Decision in Normandy

Media:	Hardcover
Author:	Carlo D'Este
Publisher:
Release date:	15 May, 2000
Our price:	$12.98

Decision in Normandy

Average rating: Stars

From the beaches to bocage to Brittany

Carlo D'Este's "Decision in Normandy" is a tour de force of military literature. Well documented and stylishly crafted, "Decision" is an extremely pleasurable read. This book is much more than a re-telling of the Normandy landing and first few days the Allies spent getting a foothold on the Continent. Rather, D'Este's book covers ground prior to D-Day - from a look at the future commanders of the ETO and their exploits in North Africa to initial planning by Lt. Gen. Frederick Morgan and his COSSAC group to development of Monty's Masterplan (that represented a revised COSSAC plan) that would become the OVERLORD plan implemented on 6 June 1944 - as well as considerable time and space post invasion (including the many failed attempts to capture Caen which Monty professed to take by the end of D-Day to the American breakthrough in the Cotentin and subsequent exploitation by Patton's Third US Army and drive across Brittany). There's a lot of information here, all quite expertly presented in a clear enjoyable fashion.

One of strongest threads running through "Decision" is its Monty-centric presentation. This is in many ways completely natural, while also generally a connection missing in most accounts of the ETO prior to Operation Market-Garden. So why is a Monty-centric look at the Normandy campaign a natural approach? First, Monty not only oversaw the development of the final OVERLORD plan but he also served as the C-in-C of Allied ground forces for the invasion. Second, and probably more importantly, Monty's "Masterplan" represents a long debated aspect of the Allied adventure. For example, while it is clear that the both British and Americans made adjustments to Monty's plan as battles developed (though the Americans were generally more adept at it), Monty himself propagated a history of a perfect plan that was followed to the letter. So why is such a Monty-centric vision of the early ETO lacking in most accounts? The most likely reason for a more broad view of the Normandy campaign found in most accounts is two-fold: 1) such an approach is less offensive to other major commanders who made considerable contributions, and 2) Monty is "protected" by broader-based writings. D'Este has not skirted the issue of Monty. However, this is not to say that he is a Monty-basher, nor is he a Monty-phile. D'Este does a very admirable job being fair and balanced in his approach to Monty and his role in Normandy. D'Este presents a story in which Monty plays a major role - without minimizing the role of subordinate commanders - giving him due credit for things the evidence suggest he deserves credit for and attempting to clarify the many confusing (often enhanced by Monty's self-publicity efforts) aspects of Monty's command to place blame for failures where blame is deserved. D'Este has done what most historians are apparently incapable of - he has placed enough distance between himself and the subject to present a picture that appears free of tint from personal beliefs and preferences of the historian.

In the end "Decision in Normandy" offers the reader considerable information that is thoroughly researched and expertly presented. It's a fun read while being simultaneously educational. Carlo D'Este deserves all the praise he gets for this book. Five full hearted stars!

Decision in Normandy - Carlo D'Este

GOOD STUFF HERE FOR THE SERIOUS STUDENT - Warts and All

Like all Carlo D'Este's work, this is well researched and quite detailed. It is understandable. I liked the treatment given Montgomery, harshly put at times, but just. Too many historians tend to gloss this aspect over. The book does not move as fast as many "popular histories" but then I don't think it was intended to be as such. As other reviewers have pointed out, there are of course flaws. There are flaws in every single book on this subject (which are many) I have read. No book can address each and ever facet of such a complex situation. This book, when read with several others, will give the reader a fine understanding of the events addressed here.

Carlo D'Este - Decision in Normandy

Should Be "Montgomery in Normandy"

This is NOT the definitive account of the Battle of Normandy. Rather, it's an analysis of Montgomery's actual plan for the battle, how Montgomery conducted the battle, and how M. afterwards perpetuated the "myth" that the battle had, in fact, accorded with his plan. The author does a fine job balancing regret for M.'s negative qualities with appreciation for his positive ones, even if the latter seem a little thin on the ground by the end of the book.

What's most glaringly missing is any account of what the Americans were up to in the Cotentin peninsula; they really come onstage only in the COBRA breakout. Also, as another reviewer here has noted, there's not enough on the Germans.

The book's strengths include a candid appraisal of the British infantry's war-weariness and lack of training, which left Montgomery with a relatively blunt instrument. (This was partly his own fault, since he insisted on using experienced troops.) One problem the author discusses is that many documents remain classified; also, he notes a late discovery that the supposed shortage of British manpower may have been a myth itself, perpetuated by Churchill or others who wanted to retain a "home defense" force.

A good book on the Normandy invasion, but not THE book.

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