Product Description

The Falklands War began when Argentinian troops invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. Martin Middlebrook has sought out all the available evidence from documentary and personal sources on both sides and comes to some controversial conclusions about the conflict. His book, which contains material on the Exocet attacks on British ships, on the loss of HMS Coventry and the Sir Galahad tragedy, and on the controversial sinking of the General Belgrano, has been revised for this edition. Paced like the war itself, leading to a tense and stirring climax, this book will remain the definitive work on this recent and most unusual conflict.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61728 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
Martin Middlebrook is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the author of The Kaiser's Battle: March 1918 (Classic Penguin Military History, September 2000) and The First Day on the Somme (Classic Penguin Military History, May 2001).

Customer Reviews

A gripping account, a real page turner.
I was eleven in 1982, so whilst I remember the names of "Goose Green" "Exocet" and "General Belgrano", my knowledge of the events of the Falklands war was rather patchy. This account gives full information and personal accounts from both Islanders and Soldiers who lived through the campaign. It is largely free from political accounts, which is good, as the build-up and final battles are not hindered by events happening in Whitehall and Buenos Aires, and so is allowed to develop into a ripping narrative. One criticism I do have, is of Middlebrook's reluctance to criticise the British military for some of the glaring mistakes that were made, namely in the sinking of the Sheffield (this will have to be revised in light of the recent BBC programme), and the Sir Galahad. But all-in-all this is a very good book.

A well researched account
Martin Middlebrook's The Falklands War provides a well researched account of the 3rd Commando Brigade battalions in the Falklands. The book includes a series of short pieces in which former members of the British brigade, from officer to private soldier, present fascinating accounts of their personal experiences. Nick van der Bijl's Nine Battles To Stanley continues the story. Bijl, a spanish-speaking officer attached to 3rd Commando Brigade Headquarters for the campaign, tells for the first time the land battles of the Falklands, as seen through the eyes of both sides. The platoons of Second Lieutenant Diego Aristegui and First Lieutenant Victor Rodriguez-Perez, which carried out the only two nocturnal counterattacks during the Wireless Ridge battle were a typical well-knit group. During the Two Sisters Ridge battle the 4th Regiment platoon of Second Lieutenant Marcelo Llambias-Pravaz blocked 45 Commando's progress for three hours before caving in. Indeed, there is overwhelming evidence that without the British Paras and Royal Marine Commandos, the fierce battles in Port Stanley's outskirts may not have been won or at least with massive casualties.

A good book by a great war writer.
I read this book some years ago in when it was called Task Force. Since then I've read around a dozen books on the Falklands War and this is still the best in my opinion.

Required reading for anyone with an interest in this area.