Book Description
From the climactic battle of Alamein, where Allied forces handed the Nazis their first major defeat, to the remarkable story of László Almasy, who became the basis for the romantic English patient in Michael OndaatjeÂ's novel, the story of this crucial WWII campaign is panoramic in scope and peopled by some of the most famous figures in the war. Drawing extensively on primary documentary sources and interviews with surviving veterans, award-winning journalists John Bierman and Colin Smith present a superb account of this extraordinary episode, remembered as a “war without hate” for the willingness by both sides to adhere to accepted notions of “fair play” and the mutual respect and camaraderie that evolved between the combatants. This riveting account is military history at its best.
Customer Reviews:
Read all the rest? Now read the ...........2007-05-29
Well, maybe not THE BEST but a damn fine read. I've been reading about the Desert War since 1962 when i bought Donald Crisp's classic "Brazen Chariots" so if i like this book its worth reading. Even the maps are OK, better certainly than most "real" histories. The chosen anecdotes and award citations all move the action in a comphrensible account. They even have the possible origin of the Monty Python Classic: "I'm not dead yet!"
--"Turner had been touring his perimeter, helping a short-handed gun crew or tending the wounded when he could, exhorting when he could not. Bird sometimes wished he could find a happier choice of words. 'Come on, you're not dead yet,' he growled at the shaken occupants of a slit-trench who had been almost buried alive by a near-miss." pp. 304-305.
And the title seems to come from Rommel's prospective but never written book on the war: War without Hate.
pete saussy
Camaraderie in North Africa.......2006-10-09
War Without Hate tells the tale of the war in North Africa from the opening days in 1940 between the British and Italian soldiers, till it's conclusion in Tunis. In this book, the authors look at the soldiers from all levels (particularly the generals, but good attention is paid to the officers and other ranks) and describes what they did for their side. Most of the attention is paid to German and British soldiers who fought (the Italians are talked about lightly, while French and American soldiers get only a passing nod), their heroic actions, and the sense of camaraderie between the two of them. About half of the book deals with the pre-Alamein battles (from the Italian push past the wire, thru the first battle for Alamein) while the other half deal with Monty taking over thru the 8th Army's march to Tunis. This book does bring out many different interesting facts, including the cracking of the Americans Black Code (this was the American Diplomatic code) and it's contribution to the Germans, the LRDG (also known as the Libyan Desert Taxi Service), and the story of the English Patient. The photographs are excellent and there are a number of good area maps of the strategic battlefields.
Having written all of this I'll say that this book is a solid 4.5 stars on the Amazon scale of 1-5. However, since I can't rate in half stars on Amazon, I'm giving the book the nod to 5 stars because the authors did a very good job of presenting the material and that made reading the book a pleasure. I will say though that I did prefer the first half of the book to the back half, partially because I feel that An Army at Dawn did a much better job of wrapping up the end in Tunis.
alamein.......2005-08-31
Interesting and well written book with a fair description of men and events of those days
Excellent Book on the British Side in North Africa.......2005-07-22
Ive always been interested in the Africa War of World War II and this was a great book on ihe German Side and the British side of the war, from Rommels and Monty's HQs all the way down to the squad level where the the action is. It starts out with the British just beating the heck out of the Italians, and then Rommel coming and being the greatest Genearl ever. But it shows how Monty made great decisions to lead to the British victory and the German evacutation. If you like World War II books, this is one for u.
Excellent history of the Desert War.......2004-07-25
I have a vague recollection of a book published in Germany shortly after the war entitled War Without Hate whose subject matter was Rommel in the desert (and I seem to recall that it was a collection of Rommel's writings regarding the Desert War). This is not that book but that book may well have been the source of the title. While the Desert War was certainly less ugly than the generally contemporaneous struggles going on in Russia and in the Pacific, it certainly was not free from pain, fear and death. The final surrender of Axis forces in Tunisia resulted in more prisoners than the surrender of Axis forces in Stalingrad some four months before. The Germans used S mines designed when step on to spring up to roughly crotch height before exploding. When a British plan to attack Axis rear areas using troops disguised in German uniforms guided by anti-Nazi Germans failed because some allegedly anti-Nazi Germans betrayed the British to the Germans, the remaining allegedly anti-Nazi Germans were summarily executed. Flamethrowers were used to burn soldiers out of fortifications and many burned to death when their tanks "brewed up".
