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greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
I have read all of Beevor’s wartime histories and have thoroughly enjoyed them every one. It is his skill as s writer that attracts. He turns what could be dry historical description into thriller-like prose. His account of the characters, the preparation and execution of ‘Market Garden’ is masterful.
He paints in ‘mini’ stories of those involved, individual cameos telling you about a squaddie who foresaw his death and was proved correct or a description of young Dutch kids risking their lives foraging for ammunition from dead soldiers to give to the hard pressed paratroops of the 101st Airborne trapped in the Oosterbeek Pocket. These are peppered all through the book and make the whole thing so very real.
He holds back no punches in describing the idiocy of fools like Montgomery, who has overall responsibility for the debacle, and his subordinates Browning and the strutting but useless martinet Thomas. Their conceit, ineptitude and personal ambition undoubtedly led to the deaths of many thousands of people both soldiers and civilians.
He is particularly moved by the vindictiveness shown by Browning and his cronies to Sosabowski, commander of the Polish troops, and their attempts to scapegoat him.
Overall a truly excellent book.
He paints in ‘mini’ stories of those involved, individual cameos telling you about a squaddie who foresaw his death and was proved correct or a description of young Dutch kids risking their lives foraging for ammunition from dead soldiers to give to the hard pressed paratroops of the 101st Airborne trapped in the Oosterbeek Pocket. These are peppered all through the book and make the whole thing so very real.
He holds back no punches in describing the idiocy of fools like Montgomery, who has overall responsibility for the debacle, and his subordinates Browning and the strutting but useless martinet Thomas. Their conceit, ineptitude and personal ambition undoubtedly led to the deaths of many thousands of people both soldiers and civilians.
He is particularly moved by the vindictiveness shown by Browning and his cronies to Sosabowski, commander of the Polish troops, and their attempts to scapegoat him.
Overall a truly excellent book.
adambecket's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant narrative telling of the disastrous Operation Market Garden.
megaslippers's review against another edition
Still on the military history kick. This time another Antony Beevor. Once again something I had a vague idea about but no details. Very good.
I’ve picked up another Beevor so expect that post in a few weeks.
puhnner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
michael_k's review against another edition
It comes as no surprise that Antony Beevor has written a great book again. A highly detailed account of the ill fated Operation Market Garden bringing to life the desperate struggle for the bridges. The author manages to give new insights to the various decisions and stages of the battle. Besides the gripping tale of the military operations the author doesn't fail to look into the human aspect of the battle. The little personal stories of combatants and civilians alike give a whole different dimension to Beevor's books, getting the reader close to the battle at a personal level.
I think this book it will be one of the great reference books about the battle in the years to come.
I think this book it will be one of the great reference books about the battle in the years to come.
anti_formalist12's review against another edition
3.0
It doesn’t leap off the page, but it is as comprehensive a history of Market-Garden as you are likely to find.
didactylos's review against another edition
5.0
Many words have been written about Market Garden, and I did wonder why another one. This gives u a view of things on the ground, the utter horror and does not gloss over it. Both sides get a fair hearing, and both sides come out with much unnecessary blood on their hands. What a mess, compounded by men with egos and vanity.
sleepyboi2988's review against another edition
5.0
Mr. Beevor is among one of my favorite historians. He does not disappoint here.