The Battle of the Generals: The Falaise Pocket (Used)

The Allied Command Decisions Behind One of World War II’s Most Controversial Opportunities

In The Battle of the Generals: The Untold Story of the Falaise Pocket, military historian Martin Blumenson examines the Allied campaign to encircle and destroy the retreating German forces in Normandy following D-Day.

As American forces advanced from the west and British and Canadian armies pressed from the north, the German army faced possible entrapment near Falaise. However, disagreements, cautious decisions, and coordination problems among senior Allied commanders allowed a substantial number of German troops to escape the closing pocket.

Blumenson examines the actions and decisions of prominent commanders—including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bernard Montgomery, Omar Bradley, and George S. Patton—and considers whether the Allies missed an opportunity to deliver a more decisive blow in the summer of 1944.

Supported by maps, photographs, and military research, this book offers a detailed account of coalition warfare, battlefield command, and the challenges of coordinating several armies during the Normandy campaign.

Topics Covered

• The Allied breakout following D-Day

• Operation Cobra and the advance across France

• The German counterattack at Mortain

• Formation of the Falaise Pocket

• American, British, Canadian, and Polish operations

• Decisions made by Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley, and Patton

• The Argentan–Falaise gap

• Allied command disagreements and coordination problems

• The German retreat from Normandy

• The consequences of failing to seal the pocket sooner

Ideal For

• World War II history enthusiasts

• Military-history readers and collectors

• Students of the Normandy campaign

• Readers interested in military leadership and strategy

• Researchers studying Allied coalition warfare

• Collectors of books about D-Day and the European Theater

Book Details

• Title: The Battle of the Generals

• Full Title: The Battle of the Generals: The Untold Story of the Falaise Pocket—The Campaign That Should Have Won World War II

• Author: Martin Blumenson

• Original Publisher: William Morrow

• Original Publication Year: 1993

• Language: English

• Subjects: World War II, Normandy campaign, Falaise Pocket, military leadership, European Theater

• Format: Used book

• Edition: Multiple editions may exist. Please review the product photographs for the binding, publisher, publication date, ISBN, and other details of the exact copy offered.

Used-Book Condition

This is a previously owned book and may show normal signs of age, handling, and storage. Possible wear includes rubbing, fading, creases, edge or corner wear, spine wear, age-toned pages, inscriptions, bookplates, highlighting, or underlining. If a dust jacket is present, it may also show shelf wear, small tears, chips, or creasing.

Please examine all available photographs carefully. The pictured book is the exact copy you will receive. Includes one used book.

WWII historian Martin Blumenson analyzes the Falaise Pocket campaign and the Allied command conflicts that shaped it. Ex-library hardback with protective jacket, scuffing, and clean interior pages. Great reference for WWII students and collectors.