Yet there was an extraordinary mutual respect between the Germans and the British (that included a mutual disrespect of the Italians). They shared even their taste in music. Lili Marlene became the unofficial theme song for each side. One wonders why this was possible in the desert while unrelenting hatred raged elsewhere. Perhaps the answer can be found in the circumstances of the desert itself. There were few civilians in the combat areas so resentments arising from civilian deaths were relatively rare. (But there were few civilians on the Pacific islands either yet war there raged as savagely as anywhere at any time.) Neither side considered the desert to be their homeland. Both sides constantly fought the same enemy, the desert itself.
This book is a well-written history of the entire Desert War primarily from a British perspective. It is full of personal anecdotes of the war. We learn the true story of the hero (or anti-hero) of The English Patient. (Sorry, girls. He preferred the affections of men.) We are introduced to the mystery of the professional magician turned soldier who created the illusion that the port of Alexandria was elsewhere causing the German bombs to fall harmlessly into the sea. We learn of the deserter who won the Victoria Cross. We ride with Rommel as he inflicts the defeat upon the American Army at Kasserine Pass that he hopes will traumatize the green Americans into a permanent inferiority complex. Rommel captured so many American tanks and other equipment that, ironically, it was he himself whose morale suffered. When he saw the quantity and quality of American equipment, all of which had been transported directly from America to the beaches of North Africa, he could see the handwriting on the wall as regards the respective production capacities of America and Germany. (It is also interesting to note the casualties inflicted upon the Americans by the Vichy French in light of American deaths in Iraq reaching about 900 as I write these words. On November 8, 1942 the American Army landed in North Africa on beaches owned by the collaborationist Vichy French. Two days later, a ceasefire was negotiated between the Americans and the French by which time the French had killed 1000 Americans. Then the Americans could begin to fight the Germans.)
It bears mentioning as well that this book captures a true turning point of the war. The climax of the book describes the Battle of El Alamein that began on October 23, 1942. At that time, the German Army had not suffered a true land defeat. In Russia, the army was advancing into Stalingrad and, while resistance may have been more than expected, few doubted a German victory. In the Desert, Rommel was stalled outside of Alexandria but was still only a few miles from the Nile, the Suez Canal, and the oil-rich Arab states. By the end of November, 1942 Montgomery had smashed through Rommel's lines and Rommel was in full retreat west back through the 2000 miles he had conquered on his way east. The Germans were surrounded, eventually to surrender, at Stalingrad and the Americans had landed behind Rommel in their first offensive against Hitler. What a difference a month makes!
This is an excellent history of a campaign little known to the American public. If I have a criticism it is that coverage of the Torch landings and the following battles is sparse. Read Atkinson's An Army at Dawn for a far better examination of Torch.
Book Description
This book explains why German forces came to be fighting in North Africa and covers in detail the Luftwaffe fighter operations in this theatre. Originally flying in aid of Italian forces, from February 1941 the German fighter force then flew in support of Rommel's famed Afrika Korps, and this title describes German fighter operations during Operations Brevity and Battleaxe, the Crusader battles, the capture of Tobruk and Rommel's advance to El Elamein. Also included in this title are details of the Luftwaffe's operations against the important island fortress of Malta, together with pilots' accounts, maps, orders of battle and a biography of the 'Star of Africa', Hans-Joachim Marseille. The book's information and color profiles on new and unusual camouflage schemes will be of particular interest to aviation modelers.
Customer Reviews:
Well-writen.......2007-01-05
I have other titles of Luftwaffe Colours and this is of of the best.
Average customer rating:
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Desert War 1940-1942 Poster
Ronald Story
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map
 General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Atlases
| Atlases & Maps
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0195307488 |
Book Description
Looking for a better way to illustrate World War Two for your history students? Excerpted from Ronald Story's Concise Historical Atlas of World War Two, this full-color, poster-sized map vividly conveys a key military campaign--The Desert War--from 1940 through 1942.
Average customer rating:
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DILEMMAS OF THE DESERT WAR: The Libyan Campaign of 1940-1942
Lord Carver (Field Marshal)
Manufacturer: Spellmount Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Libya
| Africa
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
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General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
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General
| World War II
| Military
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General
| England
| Europe
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ASIN: 1862271534 |
Book Description
Having written acclaimed accounts of Tobruk and El Alamein, Field Marshal Lord Carver has used newly available first-hand historical resources - including the recently released war diaries and private papers of General Sir Neil Ritchie, the predecessor to Montgomery in command of the Eighth Army - to reassess the story of the British campaign in the North African desert. History shows that several key figures in these battles were wrongly criticised - Carver sets the record straight.
