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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From the beaches to bocage to Brittany, November 5, 2004
Carlo D'Este's "Decision in Normandy" is a tour de force of military literature. Well documented and stylishly crafted, "Decision" is an extremely pleasurable read. This book is much more than a re-telling of the Normandy landing and first few days the Allies spent getting a foothold on the Continent. Rather, D'Este's book covers ground prior to D-Day - from a look at the future commanders of the ETO and their exploits in North Africa to initial planning by Lt. Gen. Frederick Morgan and his COSSAC group to development of Monty's Masterplan (that represented a revised COSSAC plan) that would become the OVERLORD plan implemented on 6 June 1944 - as well as considerable time and space post invasion (including the many failed attempts to capture Caen which Monty professed to take by the end of D-Day to the American breakthrough in the Cotentin and subsequent exploitation by Patton's Third US Army and drive across Brittany). There's a lot of information here, all quite expertly presented in a clear enjoyable fashion.
One of strongest threads running through "Decision" is its Monty-centric presentation. This is in many ways completely natural, while also generally a connection missing in most accounts of the ETO prior to Operation Market-Garden. So why is a Monty-centric look at the Normandy campaign a natural approach? First, Monty not only oversaw the development of the final OVERLORD plan but he also served as the C-in-C of Allied ground forces for the invasion. Second, and probably more importantly, Monty's "Masterplan" represents a long debated aspect of the Allied adventure. For example, while it is clear that the both British and Americans made adjustments to Monty's plan as battles developed (though the Americans were generally more adept at it), Monty himself propagated a history of a perfect plan that was followed to the letter. So why is such a Monty-centric vision of the early ETO lacking in most accounts? The most likely reason for a more broad view of the Normandy campaign found in most accounts is two-fold: 1) such an approach is less offensive to other major commanders who made considerable contributions, and 2) Monty is "protected" by broader-based writings. D'Este has not skirted the issue of Monty. However, this is not to say that he is a Monty-basher, nor is he a Monty-phile. D'Este does a very admirable job being fair and balanced in his approach to Monty and his role in Normandy. D'Este presents a story in which Monty plays a major role - without minimizing the role of subordinate commanders - giving him due credit for things the evidence suggest he deserves credit for and attempting to clarify the many confusing (often enhanced by Monty's self-publicity efforts) aspects of Monty's command to place blame for failures where blame is deserved. D'Este has done what most historians are apparently incapable of - he has placed enough distance between himself and the subject to present a picture that appears free of tint from personal beliefs and preferences of the historian.
In the end "Decision in Normandy" offers the reader considerable information that is thoroughly researched and expertly presented. It's a fun read while being simultaneously educational. Carlo D'Este deserves all the praise he gets for this book. Five full hearted stars!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative, well researched, and fun to read, December 30, 1998
For anyone interested in learning what happened after D-Day, this book is a must. Drawing on original source material (i.e., command maps, SHAEF meeting notes, interviews with the principals, etc.), D'Este gives the reader a terrific behind-the-scenes look at the fighting between D-Day and the breakthrough in Normandy. From Montgomery's repeated failure to take Caen to Bradley's unexpected breakout at St. Lo and the ultimate rout of German forces,we see how the Allied commanders struggled to adjust their original thinking and planning in order to meet actual circumstances. The book reads with some of the same drama and suspense as good fiction, but carries with it a wealth of information about both the strategic thinking and the personalities of the commanders. In addition to providing a clear overview of the Normandy campaign (including some terrific descriptions of the fighting), D'Este also attempts to set the record straight on some of the post-war controversies surrounding the campaign. He puts forth several objective arguments regarding Montgomery's effectiveness as overall commander of the ground troops, with particular emphasis on the battle for Caen and the infamous "Falaise Gap". I believe that even readers with knowledge of the Normandy campaign will both learn from and enjoy this book, and I highly recommend it to all readers.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailing the "Big Picture" - Making Sense of Normandy, November 29, 2006
Read the other reviews for details, characters, and examples. As an historian and anthropologist, a veteran and a compulsive reader of histories - military and otherwise - I will state from that perspective that this is the best, most compreshensive and readable account of the Normandy campaign I have come across. This is solidly researched, well-reasoned and excellently written history. Read it now before some idiot tries to make it into a feature length motion picture.
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