Ike and Monty: Generals at War

by Norman Gelb

Book Overview

Published on the eve of the 50th anniversary of D-Day, this is the first book that focuses exclusively on the military relationship that determined the fate of the Allied effort to liberate Europe in World War II. Compulsively readable, Ike and Monty presents the true story of Dwight Eisenhower, English general Montgomery, and their struggle against the Nazis.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688118690
• ISBN13: 9780688118693
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Unique book

As a student of World War II history, and the European theater in particular, I hadn't read much about the importance of Eisenhower's leadership during the war. This book is an eye-opening look at his key role as Supreme Commander. Eisenhower's relationship with the British hero Montgomery is also explored in depth and provided great insight into the contentious nature of their relationship. For those not familiar with General Montgomery, this book provides a unique perspective of his strategic brilliance along with his tremendous hubris. After reading this book I was amazed by the effective coalition of American and British forces, including the Normandy invasion, that involved the brilliant administrator Eisenhower and the strategic mastermind Montgomery. A very enjoyable read!

Different Military Lives, Different Visions for War

Norman Gelb's "Ike and Monty: Generals At War" is a solid historical look at the two most influential Allied commanders of the Second World War: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery. While "Ike" gained his fame from leading the great coalition forces to victory in Europe, without ever having commanded front line troops - save his dual role of Supreme Allied Commander and Land Forces Commander after 1 Sept 1944. Ike was a career staff officer with no direct combat experience. In contrast, "Monty" was a soldiers' commander, having served as a junior officer in the lines during the Great War, and then commanding troops from regimental to Army Group in the Second World War. The contrast in combat experience of these two great figures could hardly be greater. In fact, these divergent backgrounds form much of the basis of controversies associated with these two men, both during and after the war. Readers should be aware that the controversies surrounding Ike and Monty were/are not based on trivialities of differing personalities and/or military experiences per se, rather that the experiences of these two individuals shaped how each approached leadership, both tactically and strategically, and that these differences lead to stress and controversy. For example, it cannot be doubted that Monty possessed one of the keenest tactical minds of the war - Eisenhower by virtue of his position was rarely if ever in a position to drive tactical decisions. On the other side of the equation Ike clearly had the upper hand with respect to leadership of coalition forces where concern about inter-national friction and politically necessities were key - Monty's handling of the press during the Battle of the Bulge serves as one poignant example of his inability to handle "sticky" political situations. Commanders on both sides of the Atlantic recognized the strengths of these leaders: Joe "Lightning" Collins had great admiration of Monty's tactical leadership and ability to maintain a high degree of morale in troops he led, while a personality no less than the CIGS of the British Army, Alanbrooke, felt that Eisenhower was likely the only Allied leader during the war that could have held together the coalition as he did. Gelb deals unbiasedly with these issues and many others as he presents a compelling story of these two men and their roles within the larger Allied victory over Hilter's legions in North Africa and NW Europe in 1943-45. As if to stress the point made above about the inter-Allied controversies being beyond the scope of petty personality differences Gelb writes on p. 415 "The quarrel that persisted [here Gelb is referring to inter-Allied controversy over strategy] - and still does among historians - was not so much about which country or service won the war, but how it could have been won more efficiently, more quickly, with fewer casualties, and less grief." This is at the heart of Gelb's analysis of Ike and Monty,

excellent description of world war II

This book not only portrays the relationship between Eisenhower and Montgomery but gives a vivid and complete description of the important events that transpired in Europe and Africa during World War II. Best of all, it is done in a very professional , easy to read style.

Good, brief biography of two top generals.

This was a very readable book that presents the backgrounds and careers of Eisenhower and Montgomery. While the book does come up short in fully analyzing the clashes between the two men, he does give a good account of the pressures Eisenhower was under and how maddening it must have been for anyone to deal with "Monty" for any length of time. The ending seemed abruptly cut off, but I would recommend this book for those wanting a brief overview of these two generals.