The Savage Storm

AcclaimedWWII historian James Holland's new book both recasts the controversial ItalianCampaign and sets a new standard in the chronicling of war Followingvictory in Sicily, while the central command… Lue lisää AcclaimedWWII historian James Holland's new book both recasts the controversial ItalianCampaign and sets a new standard in the chronicling of war Followingvictory in Sicily, while the central command planned the spring 1944 invasionof France, Allied troops crossed into southern Italy in September 1943, expecting to drive Axis forces north and liberate Rome by Christmas. Italyquickly surrendered but German divisions fiercely resisted, and the hoped-forquick victory descended into one of the most challenging and protracted battlesof the entire war. James Holland's The Savage Storm, chronicling the dramatic opening months of the Italian Campaign in unflinchingand insightful detail, is unlike any campaign history yet written. Holland hasalways narrated war at ground level, but here goes further by chroniclingevents almost entirely through the contemporary eyes of those who were there onall sides and at all levels--Allied, Axis, civilians alike. Weaving together awealth of letters, diaries, and other documents--from the likes of AmericanGeneral Mark Clark, German battalion commander Georg Zellner, Italianpolitician Filippo Caracciolo, and many others--Holland traces the battles as theywere experienced across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages andcities, in intense heat and, towards the end of December 1943, frigid cold andrelentless rain. Such close-up views persuade Holland torecast important aspects of the campaign, reappraising the reputation of MarkClark himself and other senior commanders of the U. S. Fifth and British Eightharmies. Given the shortage of Allied shipping and materiel allocated to Italybecause of the build-up for D-Day, more was expected of Allied troops in Italythan anywhere else, and a huge price was paid by everyone for each bloodilycontested mile. Putting readers vividly in the moment as events unfolded, withcharacters made unforgettable by their own words, The Savage Storm isa defining account of the pivotal months leading to Monte Cassino, and alandmark in the writing about war.