Average customer rating:
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North Africa 1940-1942, the Desert War: The Desert War.Australians at War. (Aust at War)
Peter Badman
Manufacturer: Time Life UK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Australia
| Australia & Oceania
| History
| Subjects
| Books
World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
| Asia
| Eastern Front
| Europe
| General
| Hiroshima & Nagasaki
| Home Front
| Intelligence Operations
| Iwo Jima
| Naval
| Normandy
| Pearl Harbor
| Personal Narratives
| Stalingrad
| Western Front
| Women
ASIN: 0949118192 |
Product Description
Learn about and identify birds using Stan Tekiela's state-by-state field guides. The full-page, color photos are incomparable and include insets of winter plumage, color morphs and more. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, you don't need to know a bird's name or classification in order to easily find it in the book. Using this field guide is a real pleasure. It's a great way for anyone to learn about the birds in your state.
Customer Reviews:
Bird of Alaska Field Guide - not a useful guide.......2006-07-29
My wife and I are amatuer birders and bought this book to help us identify birds during our two week trip to Alaska. The only positive thing I can say about the book is that the photos are of good quality. We found that it included only about half the birds we attempted to identify during our trip. The organization by bird color proved inefficient for field identification. After a few days, we only used the book to help confirm identifications we had made using other guide books (if the bird was actually in the Alaska Field Guide). We came to refer to it as the "worthless" book, as in "Let me take a look in the worthless book".
Birds of Alaska Field Guide.......2006-07-27
As an avid birder I should have known better than to order this book. Any Field Guide that is divided by color should be questioned. I found that very few of the birds that I saw in Alaska were even in this Field Guide, and it was of little help in identifying the new birds that I added to my life list.
Good enjoyable guide.......2006-06-19
I kept this guide handy during an 8-day trip to Alaska (Denali first, then the Kenai peninsula). Using the guide I was able to locate nearly every bird I saw, approx 20 birds total. The photos are very clear and the information helpful and lively. One flaw is the absence of a slot describing the "voice" of each bird. But Stan does mention songs and calls in many of his blurbs. I also would have appreciated a slot for "status" (i.e. common, rare, etc). But few guides provide that info. It's also strange to have the birds arranged by color rather than species groups. But the guide is aimed at amateurs.
The writing is lively and not overly scientific. It's refreshing to read the genial prose and the occasional touch of humor. Many popular guides (Sibley, Audubon) are too dry and clinical. Overall: very good book, and recommended for amateur to intermediate level bird fanciers. I checked out 3 different Alaska bird guides (I believe only 3 exist), and Stan Tekiela's is the best.
A Great Stocking Stuffer or Gift for anyone interested in Alaska Birds.......2006-06-05
This is a great little book (definitely pocket sized). Great images, good information, good design. Do be careful though, this is not an advanced field guide. If you are looking for a field guide to take on a serious Alaskan birdwatching trip, look at getting the Sibley's Western or National geographic.
The book would be good for a casual or novice bird watcher or feeder watcher. The book is organized by bird color which would make more sense to a novice when compared to the family organization found in other guides.
If nothing else, it would make a great gift. Any birdwatcher would appreciate the quality of the photos. Especially good for daydreaming about that once in a lifetime Alaskan Birding trip.
Book Description
Alaska Birds, An Introduction to Familiar Species, is a must-have, reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're on a nature hike or in your own backyard, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The Pocket Naturalist(tm) series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map highlighting prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability.
Customer Reviews:
Alaska Birds Field Guide.......2007-10-04
This is a decent field guide for quick reference. But there is only one example for each species and the birds are in their breeding plumage. Good if you are in Alaska during the spring time and only looking for one gender.
Alaska Birds.......2006-07-05
I have several of these for my class. Great for bird identification for kids!
Product Description
Illustrated with more than 450 photographs of birds, nests and nesting habitat, eggs, feathers, and wings of over 70 species, this easy-to-use book provides an efficient way to identify nests and eggs of birds on Alaska's coastal tundra. Its range includes the Alaska Peninsula, the Bering and Chukchi sea coasts, and east along the Arctic Coastal Plain past the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the Canadian border. The book is constructed with tough, waterproof paper which will hold up under rigorous use in the field. Written by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ornithologist with 15 years of experience in Alaska, this book is a valuable resource for biologists and naturalists, and a unique addition to any birder's personal library.
