Leaders and Generals

Children's Literature

Erwin Rommel earned the highest commendations possible while serving under Hitler and then abruptly attempted to assassinate the Nazi leader. Georgi Zhukov was too timid to convince Joseph Stalin of the impending invasion by Germany into Russia but was the catalyst of its defense in the end. Yamamoto Isoroku was the brains behind Pearl Harbor, knowing full well that it meant war with America, while for years he preached to his superiors that to begin a war with the United States would be the demise of his country. Chester Nimitz was a man that "abhorred" death but led the fight in two battles that alone killed more than ten thousand Americans. What about other great leaders of this "war to end all wars?" Lace has gone to great lengths to put together a book that gives insight into the greatest military minds of World War II. A study of these gentlemen without this book would be less than complete. Excellent photos and personal narratives accompany each of the chapters included. This book is part of the "American War Library" series. 2000, Lucent Books, . Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Scott S. Floyd

School Library Journal

Gr 5-10-Lace profiles eight of the most prominent leaders of World War II, including Erwin Rommel, Georgi Zhukov, Erich von Manstein, Yamamoto Isoroku, Douglas MacArthur, Chester Nimitz, Dwight Eisenhower, and Bernard Law Montgomery. Approximately 10 pages are devoted to each man's life and military career. Special talents and personal shortcomings are noted. Wukovits describes the life of American infantrymen as they fought on the fronts of Western Europe from 1941 to 1945. The well-organized text describes basic training, the soldiers' initial battle experience, the Normandy Invasion, and the Battle of the Bulge. The role of medics, nurses, the Red Cross, and entertainers and general living conditions of the infantry are discussed in detail. Both volumes are liberally illustrated with good-quality, captioned, archival black-and-white photos. Thorough research is indicated by the prolific use of personal letters and other primary sources, and footnotes are extensive. Both of these titles present new material in a manner that readers will appreciate.-Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|