Gregg > Recent Status Updates

Ah, oh my...the first chapter, dealing with the M.C. 200, was translated from the Italian, shall I say, poorly, very poorly.

I'm setting this one aside for the time being. While well researched, the publisher decided to print this hardbound book in a coffee table size format. So I find small print on a large page (8"x11" or 20.32 cm x 27.94 cm) with many typos and poor quality topographical maps difficult to decipher. The majority of photos seem to have been second hand copies Xerox'd from another poor source. I'll return to this title...

So far noted author D'Este has written an engaging story. The rest of the book, I hope, remains interesting until the end.

So far noted author D'Este has written an engaging story. The rest of the book, I hope, remains interesting until the end.

Meh, good subject but the writing is not up to the topic.

The author, John Masters, is a very funny writer. He has many tales that have me laughing out loud. One example being the colonel sitting on the 'thunderbox' having the tent blown away by the wind. The havildar of a platoon marching past orders 'Eyes right!' "The colonel, frozen by shame or laughter, did not return the salute."

After not having read any in-depth books on the battles of El Alamein, it is surprising to read how the 8th Army had gained much experience fighting Rommel's Panzerarmee Afrika but still failed to
practice the lessons learned in a coherent manner as of 27 July 1942.

Now, after the second "Battle of Alamein" (Monty's words) we see the Brits have really started to make the Eighth Army a true all arms force.

After not having read any in-depth books on the battles of El Alamein, it is surprising to read how the 8th Army had gained much experience fighting Rommel's Panzerarmee Afrika but still failed to
practice the lessons learned in a coherent manner as of 27 July 1942.