Bernard Law Montgomery was a dedicated battlefield tactician, though a controversial one. In North Africa in 1942, he commanded the Eighth Army to a great triumph against Rommel at El Alamein, which Churchill hailed as the beginning of the end of the war. During the planning stages for the invasion of Sicily, Montgomery proved himself to be a splendid organizer and a great believer in simplicity. But he was also known as a complicated man whose legacy remains tainted by his insensitive and boastful nature and desire for personal glory-all of which can have dangerous consequences on the battlefield. In the end, though, it was only due to Montgomery's influence that the weight of the Allied attack at Normandy was increased, and the Allied success of D-Day owes much to his far-sightedness. In the field, especially during the planning stages, he was at his best. An inspirational commander whose self-confidence was legendary, Montgomery's military life has proved to be a great lesson for leaders in the years since.
"Royle's polished and balanced analysis confirms Montgomery's place as Britain's greatest modern field commander and one of its great captains. Monty's mastery of the set-piece battle was matched only by his ability to sustain morale and inspire confidence in citizen-soldiers, sustaining Britain's war effort even as its resources diminished."
Dennis Showalter, author of Patton and Rommel: Men of War
"Montgomery provides a concise, objective assessment of the best known and most controversial British commander of World War II. Trevor Royle sets 'Monty' in context of his origins, career, and contemporaries, contrasting the general's strengths (training and organization) against his faults (stubborness and vanity). The analysis of Montgomery's often troubled relations with his American allies
Barrett Tillman, author of LeMay and Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan
"No top commander of World War II cries out more urgently for a concise but comprehensive and balanced reassessment than Bernard Law Montgomery. Trevor Royle's compact biography provides precisely this--and does so with great intelligence, understanding, and elegance. Not a flaw or failing is winked at, but, in the end, we come to appreciate the justice of Churchill's postwar challenge to Monty's
