The Rising Tide

I just got through reading this excellent book called The Rising Tide, about America's pivotal role in the first half of the European theatre from North Africa (Operation Torch) to the early stages of the Italian campaign (Operation Avalanche). The book retells the campaign in a dramatic yet historically determined bent, in a historical narrative. It captures the planning, dilemmas, arguments and reactions of key figures on both sides of the conflict, with Eisenhower in the lead on the Allied side and Rommel in the lead on the Axis side. It is a smart, exciting historical epic from the point of those who planned the events and some of those who fought in the battles, mostly by two American soldiers, tank gunner Priv. Jack Logan and paratrooper Sgt. Jesse Adams. Also featured in the book are George Patton, Mark Clark, George Marshall, Bernard Montgomery, Sir Harold Alexander, Churchill, Albert Kesselring and even brief encounters with FDR and Hitler. It would make the basis for a superb tv miniseries. I could see Tom Selleck reprising his role as Eisenhower, Ed Harris as Erwin Rommel, Robert Carlyle as Bernard Montgomery. I see Patton and can't help but picture George C. Scott, but I can imagine casting a skilled actor in the role nonetheless. It retails the Allies' mistakes at Kasserine Pass and their confusion in Sicily and Italy. It would be long, but worth the watch.

"Religion and Politics: like a divorced couple who still enjoy occasional, casual sex."--Anonymous