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Σκοτώστε τον Ρόμελ
Φθινόπωρο 1942. Οι λεγεώνες του Χίτλερ σαρώνουν την Ευρώπη. Η Γαλλία έχει παραδοθεί. Ο Τσόρτσιλ και οι Άγγλοι είναι απομονωμένοι. Στη Βόρεια Αφρική, ο Ρόμελ και τα Πάντσερ του έχουν τρέψει σε φυγή τη βρετανική Όγδοη Στρατιά και ετοιμάζονται να καταλάβουν την Αίγυπτο, το Σουέζ και τις πετρελαιοπηγές της Μέσης Ανατολής. Κι ενώ η έκβαση του πολέμου είναι αμφίρροπη, οι Βρετανοί συλλαμβάνουν ένα απελπισμένο σχέδιο: στέλνουν μια μικρή, κινητή μονάδα με βαρύ οπλισμό πίσω από τις γερμανικές γραμμές, για να καταφέρει το χτύπημα που θα σταματούσε την προέλαση του Άφρικα Κορπς.
Ο συγγραφέας που ταύτισε το όνομά του με την εξιστόρηση των πολέμων της αρχαιότητας υπογράφει ένα βιβλίο με θέμα μια ιστορία του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου πολέμου βασισμένη στα αληθινά κατορθώματα της Long Range Desert Group (Ομάδα Ερήμου Μακράς Ακτίνας Δράσεως). Ο Στίβεν Πρέσσφιλντ αφηγείται με τρόπο μοναδικό τη διορατικότητα, την ευκινησία και την τόλμη αυτής της εκπληκτικής ιστορικής μονάδας κομάντο, περιγράφει λεπτομερώς τις τακτικές, τον οπλισμό και τις ειδικές ικανότητες που απαιτούνται για μάχη κάτω από τις ιδιαίτερα δύσκολες συνθήκες της ερήμου και, συνδυάζοντας την ιστορική ακρίβεια με τις συναρπαστικές σκηνές μάχης και με το ψυχογράφημα των ηρώων του, δημιουργεί μια ιστορία που καθηλώνει.
Ο συγγραφέας που ταύτισε το όνομά του με την εξιστόρηση των πολέμων της αρχαιότητας υπογράφει ένα βιβλίο με θέμα μια ιστορία του Β΄ Παγκοσμίου πολέμου βασισμένη στα αληθινά κατορθώματα της Long Range Desert Group (Ομάδα Ερήμου Μακράς Ακτίνας Δράσεως). Ο Στίβεν Πρέσσφιλντ αφηγείται με τρόπο μοναδικό τη διορατικότητα, την ευκινησία και την τόλμη αυτής της εκπληκτικής ιστορικής μονάδας κομάντο, περιγράφει λεπτομερώς τις τακτικές, τον οπλισμό και τις ειδικές ικανότητες που απαιτούνται για μάχη κάτω από τις ιδιαίτερα δύσκολες συνθήκες της ερήμου και, συνδυάζοντας την ιστορική ακρίβεια με τις συναρπαστικές σκηνές μάχης και με το ψυχογράφημα των ηρώων του, δημιουργεί μια ιστορία που καθηλώνει.
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2008
About the author
Steven Pressfield
79 books5,432 followersI was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1943 to a Navy father and mother.
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
December 24, 2021
Read this book in 2008, and its a standalone book about WWII in North Africa and a decisive battle.
This tale is set in the years AD 1942-1943, in North Africa with Field Marshall Rommel and his Afrika Corps.
Against Rommel the British are finding it hard to stop these Germans, their 8th already routed, and now in a desperate attempt they will try a new tactic.
With the war in the balance, the British will develop a plan to create a small force behind enemy lines, and that force will create a blow in Rommel's attack.
This force called the Long Range Desert Group will succeed in their endeavour to strike successful blows to Rommel's army, and their exploits will become known as stuff of legend.
This story is based on real events, and it is brought to us in a lifelike and warlike manner by the author, and where individuals and armies in this war of life and death are superbly pictured in their struggles and actions, and that all for the sake of freedom.
Highly recommended, for this is a fantastic book about the decisive setback of Rommel in North Africa, and that's why I like to call this masterpiece: "A Fabulous Killing Rommel"!
This tale is set in the years AD 1942-1943, in North Africa with Field Marshall Rommel and his Afrika Corps.
Against Rommel the British are finding it hard to stop these Germans, their 8th already routed, and now in a desperate attempt they will try a new tactic.
With the war in the balance, the British will develop a plan to create a small force behind enemy lines, and that force will create a blow in Rommel's attack.
This force called the Long Range Desert Group will succeed in their endeavour to strike successful blows to Rommel's army, and their exploits will become known as stuff of legend.
This story is based on real events, and it is brought to us in a lifelike and warlike manner by the author, and where individuals and armies in this war of life and death are superbly pictured in their struggles and actions, and that all for the sake of freedom.
Highly recommended, for this is a fantastic book about the decisive setback of Rommel in North Africa, and that's why I like to call this masterpiece: "A Fabulous Killing Rommel"!
May 21, 2021
6/10
Tres estrellas peladas.
Había un leído un par de cosas de Pressfield que me habían gustado, así que cuando vi está novela supuse que me encantaría. Autor consagrado y especializado en temas bélicos, un personaje histórico muy interesante y un escenario que daba mucho juego, pero lo cierto es que me costó muchísimo entrar en la historia.
Todo el tema de las patrullas por aquí, patrullas por allá, se me hizo muy largo, de hecho dejé la lectura en stand by y me puse con otra, lo que me sirvió para despejarme y disfrutar la segunda parte de la historia, sino se hubiera quedado en abandonado o 2 estrellas como mucho.
Con respecto a la historia, resumiré, en que nos cuenta la historia de un grupo especializado del ejercito cuya misión es intentar acabar con la vida de Rommel y así cortar la cabeza pensante del ejercito alemán. Este grupo pasa por multitud de peripecias y desventuras para intentar conseguir su objetivo. La historia está narrada en primera persona por un joven teniente de blindados, que acude como apoyo a la misión. Todo lo relacionado con la temática militar está a la altura de lo que esperaba, pero la narración no es fluida y la trama se vuelve repetitiva.
