A really good, thorough, well written account of a series of battles around the famous monastery in 1943-1944. It goes on to detail some of the effects of this in terms of later troop movements. Very readable and in places harrowing, but quality research and an attempt to dicuss the German side of the battle is both admirable and balanced. My only complaints, some of the maps don't detail exactly where is referenced in the test, which is frustrating, and at times things drag a little. The controversy over bombing the abbey is dealt with in some detail. This is a good book for those interested in the Italian front or World War Two in general. ( )

This is the second book I have read dedicated to Cassino and one of several on the combined Cassino/Anzio campaign. The book brings an unique perspective to the battle by focusing on how the the various Armies were successful or not successful. Of particular interest was the success of the French under Juin and the Polish Corps that finally took Monte Cassino. Caddick-Adams is much friendlier to British General Harold Alexander than most historians. There is also a nice focus on the 8th Army's breakthrough up the Liri Valley. We know that Churchill liked Alexander, but the author considers him to have similar skills to Eisenhower as a diplomat general. The author also goes easy on American General Mark Clark's decision to take Rome and deliberately disobey orders by not cutting off the retreating German 10th Army. Caddick-Adams notes that there was no guarantee of trapping the 10th Army which seems to be a spurious argument for disobeying orders.

Interesting Facts
Nearly 15,000 mules were used during the campaign as they proved the only reliable means of bringing supplies up and the injured and dead down from the mountains.

The Germans would mount a revolving Panther turret, called a Pantherturm, to a concrete bunker in the Gustav line. One killed 17 Allied tanks in 3 days, the Pantherturm leader actually becoming a "tank ace."

Because of such a lack of food in Naples, it is estimated that 42,000 women out of 150,000 engaged in regular or part-time prostitution.
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Roads to Cassino; An Italian Winter; France Fights On; A Very British Way of War; Blood and Guts; How to Destroy a Monastery; The Empire Strikes Back; Man versus Nature; Kiwis at Cassino; Poland the Brave; Winning Cassino; Trouble in the Liri; Pursuit from Cassino; Roads to Rome, Roads from Rome. ( )

The battles of Monte Cassino were part of the Allied march through Italy during WWII. Often overshadowed by the great invasion at Normandy, these battles were both diversionary and essential in the Allied cause. It is a work of meticulous preparation and research. Indeed, the last 30% of the book is devoted to exhaustive Footnotes, Bibliography and Index.

The writing is chronological and is infused with quotations from survivors, memoirs, personal interviews and existing accounts. It should be appreciated as a welcome addition to the small, often forgotten theaters of WWII for its readability, thoroughness and bibliographical content. This is a must read for any history buff, and especially those interested in WWII.

This was reviewed as an e-book as a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )