Monte Cassino

By David Hapgood, David Richardson, David Hapgood; David Richardson

Book Overview

Monte Cassino opens in the cold Italian winter of 1943-44. Germany would lose the war, but they still held much of Italy, leaving the Allies to fight their way north to capture Rome -- a route no army had taken since Hannibal traversed the Alps to avoid it. And overlooking the only possible passage stood the ancient Abbey of Monte Cassino. The ultimate decision to bomb Monte Cassino was one of the most controversial -- and tragic -- events of World War II. The combat that followed was just as tragic: Soldiers from more than a dozen nations fought through that savage winter in a ferocious battle that allowed no advance or retreat. Here Hapgood and Richardson examine the military operations and political machinations that led inexorably to the bombing, explore the personalities of all involved, and in a new afterword reflect on its lingering consequences. This is an epic tale of men -- and monks -- at war.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306811219
• ISBN13: 9780306811210
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A great read

I was looking for a book that detailed the human experience of this battle more than military strategy, and this was a perfect read. Well documented and well researched. The only thing I really missed was a detailed map of the area, which would have made the action much easier to follow.

A great read . . .

I've spent a lot of time in Roccasecca, where von Senger was headquartered, and Hapgood and Richardson really capture the feel of the Roccasecca to Cassino stretch in the Liri Valley. Augment with Matthew Parker's book (I'm a bit surprised how Parker leaves out Roccasecca, the Melfa River battle, etc.), and you'll get a most vivid picture of the Cassino battle.

Good history with personal points of view

This book is a good overview of the battle but also takes the reader to the personal level with the Germans, Allies as well as the monks who were caught in the battle.

A no frills account of the bombing of Monte Cassino Abbey

Hapgood and Richardson provide a well written account of the reasons behind the destruction of the Abbey at Monte Cassino during the Italian Campaign. It is of interest because the authors incorporated information taken from the Monk's diaries. The secret story of the German Commander, General Frido von Senger's attempts to save and protect the Abbey and the events leading to the Allied bombing are revealed. Its an easy read and makes you want to find other books on the same subject.