Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Michael Joseph Ltd (1983), Hardcover
Description
The Falklands War was one of the strangest in British history - 28,000 men sent to fight for a tiny relic of empire 8,000 miles from home. At the time, many Britons saw it as a tragic absurdity, but the British victory confirmed the quality of British arms and boosted the political fortunes of the Conservative government. But it left a chequered aftermath; it was of no wider significance for British interests and taught no lessons. It has since been overshadowed by the two Gulf Wars, however, its political ramifications cannot be overestimated.Max Hastings' and Simon Jenkins' account of the conflict is a modern classic of war reportage and the definitive book on the war. The Battle for the Falklands is a vivid chronicle of a call to arms and a thoughtful and informed analysis of an astonishing chapter in the history of our times.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member tuckerresearch
An intriguing modern military-political history. The story of the Falklands crisis, the invasion, the war, are all told in crisp, journalistic fashion. At times the story is told with great drama. One last great "Hoorah!" for the British Empire.
LibraryThing member JBD1
The classic history of the Falklands War.
LibraryThing member theboylatham
Five out of ten.
A complete and thorough look at the Falklands war and the causes and consequences of the conflict from a British viewpoint. From the political wranglings to the men on the front line.
A complete and thorough look at the Falklands war and the causes and consequences of the conflict from a British viewpoint. From the political wranglings to the men on the front line.
LibraryThing member JesperCFS2
In 82' I was preoccupied with the task of being young as well as finishing my education in the merchant navy.
In those days - when at sea - the daily news were compiled and 'edited' by the radio officer and distributed on a single sheet of A4 paper pinned to the bulletin board in the mess. And to be
(To the youngsters: Once upon a time the internet did not exist. Amazingly we survived to tell the tale ;-)
So the 'big picture' of the state of the world was not all that clear to me.
To to read about the course of events in this - in many respects - strange war has been very interesting. And put more than a few things in perspective.
For me this book was a very good read
In those days - when at sea - the daily news were compiled and 'edited' by the radio officer and distributed on a single sheet of A4 paper pinned to the bulletin board in the mess. And to be
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honest, you would not find me in front of that reading it. (To the youngsters: Once upon a time the internet did not exist. Amazingly we survived to tell the tale ;-)
So the 'big picture' of the state of the world was not all that clear to me.
To to read about the course of events in this - in many respects - strange war has been very interesting. And put more than a few things in perspective.
For me this book was a very good read
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LibraryThing member iandrewmartin
The best book on the Falklands' war, from both the political and the military perspective. Engaging, insightful and full of the perspectives of the people on the front line and those in power.
LibraryThing member santhony
I read a broad assortment of genre, from science fiction, to biography to literary fiction. One of my favorites is history and military history in particular. In reviewing my library, I noted a couple of works by Max Hastings that I had rated them very highly.
His book, Retribution, was an
One of Hastings’s strengths is his level of detail. Consider, Retribution, which deals with only the final year in the Pacific theater, clocks in at a hardcover 688 pages. His book on the Vietnam War extends for almost 900 hardcover pages. While this paperback book only spans 420 pages, it is the Falklands War after all. His work, The Korean War, a MUCH broader and more complicated conflict only extends for 389 pages, a substandard effort.
Hastings splits the writing duty here with a co-author, who handles some of the diplomatic history, but the work flows relatively seamlessly. I would have to imagine that this is the authoritative treatment of the Falklands War and the history behind it.
Having said all that, this book is FAR too detailed to be an enjoyable read. The diplomacy and politics are fascinating, but the details of the military aspect (which I understand are from Hastings) are eye glazing. To spend only 389 pages on the Korean War, and then 420 pages on the Falkland War is telling. It is a Goldilocks scenario. One is too short, the other is too long.
His book, Retribution, was an
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outstanding treatment of the final year of the World War II Pacific theater. Vietnam, an Epic Tragedy, was equally as well done. That being the case, I purchased a couple of other Hastings works, including this treatment of the Falklands War. One of Hastings’s strengths is his level of detail. Consider, Retribution, which deals with only the final year in the Pacific theater, clocks in at a hardcover 688 pages. His book on the Vietnam War extends for almost 900 hardcover pages. While this paperback book only spans 420 pages, it is the Falklands War after all. His work, The Korean War, a MUCH broader and more complicated conflict only extends for 389 pages, a substandard effort.
Hastings splits the writing duty here with a co-author, who handles some of the diplomatic history, but the work flows relatively seamlessly. I would have to imagine that this is the authoritative treatment of the Falklands War and the history behind it.
Having said all that, this book is FAR too detailed to be an enjoyable read. The diplomacy and politics are fascinating, but the details of the military aspect (which I understand are from Hastings) are eye glazing. To spend only 389 pages on the Korean War, and then 420 pages on the Falkland War is telling. It is a Goldilocks scenario. One is too short, the other is too long.
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LibraryThing member aadyer
A very good one volume account of both the diplomatic efforts and military regarding Britain’s successful response to the Argentinian invasion of 1982. Each theatre of war, as well as the political dimension is addressed individually, in detail, and given the time of writing, in a balanced way.
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as with all of Max Hastings books, this one was as readable as ever. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Yorkshire Post Book Award (First Prize — 1983)
Language
Original publication date
1983
Physical description
448 p.; 7.72 inches
ISBN
0330352849 / 9780330352840