Acclaimed historian Antony Beevor vividly brings to life the epic struggles that took place in Second World War Crete The Germans expected their airborne attack on Crete in 1941 - a unique event in the history of warfare - to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. They had no idea that the British, using Ultra intercepts, knew their plans and had laid a carefully-planned trap. It should have been the first German defeat of the war, but a fatal misunderstanding turned the battle round. Nor did the conflict end there. Ferocious Cretan freedom fighters mounted a heroic resistance, aided by a dramatic cast of British officers from Special Operations Executive.

About the Author

A regular in the 11th Hussars, Antony Beevor served in Germany and England. He has had a number of books published and his book Stalingrad was awarded the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson History Prize and the Hawthornden Prize. Among the many prestigious posts he holds, he is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Reviews

Few battles in World War II can surpass Crete for high drama, both on land and sea. Beevor, formerly of the 11th Hussars, writes about that battle with a soldier's eye and a historian's insight. Crete was a campaign unique in many respects, not the least of which was its ferocity. Beevor has a flair for re-creating the historical moment, and during sections of the text even the most detached reader will pause to catch a breath. He dissects the leadership of some of the war's most intriguing personalities, both Allied and German, illuminating their achievements and follies. His book is enriched with wonderful anecdotal material, some of which will both amuse and puzzle his American counterparts, whose military traditions are often so dissimilar. Recommended for both professional and general readership.-Robert A. Cole, ``New England Journal of History''

'Antony Beevor's unerring flair for the climate and the feel of the conflict ! his insight and his grasp of these vents make them seem as though they had happened last week' -- Patrick Leigh Fermor, Daily Telegraph 'Excellent... an arresting account of the whole war on Crete, including the ghastly experiences of the Cretans under German occupation' -- John Keegan, Sunday Telegraph 'The best book we have got on Crete' -- Michael Foot, Observer 'Beevor's account is excellent: fresh, lively and peppered with anecdotes' -- Mail on Sunday 'A new paperback edition is welcome for two reasons; reminding us that Beevor is a writer and historian of rare ability and for starkly illustrating the variables of war' -- Neville Smith, Lloyd's List 20051028