The Struggle for Europe (ISBN 1568525257)

A History Classic...But Some Flawed Conclusions...:
Chester Wilmot was uniquely qualified to write this exhaustive history. He was a war correspondent who made the jump on June 6, so in some ways his narrative of D-Day's opening is a memoir, a trained historian and an exhaustive researcher. This book occupied him for six years and even though it was published in 1952, it was and still is, a remarkably objective history of the war in Europe. First, the flaws. It's not complete. There's no account on the fall of France or Poland or Norway for that matter. It opens when the Germans have the BEF trapped in the channel ports in May 1940. But this is understandable. Wilmot's assertion that Hitler's letting the BEF get away sowed the the seeds for it's eventual return to the continent. Second, the Russian Front (which actually WON the war in Europe by the way) is dealt with only summarily and the Pacific is only discussed in terms of overall Grand Strategy. He also only mentions the war in the Mediterranean in passing. His Cold War conclusions were off as well, but this is said of course with hindsight. But considering when this was published (1952 originally), it's understandable for Wilmot for feeling that way. The strengths of this book is that if you want a first rate narrative of the whats, the hows and the whys on how the War in Western Europe was fought, then this is the book. Wilmot covers every possible aspect of the Western European campaign. From grand strategy, to desperate battles to blunders committed on both sides. American readers might be peeved the way Wilmot praises Montgomery and not enough flattering comments are given Eisenhower and Patton (though both do receive their share). Frankly, I think it's high time Monty gets some good recognition over here. You don't become a Field Marshal in any Army by being incompetent. He was a good general, maybe even a great one. He gave the British Army its first real victory over the Germans, something no other British general had yet to do. Wilmot also discusses the political machinations of both sides. The Allies were far superior to Hitler when it came to this. Also he discusses the economics of the war; something few if any military historians did at the time. Today, it's a common practice, but in 1952, it was a radical new approach. John Keegan's recommendation of this in his history of the Second World War got me to purchasing a copy. He still believes it's unsurpassed in many ways. I have to agree. I don't agree with everything Wilmot said, but I think that's what makes a good history book. You have points to debate and discuss. After all, history is always interpretive.

Should be called the struggle for Western Europe (-1 star):
I remember first reading this book was I was 13. Fantastic. I've read it numerous times. It never ceases to amaze The first third of the magnificent work deals with the rise of Adolf and the conquest of Western Europe. The remainder deals with the build up to overload, including Deippe landing. It is from June 6th that this book really shines and shows the war in the west in a farily fine-grained manner. Wilmot, being an Australian, was somewhat baised and favorable in his treatment of MOnty. This aside, he does present an impartial treatment of the war in the west. As he was actually there (I believe), he had access to primary sources that make this a highly valuable and valid work. He doesn't glorify war or the allied efforts and the closing remark about the cost of war and hoping it never happens again is quite good. Here is a cosnidered effort that is a 'serious' history, including allied failings and shortcomings, not revisionist or exaggerated. Thumbs up. Only complaint: The title is misleading.

My reasons why I like this book:
I first read this book in 1953. I was then only twenty years old and a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Of all the books about the second world war I read since, this work fulfil the thirst for knowledge I have regarding many aspects of that war, like logistic, war materiel production, and the effects of scientific discoveries on the outcome. The author writing is very fluid, not repetive in its description and straight forward. He doesnt hesitate to lay blames where due, and praises when warranted, neutral as he should be. I very much appreciate the battle situations maps, being in color they are easier to read and visualize the operation at hand. Appendix B: The High Commands is most useful when it comes to evaluate the reasons behind some of the crucial decisions that were taken. On the other hand, I find the author cursory writing about such momentous events as the North African and Italian campaings somewhat disconcerting, being much too short and lacking in depth, given the impact those campaings had on the german ressources. Seems obvious that the author was not prepared to go in more details, having probably not researched those two campaings to his satisfaction in order to elaborate further. One must remember, this book was first printed in 1952, not such a long time after the war. I am very pleased of my acquisition, and shall use it as yardstick in my further readings on the second world war. The book is in very good condition and was received on the date promised. I will be back.

A piecemeal look at World War II in Europe:
When I purchased this book I was searching for a comprehensive, though not intensively detail, account of the war in Europe (1939-1945). This book was not it. I did enjoy reading the book but it continually showed its age while I was making my way through it. As some reviewers have noted, it has many gaps. Particularly, the early German biltzkrieg in Poland and the low countries, as well as Norway. The North Africa campaign, Italy, as well as the Russian front were only intermittently discussed. A more appropriate title for the book would be the war on the western front (1941-1945). The another obvious point that came to mind while reading the book was that it definitely was dated. No discussions regarding Allied and German intelligence breakthroughs were mentioned. Some of the Allied deceptions to pin the 15th Army in the Pas de Calais was mentioned and how it help the Allies during the first month of the D day invasion. Overall, some interesting reading about the western Allies and a good account of the Allied war in the west from 1944-1945. If one is interested in a more completed look, and more modern account, of the european war, this is not it.

A fun read:
I've been slogging through it and appreciate Wimot's writing style and humor sprinkled throughout, although I'm sure I miss some of it because I'm not British. He does a good job of explaining what happened without getting bogged down in details like a Battle of the Bulge book I just read. If you're interested in WW2, get this book.