The Long Range Desert Group 1940-45: Providence Their Guide

by David Lloyd Owen, John Hackett (Foreword), John Keegan (Introduction)

Book by Owen, David Lloyd, Lloyd Owen, D. L.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, World War II, Nonfiction, Military History

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 1980

Reviews

[Simon Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, not as good as I'd hoped it would be. The first part of the book covering the desert campaign is strangely sterile and remote, but it comes alive when the Group begins to operate in the Balkans after 1943.

[Wulf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Researching about the LRDG for my dissertation, i have read most books on them. I must say that this one, despite not being the most detailed on all their engagements at all times, was the most enjoyable. David Lloyd Owen's narration captivated me from the start, and i must disagree with the other reviewers as i found the desert parts the most thrilling, in fact. Highly recommend it, and Owen's poetic descriptions of the desert life and solitute was something i wasnt expecting.

[Peter Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite other reviews finding it dry, I really enjoyed the initial part of the book in the North African desert.
Once it moved to Albania and other theatres, it didn't grab me as much but still worth reading for historical context.
Owens comments on the initial forays of David Stirling's SAS are interesting after reading "Rouge Heroes"
Worth a read and written by the groups commanding officer for the latter half of the war so has authenticity.

[Stanley Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe someone wrote that the beginning of this book was sterile and it got better as the book went on, and I have to agree. The beginning really seemed to be at arms length, but eventually drew the reader in. Overall not a bad book, I have read plenty that were worse, but then again read plenty of works that were much better...