Monte Cassino: The Story Of The Most Controversial Battle Of World War II [Paperback]

David Hapgood (Author), David Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2002

Monte Cassino opens in the cold Italian winter of 1943–44. Germany would lose the war, but they still held much of Italy, leaving the Allies to fight their way north to capture Rome—a route no army had taken since Hannibal traversed the Alps to avoid it. And overlooking the only possible passage stood the ancient Abbey of Monte Cassino. The ultimate decision to bomb Monte Cassino was one of the most controversial—and tragic—events of World War II. The combat that followed was just as tragic: Soldiers from more than a dozen nations fought through that savage winter in a ferocious battle that allowed no advance or retreat. Here Hapgood and Richardson examine the military operations and political machinations that led inexorably to the bombing, explore the personalities of all involved, and in a new afterword reflect on its lingering consequences. This is an epic tale of men—and monks—at war.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Hapgood has written for many publications, including the New York Times, and is the author of several books. He lives in New York City. David Richardson researched this book for ten years. He resides in McLean, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (May 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306811219
• ISBN-13: 978-0306811210
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,420,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Parker book on Monte Cassino Superior-This is a perfect book for a WWII assignment- if you do not care for military history, August 6, 2006

By 

R. Taney "A Confluence of Excellence and Char... (At the Big Summer Classic in Schaumburg) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monte Cassino: The Story Of The Most Controversial Battle Of World War II (Paperback)

If you are interested in the Battle of Monte Cassino "Monte Cassino: The Hardest Fought Battle of World War II" by Matthew Parker is the superior read.

Hapgood's book does not delve deeply into the combat and is hardly a military history at all. Instead it focuses on some German Officer who saved the art in the Cassino from Goring and the Allies.

Hapgood's focus was on "human interest" stories, which proved none to interesting for a reader who was seeking detailed analysis on the actual battle.

This book would be perfect for someone interested in the daily minutes of some guy sifting through ruins, stonewalling his superiors, organizing convoys and yammering away with Papal representatives.

Do not pick up this book and expect an in-depth treatment on the most "The Most Controversial Battle". For Hapgood's controversey lay within the realms of renaissance art and not the failure to support the brilliant French Offensive.

The composition of the colorful, courageous and multinational Allied Army, the formidable nature of the Cassino bastion, the fate of those caught in the villages, the miserable conditions and sheer brutality of the fighting are the subjects that require the most detail and research for a book on Monte Cassino that has any aspirations.

But the author instead cherry picked a couple topics and stretched them to the breaking point. And these topics were not particularly germaine to the conflict that claimed the lives of so many. He could have covered these issues of secondary and tertiary importance to the battle itself in a chapter or so. But it is the battle itself, the equipment, the geography,and the men under arms who get the abridged coverage.

I will concede if someone was really interested in Art History, and Nazi looting this book would be a compelling read. The prose is fine. It is the subject matter, emphasis and organization that are lacking. It would be a perfect book to read for a book review- provided student not interested in military history and has to somehow fulfill this requirement. Many do not share my zeal for military history and would probably find this book sufficient.

Hapgood's attention was riveted on matters he considered interesting and "controversial". If it was not so drawn out it would have been informative. But this myopic approach gave the short shrift to the fundamental components of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Human interest stories, no matter how compelling, can never outshine grueling and pivotal events in history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, July 30, 2009

By 

Elizabeth Miller (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monte Cassino: The Story Of The Most Controversial Battle Of World War II (Paperback)

I was looking for a book that detailed the human experience of this battle more than military strategy, and this was a perfect read. Well documented and well researched. The only thing I really missed was a detailed map of the area, which would have made the action much easier to follow.

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read . . ., March 19, 2008

By 

bodyelektrika - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monte Cassino: The Story Of The Most Controversial Battle Of World War II (Paperback)

I've spent a lot of time in Roccasecca, where von Senger was headquartered, and Hapgood and Richardson really capture the feel of the Roccasecca to Cassino stretch in the Liri Valley. Augment with Matthew Parker's book (I'm a bit surprised how Parker leaves out Roccasecca, the Melfa River battle, etc.), and you'll get a most vivid picture of the Cassino battle.