¿Recomendable? Bueno, si te gusta la temática de la segunda guerra mundial y la guerra de África, creo que el libro te puede entretener hasta cierto punto, siempre y cuando te amoldes al estilo narrativo.
Tres estrellas peladas.
Había un leído un par de cosas de Pressfield que me habían gustado, así que cuando vi está novela supuse que me encantaría. Autor consagrado y especializado en temas bélicos, un personaje histórico muy interesante y un escenario que daba mucho juego, pero lo cierto es que me costó muchísimo entrar en la historia.
Todo el tema de las patrullas por aquí, patrullas por allá, se me hizo muy largo, de hecho dejé la lectura en stand by y me puse con otra, lo que me sirvió para despejarme y disfrutar la segunda parte de la historia, sino se hubiera quedado en abandonado o 2 estrellas como mucho.
Con respecto a la historia, resumiré, en que nos cuenta la historia de un grupo especializado del ejercito cuya misión es intentar acabar con la vida de Rommel y así cortar la cabeza pensante del ejercito alemán. Este grupo pasa por multitud de peripecias y desventuras para intentar conseguir su objetivo. La historia está narrada en primera persona por un joven teniente de blindados, que acude como apoyo a la misión. Todo lo relacionado con la temática militar está a la altura de lo que esperaba, pero la narración no es fluida y la trama se vuelve repetitiva.
¿Recomendable? Bueno, si te gusta la temática de la segunda guerra mundial y la guerra de África, creo que el libro te puede entretener hasta cierto punto, siempre y cuando te amoldes al estilo narrativo.
June 25, 2008
Erwin Rommel, the legendary panzer general wreaked havok on the British Army in North Africa as he pressed his advance toward Palestine and the oil fields beyond. A special British unit was tasked with taking him out. This is the story of their attempt.
Pressfield, who also wrote Gates of Fire about the Battle of Thermopylae, works hard to keep the story interesting while trying to adhere to a realistic portrayal of war. War has been described as mainly periods of boredom occasionally punctuated by moments of sheer terror. The book is much like that, focusing on tedium, the constant vehicle breakdowns, the care taken to conserve petrol, soldiers' health problems, etc.
Pressfield, who also wrote Gates of Fire about the Battle of Thermopylae, works hard to keep the story interesting while trying to adhere to a realistic portrayal of war. War has been described as mainly periods of boredom occasionally punctuated by moments of sheer terror. The book is much like that, focusing on tedium, the constant vehicle breakdowns, the care taken to conserve petrol, soldiers' health problems, etc.
April 17, 2017
Very realistic fictionalized journal, April 16, 2017
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Killing Rommel: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
This is not an ordinary historical novel. Instead, it is a fictionalized journal/memoir of a WW2 British tank officer in North Africa who is seconded to the Long Range Desert Group on a mission to kill Rommel. In this journal format, Pressfield delivers an accurate account of tank warfare in the desert and the activities of the Long Range Desert Group, the SAS, and Popski's Private Army. All of the soldiers wriiten about are not British. South Africans and New Zealanders figure prominently on the allied side. On the Axis side, Italians as well as Gerrmans are featured. By writing a fictional memoir, Mr. Pressfield is able to deliver more excitement and suspense than if he had written a history and to deliver more history than if he had simply written a novel. Some readers will not like this book because it does not contain all of the elements expected in a novel. Those who enjoy reading military history will probably like the book. Some will even consider it to be great writing as Pressfield delivers a realistic, believable fictional journal. In this respect, Mr. Pressfield's book is similar to another fictional journal, A SAILOR OF AUSTRIA: (etc.) by John Biggins.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Killing Rommel: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
This is not an ordinary historical novel. Instead, it is a fictionalized journal/memoir of a WW2 British tank officer in North Africa who is seconded to the Long Range Desert Group on a mission to kill Rommel. In this journal format, Pressfield delivers an accurate account of tank warfare in the desert and the activities of the Long Range Desert Group, the SAS, and Popski's Private Army. All of the soldiers wriiten about are not British. South Africans and New Zealanders figure prominently on the allied side. On the Axis side, Italians as well as Gerrmans are featured. By writing a fictional memoir, Mr. Pressfield is able to deliver more excitement and suspense than if he had written a history and to deliver more history than if he had simply written a novel. Some readers will not like this book because it does not contain all of the elements expected in a novel. Those who enjoy reading military history will probably like the book. Some will even consider it to be great writing as Pressfield delivers a realistic, believable fictional journal. In this respect, Mr. Pressfield's book is similar to another fictional journal, A SAILOR OF AUSTRIA: (etc.) by John Biggins.
March 15, 2014
Non Vi Sed Arte -- Not by Strength, by Guile
is the motto of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). This original “special forces” unit fought in the North African desert against the Germans, Italians and the desert itself during WWII. If you like your historical fiction heavy on the history and light on the fiction, then Killing Rommel is for you. I give it 4 Stars but might bump it up later. I was not impressed at the start but the middle was excellent and it was sooo good at the end. From Pressfield’s intro:
What follows is a work of fiction, but its basis in reality is fact.
All details of the trucks and tanks are historically accurate, as are desert geography and place names, campaigns of the war and timing of battles, equipment, weapons, nomenclature and all wireless and operational protocols. All military units are real, with the exception of T3 Patrol and “the Regiment” of 22nd Armoured Brigade, which are fictional. Everything about Rommel’s history and death is true. All incidents concerning the reconnaissance and outfianking of the Mareth Line in late 1942-early 1943, excepting those involving T3 Patrol, actually happened.
Patrol designations and commanders of the Long Range Desert Group are historically true and their orders are as they were issued in fact. Where actual historical characters appear—Jake Easonsmith, Paddy Mayne, Nick Wilder, Ron Tinker, to cite the more prominent—all actions that they are said to perform before and after the central patrol are exactly as the real individuals performed them. Other characters are composites or inventions.
