The Liri Valley: Canada's World War II Breakthrough to Rome [Paperback]

Mark Zuehlke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2004

For the Allied armies fighting their way up the Italian boot in early 1944, Rome was the prize that could only be won through a massive offensive. Military historian Mark Zuehlke returns to the Mediterranean theater of World War II with this gripping tribute to the Canadians who opened the way for the Allies to take Rome. The book is a fitting testament to the bravery of soldiers like the badly wounded Captain Pierre Potvin, who survived more than 30 hours alone on the battlefield.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre; First Trade Paper Edition edition (May 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553650131
• ISBN-13: 978-1553650133
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #561,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reviewer should check his facts first, January 28, 2002

By 

mark zuehlke (Victoria, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Liri Valley: Canada's World War II Breakthrough to Rome (Hardcover)

Please note that I've only filled in the book rating because it's required to post this message. [An author shouldn't rate his own book.] As an author, I generally don't respond to reviews. Michael Dorosh's review, however, requires a respons--notably because it is, as his title infers, "riddled with stupid errors." I do not, for example, mis-identify "Patton's 7th Army as the 5th." Neither Patton nor the 7th saw action in Italy proper. They left that theatre after Sicily, as any military historian worth his salt would know. The Perth Regiment's badge was as described during World War II, a fact thoroughly noted by Brigadier George Kitching at the time under whom the regiment served. The RCR's pipe and drum band is described in detail in the regiment's war diaries for 1944. In fact the band's instruments were smuggled to Italy against orders by the band members, a fact recorded at the time by the regiment's long-standing 2 i/c Major Strome Galloway. It would behoove Dorosh to get his own facts correct before he starts slinging mud.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful approach to Canadian military history, August 9, 2004

By 

Mike Stevenson (Georgetown, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Liri Valley: Canada's World War II Breakthrough to Rome (Paperback)

I purchased this book the same day I finished "Ortona". Zuehlke's writing style is very story-like, while not glazing over important historical facts and details. He does an excellent job of placing the reader at the scene. I was happy to find that I enjoyed this book as much as Ortona, and that it was more of what I liked about the first book. I really enjoyed this book and I don't understand the negative reviews left previously. I've read a lot of military history and I no longer have any use for a dry, history text type approach that so many authors seem to be married to.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars book reviev, August 29, 2004

By 

Blacksheep "WW 2History buff" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Liri Valley: Canada's World War II Breakthrough to Rome (Paperback)

Liri Valley, by Mark Zuehlke provides a balanced and comprehensive overview of the canadians role in the Italian campaign specifically re: Monte Cassino as part of the 8th British army push. This particular battle was one of the hardest fought during WW2. Mr Zuelke deserves credit in the work he does re: canadian history. If mistakes have occured re: facts then hopefully he can acknowledge and correct them. Maybe a forum on the authors part would be helpful re: correspondance with fans,facts and feedback etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and currently I'm reading his most recent work, Juno Beach, also excellent. Life is not perfect and errors etc. do happen if so let the readers know if none occured then fine. I believe Mark's work is only getting better and the awareness he is bringing to our generation re: these Canadian soldiers is commendable. Continue the good work, hope to see more material on the Canadian's in North Western Europe WW2 especially something pertaining to "Operation Varsity".