Decision in Normandy

This book though controversial upon publication has become the standard interpretation of the struggle from Caen to Falaise and the irritations between the Allied Commanders. I believe Carlo D'Este has put forward a fair and unbiased summary of events with painstaking analysis. The crux of the thesis is unfortunately that Monty was rather mendacious in cementing his image for posterity. The sad realisation for me was that many military commanders ( and perhaps the most effective) are ultimately driven by ego and a desire for a place in dusty history books and many have to die to appease this appetite. That said, I am grateful to Monty, Bradley, Patton and Ike, and all those who served and to rid Europe of Nazism. The book concentrates on strategy and interpersonal relationships and the reader will need to avail himself of maps to familiarise himself with the events and movements of those evocative names Villers Bocage, Goodwood, Epsom, Charnwood and Cobra.
The narrator stumbles occasionally on the pronunciation of French place names and acronyms but I guess many US troops did just the same. He also has trouble with the cadence of military literature and exposition but I found it a riveting listen none the less.