The story is written in the form of a memoir of a British tank officer (a lieutenant) temporarily attached to the LRDG for several missions, including finding and killing Rommel if they can. The tone of the story is one our Brit or Kiwi friends will likely find attractive/familiar? Here is our protagonist out on his first mission:
The old sweats get a chuckle, watching us new men find our legs. Punch grins across the fire and gestures in my direction.
“Now take Mr. Chapman here. Content as a clam he is, out in the Tall Sand! Ain’t you, sir, away from all that bumf back in the regular army—fatigues and drills, parades every time you turn round and always some lofty bugger jumping down your neck cause you got the wrong button or the seams of your drill shorts don’t match. I was with Second New Zealand in Operation Battleaxe before I got away to here, thank heaven. The desert was like bloody Piccadilly at rush hour—lorries and guns, tanks and carriers. Not out here! This is the life!” Punch gestures to the endless dunes and sky. “No officers—or only decent ones that know the score—and nothing to bother you except the odd scorpion in your boot or black-snake crawling up your arse in your sleep.”
There are several great maps at the beginning which you will reference throughout. The story gives you an outstanding picture of what is must have been like to go to war in the desert. No plan survives first contact with the enemy and half the times things go terribly awry. But what sets these soldiers apart is the drive to accomplish the mission. Also gives a good picture on the “Krieg ohne Hass”. At times ferocious fighting to survive and carry out the mission but also chivalry and honor between adversaries. Highly recommended.
Here is a site to learn more about the LRDG:
http://www.lrdg.org/
Here is a Pressfield video about the LRDG and fighting in the desert:
http://www.stevenpressfield.com/killi...
What follows is a work of fiction, but its basis in reality is fact.
All details of the trucks and tanks are historically accurate, as are desert geography and place names, campaigns of the war and timing of battles, equipment, weapons, nomenclature and all wireless and operational protocols. All military units are real, with the exception of T3 Patrol and “the Regiment” of 22nd Armoured Brigade, which are fictional. Everything about Rommel’s history and death is true. All incidents concerning the reconnaissance and outfianking of the Mareth Line in late 1942-early 1943, excepting those involving T3 Patrol, actually happened.
Patrol designations and commanders of the Long Range Desert Group are historically true and their orders are as they were issued in fact. Where actual historical characters appear—Jake Easonsmith, Paddy Mayne, Nick Wilder, Ron Tinker, to cite the more prominent—all actions that they are said to perform before and after the central patrol are exactly as the real individuals performed them. Other characters are composites or inventions.
The story is written in the form of a memoir of a British tank officer (a lieutenant) temporarily attached to the LRDG for several missions, including finding and killing Rommel if they can. The tone of the story is one our Brit or Kiwi friends will likely find attractive/familiar? Here is our protagonist out on his first mission:
The old sweats get a chuckle, watching us new men find our legs. Punch grins across the fire and gestures in my direction.
“Now take Mr. Chapman here. Content as a clam he is, out in the Tall Sand! Ain’t you, sir, away from all that bumf back in the regular army—fatigues and drills, parades every time you turn round and always some lofty bugger jumping down your neck cause you got the wrong button or the seams of your drill shorts don’t match. I was with Second New Zealand in Operation Battleaxe before I got away to here, thank heaven. The desert was like bloody Piccadilly at rush hour—lorries and guns, tanks and carriers. Not out here! This is the life!” Punch gestures to the endless dunes and sky. “No officers—or only decent ones that know the score—and nothing to bother you except the odd scorpion in your boot or black-snake crawling up your arse in your sleep.”
There are several great maps at the beginning which you will reference throughout. The story gives you an outstanding picture of what is must have been like to go to war in the desert. No plan survives first contact with the enemy and half the times things go terribly awry. But what sets these soldiers apart is the drive to accomplish the mission. Also gives a good picture on the “Krieg ohne Hass”. At times ferocious fighting to survive and carry out the mission but also chivalry and honor between adversaries. Highly recommended.
Here is a site to learn more about the LRDG:
http://www.lrdg.org/
Here is a Pressfield video about the LRDG and fighting in the desert:
http://www.stevenpressfield.com/killi...
June 7, 2017
Loved it! A ripping yarn indeed!
May 20, 2017
Το δεύτερο μέρος γίνεται πιο ενδιαφέρον από το πρώτο το οποίο έχει πολλές λεπτομέρειες και πληροφορίες για τα όπλα τα άρματα κλπ καθότι περιγράφονται οι κακουχίες της ερήμου ,υπάρχουν έντονες σκηνές δράσης και η περιπέτεια επικεντρώνεται σε λίγα άτομα.Όμως αυτά δεν αρκούν για να ξεπεραστεί η απλοϊκή ρεαλιστικη γραφή με απότομες και σύντομες προτάσεις προφανώς για να δημιουργήσει μια λαχανιασμενη ατμόσφαιρα.Δεν τα καταφέρνει όμως .Το ψυχογράφημα ειναι επιφανειακο,υπαρχει μια αγιοποιηση και τυφλός θαυμασμός προς τους κομάντος,προπαγάνδα υπέρ των Συμαχωνν και μεγαλοποιηση των γεγονωτων ,απο την στιγμη που ολοι ξερουμε οτι οι κυριες μαχες εγιναν στο ανατωλικο μετωπο και στην βορεια Αφρικη καποιες αψιμαχιες.Μπροστα δηλαδη σε Κουρσκ,Λενιγκραντ,Σταλιγκραντ η μαχη της Αγγλιας και του Ελ λαλαμειν γταν παιχνιδακι.Οσο απο φιλοσοφικη σκεψη?ΤΊΠΟΤΑ! Μετά τις πύλες της φωτιάς ο Πρεσφιλντ δεν έχει κάνει κάτι ισάξιο η να πλησιάζει κάπως.Ίσως τελικά είναι συγγραφέας ενός βιβλιου.Τώρα πραγματικά θέλω να διαβάσω κάτι πολύ σπουδαίο για να αποζημιωθω
February 22, 2023
Jos jedna dobra Presfildova knjiga. Sam pocetak ovog dela me je odusevio ali kako je radnja dalje tekla nisam osecao onu snagu koju poseduju njegove najbolje knjige - Plime Rata i Ognjena Kapija. Medjutim ova knjiga je daleko bolja od njegove najslabije egzekucije - Poslednja Amazonka. Jedna solidna cetvorka, pitka za citanje i sa istorijske strane dosta informativna.
