Reviews
"...hefty tome giving a insight into the character of Von Manstein...One of the interesting facets to emerge from the research put into this book was how chance and luck favored the rise of Manstein and also how it affected the outcome of various operations... if you want to know about the man, this is the book you need.", a must read for those interested in not only gaining familiarity with a more moderate position on Manstein, but also for all those who wish to understand Germany's primary effirt in WWII, as well as its greatest commander., "This book is a must-read for all those who wish to understand Germany's greatest World War II commander, for both his strategic brilliance and moral ambiguity", "...an objective analysis not only of Von Manstein's campaigns but also of his participation in the criminal aspects of Nazi Germany's war effort. Much to the author's credit, he does not flinch when he exposes Von Manstein's participation in the "Final Solution" and an intense examination of the Field Marshal's politics, attitudes and behavior towards his enemies. An excellent biography of a flawed yet brilliant soldier.", "It is widely agreed that Erich von Manstein was the Wehrmacht's finest general. He was a master of strategic planning, operational command, and tactical boldness. . . . Lemay, a civilian scholar and one of the best of the rising generation of French military historians, synergizes Manstein's campaigns and his role in the Final Solution."--, "...never lets us forget that he was morally responsible for his own actions... informative and objective... A worthwhile addition for World War II enthusiasts.", "The author has successfully maintained a balance between admiration for the military skills of Manstein and condemnation of his involvements in war crimes and total failure to understand the nature of Hitler's rule during the war. The result is a portrait of a great commander but a flawed person.", "...well researched, convincingly reasoned analysis of a general widely considered one of World War II's great commanders...", "...straightforward and uncomplicated... succeeds in cutting through the post-war rewriting of history perpetrated by Manstein (and others) and gives us a realistic pictures of Manstein's career warts and all."