Essential Reading: The Desert War

[Sirius]

Hiya

Can anyone give me suggestions of great books to read on the Desert War (or Western desert/North African campaign) in WW2. Have read a little bit on the subject, but would be great to hear opinions on which books are regarded as definitive histories, and opinions on any contemporary accounts that are worth the read?

Thanks

[Colonel White]

Well from the German point of view and some accounts from the British I recommend the following books which are now out of print but still amy be available from placse like ABE books .

AFRIKA KORPS At War by George Forty . 2 Volumes (1 and 2) . Plenty of information and photos. My very first books on the subject and still one of the best IMO.

[NORTIVS MAXIMVS]

Hi Sirius

I would recommend Rommel’s account:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Rommel-Papers-Capo-Paperback/dp/0306801574/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1332853478&sr=8-10

and for reasons of nostalgia (I have the original publications of these classics):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tank-Battles-Miniature-Wargamers-Campaign/dp/0850591392/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1332853625&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tank-Battles-Miniature-Wargamers-Mediterranean/dp/0850592755/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1332853625&sr=8-3

There are many more titles, of course ...

Cheers

Paul

[Sirius]

Thanks Gents.

Anyone know if this is any good:

http://www.amazon.com/With-Rommel-Deser ... 0939482398

Are the "tank battles in miniature" books still relevant? Or are you suggesting the histories included in the titles are worth the price of the titles? (Quarrie and Featherstone et al have my utmost respect, but I dont want to reinvent the 1970s wargaming wheel...)

And do the John Curry re-releases lose anything of the original publication, aside from the 1973 style?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Featherstones-M ... =pd_cp_b_0

[Dream17]

Just finished Desert Rats:The Desert War 1940-3 in the words of those who fought there by John Sadler
Found it completely engrosing..bought it on Kindle and read it in 2 days

[scrivs]

Tanks Across The Desert - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tanks-Across-De ... 0750932538
An excellent and touching read if you want a low level account written by a sergeant at the pointy end of it.

Ball of Fire is a free read and well worth dipping in and out of: http://www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Ball/fireTC.html

[westwaller]

I think someone mentioned it before on a similar thread but I have just finished re-reading 'The Desert War' by Alan Morehead. (I think it is now published as 'The Desert War Trilogy') which is a fairly good account of the North African campaign, and might be a good introduction to that particular part of WW2. I got my copy for about a quid in a second hand book shop a few years ago.

I have just picked up an Osprey on the Africa/Med campaign as well. To be honest it was not very inspiring though so beware!

Just finished Desert Rats:The Desert War 1940-3 in the words of those who fought there by John Sadler

I have one of these type books on D-Day and it is the sort of thing that make you want to go and paint stuff.