Average customer rating:
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Alaska Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist)
Waterford Press
Manufacturer: Waterford Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Alaska
| States
| United States
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Birds
| Field Guides
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1889903345 |
Book Description
The Pocket Naturalist card is a pocket-sized, folding card which provides simplified, easy-to-use reference to what everyone should know about familiar plants, animals, and natural history. Maps are included to highlight prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Every card is laminated so that it is waterproof and practical for use in the field. This card highlights over 100 of Alaska's most common breeding birds and familiar migrants.
Average customer rating:
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Guide to Alaska Seabirds
N. Stromsen , and
Nancy E. Stromsem
Manufacturer: Alaska Natural History Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Birds
| Field Guides
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0960287647 |
Customer Reviews:
Guide to the Birds of Alaska.......2007-10-04
This is a comprehensive guide to the birds that inhabit Alaska. I would like to see range and distibution maps of the birds and more than one or two pictures of a particular species.
Guide to the Birds of Alaska.......2007-01-18
Was an invaluable reference on my Alaska trip. The pictures are wonderful. Easy to use.
Loved having it.......2006-08-16
We've traveled to Alaska more than once, and both times enjoyed having this guide book along to help identify birds, especially those not seen in the lower 48 states.
From sooty shearwaters and bald eagles to horned and tufted puffins, one can find all sorts of sea and birds of prey here, as well as wood and grassland birds.
A wonderful source to carry along and help identify species one has previously never seen.
Guide to the Birds of Alaska.......2006-07-27
This guide help me to eliminate some of the birds that are not in Alaska. The pictures are not real clear, so it was difficult to use for identifying purposes. The script did suggest possible other bird that are similar, and was helpful it that way.
A truly beautiful book but not necessarily enough.......2005-08-15
Armstrong's book is filled with beautiful photographs and covers all the regular species that you will see in Alaska. It is a great introduction to the birds that inhabit the area. Every Alaskan birdwatcher should have a copy.
But, if you are a beginning birder, or new to the Northwest you might need a different field guide. Animals are illustrated with one, two, or three photographs. Unfortunately photographic guides are often deceiving in the field. I recommend you take another good field guide with you.
Each species has 90 to 100 words to cover field marks, similar species, voice and habitat. In some cases like the Black-Backed Woodpecker, only 56 words are used. The writing is great, but the scope of the book does not allow in-depth coverage of each species.
Range finding is limited to a chart with six rows for regions and four rows for seasons. In Alaska, six regions are equal to six average states in the lower forty eight and saying Common, Uncommon or Rare in a region doesn't help pinpoint the species much. A map would do better to give an idea of locations (at least pointing out a species as coastal, or centered on mountain ranges in a given area etc.)
I wouldn't talk anyone out of getting this book, it is beautiful and well written, but if you are planning a birding trip and need to find locations - try West's A Birders Guide to Alaska, and if you are unsure of your ability to indentify birds in Alaska, at least augment this book with the Sibley or National Geographic Guides. If you going to one of the shorebird festivals, definitely get a specialized guide like Paulson's Shorebird Guide.
Average customer rating:
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Birds in Alaska's south coastal environment: A workbook and field guide
James G King
Manufacturer: Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Non-Game Wildlife Program
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
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| Amphibians
| Anatomy
| Animal Behavior & Communication
| Animal Psychology
| General
| Genetics
| Ichthyology
| Invertebrates
| Mammals
| Ornithology
| Pathology & Parasitology
| Physiology
| Primatology
| Reptiles
| Research & Ethics
| Vertebrates
General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B00072ZZTC |
Average customer rating:
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Birds in Alaska: Workbook and field guide
James G King
Manufacturer: Alaska Sea Week Program, Alaska Sea Grant
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Nonfiction
| Birds
| Animals
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Zoology
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
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General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
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ASIN: B00073EW8Q |
Books:
- Western Civilization: Volume B: 1300 to 1815
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- World Civilizations: The Global Experience, Volume II (5th Edition) (MyHistoryLab Series)
- 21 Debated: Issues in World Politics, Second Edition
- A History of the County of Essex: Volume IX: The Borough of Colchester (Victoria County History)
- A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900
- A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
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