The Crucible of War: Wavell's Command: The Definitive History of the Desert War - Volume 1 [Paperback]

Barrie Pitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2001 | Series: Crucible Of War

When Sir Archibald Wavell assumed command of the British forces in North Africa, he had no choice but to keep Egypt from falling to the Axis. A defeat would give Hitler access to the Red Sea, and with it access to the oil-rich Persian Gulf and even to India. Because of Wavell's limited resources, he decided attack was the best form of defense. Wavell's brilliant campaign was carried out by his field commander, General Richard O'Connor, who routed Marshal Rodolfo Graziani's Italian forces, took thousands of prisoners, and pushed the Italians back hundreds of miles. The exhilarating and essential victory was short-lived, lasting only a few months until Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps entered the conflict in early 1941.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barrie Pitt saw active service in both Europe and the Middle East. He edited the partwork History of the Second World War and was Editor-in-Chief of Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II. Barrie Pitt now lives in Taunton in Somerset

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cassell (December 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304359505
• ISBN-13: 978-0304359509
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,339,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking the Fight to the Enemy, January 9, 2002

By 

Charles F. Hawkins - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crucible of War: Wavell's Command: The Definitive History of the Desert War - Volume 1 (Paperback)

"Wavell's Command" is the first volume of a three-volume set by Barrie Pitt published by Cassell & Co. in London. Pitt is no stranger to war or the theater about which he writes, having served in both the European and Middle East theaters in World War II.

Pitt has done a through job of research and presents his findings in a clear, measured and very readable style. The reader is helped along through the use of numerous maps, descriptive sketches and photographs. An ample bibliography (notes for each chapter) and appendices (orders of battle for Operation Compass and Operation Battleaxe) tie things neatly together at the conclusion. At 332 pages, "Wavell's Command" has sufficient space for Pitt to explore the breadth and depth of the opening moves and initial battles of the North African campaigns.

In sum, throughout the first half of World War II, control of North Africa was strategically vital to the Allies, and after the fall of France it was the only theater in which the fight could be taken to the Axis powers. Pitt chronicles the events that lead up to and the successful routing of Italian forces. Then, in early 1941, General Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps entered the conflict, and the smashing victory of the British against the Italians was overtaken by disaster.

In the end, one has to give credit to Cassell & Co. for introducing all three volumes of their "Crucible of War" series on North African fighting-you won't want to buy one without purchasing the other two.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best overall history of the North Africa campaign 1940-2, February 19, 2011

By 

Glenn R. Urbanas (Richmond Hill, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crucible of War: Wavell's Command: The Definitive History of the Desert War - Volume 1 (Paperback)

Mr Henniger must have been reviewing a heavily bowdlerized
version of Pitt's excellent history (there's at least one
pretty badly produced reprint).
This is bar none the best military history of the N. Africa
campaign 1940-2 with EXCELLENT maps!
However I have a cheap paper reprint by Macmillan (PaperMac)
that is awful by comparison with the recent three volume
trade paper edition on acid-free paper --
Enjoy!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Study of a Neglected Period, October 19, 2010

By 

Bryan L. White (Duncanville, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Crucible of War: Wavell's Command: The Definitive History of the Desert War - Volume 1 (Paperback)

"Wavell's Command" is a good, solid history of the Desert War mostly B.R., that is, Before Rommel. And Before Montgomery, for that matter. The war between England and Italy in North Africa is often glossed over in WWII histories. This book describes the time and does it in a form that's very pleasant to read. I wonder if Mr. Henninger's review is describing a different edition of this book? The book I read, which is the one in the illustration on this page, included quite a few maps and was a real pleasure to read. I loaned it to my mom, who also thought that it was top-notch. I'm currently waiting for the second volume to arrive and looking forward to it.