Crunchy Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 I have noticed three books available on Amazon.com that address the issue of British Generalship and Command on the Western Front. These are: British Generalship on the Western Front: Defeat into Victory by Simon Robbins; Command and Control on the Western Front: The British Army's experience 1914 -18 by Gary Sheffield and Dan Todman; and Directing Operations: British Corps Command on the Western Front 1914 -1918 by Andy Simpson The first two books get a 5 star rating from one customer review each, both of which are fairly thin, and Simpson's book is yet to be reviewed. I don't know any of the authors or their previous work. Have any Forum members read any of these books and if so what is your opinion of them? Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armourersergeant Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Chris, I have read the one on Corps command, found it really informative, after I had finished, if that makes sense, whilst reading it just seemed to be a blur of FSR1 every sentence. But once I had finished, I had a clear picture of how and why the chellenges changed for Corps commanders. Would recommend the book, but say it is very hard going you need to keep going. Ashamed to say I have not read no2, must do so, I believe it is good, but given the authors I can guess which side it comes down on, not that it is a problem to me. Not even picked up no1 though. regards Arm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Chris, The second book was reviewed in this thread: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...st&p=284752 It dealt with structure mainly and, sadly, much less with process. Virtually nothing about how and why command decisions were made. I reviewed Simpson's book here: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...st&p=498342 As Arm suggested, it suffered too much from the focus on Field Service Regulations. The level of detail was uneven but the book is a very significant step forward, more so than Sheffield and Todman's book. Like Arm, I have not got hold of the first book yet. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Books 2 and 3 are useful. I regret I have not read them cover to cover but do dip into them frequently. Useful resources. Agree with Robert that the Simpson book offers more than Command and Contol. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 I reviewed Simon Robbins book on the Long, Long Trail. It is very different from the others in that it consists of a deep analysis of who the Generals were. Terrific book, terrifying price. http://www.1914-1918.net/books/generalship.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Chris Baker's last sentence succintly describes my thoughts on Simon Robbin's book . Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy Posted 1 July , 2007 Author Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Arm, Robert and Jonathan, Thank you very much for your most useful comments, including those on the threads Robert posted. I appreciate your views; much more substantive and to the point than the reviews at Amazon. Many thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy Posted 1 July , 2007 Author Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Chris. Many thanks. Yes, I choked when I saw the hardback price but then saw they have a paperback copy at a much more reasonble cost US$35.95, and the Aussie $ is doing very well against the greenback at the moment. Again many thanks. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Thanks, guys. I had the Simpson book on my birthday pressie list (3rd August, in case any of you wanted to....), and the review in JSAHR was broadly good; the Robbins looks like a library book too me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Thanks, guys. I had the Simpson book on my birthday pressie list (3rd August, in case any of you wanted to....), and the review in JSAHR was broadly good; the Robbins looks like a library book too me. Whilst awaiting the book from the library, you could read about Ainsdale! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 1 July , 2007 Share Posted 1 July , 2007 I have the second two and can recommend them. The 1st one is on a waiting list( long deferred section). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy Posted 1 July , 2007 Author Share Posted 1 July , 2007 Many thanks Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 2 July , 2007 Share Posted 2 July , 2007 I reviewed the Simpson book for the National Army Museum. An excellent piece of work, although in places it does read like the doctoral thesis from which it is derived. Nonetheless, an excellent piece of work which deserves a place on the serious student's bookshelf - amongst others'! I reviewed the Simpson book for the National Army Museum. An excellent piece of work, although in places it does read like the doctoral thesis from which it is derived. Nonetheless, an excellent piece of work which deserves a place on the serious student's bookshelf - amongst others'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crunchy Posted 2 July , 2007 Author Share Posted 2 July , 2007 Staffsyeoman, Many thanks for your response. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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