Alamein Book Reviews

Alamein by Iain Gale Book Summary

The superb novelist of men at war moves into the twentieth century and World War Two, telling the story of the eleven days in the sands of North Africa that would change history forever

There are some battles that change the course of history: Alamein is one of those.

In October 1942, Britain and its allies were in real difficulties: Germany and its Axis partners seemed to be triumphant everywhere – in Europe, in Russia, in the Atlantic and were now poised to take the Suez Canal. It was in North Africa that the stand was made, that the tide of World War Two began to turn.

It was a battle of strong characters: the famous battle commander Rommel and the relatively untested new British commander, Montgomery, leading men who fought through an extraordinary eleven day battle, in an unforgiving terrain, amid the swirling sandstorms and the desert winds.

Iain Gale, author of the outstanding historical novel Four Days in June on the battle of Waterloo, tells the dramatic story through seven characters, almost all based on real people. Drawn from both sides of the conflict, they include a major from a Scottish brigade, the young lieutenant in the thick of the tank battle, the Australian sergeant with the infantry, the tank commander of the Panzer Division and the charismatic Italian commander of a parachute battalion. Through them and others we see the flow of battle, the strategies, the individual actions and skirmishes, the fear, the determination, the extraordinary courage on both sides.

Reviews

Praise for Iain Gale:

‘A powerful novel of men at war. A triumph' Bernard Cornwell

‘A treat for every history buff, and a vivid picture of men at war’ Scotland on Sunday

‘An old-fashioned tale of military strategy and valour’ Glasgow Herald

'An involving historical adventure – could Jack Steel be a worthy rival to Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe?' Choice Magazine

'A combination of action and intrigue is supported by colourful characters' Scottish Field

About the author

Iain Gale has strong Scottish and military roots. He is editor of the magazine of the National Trust for Scotland and lives in Edinburgh with his family.

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