| Plot Summary of An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943 |
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"The first of a projected three volumes about the U.S. role in the World War II liberation of Europe, _An Army at Dawn_ deals with the North Africa campaign. Somehow, the author has found just the right mix of detail -- from personal notes out of soldiers' diaries and letters home, to the reparations paid to Algerians for traffic fatalities caused by Allies -- versus big picture aspects, such as the British and American political maneuverings at Casablanca and the larger troop movements and battle strategy. He mentions GI passwords in various battles, jokes, and ditties along with the graver tales of of triumph and tragedy. The author does not spare us the details of Allied political and personal squabbles (particularly British condescension toward American battleworthiness and courage -- not altogether undeserved, but not fair, either), absurdities, and atrocities. The book reads smoothly and compulsively, and there are plenty of excellent maps sprinkled throughout the book, at just the right places."
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943 |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history:
- 1940's
History of military?
Yes
Armed Forces:
- Army
Nationality?
- American--General
Specific war?
- World War II
Subjects of this Historical Account
Ethnicity (if plays a major part)
- European/White
Is the portrayal sympathetic?
- Sympathetic
From a certain profession/group?
- land soldiers
Main Adversary
- infantry soldiers
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Nationality?
- German/Prussian
Ethnicity? (if plays big part)
- White/European
Is the portrayal sympathetic?
- Somewhat Sympathetic
Setting
Africa
Yes
Part of Africa:
- Arabic Africa
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
How much gore?
- 3 ()
How fast-paced is the book?
- 3 ()
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Book makes you feel...
- in awe
How much focus on stories of individuals?
- Focuses on brief history of a lot of players
How much romance?
- 1 ()
Minor characters feature lots of:
- military
Pictures/Illustrations?
- A significant amount
Maps necessary?
- Necessary maps provided
Length of book
- 450 pages+
How much emphasis on small details?
- 4 ()
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