December 17, 2022
Μια εξαιρετική ιστορία γύρω από τον -ίσως - σπουδαιότερο αξιωματικό των Γερμανών στον ΒΠΠ.
Όσοι σπουδάζουν τον Ρομμελ θα βρουν ιδιαίτερα σημαντικά στοιχεία ιστορίας σε τούτο το βιβλίο. Και μαζί με την ιστορία θα απολαύσουν μια συυναρπαστικη περιπέτεια από τον μετρ του είδους. Απολαυστικό!!!
Όσοι σπουδάζουν τον Ρομμελ θα βρουν ιδιαίτερα σημαντικά στοιχεία ιστορίας σε τούτο το βιβλίο. Και μαζί με την ιστορία θα απολαύσουν μια συυναρπαστικη περιπέτεια από τον μετρ του είδους. Απολαυστικό!!!
April 7, 2017
If you know your history, then you are aware that despite the title they don't actually kill Rommel during the North Africa campaign, unless Pressfield opts for a Tarantino revision of the history. Fortunately, he stays true to historical events, introducing a fictional element within the very real British Long Range Desert Group or LRDG. For Gates of Fire fans, if you are looking for an epic climax similar to what you find in his story of the 300, you may be disappointed. But if you would like a new insight into the North African campaign, one from the perspective of the men out front bearing the brunt of the risk and what the desert climate throws at them, and a story that meditates on the respect and love for one's fellow soldiers (even for a skilled enemy), then you will find much to appreciate. I also like that the book eschews the leading personalities of the war, following the men out on the front lines instead of dwelling in the camps of generals. I agree that the book begins slowly as it establishes the character of Chapman, from whose point of view the story is told. I found the conclusion satisfying as well, which produced the fifth star in my review.
August 24, 2010
Every bit as good and non-put-downable as Pressfield's Gates of Fire. Both intricately detailed and emotionally satisfying account of the allies improbable push-back victory against the forces of Erwin Rommel, the "Desert Fox."
The book follows the exploits of a Long Range Desert Group patrol in the vast North African deserts in 1942-3. The group is tasked with a seemingly-impossible mission: infiltrate behind German lines and kill Rommel. It turns into a nail-biting saga of survival, as these semi-autonomous desert rats time and again have to evade an ever-pressing enemy, not to mention the enemies of desert privation and mechanical breakdowns.
As with Gates of Fire, Killing Rommel celebrates the courage and heroism of the warrior, but also explores with philosophical depth the terror, madness--but also the extraordinary humanity--that takes place in war.
The book follows the exploits of a Long Range Desert Group patrol in the vast North African deserts in 1942-3. The group is tasked with a seemingly-impossible mission: infiltrate behind German lines and kill Rommel. It turns into a nail-biting saga of survival, as these semi-autonomous desert rats time and again have to evade an ever-pressing enemy, not to mention the enemies of desert privation and mechanical breakdowns.
As with Gates of Fire, Killing Rommel celebrates the courage and heroism of the warrior, but also explores with philosophical depth the terror, madness--but also the extraordinary humanity--that takes place in war.
June 10, 2008
Second novel in a row that I did not finish, after "Child 44." This one was well-written, but entirely too military-history for me. The only dialogue was of the "Right ho, there chap!" variety.
June 1, 2021
Γνωστός για τα ιστορικά του μυθιστορήματα (που συνήθως διαδραματίζονται στην Αρχαία Ελλάδα), αυτή τη φορά ο Pressfield μας μεταφέρει στην Αφρική κατά το 2ο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, όπου βλέπουμε τη μάχη του Ρόμελ με τους Συμμάχους. Το βιβλίο είναι εξαιρετικά καλογραμμένο, με πολλές διεξοδικές λεπτομέρειες για τις μάχες, και πλήθος αντιπολεμικών στοιχείων.
Παρόλο που ο 2ος Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος δεν είναι το στυλ μου, με κέρδισε!
Παρόλο που ο 2ος Παγκόσμιος Πόλεμος δεν είναι το στυλ μου, με κέρδισε!
December 26, 2023
2023 reread: I received my own copy of this book from my Book Club Sectet Santa and had to reread it immediately with pen and highlighter in hand. It was absolutely wonderful again. So very very very British. Beautiful, hard, and courageous. You get sucked into the story instantly and don't want to leave. What an adventure and what a softest at the end.
***
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. My brother has suggested it several times, and I've never read a Pressfield book I didn't like. Providentially, I read this after reading *The Rising Tide* and *Killing Patton*. The Rising Tide instilled in me both an understanding of the battlefield in Africa and a deep admiration for Rommel. Killing Patton only deepened my admiration.
For some reason, I simply assumed this book would be about Rommel's death. I was so wrong. This was the grandest adventure story I've read in ages. I was tense, exhilarated, laughing, and crying with this small group of British officers behind enemy lines.
The book tells you it's not about heroes, but about 60 pages in I was sobbing. It's filled with nothing but heroes.
It's honest, beautifully written, exhausting, and touching in the way it joins you to these men. Over and over they battle it out, only to drop everything to help the wounded of either side.
This is a coming of age story about a young man who learns to lead, thinks he's not a warrior, realizes he is, and then commits the bravest act of mercy redeeming his soul and the souls of his men from the atrocious of war.
I don't know what to do other than to buy my own copy and reread it.
Read this book. It may be my favorite book of 2023. Certainly is thus far.
***
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. My brother has suggested it several times, and I've never read a Pressfield book I didn't like. Providentially, I read this after reading *The Rising Tide* and *Killing Patton*. The Rising Tide instilled in me both an understanding of the battlefield in Africa and a deep admiration for Rommel. Killing Patton only deepened my admiration.
For some reason, I simply assumed this book would be about Rommel's death. I was so wrong. This was the grandest adventure story I've read in ages. I was tense, exhilarated, laughing, and crying with this small group of British officers behind enemy lines.
