I. S. O. Playfair (1894–1972)

We get to the first battle of El Alemain, and then stop. the eighth Army had a great many ups and downs, and this is a cycle, from operation Crusader through the battle of Gazala, to Alam al Halfa. This is the period of Rommel's growth in reputation and several switches in British Commanders.
The maps are excellent in the hardcover versions, and the approach also involves the Air Force and the Navy in the Mediterranean Theatre. The prose is literate, and even flows, on occasion. This series show more is one of the best military histories in English. show less

This volume, using combined Naval and Military accounts, covers the War from El Alamein to the Fall of Tunis in 1943. The book is very little concerned with the ordinary soldier, but is geared for the professional officer, who should have an idea of the reasons for the plans he's required to carry out. The maps are the world standard for military maps. The OoB's are thorough and try very hard to be consistent, succeeding often.