The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Montgomery

I liked this book very much. demonstrates a style of leadership and command that was certainly needed at that time and in that place. The right man, the right time and the right place. Can come across a bit like a self licking lollipop but he deserves all of the accolades

RECOMMENDED

Very interesting, highly personal memoirs of Montgomery, starting with his youth as son of the Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, his early education (distinguished more for sports than academics), training at Sandhurst, service in India (viewed rather negatively -- British officers seen as valuing hard drinking more than professionalism) , service in World War I (passed over rather briefly), interwar political issues (radical failure in his view to prepare for the next war), service in France before Dunkirk, command in Egypt with victories from el Alamein to Tunis, service in Sicily (hampered in his view by poor strategy), service in Normandy (ditto). service as British commander in the occupied zone in Germany, service as Chief of the show more Imperial General Staff and active negotiations for the creation of NAO as well as tour of Commonwealth countries, very negative view of Zionist terrorism in Palestine before partition, etc. Always outspoken, though sometimes visibly trying to downplay earlier controversies, notably with Eisenhower over the "broad front" approach to advancing through France to Germany. He is less sensitive in the main text of the book to the controversy over the condition of the British Army in Egypt at the time he took over, which he [portrays as very bad, though there is an added note at the beginning saying he accepts that Auchinleck had plans for moving to the offensive once the front had stabilized. show less

with Plates, Including Portraits, Maps and Facsimiles