The book tells you it's not about heroes, but about 60 pages in I was sobbing. It's filled with nothing but heroes.
It's honest, beautifully written, exhausting, and touching in the way it joins you to these men. Over and over they battle it out, only to drop everything to help the wounded of either side.
This is a coming of age story about a young man who learns to lead, thinks he's not a warrior, realizes he is, and then commits the bravest act of mercy redeeming his soul and the souls of his men from the atrocious of war.
I don't know what to do other than to buy my own copy and reread it.
Read this book. It may be my favorite book of 2023. Certainly is thus far.
May 13, 2024
Possibly the most powerful book I’ve read! Heartbreaking, inspiring and a huge rollercoaster of emotion. Not many books bring tears to my eyes! The characters and stories in this book really really got to me in every way. I cannot imagine going through what the young men and women on both sides did.
Shows the human side to war in such a powerful way, not just showing the machines, weapons and battles but the human beings involved in them and how they got through.
WW2 is not normally a period I read in or about but I am so glad I picked this up, It certainly wont be alone for long in that area of my reading!
So good.
Shows the human side to war in such a powerful way, not just showing the machines, weapons and battles but the human beings involved in them and how they got through.
WW2 is not normally a period I read in or about but I am so glad I picked this up, It certainly wont be alone for long in that area of my reading!
So good.
December 18, 2021
Don't be put off by the sensational title, this is actually a gripping action story set in North Africa during the Second World War. It tells the story of a raid by the Long Range Desert Group. While the truck in which out hero travels is fictional, the LRDG figures and their exploits are all true. The hardware is well described, and the characters are finely drawn and described. For a book of almost constant action and adventure the ending [which I won't spoil for you] is surprisingly poignant and very touching.
A great book!
A great book!
August 8, 2022
Despite annoying me at the start by the way it was presented (a novel claiming to be non-fiction, from POV of an fiction editor who says he can't be bothered to follow his own advice to authors... yawn) he's a great storyteller and the events it's based on make for a great story so soon I was drawn in. I'm not sure it needed to be framed the way it was but hey, he's the bestseller so what do I know?
April 26, 2022
Questo è uno di quei libri che insieme alla “Bambina e il Nazista” ti frega. Ti frega perché l’autore è talmente bravo nel costruire espedienti e nel raccontare che hai la sensazione di stare leggendo una storia vera. Invece la solita avvertenza dei riferimenti a fatti, persone o cose puramente casuali ti annienta.
Naturalmente, Rommel, soprannominato la Volpe del Deserto, l’Afrika Korps, il Long Desert Group incaricato di scovarlo e ucciderlo, sono storia vera, i personaggi inglesi che si muovono sono fittizi.
La ricerca storica e militare è molto dettagliata (del resto, l’autore fa parte dei Marines), infatti ci sono parecchi riferimenti tecnici ad armi, carri armati, nomi di unità, battaglioni etc.
Nonostante questo e nonostante i pochi dialoghi, il romanzo è molto interessante e può coinvolgere tranquillamente anche chi non è appassionato di storia militare.
Come ho detto nel post precedente sulla citazione tratta da questo libro (https://www.facebook.com/uraniaexlibr... ), le situazioni che si vengono a creare sono pressoché le stesse che si possono riscontrare in qualsiasi romanzo di guerra. Non che ci siano grandi dinamiche a parte il cameratismo, feriti, morti, situazioni di estremo pericolo, la dissenteria e situazioni in cui bisogna scegliere tra l’onore e la vergogna della diserzione, tuttavia, la bravura di un autore che scrive un romanzo di guerra postumo sta proprio nel ricreare le stesse atmosfere che traspaiono dalle opere dei reduci e dalle loro personali memorie.
L’espediente usato dall’autore è lo stesso che usarono Walter Scott e Alessandro Manzoni nei loro romanzi storici. Pressfield finge di aver conosciuto il suo stesso protagonista e che dopo la sua morte avrebbe editato le sue personali memorie di guerra, appunto ciò che costituiscono la storia del romanzo. Un vezzo narrativo che non sorprende, data l’esperienza di Pressfield come sceneggiatore e che nonostante sia vecchio di duecento anni, rimane un trucco efficace.
È interessante in questo romanzo la figura di Rommel. Erwin Rommel è di fatto l’oggetto del desiderio del Long Desert Group, ma tuttavia, pur essendo presente nel romanzo come idea, obiettivo astratto, come chimera da inseguire, compare soltanto verso la fine come personaggio “in carne ed ossa” e il suo brevissimo intervento e le sue poche parole saranno fondamentali per la risoluzione della trama e per i nostri protagonisti.
Rommel rappresenta per il Long Desert Group ciò che Moby Dick rappresenta per Achab, una chimera, un’ossessione da inseguire. Non è un personaggio principale, la sua presenza è del tutto marginale e principalmente affidata a voci, ricordi, dicerie, analisi militari, eppure la Volpe del Deserto è una figura molto concreta e tangibile per il lettore che avverte la sua esistenza senza per questo vederlo comparire necessariamente. Ed è questa la straordinarietà del romanzo.
La sua figura è filtrata in tutto il libro dai nemici, appunto gli inglesi che combattevano contro di lui in Nord Africa e dulcis in fundo, il romanzo è scritto da un americano, comunque una nazione avversa alla Germania nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Nonostante questo, la figura di Rommel ne esce come quella di un autentico eroe. La Volpe del Deserto viene rispettata e ammirata dai suoi stessi nemici per la sua estrema correttezza, la sua capacità di sfuggire agli agguati, alla sua lungimiranza e al suo modo di condurre le azioni militari. Per citare i generali che illustrarono la missione ai nostri protagonisti: “Quindi non lo si può nemmeno odiare questo stronzo!”
Rommel è una figura positiva nel romanzo, cosa che fa quasi dubitare della storicità della sua biografia. Eppure, anche solo con una breve ricerca si può riscontrare che Pressfield non si è inventato nulla su di lui. Rommel pare essere davvero un militare che è possibile rispettare e stimare pur appartenendo alla “schiera nemica”.
