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Battle for the Falklands

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Battle for the Falklands

By: Max Hastings
Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
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The Falklands War was one of the strangest in British history - 28,000 men sent to fight for a tiny relic of empire 8,000 miles from home.

At the time, many Britons saw it as a tragic absurdity, but the British victory confirmed the quality of British arms and boosted the political fortunes of the Conservative government. But it left a chequered aftermath; it was of no wider significance for British interests and taught no lessons. It has since been overshadowed by the two Gulf Wars, however, its political ramifications cannot be overestimated. Max Hastings’ and Simon Jenkins’ account of the conflict is a modern classic of war reportage and the definitive book on the war. Republished as part of the Pan Military Classics series, The Battle for the Falklands is a vivid chronicle of a call to arms and a thoughtful and informed analysis of an astonishing chapter in the history of our times. Max Hastings, author of over 20 books, has been editor of the Daily Telegraph and the Evening Standard. He has won many awards for his journalism, particularly his work in the south Atlantic in 1982.

©1983 Max Hastings (P)2014 Audible Studios 20th Century Americas Europe Great Britain Military Modern South America War Thought-Provoking Air Force Interwar Period
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My first read of a Max Hastings book was the excellent "Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45" and so I thought I'd give his treatment of the Falklands war a read too. Hastings has a superb writing style that takes a holistic view of the conflict which is sprinkled with quotes, diary entries and observations from the various participants which are used and woven together to provide a great work of historical fact and analysis.

However ....

I found that I got a lesser personal perspective on the trials and tribulations of the conflict by those directly involved than in the aforementioned book. In "Nemesis", I got a deeper feeling of the combatants and civilians alike during the events depicted than I did from this book. To me, this work seemed to lack the gritty realism of prolonged first hand accounts which I had rather hoped for. That is not to say that this is not a well written and comprehensive book as it clearly is but it does not provide quite the raw flavour of combat that perhaps a memoir of those on the front lines would. From that perspective, this was not as satisfying a read as I'd hoped but again, that is more my fault than anything the author has done. In future I will seek out those books written by those directly involved for something a bit more visceral and which puts you in the shoes of those that fought.

One review, I think, compared this to the Eugene Sledge memoir "With The Old breed" which I have to disagree with wholeheartedly. Thus far, I still rate Sledge's personal accounts of his war time experiences as the best I've read to date on the sheer horror and misery of total war.

For those who are looking to read a book that is a broad canvas of the history of the Falklands war along with the back story of the ownership of the islands then this is perfect as a comprehensive treatment of that conflict. However, In its meticulous research, it also spends quite some time on the rather dry and dull background politics too which for me is uninteresting despite me understanding why the book had to include this aspect.

Reading this will certainly provide detailed insight into the events of the Falklands conflict and is an excellent overall description of the events leading to an during the war but doesn't contain enough accounts of those that fought it. Perhaps I should clarify that last remark and say that it has many partial accounts but which are very limited and more brief quotes or anecdotes comprising just two or three sentences from an account here or there rather than more lengthy substance.

Fantastically researched and complete but a little dry and reads at times like a government report.

Comprehensive But Not What I Hoped For

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Excellent account of the events of 1982, well written, well researched and well delivered. Focuses far too closely on political and diplomatic events, and the chapters that actually cover the battlefield events all too brief. However presents a comprehensive view of all the aspects of this event.

Informative and insightful

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Really enjoyed this book found it very indepth and detailed.
It made plan how unprepared the UK was to fight this war and how close it came to loosing. While at the same time dispelling some myths about Argentinian troops that the UK gen pop are lead to believe.

It pulls you in to the utter hell these people went though on land at sea and in the air.

Gripping and detailed

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Enjoyed the very Britishness of this very british affair. Well read. Reads well with good pace. Enjoyed it and consider myself better educated on the event.

History Lesson

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40 years on from the war itself, listening to this brings understanding to the Falklands War. Hastings and Jenkins do both sides credit along with reviewing the political and geopolitical spheres influence and mistakes before, during and afterwards.

A very considered view along with great narration.

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