Alamein: The turning point of World War Two. Blood, guts and glory, a novel of men at war by Iain Gale (15-Apr-2010) Hardcover

by Iain Gale

Some battles change the course of Alamein is one of those. In October 1942, Britain and its allies were in real Germany and its Axis partners seemed to be triumphant everywhere. It was in North Africa that the stand was made, that the tide of World War II began to turn. Iain Gale tells this dramatic story through seven characters, revealing the flow of battle, the strategies, the individual actions and skirmishes, the fear, the determination, the extraordinary courage on both sides.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, World War II, Military Fiction, Historical

Unknown Binding

First published April 15, 2009

About the author

Iain Gale has always had a passion for military history. He is the Editor of the National Trust for Scotland magazine and Art critic for Scotland on Sunday. He lives outside Edinburgh with his wife and children. His first novel, Four Days in June, is a stand-alone military adventure set on the battlefields of Waterloo.

He is also the writer of eleven non-fiction books.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2010, and its a standalone book about the Battle of El Alamein in October 1942.

This tale is brought to us through the eyes of seven characters, almost all of them real people, from a major in the Scottish Brigade, a young Lieutenant in the thick of a tank battle, an Australian Sergeant with the Infantry, a tank Commander of the Panzer Division, and an Italian Commander of the Parachute Battalion, to name a few of them.

This famous WWII Battle will turn events in the North of Africa, through desert winds and sandstorms in favour of the British and its allies.

Its the Battle of Alamein, which will be fought between the famous German battle Commander, Rommel, against the new and untested British Commander, Montgomery, and this Battle will take eleven days before its decided in a British and its allies victory.

All in all this is a wonderful retelling of that famous Battle of El Alamein, brought to us by the author in a most captivating and fascinating fashion, and where we will see the flow of the battle, the strategies, the individual actions, the fear, the determination and the courage from both sides in a truly amazing picture.

Highly recommended, for this is a terrific standalone retelling about the Battle of Alamein, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Fantastic El Alamein Read"!

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alamein: The Turning Point of World War Two, Iain Gale. As title says a turning point in world war 2 another being Stalingrad anyway the characters were all real except the American red cross guys, kind of a fly on the wall kind of thing, Just a special part of history New Zealand won't forget because of our involment told in a way our grandfathers never would. Its harrowing, gritty close up action with white knuckled moments with sheer terror encounters. Told in a story format built up from memoirs, letters, interviews of the actual combatants from German, Italian, Britain, New Zealand and many others, as a standalone book deals in majority with the second battle of Alamein. Over 300,000 soldiers involved and after 2 weeks nearly 74000 were dead and wounded fought in a desert without any civilians it was just a true battle of soldiers against soldiers which was uncommon in world war two on this scale, and duration. Air power and mines played major roles and more than 1000 tanks destroyed, tanks were now relegated from queen of the battlefield down to bishop of the battlefield. Montgomery controversy latter in the war, but all that aside he knew that morale was the most important factor to win battles and nothing boosts morale more than seeing your sides aircraft and hear your artillery destroy the enemies positions.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

The borderline between fiction and nonfiction.

Iain Gale writes about real people in real events in a way that he makes it seem like fiction. It's more of a fictionalised biography, though there are small inconsistency within the story, compared to the real events, especially in equipment (there are better reviews there who cover this topic more thoroughly).

The characters were real people, yet their perspectives don't really blend well together... While the book is very easy to read and Gale provides enough context so that you don't necessarily have to know a lot of history to read and enjoy this, the writing style is the same throughout all perspectives, which are many, by the way. At the same time, Gale shows no variation in writing technique and tone. Everything is described exactly the same, which, on one hand forces the reader into a loop of the same events happening over and over again, and, on the other hand, makes for a very monotone reading experience. In a way, his choice makes sense, knowing the nature of war, yet its dynamism (and of storytelling as well) is overlooked. Since this is my first Iain Gale book, I can't really say whether or not this writing style choice was intentional.

Thus, from a writing style stand point, this is quite mediocre, I'd say.

Circling back to the characters, some are more developed than the others, depending on their role in the story, which makes perfect sense to me. No complaints.

Overall, it's an ok-ish book, though the begging, which is the prelude to the battle (first 70 or so pages at least, depending on the edition that you have), is VERY slow. I'd recommend it, in the ocean of WW2 books, simply because it focuses on a different front than the overly exploited (for obvious reasons – no critique intended) European battle ground.

[John Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gale’s writing is excellent, especially on two scores: He is a good storyteller and he has great knowledge of his subject. Beyond that, he manages to provide an insight into the mindset of the British commander, Bernard Law Montgomery (without the reader needing a degree in psychoanalysis) and the torn allegiances of the German opponent, Erwin Rommel (by then entering a conspiracy to depose Hitler). Beyond Rommel’s mental conflict – he was suffering what we would now most likely term PTSD – there was a logistical difficulty created by a guerilla campaign in Greece cutting rail lines that supplied essential armaments and fuel.

