Customer Reviews

Into the Reich Battles on Germany's Western Front 1944-1945

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I bought this item with the expectation to read about some of the not so well-known battles of WWII. I mean Market Garden and the Ardennes are already known to most readers of military history. It was a bit of a disappointment to find these battles in the book, along with two other battles that were not even fought on German soil. What about Hurtgen Forest, Aachen or the battles along the Roer front????? Those were on German territory!!!! In this respect the title is a bit misleading. However the book is OK, well told and well illustrated. Bravo.
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I bought this book expecting to find in its pages an interesting account of the little-known last battles amidst a crumbling Reich. What, in fact, the book really contains is a compilation of several other Osprey Books: Arnhem 1944, Lorraine 1944, and Ardennes 1944. If you have these books already, don't buy this one. If you don't have the three volumes, this is a very nice compendium. Truth in Advertising, please, Osprey.

I bought this book to read about the Rhineland campaign...a truly little documented battle "into the Reich" and figured like others, not to bother with the accounts of Arnhem and the Bulge - been there, done that. However, in true Osprey fashion the authors and editors have managed to make this account fresh and interesting. First the great Osprey photos, graphics and maps (yes, maps that actually match the text and allow you to see exactly where the action described took place)then some top notch writing. The accounts of the Lorraine and Arnhem campaigns are especially well done and offer some interesting detail and editorial comment. If you think you know the story of Arnhem because you read "A Bridge Too Far" you need to read this book and follow up on the 'Further Reading' section. This title is worth the cost just for the photos, original artwork (like the Canadians attacking in Buffalos across flooded Northern Holland)and maps. It's not the definative volume on 1944-45 in Northern Europe, but it's an interesting overview. Excellent for a reader who's just starting a study of this campaign and enlightening to an old hand at WWII.