Erwin Rommel

Command #5

by Pier Paolo Battistelli

Nicknamed 'The Desert Fox' for his cunning command of the Afrika Korps, Erwin Rommel remains one of the most popular and studied of Germany's World War II commanders. He got his first taste of combat in World War I, where his daring command earned him the Blue Max, Germany's highest decoration for bravery. He followed this up with numerous successes early in World War II in both Europe and Africa, before facing his biggest challenge – organizing the defence of France. Implicated in the plot to kill Hitler, Rommel chose suicide over a public trial. This book looks at the life of this daring soldier, focusing on his style of command and the tactical decisions that earned him his fearsome reputation.

Genres: History, Biography, World War II, Nonfiction

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2006

About the author

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing books and essays on military history subjects.

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty fair assessment of Rommel's strengths and weaknesses as a commander. Likely his biggest weakness was he was hard to work with and a rather poor subordinate. The discussion of his part in the attempt to kill Hitler is interesting, in that he argues Rommel approved because it was his tendency to blame superiors for failures rather than any moral qualms. But this part is too brief, and the book's organization is odd, that being a dull narrative of operations followed by a similar narrative, only with analysis.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Osprey entry in the "Leadership, Strategy, Conflict" series. These are slim volumes, designed to provide a quick and dirty introduction to the subject. Here, the focus is Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox."

The book begins by giving us background on Rommel and his youth. He came from a family of modest means, which was something that apparently affected him over time (trying to deal with humble origins). The book describes his military preparation, his valuable service during World War I, his work in the inter-war period.

And then his heyday. . . . As commander of a Panzer division in the attack on France. Then, the leader of the Afrika Corps, where his success made his name. Finally, his effort at defending the Atlantic coast against an expected Allied invasion. Surely less successful than his time in Africa.

The book tells of his death, when he committed suicide as a result of his awareness of the plot against Adolf Hitler. The book ends with an assessment of his strengths and weaknesses.

A nice addition to this Osprey series. . . .

[Ming Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my view an excellent introduction in a man that became a military legend, very interesting book, a good place to start if you are interested in Erwin Rommel, and from this point you can go onto read other books about Erwin. I really enjoyed it, this book is like starting at the beginning of a story from which you can go out and read more. Well written, a really good book. I read this a few years ago, and I still remember the book very much, some books you read, you forget, this one I remembered.

[Sicofonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of the Osprey's "Command" series, this volume is neither authoritative nor comprehensive. Its main aim is to provide the reader an introduction to Rommel's achievements and explain why he is still a myth to this day.
The work is highly readable, well written and you will fly through it. On top of that, there's a good selection of pictures. At the end of the book a selected bibliography is included for those ones left wanting for more.

[Angel Cano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente

[Mihai Popîrda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely analysis of Rommel's career, the famous Desert Fox. Pairs well with Tim Moreman's Bernard Montgomery.

[Evren Atesalp · Rating 3 out of 5]

İçerik olarak tatmin edici ama biraz karışık düzende anlatılmış.
Fotoğraflar yanında oldukları sayfanın dönemine değil de başka zamanlara aitler birçok yerde. Destekleyici olmak yerine dikkat dağıtan bir durum yaratıyor öyle olunca.
Yine de bu formatı beğendim, serinin diğer kitaplarını da alacağım.

[Pandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short to be really useful, this is really a primer ... a good revision book for A-level history students. Sure, I learned a few things, especially how much the name of Rommel is legend, rather than being a balanced take on the man. But you won't get much more than sketches from this 70 book.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a bad book, but it is an unorganised . I didn’t really understand what was happening at some points. In spite of this it made a generally good presentation of Romero’s activity.

[Almantas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osprey Publishing Command publication.

[Jack Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Desert Fox

A good read focusing on Rommel's importance to Germany 's early war successes.
The lack of logistical shortcomings led to Germany 's defeat in North Africa.
JM

[Volkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

İsyankar ve başarılı bir Nazi subayı. Hayatı, başarıları yenilgileri ile okuması keyifli bir biyografi idi. 2.dunya savaşı konusunda alt temeliniz var ise daha keyifli olacaktır

[Vladimir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short and shallow

[Eric Molicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The attempt at a part biography focusing on strategy fails miserably on the strategic insights and takeaways part.

[Drpsychorat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read much better books by this author. I am very disappointed in his nitpicking and sloppy generalizations. However, it isn't a total loss- the photos & maps were good.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief, yet insightful intro to the enormous personality of probably the greatest WW2 army commander. I highly recommend it to all the history afficionados!