La sua vita è costellata da una certa autonomia di iniziativa e decisionale che mal si conciliavano con quell’apparato gerarchico e ordinato che era il nazismo. Eppure, Rommel era un elemento prezioso e pur seguendo una ideologia tutta sua (del resto, si era formato sotto l’esercito prussiano) non gli impedì di condurre una carriera più che onorevole anche sotto la Germania di Hitler. Fu impegnato su più fronti, partecipò alle due guerre mondiali e condusse le campagne militari rispondendo esclusivamente al codice d’onore di guerra, più che agli ordini impartiti dall’alto, dimostrando però di avere ragione in più di un’occasione.
Non era ben visto dall’entourage di Hitler, nonostante non fosse né contrario al nazismo, tantomeno una figura sovversiva. Eppure non fece mai parte del partito ufficialmente, semplicemente era un militare e di quello si occupava, del resto, la politica a suo dire era la prima responsabile del fallimento di certe azioni militari. Insomma, Rommel era un soldato a cui piaceva fare la guerra come voleva lui e nel modo che intendeva lui.
E probabilmente fu quello che spinse alcuni gerarchi nazisti ad accusarlo di avere legami con i congiurati dell’attentato (fallito) a Hitler del luglio del 1944. Come finisce la vita di Rommel? Lo scoprirete nel romanzo, ma finì esattamente come era stata la sua vita: coerente con i suoi principi e con un atto di estremo coraggio e altruismo.
La sua figura nella Storia (quella vera) dall’inizio alla fine resta poco chiara, una figura borderline che è impossibile incasellare con certezza. Sebbene il romanzo sia un romanzo, forse un fondo di verità c’è e non è un caso se nell’unica scena in cui egli compare, lo vediamo compiere un atto di magnanimità e riconoscenza verso il nemico.
Sicuramente, dopo questo romanzo è necessario affidarsi alla saggistica e alle opere di Rommel stesso per vederci chiaro sulla sua figura, anche se nemmeno gli storici sono riusciti a cavar fuori un fil rouge nelle sue gesta. Rommel rimane una figura estremamente ambivalente, estranea a molte cose, ma coinvolta in altre. Fedele de nomine al Führer e alla causa nazista, ma distante da molte cose che rappresentavano il nazismo de facto.
Come giudicare dunque Rommel nel tribunale della Storia? Una mosca bianca? Un uomo tutto d’un pezzo e poco incline a farsi trascinare in ideologie esaltate? Un militare che semplicemente eseguiva gli ordini non importa da dove o da chi venissero? Un mero esecutore esente dal pensare? Un nazista “moderato”, ammesso che Rommel possa definirsi nazista e che un nazista possa definirsi moderato? Un uomo super partes che poteva permettersi di non dichiararsi appartenente al partito e rimanere nell’esercito facendo carriera e passandola liscia?
Non esistono risposte, solo interpretazioni supportate da argomentazioni, quel che è certo è che urge documentarsi tramite saggi oggettivi e quantomeno leggere le opere di Rommel per capire la psiche del personaggio.
Il grande merito di questo romanzo infatti è quello di suscitare curiosità su una figura che resta molto marginale rispetto ai protagonisti della Storia del Ventesimo Secolo, ma che ugualmente ebbe un peso non indifferente.
Un buon romanzo strutturato a regola d’arte, da leggere, ma da prendere con le pinze per quanto riguarda la lettura della figura di Rommel.
Naturalmente, Rommel, soprannominato la Volpe del Deserto, l’Afrika Korps, il Long Desert Group incaricato di scovarlo e ucciderlo, sono storia vera, i personaggi inglesi che si muovono sono fittizi.
La ricerca storica e militare è molto dettagliata (del resto, l’autore fa parte dei Marines), infatti ci sono parecchi riferimenti tecnici ad armi, carri armati, nomi di unità, battaglioni etc.
Nonostante questo e nonostante i pochi dialoghi, il romanzo è molto interessante e può coinvolgere tranquillamente anche chi non è appassionato di storia militare.
Come ho detto nel post precedente sulla citazione tratta da questo libro (https://www.facebook.com/uraniaexlibr... ), le situazioni che si vengono a creare sono pressoché le stesse che si possono riscontrare in qualsiasi romanzo di guerra. Non che ci siano grandi dinamiche a parte il cameratismo, feriti, morti, situazioni di estremo pericolo, la dissenteria e situazioni in cui bisogna scegliere tra l’onore e la vergogna della diserzione, tuttavia, la bravura di un autore che scrive un romanzo di guerra postumo sta proprio nel ricreare le stesse atmosfere che traspaiono dalle opere dei reduci e dalle loro personali memorie.
L’espediente usato dall’autore è lo stesso che usarono Walter Scott e Alessandro Manzoni nei loro romanzi storici. Pressfield finge di aver conosciuto il suo stesso protagonista e che dopo la sua morte avrebbe editato le sue personali memorie di guerra, appunto ciò che costituiscono la storia del romanzo. Un vezzo narrativo che non sorprende, data l’esperienza di Pressfield come sceneggiatore e che nonostante sia vecchio di duecento anni, rimane un trucco efficace.
È interessante in questo romanzo la figura di Rommel. Erwin Rommel è di fatto l’oggetto del desiderio del Long Desert Group, ma tuttavia, pur essendo presente nel romanzo come idea, obiettivo astratto, come chimera da inseguire, compare soltanto verso la fine come personaggio “in carne ed ossa” e il suo brevissimo intervento e le sue poche parole saranno fondamentali per la risoluzione della trama e per i nostri protagonisti.
Rommel rappresenta per il Long Desert Group ciò che Moby Dick rappresenta per Achab, una chimera, un’ossessione da inseguire. Non è un personaggio principale, la sua presenza è del tutto marginale e principalmente affidata a voci, ricordi, dicerie, analisi militari, eppure la Volpe del Deserto è una figura molto concreta e tangibile per il lettore che avverte la sua esistenza senza per questo vederlo comparire necessariamente. Ed è questa la straordinarietà del romanzo.
