Customer Reviews

Impossible Victories: Ten Unlikely Battlefield Successes

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This is a very interesting book, which exceeded my expectations. In a single chapter, the author is able to provide insight into the strategic importance of the each individual battle, then goes into enough detail to put the reader at the scene.

The diversity of the chapters, from a Napoleonic conflict to Rangers at D-Day, is a big plus, and things never bog down. My favorite section was the coverage of the Battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane from the War of 1812, a period that I'm not to familiar with.

Reading this book is a breeze, and I'd love to see Perrett release a sequel. Well done...

The author Bryan Perrett seeks to give the reader ten unlikely victories which were against great odds. Most of these victories are little heralded in modern history (with the possible exception of the commando raid on Normandy) and so present the reader with fresh perspectives on ten little known battles. All of these are land battles, so those interested in naval history will have to look elsewhere. Such battles described included the taking of the Taku Forts, the march into Palestine by the British, the relieving of Lucknow, a Hill fight in Vietnam. All very relevant, but all little known.
All these victories are relevant, but somehow I lost their relevant importance in the great scheme of history. The author tries to impart this in some of the ten stories, but fails in others. I consider this an average read in history. There are other books out there that cover important battles better.

This is a great book about little known victories that have occurred in mostly unknown conflicts from around the world. The engagements that occurred involving the UK military were especially interesting because I know very little about English military history and the UK military in general. This is also a good read for people looking into just how important the human factor is in combat. In all of these vignettes the outcome of the battle depended less on the tactics involved and more on the human beings who executed the tactics. They all involve men who pushed themselves beyond what they thought they were capable and beyond what their armies thought they were capable of accomplishing. The best thing is that the book leads a reader to want to learn more about the wars surrounding the engagements. Overall this is an interesting and fast read!