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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
As this is a book written by a German WW II army general, there is a lot about the tactical movement of forces -- and about how terrain (rivers, lakes, swamps, ravines, etc) may affect those tactics. Additionally, the location of rail hubs were sometimes mentioned since the railroads were necessary for the rapid transport of major German forces from one strategic area to another). In addition, since the Germany forces fought over large swaths of territory, innumerable cities, towns and villages near the areas of conflict were identified by name so that the reader could hopefully know roughly where the fighting being discussed was taking place. All of this means that, for the reader to be able to follow the ebb and flow of battle, MAPS ARE A MUST.
Did the Kindle have maps? There were 24 maps, but all were at the end of the book. Inconvenient.
Were the maps readable? Not on the Kindle.
Were the maps available in color online? No, so good luck distinguishing the Germans from their foe.
Could you follow the action without maps? Maybe, if you are proficient at playing chess blindfolded.
Indeed. as I was reading this book, I wished there was a map capability (in color, of course) similar to what many computer games have, with the ability to zoom in and out, and so allowing the reader to understand and appreciate the tactical and strategic situation.
Enough about formatting. What about the actual contents of the book? There was some interesting discussion on the lack of long range planning, the many missteps by Hitler, avoiding getting forces bogged down in street fighting (Stalingrad), literally planning offense and defense actions based on the muddy season, the variable quality of Germany’s allies’ armies, the inability to supply large forces by air transports alone …
Bottom line: Probably a great book for those few people who are very serious students of military history (and owners of a World Atlas). But I struggled to get through this book – especially with its totally inadequate maps.
Did the Kindle have maps? There were 24 maps, but all were at the end of the book. Inconvenient.
Were the maps readable? Not on the Kindle.
Were the maps available in color online? No, so good luck distinguishing the Germans from their foe.
Could you follow the action without maps? Maybe, if you are proficient at playing chess blindfolded.
Indeed. as I was reading this book, I wished there was a map capability (in color, of course) similar to what many computer games have, with the ability to zoom in and out, and so allowing the reader to understand and appreciate the tactical and strategic situation.
Enough about formatting. What about the actual contents of the book? There was some interesting discussion on the lack of long range planning, the many missteps by Hitler, avoiding getting forces bogged down in street fighting (Stalingrad), literally planning offense and defense actions based on the muddy season, the variable quality of Germany’s allies’ armies, the inability to supply large forces by air transports alone …
Bottom line: Probably a great book for those few people who are very serious students of military history (and owners of a World Atlas). But I struggled to get through this book – especially with its totally inadequate maps.
If Napoleon had Manstein as his publicist the French people would have never known that he had lost Waterloo which is not really a joke. Early reviews couldn’t praise it too highly, and it wound up earning the praise of influential strategists S.L.A. Marshall and B.H. Liddel Hart despite its obvious flaw: the Germans lost. It remained highly praised even after the truth became undeniable: Manstein was a war criminal. Even now it has preserved Manstein’s reputation as a strategist when he was a liar.
Hemingway might have called Mussolini the “Biggest Bluff in Europe” but if he’d have known about Manstein he might have reconsidered.
Hemingway might have called Mussolini the “Biggest Bluff in Europe” but if he’d have known about Manstein he might have reconsidered.
informative
reflective
slow-paced