'Jon Latimer brings a spring-like freshness to the campaign ... a forthright, in-depth and highly-satisfying view of one of history's classic encounters' -- The Oxford Times 

'Jon Latimer's excellent book' Max Hastings -- The Sunday Telegraph 

'Latimer makes skilful use of first-hand accounts by participants to bring the narrative to life.' -- Gary Sheffield, BBC History 

'Vividly describes the battle in all its complex detail ... oral history and eye-witness accounts are skilfully used.' -- Soldier Magazine 

'a blow-by-blow account that does not have particular axe to grind but brings together both the overall strategy and the nitty-gritty of the fighting' -- Sunday Mercury 

'an incisive and readable narrative. He ... stands back and lets the fighting men speak for themselves ... '. Lawrence James -- Daily Mail 

'brilliantly weaves eyewitness accounts into the broader strategic picture ... an altogether masterly piece of work.' -- Eastern Daily Press 

'written with verve: the confusion of the fighting, which defied Montgomery's own subsequent assertion that it was all planned, is conveyed in vivid detail.' -- Hew Strachan, Times Literary Supplement 

Jon Latimer's is the heavyweight account - detailed, exhaustive, complete, as might be expected from an historian with an eye for soldiering -- Allan Mallinson - The Times 

Painstaking yet gripping, this should be the definitive account of the battle itself for years to come. -- Publisher's Weekly (USA) 

‘Jon Latimer sets the scene almost like a Deighton thriller ... This is living history at its best. ‘ -- Birmingham Evening Mail 

‘Just when you thought this campaign had been picked cleaner than a desert carcass Jon Latimer comes along and gives us this scholarly and readable treatment' -- South wales Argus 

‘Refreshingly entertaining ... takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride.' -- Hartlepool Star