The Rommel papers (Great commanders)

by Erwin Rommel

Hardcover, 1995

Collection

Publication

Collectors Reprints, Inc (1995), 545 pages

Description

An essential collection of the wartime writings and diary of World War II German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, edited with commentary by one of the great military theorists of our time When Erwin Rommel died-by forced suicide at Hitler's command-he left behind in various ingenious hiding places the papers that recorded the story of his dramatic career and the exact details of his masterly campaigns. It was his custom to dictate each evening a running narrative of the day's events and, after each battle, to summarize its course and the lessons to be learned from it. He wrote, almost daily, intimate and outspoken letters to his wife in which his private feelings and-after the tide had turned-forebodings found expression. To this is added by Rommel's son Manfred the story of the field marshall's last weeks and the final day when he was given the choice of an honorable suicide or an ignominious trial for treason. An engrossing human document and a rare look at the mind of the "Desert Fox," The Rommel Papers throws an interesting light on the Axis alliance and on the inner workings of Hitler's high command.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Wprecht
This book is a classic collection of Rommel’s notes and essays edited by BH Liddel-Hart. The book is a candid look at the day to day life of Erwin Rommel. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive the war and whole a single coherent treatment of his experiences. Therefore, the text presented is a
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compilation of the portions he did finish, letters home, commentary by the editor, comments by Rommel’s son, and essays by junior officers. This supplementary material fills in the gaps, corrects Rommel’s information and adds some perspective. Included in the book are maps that he drew during the campaigns, photos that he took, including some quite close to the action, and letters to his wife. While they are usually very brief, they do provide a unique window into the mind of this remarkable man and what sorts of things he considered important enough to include in letters to his wife. It’s important to keep in mind that book is an autobiographical essay, not researched history. What you are getting is pure Rommel. The numbers for British casualties are often a bit optimistic, German loses are generally fairly accurate though. Also, since this was written after the war from primary sources, if avoids any apologies or revisionist histories that are common in other books by former high-ranked German officers (e.g., Manstein).
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LibraryThing member sandbarjack
A nice look into the life of this outstanding tank commander. It is somewhat self-serving, but it is Rommel reporting on himself, so why not?
I especially enjoyed the insight into his campaigns in France and North Africa. Since he did not survive the war, the book is not tainted with apologetics
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for his service to Nazism.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
Liddell Hart was an armour theorist, and a close student of the WWII. His anthology contains interviews of family and staff members, and some sympathetic editing of the papers. An essential book for the student and preferable as a guide to the "Trail of the Fox" by David Irving.
LibraryThing member howzzit
Rommel's notes regarding his battles. Some letters to his wife. Additional information supplied by his son.
Impressive.
LibraryThing member expatscot
This is probably a necessary read for any serious student of military history, but one has to take care not to read it at face value.

Awards

Language

Original publication date

1953

Physical description

545 p.; 9.3 inches
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