the Suez

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Regardless of one's sympathies, it is easy to appreciate the brilliance of the 1973 assault on Israel's Bar Lev line--this book is as succinct as a combat unit diary in its description of the planning, preparation and execution of an operation that will be studied by military staff officers for many years to come. Amazingly, the Egyptians under General Saad El Shazly were able to pull off the feat of surprising the Israelis when the Israelis knew they were coming.

The main appeal is the precise operations briefing feel of the bulk of the book. The author falters only when he addresses the period following Egyptian deep penetration into the Sinai. It was at this point that political factors and personal agendas began to conflict with tactical objectives. When it occurred that the Egyptians might be able to achieve even greater success than their plan envisioned both the plan and Egyptian senior leadership reached their limits.

The narrative not-too subtly shifts to an extended argument explaining why it was everyone else's fault that tactical and ultimately strategic gains realized by brilliant and faithful execution of an almost faultless plan were lost. Even this portion is valuable though, providing as it does, insight into the non-military challenges facing any military planner. The General's sometimes plaintive comments about the political in-fighting that interfered with and ultimately, in his view, cost Egypt the victory ring true.

In summary, this is a book that is valuable for the professional and amateur military strategist alike. It will be treasured for its detailed description of one of history's most successful large scale special operations as well as its insight into the manifest difficulty inherent in managing the tension between military and political objectives.

Out of many books I read about the Yom Kippur War, this was one of the best. It is the only book in English that I know of that was written by an Egyptian top commander, giving details about the Egyptian side of the story (having in mind that most of the other books about this war was written from the Israeli point of view). Shazly is a war hero, who fought in five wars, finally reaching Egyptian Chief of Staff during the Yom Kippur War.
The author's military career and charisma can be felt through his style of writing, which greatly simplifies complex situations. He is clear and organized. He carefully lists military hardships faced before the war and the necessary equipments and training the Egyptian army lacked. Then, he goes on explaining the political implications. He continues then listing the war details, day by day. The most amazing thing is the book is still banned in Egypt and the man was exiled from Egypt and sentenced to jail, which he actually partly served after returning. So sad to see such a war hero be humiliated instead of received with honor.

This book does a great job covering the planning, preparation, and execution of the Egyptian crossing of the Suez and taking the Bar-Lev line. While it is probably necessary to include all of the political discussions, it seems to devolve into covering ones own backside and pointing the finger at others. Who knows if we will ever know the truth about the attack to the Sinai passes. Aside from those political sections though, the book is a good read.

I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the operations itself, or interested in the planning of an operation based on your capabilities.

This book answers several minor mysteries surrounding the 1973 War (for instance, why did the Egyptians stop just under the air defense umbrella? Why didn't they continue their offensive?) and also highlighted the planning and execution that went into the crossing of the Suez Canal. Far from being a desperate and unrealistic attempt to crush Israel, Shazly illustrates the thought processes that went into the war. The crossing itself was not only a realistic exercise (as the Egyptians proved) but was also an example of excellent planning and staff work. The Egyptian generals went to war with realistic goals but allowed themselves to be talked into POLITICAL objectives, with disastrous results.

This book is an excellent work, well worth the effort to find a copy. It's too bad that many of the typos of the original edition were not eliminated in the 2003 edition. But, it's good history as well as a good example of military philosophy.

My disappointment was the book Crossing the Suez by Saad Shazly is the same book of October War in Arabic by the same Auther, I have October War and when ordered Crossing the Suez, I thought is another book by Shazly....so I am stuck with this book which I don't need!!!

Review of the Crossing of Suez

The late Lieutenant General Saad El Shazly; the chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces and the author of "The Crossing of Suez" provides a comprehensive account of what actually happened on the Egyptian front during the October 1973 war. The author details the spectacular events that followed the initial crossing of the Suez Canal on October 6, including the storming of the infamous Bar Lev line, absorbing the initial counter enemy blows, inflicting heavy losses on the attacking troops both in the Air and on the ground, establishing a bridgehead on the West Bank of the Canal with two armies and their heavy equipment in less than 15 hours. The book highlights the military battles that took place on both banks of the Canal and until the final cease fire went into effect. The author also provides a fascinating account of his relations with the Egyptian President, the Commander in Chief prior to and during the war.

General Shazly answered many questions, especially for those readers who didn't follow that war. He explains the daring and brilliant Egyptian war plan and troop preparations to cross the Suez Canal to reclaim Sinai. This was a formidable operation for the Egyptian army, given the enemy fortifications and the Suez Canal topography. Indeed, military professionals regard the Suez crossing by the Egyptian Army as a military/ engineering miracle. The reader can't help but admire the Egyptian General Shazlie, his staff officers, and the corps of military engineers of the Egyptian Army, for their leadership, vision, dedication, ingenuity and attention to detail in order to ensure that the Suez Canal crossing would be successful with minimum losses of men and material. Last but not least the bravery and in belief in victory of all the Egyptian troops who participated in this historic battle to regain the Suez Canal was inspiring and uplifting.

The distinguished General Shazly offers us a window into the world of military planning and execution and the intrigue and unexpected impact of politics, both domestic and international. I found this a riveting read, revealing and instructive.

This is a fantastic book about The October War 1973 from the Arab's point of view. So many book have been written thus far, mostly from the Israeli perspective but reading this book will really give a new dimension towards the war. This book is totally superb.

General Shazly,the Egyptin cheif of staff of the combiend army,navy and air force,records his historical testemony about the era before and during Yom Kipor war 1973. His book adds a reliable personal angle to the political and millitary factors during that era.His testmony comes from a self build, well educated,highly decorated patriotic egyptin military leader. He had such a reputation that you want him to be on your side to assure winning. Reliabeilty of the factual accounts of the book are readly tested by raeding other accounts about the yom kipour war.Furthermore his (account) is the only reliable one comming from the Egyptian side.The book is very interesting, easy readable and provides maps and photo rarely or never been seen before. I only wished that the book to contain more photo about the war activities eg. aireal photos and more the role of the Egyptin paratroopers in the 1973 war. I,Realy, had enjoyed reading the book. It gets 5 stars for a 5 star general.