About this title: In the second volume of his epic trilogy about the liberation of Europe in World War II, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Atkinson tells the harrowing story of the campaigns in Sicily and Italy.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Like New. May be shiny, in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, no damage to binding, may have a remainder mark. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Date Published: 10/2007
ISBN-13:9780805062892ISBN:0805062890
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Very Good, In very good dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 816 p. Contains: Illustrations. read more
Edition: Reprint.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, New York, New York
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780805088618ISBN:080508861X
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. No creases to the spine. A nice copy. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 791 p. Contains: Illustrations. Liberation Trilogy, 2. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780805062892ISBN:0805062890
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. some wear to cover; no marks or writing within text; RTB593. 816 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780805088618ISBN:080508861X
Description: Fair. No dust jacket as issued. Has creasing at the spine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 791 p. Contains: Illustrations. Liberation Trilogy, 2. Audience: General/trade. read more
"This is a detailed work showing the horrors of battles in Sicily and Italy in World War II. Gruesome details provide a ring of truth in this well researched volume. The work also demonstrates the genuine heroism that took place. The "soft underbelly of Europe," to use Churchill's terms, was hardly soft in fact.
Some real strengths of this book are the thumbnail character sketches of many figures, from top generals to division commanders down to small unit leaders and troops. This provides a human face to the ferocity of the fighting. In addition, Atkinson writes well and the book moves quickly.
The work itself covers the Sicily campaign in nice detail, including a sketch of the infamous event in which Patton slapped two soldiers for their alleged cowardice. The book also indicates that some generals were as interested in their own glory as in their troops (e.g., Patton and Montgomery). The part of the book also provides some detail on the skills of the German commander, Kesselring.
Then, the invasion of Italy itself. The book details the questionable Salerno amphibious landing. For instance, lots of poor decisions made this a Hairsbreadth Harry escape for the Allied troops, who, at one point, were in danger of part of the invading force being pushed back into the sea. Mark Clark, the commander of the invasion, did not seem to have full control of events, as he learned how to command the Allied forces.
The ferocity and brutality of the German forces are illustrated--as well as the sometimes inhuman Allied responses (being taken prisoner could be dangerous for troops of either side).
Then, other major battles are well described, with the human face in the forefront. Whether the attack on the Bernhardt or Gustav lines, the latter of which featured the bitter fighting at Monte Cassino, the sanguinary attack on the Rapido River, the bloodletting at Anzio, and so on. The details provide a real sense of the desperation of these and other actions.
So, all in all, this is an important work covering the Sicily and Italy campaigns. While the details may be painful as one reads, they provide a grisly reminder of the terror and horror of war."
"Definitive history of the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy from 1943 to 1944, which actually takes the story up to 1945.
Broad-brush historical themes alternate with intensely personal experiences of combat and all manner of other military duties and functions.
Like other military histories, it includes the obligatory and hearfelt expressions of the pointless savagery of war with, in fact, grist for the human fascination of the topic.
In that sense, it is bang-bang porn, just like the latest gruesome reports on IED casualties from Iraq.
A very well-written and likely definitive book, second in a series on the topic.
The book mentions and describes to an unfortunately short degree the decisions and nature of US General Mark Clark, who engineered the steady series of defeats and setbacks that the Allied forces faced from smalller German armies that lacked fuel, food and all types of weapons. The Allied high commander crippled Clark's goals constantly, by feeding troops to the front line in Italy piecemeal like so many morsels to the dogs of war. But Clark bears an ineradicable stain of incompetence.
Meanwhile, the Bristish commander Montgomery was continuing the practices of vainglorious self-promotion, glacial battle preparations, half-hearted attacks and a successful drive to curry the favor of his troops and Britons at home by relying on the American forces to carry out most of the fighting and dieing."
"Atkinson presents the numerous engagements that comprised the battles for Sicily and Italy. He also evaluates the many tactical and strategic decisions made by command levels - some that contributed to the high casualty toll. This was my first read on the campaigns in the 'soft underbelly of Europe.' It was by no means 'soft' and I had no previous understanding of the fighting conditions, terrible casualties, and repeated attacks necessary before the objective - the capture of Rome - was obtained. Ironically Rome's liberation occurred on D-Day and was completely overshadowed by events in northern France."
"Very well written. Atkinson is talented writer. I think he appreciated the writings of Ernie Pyle. He has been embedded in Iraq so he knows what it is like to be "boots on the ground."
He does an excellent job of showing how slow and wasteful the Italian Campaign was. Perhaps if there had have been a more open press the faults of people like General Mark Clark would not have caused the unneeded deaths. The country was united, there was very little dissention; one of the reasons for that unity was there was no negative reporting of our leaders. Our leaders were painted to hide their blemishes. Was it worth it to only have a slanted, controlled reporting of the war? Yes, probably so; we won. Evil was suppressed. A lot of people were liberated. Our armed forces came home and the US dominated the world in culture, productivity and military/politics. The piper had to be paid in the '60s when people questioned authority (political leaders) and did not take what they were told at face value.
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