Rommel: The End of a Legend (H Books) | 
| Author: Ralf Georg Reuth
Publisher: Haus Publishing
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 6911902
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 247
ISBN: 1905791364
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9781905791361
ASIN: 1905791364
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
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Product Description
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was the most popular soldier of World War II. Under his leadership the German Afrika Korps advanced all the way to Egypt. Known as the aDesert Foxa, Rommel was considered invincible. That is the story told in the history books.
Ralf Georg Reuth paints a different portrait of Erwin Rommel: a picture of a man who owed his fame in part to the Nazi propaganda and whose role in the resistance is still unclear; the image of a soldier, who was promoted by Hitler and who continued to stay true to him until the end, when he committed suicide at the behest of his Fuehrer. His personal fate is the mirror image of the German tragedy of that time: ato have followed the Fuehrer to the end and to believe that one had thereby done oneas patriotic duty.â
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| Customer Reviews:
 Breaking through the myth that is Rommel June 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Just like the majority of those new to WWII, years ago, I thought that Rommel was an excellent commander, tactician, strategist, etc. It was only when I began to delve into details and talking with authors that I realized the myths built up around Rommel, and many other Generals, were finally coming down. This book actually does an excellent job in showing Rommel's tactical knowledge and expertise and puts it into context with what actually was the reason for his achievements in France and North Africa.
I have to point out that what I wanted to read the most about was the British addition to propaganda in regards to Rommel. The author shows that since the British were pushed off the continent, after the fall of France, Norway, the Balkans, etc, their only field of battle against Nazi Germany (aside from the Battle of Britain) was the North African theatre. This meant that their only 'claim to fame', so to speak, in showing that they had taken a part in taking down the German land Army was showing what odds they were able to overcome. Thus, Rommel became a 'superman' and the 'Desert Fox' and Montgomery, the commander who eventually defeated him, became THAT much better than Rommel himself.
A lot of detail is given to Rommel's involvement with the assassination attempt on Hitler (or non-involvement). I wasn't surprised to see that Rommel was ignorant of what was going on around him in terms of German policies and strategy. He was a talented tactician, to a point, but the fact is he was sent to North Africa to help the Italians hold back the British, not wage war toward the Suez Canal and beyond, which is something he hoped to do. He never had the man-power for such an offensive and even so decided to go through with it, letting logistics sort themselves out. The end result was a sea-saw of battles that eventually led to the demise of the Afrika Armee.
A recommended read for those interested in seeing Rommel's achievements in an objective light, his victories and losses, as well as how BOTH the Germans and British used Rommel for their own needs (the most photographed German general, it should be noted). Also, how even after the war he served as a token tool for, once more, both the Germans and British in propagating their respective causes. Lastly, I would agree with the previous reviewer who said that much was still left out in regards to both what Rommel achieved and lacked but this book is at least a step in the right direction, and for that I believe it deserves 5 stars.
 Broad brush strokes lacking in details January 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am not impressed by this book. The account of Rommel was rather sketchy, and the arguments were not laid out in details for the reader to judge for themselves. This book could certainly do more with its analysis of Rommel and his achievements - or lack thereof. In particular, much more could be said about Rommel's accomplishments and failings as Afrika Korp commander and as a commander in Normandy. There is much to be said about the 'Rommel' myth which was not discussed in this book.
A reasonable read for those being introduced to Rommel, but not adequate for more informed and thoughtful readers.
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