The book is an historic novel of eleven days that greatly turned the war in North Africa. El Alamein is just 250km north-west of Cairo; with it consolidated as a base, there was little to stop the German capture of the Egyptian capital and all that it meant to the war effort for both sides, especially access to Middle Eastern oilfields. Based on these real events, the story is told through a variety of eyes; five characters are true to life and one, pretty much a conglomerate, fictional.

As one who has read a lot on WW2, including campaigns through the Egyptian and Libyan deserts, I found Gale’s description of the differences between the two sides interesting and his work a good balance between the terror of war, the mind-numbing monotony of waiting, the convictions of his disparate characters and the sheer waste that is war.

I had only one minor disappointment with El Elamein. Gale is Anglo-Scottish and has written from that perspective. It seems a pity he doesn’t better highlight the crucial effort of the Australian 9th Division. At the end of the battle, Mountbatten went personally to Morshead, extending his gratitude for all the Australians did to win the day.

Other than that, I found it an excellent book and great reading.

[John Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fictional novel heavily based on the true story of the 2nd battle of El Alamein. The novel follows circa 6 point of view characters, one of them fictional, the rest of them very real people.

The accounts of the war, the waiting, the terror, senseless destruction and the differences between the two sides is very well done and gives great historical info for history buffs. Its a great way to get a good feel for one of the turning points of the second world war.

My only criticism is if read like a novel then there are many internal reflection moments that are almost chucked in so the author makes sure he ticks off motivations/reasons for certain actions. This happens in particular with General Montgomery who had a disconnect between Ego and ID and the author obviously felt like he needed to make sure this was clear to the reader.

These bits aside however it was a really great read. If history, war or even desert life is of interest to you then I recommend you read this book!

[Neil Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting and slow to get going but once it did did a good job of describing the subject in an almost fiction method. Enjoyed learning about this crucial time.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best historical fiction novels I've read yet - it follows very closely to actual events as they happened, merely fictionalising the unknown to portray events in a more gripping manner.

It covers 13 days, being the day before and the 12 days of the battle of El Alamein which is regarded as the turning point in world war 2 when Germany went from being on the offensive, to being on the defensive. It is the 12 days which caused the beginning of the collapse of Germany's Afrika Corps / Panzerarmee Afrika.

The book really portrays the sheer brutality and randomness of death during battle in a gritty and vivid manner. Well worth a look for someone looking to learn a bit more about history but struggles with non fiction, as well as those looking for a good war based novel.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
Really enjoyed reading this one. A well written, unbiased easy read.
Beginning sets the scene and introduces the characters then all hell breaks lose so to speak.
Pretty graphic scenes of battle and killing and I definitely did feel for the characters. Great novel based on fact.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lucid and even-handed fictionalised portrayal of one of the great turning point battles of World War Two. All the main combatants are vividly brought to life and it's welcoming to see the bravery of Italian troops recognised. A moving and telling insight into the chaos and horrors of combat.

[Chris Wray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok, and it captured something of the essence of the desert war, but none of the characters were developed enough to make it really memorable. This is more than just an action story, but it doesn't do enough to elevate it to the level of being a great, or even a very good, war novel.

[S Glenn Krochmal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exceedingly gory, but well written

[Derek Mcknight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Lots of gore but didn't develop any sympathy for the characters and the retelling of the battle was confusing and I have studied it in the past! Would not recommend.

[Druss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Well read and a good blend of fiction and fact.
Stirring stuff and worth a listen.

[Chris Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with a good use of fiction to demonstrate factual events avoiding the trap of dry recounting of facts like a tick list and the book is a sensible length. Definitely worth the read.

[Franco Forleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at its best.

[Rob Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - If you love World War II stuff this is the book for you.

Amazing recollection of events in the North African desert is brought to life. The story behind Rommel and Montgomery are fascinating and this books ventures into not just the strategic methods but the psyche of these men as well.

Taken from the various, eleven I think, viewpoints of the men who were stationed and fighting in this historical battle.

This one gets the thumbs up from me.

[Chas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Worth reading for sure. Especially for those, like me, who have no direct experience of war's bleaker side. Instant or prolonged death, by shrapnel, fire. Give up your life for your country, though they run you out of water and ammunition.
Honourable view from British, Italian, Kiwi, Aussie, and American (ambulance}.

[Mark Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good action scenes but too many characters to get a feel for any in a strong way it's a new character pretty much every character of the book. It has a German officer, an Italian officer, an American ambulance driver,Monty, Rommel and several different Australian and New Zealand soldiers too

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, an untaxing historical novel.

I was frustrated with the mention of 'smooth-bore rifles' in the the history of the Rifle Brigade, other than that, an enjoyable read.