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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
I probably show unjustified ignorance by stating that before reading Beevor's "Arnhem" I knew next to nothing about the World War 2 operation Market Garden. This is despite the key role the operation played in the development of the Western front and a key reason the Germans subjugated the Dutch to the hunger winter of 1944-1945. Beevor provides a great blow-by-blow account of the battle, mixed with personal anecdotes so the reader does not lose track of the personal tragedies or gets too bogged down in the details. Unfortunately, the micro-focus on battle dynamics means that the broad picture of the battle and its implications for the war is lost for the majority of the text in the nitty-gritty details. A good summary chapter at the end of the novel would have helped put the whole text in perspective. The novel is also great at providing a balanced opinion of the activities and role of the Dutch resistance. If you are a World War 2 buff, or connected to the Netherlands in some way, "Arnhem" is right up your alley.
An incredibly well researched history of the battle of Arnhem, I don’t disagree with Beevor’s conclusions but I do think the structure of the book doesn’t lend itself to a new reader developing a solid understanding of the battle. Beevor frequently goes into deep details that, while interesting and accurate, can distract or confuse without constant cross referencing. This book should definitely be read with a map at hand, a list of military terms for the allied and axis forces, and with some understanding of the course of events of the battle. Fortunately, the book provides these, but it’s still not a smooth reading experience.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I loved Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin by Mr Beevor. That said, I felt like The Battle of Arnhem was somewhat disjointed and contained a dizzying flood of names, titles and locations. Don't know if it is necessary or helpful to write out "Obersturmbannfuhrer" when an English equivalent might do. Maps in the book don't seem to match what is being described in previous pages. Could just be me but it seemed like a rather confusing jumble. Organizational charts for each force might've helped as well.
There too many good reasons to give this book 5 stars.
I'd just pick up three:
- perfectly balanced narrative: we have both fighting sides speaking in full voice, with so many amazing quotes and stories;
- very special attention to the Dutch civilians - practically an equal third party of the whole story;
- and (I must say that) another justice - given so much too late - to Polish soldiers.
Respect, Mr. Beevor, sincere respect and gratitude.
Excellent, excellent book.
I'd just pick up three:
- perfectly balanced narrative: we have both fighting sides speaking in full voice, with so many amazing quotes and stories;
- very special attention to the Dutch civilians - practically an equal third party of the whole story;
- and (I must say that) another justice - given so much too late - to Polish soldiers.
Respect, Mr. Beevor, sincere respect and gratitude.
Excellent, excellent book.
medium-paced
Compared to his other superlative books, this one was weirdly difficult to slog through. Perhaps the essence of a constantly chaotic battle makes a single narrative hard to pin down, and the book suffers for it.
Not essential reading.
Not essential reading.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
I like Beevor and this is a solid blow by blow military history which takes on one of the more disastrous episodes of WWII. Montgomery and much of the British brass come out of it rightfully poorly with a plan that was doomed to fail from the outset.