A selection of the Military Book Club To many close students of World War II; von Manstein is already considered to be the greatest commander of the war; if not the entire 20th century. He devised the plan that conquered France in 1940; thence led an infantry corps in that campaign; at the head of a panzer corps he reached the gates of Leningrad in 1941; then took command of 11th Army and conquered Sevastopol and the Crimea. After destroying another Soviet army in the north; he was given command of the ad hoc Army Group Don to retrieve the German calamity at Stalingrad; whereupon he launched a counteroffensive that; against all odds; restored the German front. Afterward he commanded Army Group South; nearly crushing the Soviets at Kursk; and then skillfully resisted their relentless attacks; as he traded territory for coherence in the East. Though an undoubtedly brilliant military leader―whose achievements; considering the forces at his disposal; cast those of Patton; Rommel; MacArthur; and Montgomery in the pale―surprisingly little is known about Manstein himself; save for his own memoir and the accolades of his contemporaries. In this book we finally have a full portrait of the man; including his campaigns; and an analysis of what precisely kept a genius such as Manstein harnessed to such a dark cause. A great military figure; but a man who lacked a razor-sharp political sense; Manstein was very much representative of the Germano-Prussian military caste of his time. Though Hitler was uneasy about the influence he had gained throughout the German Army; Manstein ultimately declined to join any clandestine plots against his Führer; believing they would simply cause chaos; the one thing he abhorred. Even though he constantly opposed Hitler on operational details; he considered it a point of loyalty to simply stand with the German state; in whatever form. It is thus through Manstein foremost that the attitudes of other high-ranking officers who fought during the Second World War; particularly on the Eastern Front; can be illuminated. Manstein sought only to serve Germany and was a military man; not a politician. Though not bereft of personal opinions; his primary allegiances were; first; to Deutschland; and second; to the soldiers under his command; who had been committed against an enemy many times their strength. With his grasp of strategy; tactics; and combined arms technology; he proved more than worthy of their confidence. This book is a must-read for all those who wish to understand Germany’s primary effort in World War II; as well as its greatest commander.
#705230 in Books Savas Beatie 2010-03-15 2010-03-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.08 x 1.03 x 6.06l; 1.47 #File Name: 1932714847504 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. What was Dan Sickles?By John A. RyanThis book is a summary of the adult life of Dan Sickles. The book is a study of a very complex man. Was he a brilliant political operative; a decent hearted General who sincerely cared for his men; an opportunist who drained every person he could or a devil in a man's body? All this and more are contained in this book.Although Major General Dan Sickles has been presented as the reason the Union Army did not crush Lee; Longstreet and the Confederate forces massed in Gettysburg on July 2nd (the second day of three that made up the Battle of Gettysburg. The author provides plenty of plenty of evidence both ways explaining why the 3rd Corps; Sickles Corps was stretched too thinly to prevent a surprise attack by Longstreet and his Confederate Corps on the Unions left flank. It is an interesting study in which; I believe Sickles became the scapegoat because he was not a United States Military Academy graduate. He was a "amateur soldier".Dan Sickles certainly was no saint; in fact he was as crooked a politician as Tammany Hall politics produced but I do feel that when in command of soldiers in battle; he was the type of commander that men will follow. Did he make mistakes; yes but he seemed to correct them as best he could on to the fly.This book is a very involved study; I found myself confused at times with all of the conflicting data. For a student of a more in-depth look or especially for a student of Gettysburg; I believe this is a must read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A great book on a scoundrel indeedBy D.This is a great biographical sketch of a dastardly man. Hessler; in my opinion; remains unbiased as he presents the most unorthodox way that Dan Sickles rises in popularity in spite of murdering a man in cold blood. From professional politician to general and commander of the Third Corps; Sickles seemed destined to go against authority. Perhaps it was his victory over the courts that gave him the "invincibility" he might have felt. Whatever the case; here was a man who suffered a significant injury (loss of leg) on the field of battle; caused by the choosing of his corps' position. Even in the midst of suffering an amputation; he sought to further his own legacy; again told brilliantly by Hessler. Sickles' fantasy of how others viewed him played a major part in how he lived out the remainder of his life; with the biggest story being the war of words between himself and Meade. Hessler gives a significant portion of the last quarter of the book to the ongoing debate of whether Meade's orders were clear and Sickles deliberately disobeyed; or whether Meade's orders were confusing and Sickles translated them to his own benefit. Hessler dissects the issue and presents all major angles to this endless argument. Well worth the time to read this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good Read; but somewhat repetitious!By D'Ivanhoe"Sickles at Gettysburg" was a very interesting study by Hessler of an American villain. The author's account was a fair portrayal of this controversial character; Major-General Dan Sickles. However common themes of Sickles actions at Gettysburg are repeated ad nauseum. This includes his orders or lack of orders from Meade before and during the battle and Sickle's contention that his advance to the peach orchard salient forced the confederates to attack on the second day; therefore forcing Meade to stay and fight it out. Since Sickle's continued to fight the battle for 50 years after the fact; Hessler probably had to include his repeated rants at reunions and as Historicus in newspaper accounts. I enjoyed the book from the standpoint of learning valuable information about the infamous life of Sickles outside the realm of Gettysburg; including his family; politics; and scandals. I don't believe Hessler adds much to the volume of information by other authors about Sickles at Gettysburg. I do appreciate that Hessler does include some comparisons of Sickles at Gettysburg of some well known Gettysburg authors (Sears; Trudeau; Coddington; Tucker and Pfanz) on his actions at Gettysburg.
