Montgomery: Lessons in Leadership from the Soldier's General (World Generals Series) - Hardcover

Royle, Trevor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0230614892 ISBN 13: 9780230614895

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2010

Synopsis

Bernard Law Montgomery was a dedicated battlefield tactician, though a controversial one. In North Africa in 1942, he commanded the Eighth Army to a great triumph against Rommel at El Alamein, which Churchill hailed as the beginning of the end of the war. During the planning stages for the invasion of Sicily, Montgomery proved himself to be a splendid organizer and a great believer in simplicity. But he was also known as a complicated man whose legacy remains tainted by his insensitive and boastful nature and desire for personal glory all of which can have dangerous consequences on the battlefield. In the end, though, it was only due to Montgomery s influence that the weight of the Allied attack at Normandy was increased, and the Allied success of D-Day owes much to his far-sightedness. In the field, especially during the planning stages, he was at his best. An inspirational commander whose self-confidence was legendary, Montgomery s military life has proved to

About this title

About the Author

Trevor Royle is a broadcaster and author specializing in the history of war and empire with a score of books to his credit. His previous books include Civil War: The Wars of Three Kingdoms, Crimea: The Great Crimean War 1854-1856, a New York Times Notable Book, and Lancaster Against York. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a regular commentator on defense matters and international affairs for the BBC and an Editor at The Sunday Herald. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Reviews

Royle, an editor at The Sunday Herald, curiously chose Bernard Law Montgomery for Palgrave's World Generals series. Monty had two big successes: he took over a disheartened British Eighth army in North Africa, binged them up—one of Montgomery's favorite terms—and gave the Allies their first major victories over the Nazis at El Alamein, defeating Field Marshal Irwin Rommel. Montgomery also played a key role in defeating the Nazis in the Battle of the Bulge. But Montgomery was also a highly flawed military leader. Few American generals could stand his arrogance and egotism and it took all of Eisenhower's tact to keep him in line. In Sicily, Montgomery overrated the capacity of his own troops and underrated that of the Americans. Montgomery's tendency to over-plan also led to lost opportunities. Royle races through Montgomery's life and battles, often trying to excuse Montgomery's bad behavior or bad press. Other than Montgomery's fame for inspiring his own soldiers, Royle finds few leadership lessons (aside from, perhaps, what not to do). Montgomery was a more fascinating figure than this volume can capture. (Dec.)

The World Generals series puts the leading British commander of WWII in competent hands. Royle offers a balanced view of Monty’s 50-year career, including both his gifts (organizing and training troops and inspiring them to do their best, as well as sound strategic and tactical concepts) and his failings. These include somewhat rigid planning (possibly influenced by his WWI experience; he wanted to get set-piece battles done right) and a singular lack of tact and diplomacy with not only his own superiors and enemies but also his American allies. Whatever effect this last attribute had on American evaluations of him (which may remain hostile for another century), Monty was a thoroughly professional soldier who loathed sloppiness and made a badly needed and substantially successful effort to rout it out of every British formation he commanded. He earned his baton. --Roland Green

Edition details

• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0230614892
• ISBN 13: 9780230614895
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224