Gain Access To Monty The Making Of A General 1887 1942 Written By Nigel Hamilton File Leaflet

is the first part of three part biography of one of the most important figures in the British World War II leadership Thie part concentrates on Montgomery's career up to his victory at El Alamien an event which made him famous in the UK Although this is a long book it is important in providing the background to Montgomery's subseuent career Although he is a controversial figure he cannot be judged without understanding his participation in World War I and his inter war career much of which was spent training soldiers Hmailton explores all aspects of Montgomery's life to provide a detailed picture of his subject One cannot serious understand Montgomery without reading this series of books Somehow he doesnt give details the author came to know and befriend Field Marshal Montgomery which served him in good stead Monty the Making of a General containspages of narrative and it takes him and us only through the decisive North African battle of El Alamein There is nothing of the so called rivalry between him and Patton well have to wait to finish the second volume to learn of that Despite the amount of narrative it was an easy read without overmuch excruciating detail I suspect Ill get to the truth about the rivalry if I read Patton Ordeal and TriumphHamilton seems most impressedthoroughly wowed is accurateby Montgomery as a trainer of troops The detail and excellence of planning and the execution of training shows in all his peace and wartime assignments after WWI in which he witnessed much useless slaughter Hamilton says soHe does cover Montys frailties in language which struck me as frank honest but without apology or condemnation Monty couldnt abandon his superior and commanding officers tactics the brigade “boxes” fast enough and wasnt overly tactful in so doing We dont see too much of his feelings after the unexpected death of his wife and there isnt much about familial relationships He seems almost all soldier true he does show some caring and tries to see his sons when he can but its not often Other bios mention the harshness of his mother toward him Hamiltons is the first explanation Ive read about this “Bernard” Hamilton uses this name throughout this volume later he will use “Monty” will write to her in affectionate termsThis volume climaxes in the battle of Alamein Here Monty uses the new mostly promulgated by him divisional tactics which his subordinates had difficulty in accepting

and adopting When this caused the battle to go not as well as planned he modified his plan and achieved his victoryGood read But I need a rest before I tackle the next volumepages I think I'll save the main review until I finish the trilogy I do want to point out that the first volume is comprehensive readable full of interesting anecdotes and long But I enjoyed finding out about Monty's family early career and how he developed his art of command over the years The book ends with the victory at El Alamein He was a fascinating character Very Good writing a bit challenging could do with a good edit The definitive biography of Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery of El Alamein Based on Montgomery's secret diaries letters and vast collection of private papers which have remained confidential and inaccessible until now this is the first volume of the authorized life of General Montgomery Written by a historian who knew Montgomery intimately in his later years Monty breaks entirely new ground Nigel Hamilton presents the unknown Montgomery in behind the scenes accounts of him as soldier and leader son father and husband Aided by Montgomery's numerous letters the author paints a vivid picture of world events as they shaped the destiny of one of the world's greatest field commanders Illustrated with black and white photospages A huge biography of a important mover and shaker in World War II Thereare many uotes from unpublished letters and military dispatches Thisfirst volume takes Montgomery's life up to the end of the firt battle ofEl Alamein Behind the exploits of everyone who played a role in the Second World War lay a full life In Bernard Montgomery's case the key factors were character upbringing and a long and varied military career Hamilton does a thorough job of explaining what produced the extraordinary personality and leader that Bernard Montgomery became at exactly the moment he was needed Pure chance played a role he would never have taken command of the British Eighth Army in Augustif the first choice for the job William Strafer Gott had not been killed in an attack on a transport plane in North AfricaAmong the highlights of the book are the clear descriptions of what an army general's job in thes ands actually entailed The description of the El Alamein battle is uite good although Jon Latimer's book Alamein provides far detail and benefits from later knowledge of the effect of the Ultra intelligence intercepts See also review of the excellent Volof the biography About everything you might ever want to know about the first fifty five years of Montgomery's life concluding with El Alamein I was compelled to read this because he's always made out to be a complete ass but he was a far interesting and compelling figure than most give him credit for A remarkably clear eyed individual who understood the need for reform amidst the humiliating defeat in France Nigel Hamilton is an award winning British born biographer academic and broadcaster whose works have been translated into sixteen languages.