Rommel as Military Commander

This is a well written objective account of Rommel's ability as a commander and his tactics. The book starts with a short overview of Rommel's actions in World War I. Then takes us to his command of 7 Panzer in France and going right through the creation and command of the Africa Korps and the desert campaign. And continuing with his command at Normandy in 1944. Lewin uses as his notes the Rommel Papers edited by Liddel Hart to help make his case. The book shows us the sterling victories and defeats and what surrounded them. He does not seem to hide any facts from the reader. And gives us a truly balanced perspective of what really transpired. I was pleased to see that this first class analysis of Rommel's command abilities was presented with such honesty.

Within the first twenty pages I was struck by the quality of the prose used in this appraisal of Rommel, not surprisingly I discovered it was written over thirty years ago when people on both sides of the Atlantic still knew how to used the English language with the finess of a rapier, as opposed to the generalistic bludgeoning of a club. Lewin is precise and concise in his appraisal of Rommel's abilities as a commander, starting with 7 Panzer in France and going right through the desert to Normandy in 1944. He uses as his notes the Rommel Papers edited by Liddel Hart (another excellent source, this time edited in the 1950s)and I benefitted from reading the two in tandem. No punches are pulled, there is no favouritism towards any flag, but a truly first class analysis of Rommel's, along with his gifts and limitations as a commander. Lewin's honesty and lack of side make this a truly excellent book, lacking in any of the modern obsession with the necessity to produce something sensational or "revelational", concentrating more on a balanced presentation of the truth.