Field-Marshall Rommel has been described as one of the ten greatest military commanders of all time. This biography of the charismatic leader relies almost entirely on the original of the period. David Irving's exhaustive research has led him to a dusty personnel file on the young Rommel applying - and being turned down - for army commissions, the long-lost "Rommel Diaries", dictated day-by-day to an army corporal and covering two momentous years of his triumphs and defeats in North Africa and numerous other private papers. From them emerges the picture of both an outstanding soldier and military commander, whose tactical genius, brilliance on the battlefields and extraordinary exploits captures the imagination of the world, and Rommel as a husband and father.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An eye-opening view that needs to be read!!!,
By
This review is from: Rommel: The Trail of the Fox (Wordsworth Military Library) (Paperback)
Irving cut right to the bone with his book on Rommel. While some people would have you think that Rommel was the best military genius/strategist in history, Irving paints the man for who he really was. Being in no way disrespectful to Rommel's memory, Irving show's the mans strengths and weaknesses in a way that most military leaders of today would do well to learn about from reading this book.Rommel was loved by his troops (but not his officers) and the German public, but ego-mania and micro-management were two of his most glaring flaws. Irving shows these flaws and how the affected Rommel's fighting force and his command climate though the observations of the DAK and Pz Armee Afrika staff officers and troop unit commanders, as well as Rommels own recorded actions from both military and personal accounts. Rommel's love of attention is shown clearly thoughout the book, but again, Irving uses it to show that Rommel was human and had downfalls like everyone else on the planet. Particular attention is paid to Rommel's early military career, and most importantly to his WW1 exploits, and his rivalry with fellow Field Marshal, Ferdinand Schoerner, both of whom were infantry platoon leaders during Germany's campaign in Italy, and both of whom were awarded the Pour le Merite for two consecutive battles. This rivalry directly influenced his actions after WW1, and during WW2, and cannot be overlooked when looking at Rommel as a military leader. This book needs to be read by all who desire to gain an insight on this charasmatic leader. I've read most of the books printed on Rommel (Desmond Young; "Rommel: In his Own Words"; Liddell Hart "The Rommel Papers"; Hans von Luck's book "Panzer Commander"; von Mellenthin's "Panzer Battles"; "Knight's Cross"; Ruge's "W/ Rommel in Normandy"; etc...) and have found this one to be the most informative and in-depth of them all. It also has provided me with enormous insight as to why the first battle of Tobruk failed and the real reasons behind the DAK's lack of supplies, which wasn't the Italian High Command failing to follow through, but Tripoli's inability to cope with large amounts of inbound shipping. If you have a very narrow minded view of Rommel and the DAK, then DON'T READ THIS BOOK. It WILL disappoint you since it doesn't conform to the "Rommel is a God of War" theme that most authors have put forth, and attacks him mildly, from time to time, for his percieved inability to cope with situations that didn't follow his plans. As a military officer myself, I've found wonderful tidbits of knowledge that transcend all levels of leadership. It's really made me think about the military and my career, as well has history on many differnet levels. If you can deal with someone else's view on a subject, even when it's different from your own, then by all means READ THIS BOOK! IT'S EXCELLENT!!!
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true to life page turner,
By
This review is from: Rommel: The Trail of the Fox (Wordsworth Military Library) (Paperback)
The author of this fascinating, illuminating and utterly engrossing biography of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel have created a real true to life page turner that would make Tom Clancy proud. Drawing from copious research and rare documents, Irving works wonders humanizing one of the truly mythic characters to rise out of the ashes of the Second World War. Rommel was always dubiously viewed by the allied press and his Allied foes as a "Good German". Irving works extremely hard (and therefore, courts controversy) at painting Rommel as a brilliant soldier, philosopher and engineer who, had he surived the war, could have very easily played a critical peacetime role in the restructuring of Europe. This book belongs on the shelf of every person possessing even a casual interest in the history of the second world war. Guaranteed not to disappoint.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard To Put Down,
By A Customer
This review is from: Rommel: The Trail of the Fox (Wordsworth Military Library) (Paperback)
Excellent and moving. I include it with Antony Beevor'sStalingrad and John Toland's biography of Hitler as one of the bestworks I have ever read about World War II. As to its ultimate completeness and accuracy, I can't say, but I was surprised by just how good this book was, considering the organized attempts to trash Irving's reputation. Irving does not take a "pop approach" (whatever that means) here, nor does he at any point deny the Holocaust... I have to repeat this: Irving DOES NOT deny the Holocaust in this book! This fact alone makes me suspicious of the other claims being made against him. This is the first of Irving's books I've read - so many nasty things were being said about him that I got curious. ...Maybe there's something here after all? ...I will find Irving's other books (if they haven't been burned yet), read them, and make up my own mind about what he has to say. Meanwhile, I highly recommend Rommel to anyone interested in WWII, particularly the Africa campaign and Normandy. END
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