Reviews

Inside the Nazi War Machine: How Three Generals Unleashed Hitler's Blitzkrieg Upon the World by Bevin Alexander

michael5000's review

2.0

This book would have been stronger without the introductory author interview that plays up how he, unlike all other military historians, talks about strategy and tactics. The actual text, however, reads very much like any other military history, and discusses strategy and tactics in roughly the same depth as they are discussed in any other history. A secondary annoyance is how perfectly Mr. Alexander knows what would have happened if things had been done differently, and how regularly he takes people to task because they didn't make the decision that he knows would have led to better results. Since the rest of us are not gifted with 20/20 counterfactual vision, his constant recourse to it feels a bit unsporting.

Also, the title doesn't have much to do with the price of tea in China. On the other hand, it's a very readable account of the German Western offensive of 1940. Not a bad read before you go out to watch Dunkirk, although Atonement would be better.

michaelavk's review

5.0

So many of the WWII narratives I've experienced (books, film, TV) have the Germans well established in Europe, or at most they summarize things. I loved getting a better sense of how and why they got there--from French military inadequacies to Hitler's lack of vision. This book gives a solid close-up look at the Battle of France with the chapter on Dunkirk taking on its climax. Something for everyone: plenty of weapons names and descriptions, strategy, people stories, etc. A valuable part of of my WWII book shelf.