Rommel As Military Commander [Hardcover]

Ronald Lewin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1999

History. In the final assault on the position of 150 Brigade in the Cauldron, Rommel went in with the foremost platoon. He defied the text-books and inspired the Afrika Korps. By being up in front he was able to use his Fingerspitzengefuhl, that natural ability to read the battle field which all Great Commanders have possessed. The evocative and summary German word is constantly and rightly used by his colleagues whenever they talk about Rommel. Many Black and White photographs and map illustrations

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble Inc; 1st Ed(AsSuch) edition (March 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760708614
• ISBN-13: 978-0760708613
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent appraisal, beautifully written, February 22, 2003

By 

"carlsberg" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rommel as military commander (Hardcover)

Within the first twenty pages I was struck by the quality of the prose used in this appraisal of Rommel, not surprisingly I discovered it was written over thirty years ago when people on both sides of the Atlantic still knew how to used the English language with the finess of a rapier, as opposed to the generalistic bludgeoning of a club.

Lewin is precise and concise in his appraisal of Rommel's abilities as a commander, starting with 7 Panzer in France and going right through the desert to Normandy in 1944. He uses as his notes the Rommel Papers edited by Liddel Hart (another excellent source, this time edited in the 1950s)and I benefitted from reading the two in tandem. No punches are pulled, there is no favouritism towards any flag, but a truly first class analysis of Rommel's, along with his gifts and limitations as a commander.

Lewin's honesty and lack of side make this a truly excellent book, lacking in any of the modern obsession with the necessity to produce something sensational or "revelational", concentrating more on a balanced presentation of the truth.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective Write up, October 10, 2007

By 

M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rommel As Military Commander (Hardcover)

This is a well written objective account of Rommel's ability as a commander and his tactics. The book starts with a short overview of Rommel's actions in World War I. Then takes us to his command of 7 Panzer in France and going right through the creation and command of the Africa Korps and the desert campaign. And continuing with his command at Normandy in 1944. Lewin uses as his notes the Rommel Papers edited by Liddel Hart to help make his case.

The book shows us the sterling victories and defeats and what surrounded them. He does not seem to hide any facts from the reader. And gives us a truly balanced perspective of what really transpired. I was pleased to see that this first class analysis of Rommel's command abilities was presented with such honesty.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective Write up, September 27, 2005

By 

M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rommel as Military Commander (Paperback)

This is a well written objective account of Rommel's ability as a commander and his tactics. The book starts with a short overview of Rommel's actions in World War I. Then takes us to his command of 7 Panzer in France and going right through the creation and command of the Africa Korps and the desert campaign. And continuing with his command at Normandy in 1944. Lewin uses as his notes the Rommel Papers edited by Liddel Hart to help make his case.

The book shows us the sterling victories and defeats and what surrounded them. He does not seem to hide any facts from the reader. And gives us a truly balanced perspective of what really transpired. I was pleased to see that this first class analysis of Rommel's command abilities was presented with such honesty.

This book is required reading of anyone interested in the truth of Rommel's campaigns and command abilities.