La sua figura è filtrata in tutto il libro dai nemici, appunto gli inglesi che combattevano contro di lui in Nord Africa e dulcis in fundo, il romanzo è scritto da un americano, comunque una nazione avversa alla Germania nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Nonostante questo, la figura di Rommel ne esce come quella di un autentico eroe. La Volpe del Deserto viene rispettata e ammirata dai suoi stessi nemici per la sua estrema correttezza, la sua capacità di sfuggire agli agguati, alla sua lungimiranza e al suo modo di condurre le azioni militari. Per citare i generali che illustrarono la missione ai nostri protagonisti: “Quindi non lo si può nemmeno odiare questo stronzo!”
Rommel è una figura positiva nel romanzo, cosa che fa quasi dubitare della storicità della sua biografia. Eppure, anche solo con una breve ricerca si può riscontrare che Pressfield non si è inventato nulla su di lui. Rommel pare essere davvero un militare che è possibile rispettare e stimare pur appartenendo alla “schiera nemica”.
La sua vita è costellata da una certa autonomia di iniziativa e decisionale che mal si conciliavano con quell’apparato gerarchico e ordinato che era il nazismo. Eppure, Rommel era un elemento prezioso e pur seguendo una ideologia tutta sua (del resto, si era formato sotto l’esercito prussiano) non gli impedì di condurre una carriera più che onorevole anche sotto la Germania di Hitler. Fu impegnato su più fronti, partecipò alle due guerre mondiali e condusse le campagne militari rispondendo esclusivamente al codice d’onore di guerra, più che agli ordini impartiti dall’alto, dimostrando però di avere ragione in più di un’occasione.
Non era ben visto dall’entourage di Hitler, nonostante non fosse né contrario al nazismo, tantomeno una figura sovversiva. Eppure non fece mai parte del partito ufficialmente, semplicemente era un militare e di quello si occupava, del resto, la politica a suo dire era la prima responsabile del fallimento di certe azioni militari. Insomma, Rommel era un soldato a cui piaceva fare la guerra come voleva lui e nel modo che intendeva lui.
E probabilmente fu quello che spinse alcuni gerarchi nazisti ad accusarlo di avere legami con i congiurati dell’attentato (fallito) a Hitler del luglio del 1944. Come finisce la vita di Rommel? Lo scoprirete nel romanzo, ma finì esattamente come era stata la sua vita: coerente con i suoi principi e con un atto di estremo coraggio e altruismo.
La sua figura nella Storia (quella vera) dall’inizio alla fine resta poco chiara, una figura borderline che è impossibile incasellare con certezza. Sebbene il romanzo sia un romanzo, forse un fondo di verità c’è e non è un caso se nell’unica scena in cui egli compare, lo vediamo compiere un atto di magnanimità e riconoscenza verso il nemico.
Sicuramente, dopo questo romanzo è necessario affidarsi alla saggistica e alle opere di Rommel stesso per vederci chiaro sulla sua figura, anche se nemmeno gli storici sono riusciti a cavar fuori un fil rouge nelle sue gesta. Rommel rimane una figura estremamente ambivalente, estranea a molte cose, ma coinvolta in altre. Fedele de nomine al Führer e alla causa nazista, ma distante da molte cose che rappresentavano il nazismo de facto.
Come giudicare dunque Rommel nel tribunale della Storia? Una mosca bianca? Un uomo tutto d’un pezzo e poco incline a farsi trascinare in ideologie esaltate? Un militare che semplicemente eseguiva gli ordini non importa da dove o da chi venissero? Un mero esecutore esente dal pensare? Un nazista “moderato”, ammesso che Rommel possa definirsi nazista e che un nazista possa definirsi moderato? Un uomo super partes che poteva permettersi di non dichiararsi appartenente al partito e rimanere nell’esercito facendo carriera e passandola liscia?
Non esistono risposte, solo interpretazioni supportate da argomentazioni, quel che è certo è che urge documentarsi tramite saggi oggettivi e quantomeno leggere le opere di Rommel per capire la psiche del personaggio.
Il grande merito di questo romanzo infatti è quello di suscitare curiosità su una figura che resta molto marginale rispetto ai protagonisti della Storia del Ventesimo Secolo, ma che ugualmente ebbe un peso non indifferente.
Un buon romanzo strutturato a regola d’arte, da leggere, ma da prendere con le pinze per quanto riguarda la lettura della figura di Rommel.
Read
February 5, 2009Moving away from the ancient world and into the 20th century seems to have served Steven Pressfield quite well. Many readers may be unfamiliar with the Long Range Desert Group (popularized in the 1960s TV series The Rat Patrol), but this powerful, thoroughly researched novel should change that. Pressfield creates the same edge-of-your-seat drama, remarkable battle scenes, and strong characters that populate his acclaimed novels of ancient warfare. Chapman contemplates war as he learns to fight and lead amid carnage; Rommel's spirit threatens like a dark cloud over the entire story; and the ruthless desert emerges as its own character. The reviewer at Armchair General sums it up: "Reading Killing Rommel is the closest thing to actually participating in one of these daring WWII raids in the trackless desert of North Africa that any of us today will ever get."
This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine.
April 4, 2008
I got an advanced copy of this and tore through it last weekend. It was a memoir style account of desert warfare in world war 2, and a fascinating and realistic account of what it was like. A little heavier on logistics (names/places/etc) in a few places than I would have liked, but that did make it seem very real.
I loved the descriptions of Rommel's tank tactics: "tied in forces will hold and forces in the air will run". It was also interesting to note that most of the special ops were doing recon - which today would be done via satellites.
My generation has never lived through a world war, and reading this really brought to light the fact that a war of that magnitude really changes a society. Everyone fights from famous rugby stars to oxford scholars to high school teachers. The only take-away is that war is fucked up and I hope we never have to do it again. But if we go by history...
I loved the descriptions of Rommel's tank tactics: "tied in forces will hold and forces in the air will run". It was also interesting to note that most of the special ops were doing recon - which today would be done via satellites.
My generation has never lived through a world war, and reading this really brought to light the fact that a war of that magnitude really changes a society. Everyone fights from famous rugby stars to oxford scholars to high school teachers. The only take-away is that war is fucked up and I hope we never have to do it again. But if we go by history...
