Product Description

Late in the morning of May 27th, 1941, the German battleship Bismarck was sunk by an overwhelming British armada in a fierce battle that lasted ninety minutes. Admiral Gunther Lutjens, Captain Ernst Lindermann and and 2,206 men of her crew were lost, only 115 survived. What was at stake in the late spring of 1941 was nothing less than the survival of free Britain. With almost all of Europe under Hitler's thumb, and the United States still frustratingly neutral, the only hope lay in the convoy route across the North Atlantic to the United States the arsenal of democracy with its promise of vast industrial might and bounty. As a German flotilla headed by the Bismarck made for the North Atlantic sea lanes all knew that the destruction of the mighthy battleship, and the destructive force she symbolised would be a dramatic turning point in the war. Noted historians Bercuson and Herwig have uncovered much new information on the Bismarck, including a close examination of classified British and United States diplomatic files, only recently opened, revealing secret diplomatic manoeuvrings between Churchill and Roosevelt. This new information has allowed them to tell the story of the Bismarck for the first time, from the key strategic decisions of the national leaders, to the gripping hour by hour account of the battle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1123643 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
The sinking of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941 was a crucial moment in the Second World War. With almost all of Europe occupied and America yet to declare war, the North Atlantic shipping route was vital for Britain's survival. As the flagship of the fleet, the newly commissioned Bismarck was a source of great pride to Germany and of equal fear to British shipping. In this thorough and detailed history, Bercuson and Herwig have used newly released papers from Britain and America to tell the story of the battleship from its construction - which occasioned considerable argument in Hitler's war council about how much money should be spent on it - through its brief career in the North Atlantic to its final battle and sinking, which took more than 2,000 men down with it. The result is a learned and fascinating work of military history which also focuses on the personalities involved on both sides, from the crews of the ships to the naval commanders and Churchill and Hitler themselves. Sidelines like the espionage operation mounted by the British to discover everything possible about the Bismarck add extra interest and a detailed glossary, bibliography and index ensure the book is accessible to everyone. (Kirkus UK)

From the Publisher
The complete history of the Bismarck – including much new material, allowing the authors to tell the full story for the first time.

About the Author
David J. Bercuson is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. He has written, co-authored, or edited more than thirty books and has as co-produced or advised on four documentary films. Holger H. Herwig holds the Canada Research Chair in Military and Strategic Studies at the Center for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. He is the General Series editor of Naval Policy and History and is the author of more than a dozen books on German military history.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Read
Great read, so well written, clear and precise in it's description, it makes the pursuit of the Bismarck take on a certain level of romance and myth, especially after it sinks 'the mighty Hood'. I found myself spurring on the Bismarcks capture but at the same time admiring it's brilliance. This really was a book that I simply could not put down. An intriguing story of a magnificent structure and scenario which my generation will never see the likes of. The excitement is matched only by the Bismarks tragic fate, triggered by an invention that would eventially spell the end for the battleship in general....the aeroplane.

Fantastic Read
Great read, so well written, clear and precise in it's description, it makes the pursuit of the Bismarck take on a certain level of romance and myth, especially after it sinks 'the mighty Hood'. I found myself spurring on the Bismarcks capture but at the same time admiring it's brilliance. This really was a book that I simply could not put down. An intriguing story of a magnificent structure and scenario which my generation will never see the likes of. The excitement is matched only by the Bismarks tragic fate, triggered by an invention that would eventually spell the end for the battleship in general....the aeroplane.