World War II: Desert War

by Stephen W. Sears

The struggle for North Africa was unlike any other campaign of World War II. The desert proved a real test of generalship, pitting Germany's Erwin Rommel against Britain's Bernard Montgomery and America's George Patton. Here, from award-winning military historian Stephen W. Sears, is the dramatic story of the generals, politicians, and soldiers who changed the course of the war.

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

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Stephen Ward Sears is an American historian specializing in the American Civil War.

A graduate of Lakewood High School and Oberlin College, Sears attended a journalism seminar at Radcliffe-Harvard. As an author he has concentrated on the military history of the American Civil War, primarily the battles and leaders of the Army of the Potomac. He was employed as editor of the Educational Department at the American Heritage Publishing Company.

Sears resides in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Necessittee]

This is a good introduction into the African theatre during World War II. Short and easy to understand.

[KiplingKat]

This book is essentially a "The North African Theatre of WWII for Dummies" and as that, it is an excellent book. In 95 pages, it relates events and their impact in basic, clear terms. It's reads briskly, but never dryly. It manages to bring the larger figures, such as Rommel and Montgomery, to life (but then that desert was filled with a lot of larger-than-life characters, it would be hard not to) as well as include eyewitness accounts which keeps the human element and interest alive. I was unfamiliar with that theatre of WWII and I very much enjoyed the excellent overview this book gave me.

[neil fowler]

Excellent

I found this riveting, I have known a generalisation of the con flict, but not in so much detail. It has me thinking how close the fighting was. I doubt we would have been successful without the commonwealth forces.

[Robert Hart]

A fast read and good overview

Good overall look at the desert campaign. It skimpy on Operation Torch and the closing months when the Allies finally took all of Nort Africa back, but still an enjoyable read.

[George Polansky]

A short history of the Desert War.

[William C Ruediger]

More of an essay than a book. Good history of the Desert War in WWII. Fairly dry read.

[Mark A]

Interesting view off events that you do not hear

[Steve Scott]

A very brief but informative overview of the Allied North African campaign against the Germans. It’s been years since I read anything on the North African campaign, and this was a nice refresher.

[Erik Tolvstad]

It's a decent overview of the North African Campaign, but really like a long magazine article.

[Mark Green]

Concise but complete summary of the desert war and a turning point in WW2

[Donald Bullard]

This is a tested title.

My parents were impacted by the war. My father was a sailor, and mother waited for him. That means something. I've gone through WWII history and have been in awe. Years on it dims. I've gone over dozens of subjects off beat and mainstream. This volume handles the desert war plainly, but effectively. Sears knows his craft, and for everyone disappointed because of a lack of detail, someone should be pleased for the clarity. I know it's not for everyone, but sometimes a popular history is the best.

[Drpsychorat]

A good general description of the entire North African campaign.