September 6, 2015
Initially I was a little uncertain about "Killing Rommel"; it read like something written in the postwar 50s... it felt dated. The language was quaint and the characters a little too public-school British as though just come down off the cinema screen during a showing of "Brief Encounter" or "In Which We Serve". I was brought round by the thrill of travelling behind enemy lines in the harsh environment of the North African desert. This was the real hero of the book, that (cliche) unforgiving, uncaring waterless landscape where any minor delay brings about hours of struggle and desperation, made more dangerous by the pursuit of the seemingly superior Afrika Korps.
March 14, 2020
An enjoyable story from WW2 in North Africa, of which previously I have read little.
However, it's not all military jargon and unit names. There are personal stories from the author and his civilian acquaintances that soften the war gyrations.
The importance of the campaign maps to keep track of the action and the North African names can't be understated.
However, it's not all military jargon and unit names. There are personal stories from the author and his civilian acquaintances that soften the war gyrations.
The importance of the campaign maps to keep track of the action and the North African names can't be understated.
November 22, 2020
I wanted to like it more than I did. Perhaps I was distracted and not processing as clearly as normal but found myself lost among the characters. Names with no faces limited my emotional attachment to the story.
The author though did a great job capturing the ocean-like experience of fighting in the desert and the courage of LRDG.
The author though did a great job capturing the ocean-like experience of fighting in the desert and the courage of LRDG.
November 1, 2021
Historical fiction One British officer's story as part of a special forces unit in North Africa during WWII.
December 13, 2016
Za razliku od sjajnih Ognjenih kapija, jedne od najboljih knjiga o ratu koje sam čitao, Pressfield ovde ne uspeva da zadrži pažnju na jednak način.
Obožavam i istorijsku fikciju, kao i knjige o istoriji. Ove prve treba da temelje na istinitim događajima i licima, ali da a) pričaju sjajnu priču ili b) budu vrhunac literature. Pressfieldove Ognjene kapije ili Harrisova trilogija o Ciceru su odličan primer vrhunske istorijske fikcije.
Istorijske knjige treba naravno da imaju činjenice na mestu, ali da znaju da ih međusobno povežu, i da ih prenesu na interesantan način. Anthony Beevor je, na primer, neko ko zna da prenosi istoriju onako kako je volim i čije knjige gutam.
Lov na Romela nije ništa od ovoga. Ispričan je faktografski, poput prosečne istorijske knjige, ali sa izmišljenim glavnim likovima i bez ikakve literarne vrednosti (otprilike na nivou fraze "zaprepašćenje je isisalo sav vazduh iz sobe"). Ne samo to, već je i priča o neuspeloj misiji lova na Pustinjsku lisicu neinteresantna.
Preskočiti i umesto toga još jednom pročitati Kapije...
Obožavam i istorijsku fikciju, kao i knjige o istoriji. Ove prve treba da temelje na istinitim događajima i licima, ali da a) pričaju sjajnu priču ili b) budu vrhunac literature. Pressfieldove Ognjene kapije ili Harrisova trilogija o Ciceru su odličan primer vrhunske istorijske fikcije.
Istorijske knjige treba naravno da imaju činjenice na mestu, ali da znaju da ih međusobno povežu, i da ih prenesu na interesantan način. Anthony Beevor je, na primer, neko ko zna da prenosi istoriju onako kako je volim i čije knjige gutam.
Lov na Romela nije ništa od ovoga. Ispričan je faktografski, poput prosečne istorijske knjige, ali sa izmišljenim glavnim likovima i bez ikakve literarne vrednosti (otprilike na nivou fraze "zaprepašćenje je isisalo sav vazduh iz sobe"). Ne samo to, već je i priča o neuspeloj misiji lova na Pustinjsku lisicu neinteresantna.
Preskočiti i umesto toga još jednom pročitati Kapije...
March 20, 2017
For me personally, this book is exactly what I like to read for personal enjoyment. I say this for several reasons. First, it is not just a novel, Killing Rommel is indeed a work of fiction but the battles, locations, and key characters are all historically accurate. Second, the author's writing style and handling of the events covered makes for a gripping story that keeps the reader turning pages. Finally, I love a book that is entertaining but still teaches me something I didn't know about history. This one will give a general overview of the North African campaign with a special emphasis on the activities of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). I found the story both moving and educational. Definitely recommend for any WWII buffs who appreciate a well written piece of historical fiction.
August 6, 2009
Pressfield writes novels based on historical events, such as the very popular Gates of Fire. In this book we follow a young Englishman's exploits in North Africa at the beginning of WWII. Although trained as a tank commander he finagles a slot with a long range recon time, Desert Rat style, on a raid to kill Rommel. Needless to say, this fails but the story is action packed and well written. Pressfield tries to explain the horror and the attraction of war to certain men through this narrative. Overall this fascinating story, and I certainly found it a fun and fast read.
November 14, 2018
Not sure why the author keeps on about panzers running on diesel. All german tanks in ww2, particularly the panzer IIIs and IVs ran on petrol/gasoline. Also the mention of panzerfaust usage in North Africa is incongruous as North African campaign was over (may, 1943) by time panzerfaust was introduced in august 1943. Sloppy research at times.
Some good bits, especially the end, but there's a lot of filler too.
Some good bits, especially the end, but there's a lot of filler too.
October 25, 2015
Excellent book. A little difficult to follow all the names and terms in the beginning but it falls together nicely. An extreme tear jerker in the end. In a good way. This is not a spoiler. Loved the book.
I also read the Book mentioned in this book as the definitive book on Rommel. But that was many years ago.
I also read the Book mentioned in this book as the definitive book on Rommel. But that was many years ago.
May 24, 2017
Excellent
The book made the fighting in the desert in WWII realistic and on a small scale. As you read you can feel the power of the desert and the difficulty of not just surviving but of fighting there. But best of all is how human the soldiers are fighting each other. A fine and meaningful book.
The book made the fighting in the desert in WWII realistic and on a small scale. As you read you can feel the power of the desert and the difficulty of not just surviving but of fighting there. But best of all is how human the soldiers are fighting each other. A fine and meaningful book.
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