The Duel For France, 1944: The Men And Battles That Changed The Fate Of Europe [Paperback]

Martin Blumenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

For the Allies, D day was only the beginning. Having succeeded in that epic venture, they faced the prospect of moving beyond the beaches of France.For the Germans who had failed to halt the Allies at the water’s edge, the question was how to stop the enemy from further advance before it was too late.Martin Blumenson never forgets that the Allies' spectacular dash from their Normandy beachhead to the German border in the summer of 1944 was accomplished by men of flesh and blood—and led by officers with human doubts, limitations, and determination. He shows us how war is conducted, makes us share the pressures and responsibilities of the commanders, and unforgettably opens us to the hopes and fears of the men who constantly faced the imminence of death. Here are the familiar figures, but revealed in new perspective—Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley, Patton, Rommel. This is a masterly and dramatic military narrative in the great tradition—and a moving human record of a turning point in history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is not much doubt that [The Duel for France] will find a wide audience." -- New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Martin Blumenson is the author of a dozen books on military subjects.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306809389
• ISBN-13: 978-0306809385
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Duel for Fance, 1944, February 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Duel For France, 1944: The Men And Battles That Changed The Fate Of Europe (Paperback)

The Duel for France, 1944-The Men and Battles that Changed the Fate of Europe by Martin Blumenson, 2000, 432 pages (soft cover)
This easily read book never lets the reader forget that flesh and blood-soldiers, led by officers with human doubts, limitations, and determination conducted the Allies' breakout and pursuit from their initial Normandy lodgment to the German border during the summer of 1944. Martin Blumenson shows us the conduct of war. He shares command pressures and responsibilities, as well as the combat soldier's hopes and fears. The more familiar characters-Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Montgomery and their German counterparts are there. However, unlike most popular writings, opposing corps commanders also come sharply into focus. These particular individuals have been generally overlooked in popular writings {official as well as unofficial), in favor of regimental, divisional, army, and army group commanders. Blumenson succeeds admirably in correcting this imbalance. This is a masterly and dramatic military narrative in the great tradition-and a moving human record of a turning point in history. Its recent publication in paperback (2000) shows its enduring value.
This book was originally published less than a year after the author published the official World War II Army history of this same period of time-Breakout and Pursuit (1962). That official history represents the definitive account Operation Cobra and the Allied pursuit across France. The Duel for France, is similar in scope to the official volume but different in treatment. This is not simply a short version of Breakout and Pursuit. Rather, the author created a new book, no more definitive but more readable. He raised the level of treatment and provided a much more personalized account of the higher-level Allied and German commanders in action. In my opinion, this was because as a private author-instead of a government employee-Blumenson was able to avoid the desiccation process associated with the staffing and approval of official histories. I recommend this book to all those interested in the study of the military profession.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good operational account, June 16, 2004

By 

Michael Licari (Cedar Falls, IA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Duel For France, 1944: The Men And Battles That Changed The Fate Of Europe (Paperback)

Blumenson's book is still the standard operational account of the Allied breakout from Normandy and the pursuit across France. This important book is now again available, and I highly recommend that it be in everyone's libraray. For those serious about military history, the official Breakout and Pursuit (also by Blumenson) will provide more detail (and documentation), but for those looking for a solid operational history in a readable form, this is the book to get.

Blumenson chooses to focus primarily on army and corps commanders, with an extention to divisional command as needed. This is a nice focus, as it provides a look at the much of the "big picture" without losing sight of the actual combat taking place. With this focus, Blumenson also provides a good look at communications, logistics, planning, as well as inter-Allied politics. The portion on the liberation of Paris is particularly interesting, more due to the political concerns than anything (even to the point of American commanders having to tolerate insubordination from Leclerc's Free French Armored Division).

The only problem with the book (hence 4 stars) is that the British/Commonwealth/Canadian contributions are very much sidelined. This should not be surprising, as the book is an outgrowth of Blumenson's contribution to the official U.S. history, but writing as a private citizen, he should have broadened his view, especially given the title of the book which does not hint at such a narrow focus.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book, February 3, 2006

By 

T. Green - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Duel For France, 1944: The Men And Battles That Changed The Fate Of Europe (Paperback)

This is an excellent account of the War in France, accounting for virtually all aspects of that battle in World War II. It is a perfect level of detail, neither too much nor too little. The only drawback is that it is woefully short of maps. I purchased a copy of the Michelin World War II map to use while I read the book and this made it easily comprehensible. You also could use the West Point World War II maps volume. Either way, get the book and a map and prepare to enjoy yourself.