Hitler's Last Gasp

by Trevor N. Dupuy

Book Overview

The German counterattack against American and British soldiers approaching the German border from the west came as a complete surprise. But the Americans hung on heroically, and, when the smoke... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060166274
• ISBN13: 9780060166274
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 565 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Quality Coverage of the Campaign

This book was rated 4 stars not for lack of quality but because the books by Hugh Cole and Charles MacDonald are more comprehensive and are 5 star books. There are 22 chapters including the Epilogue and an equal number of quality black and white maps. The book begins with the conditions in the Ardennes couple months before the assault. It describes Hitler's decision for the assault as well for the reasons the Allies became lax and over confident about a quick end of the war. The next couple chapters cover German dispositions and preparations and the Allied deployments. The next chapter before the assault coverage begins is whether the German Offensive could have been foreseen. His answer is Yes. The battle coverage begins with chapters on Krinkelter Wald, Schnee Eifel, Skyline Drive, Sauer River, St Vith, Bastogne and it continues to the end of the operation at end of Jan 1945. The tactical coverage is straight forward and, I thought, interesting for it was written by a veteran. For every engagement there is a good map to help you follow the action. The main book ends on page 370 but there is another 295 pages of additional info including an extensive index which will help you find what you need. The Epilogue asks 16 questions about the campaign and author replies to each question. There are also eight appendices that adds further background info and statistics to the main story. There are also good photos of the battlefields and of the soldiers and commanders. This is a quality rendition of an important American campaign and is worth your consideration.

Recognizes the Polish Success in Cracking the German Code

Although this book is about the Battle of the Bulge, it also presents other war-related factual information that few readers are likely to know about. Specifically, (pp. 372-373) it calls attention to the fact that it was Polish mathematicians who cracked the German "Enigma" code. Dupuy also correctly points out that no other Allied nation had come close to cracking it.

Interested in the Bulge? Read this book later..but read it.

Research is the strength of this work, not the telling of a major battle. It is difficult for the reader to grasp the overall view of this clash as it is layered over with detail upon detail. From mass movements to small skirmishes, it is told in the driest of writing style. The usual complaint levied against military books, inadequate maps, can not be claimed here. The maps are numerous and like the work itself, detailed. As a reference tool the book is invaluable and for this it merits the rating given. An interesting read it is not but it does belongs on the shelf of those with a serious interest in the Bulge.

One of the best accounts available..

An excellent blow-by-blow account of the battle. However, like the real battle, much less interesting toward the end. The book also has an annoying tendency to vary widely in its approach: at one moment it is a real soldiers story, with intimate portrayals of courage; and at another moment a dry, sholarly presentation of military movements. Although this may describe many military books, this book can be particularly annoying in its vacillation. Overall, though, one of the best books on the subject. My rating of "8" is a relative comparison to other Bulge books I have read