Overview

"More than just a new German-to-English translation of Rommel's memoir, ""Erwin Rommel: First War-A New Look At Infantry Attacks"" by military historian/author Zita Steele (pen name for Zita Ballinger Fletcher) provides analysis of Rommel's transformation from a naïve young soldier into a formidable World War II general. This book is an authoritative work on Rommel's life, his tactical lessons and military career during World War I. It gives a vibrant look at Rommel as a young soldier with many rare photographs and allows readers to ""hear"" his voice like never before as they witness his transformation into a famous commander. This new take on ""Infantry Attacks!"" is exciting to read and provides a better understanding of Rommel's tactics, his personality as a writer and experiences as World War I veteran. Features include: Richly illustrated with photos from Rommel's private albums, including First World War photographs, plus all 83 maps he drew for the book Detailed introduction illuminates Rommel's writing style, experiences as a mountain trooper and situation in life when he first left for war, including details about his early relationships with his wife Lucie and girlfriend Walburga Stemmer New, vivid and accurate translation of ""Infantry Attacks!"" faithful to the original German brings Rommel's colorful writing style to life for readers to ""hear"" his unique voice Censored passages restored in full and translation errors are corrected Lost notes restored from Rommel's previously overlooked phrases he emphasized in tactical lessons now contained in bold to show his military lesson focus points based on his wartime experiences Commentary in each chapter shares details about Rommel's original German text (slang expressions, songs, cultural references and insights into his unique word choices) to better understand exactly what he said and why Analysis of Rommel's transformation from a young soldier into a famous general Conclusion examines the impact of Rommel's first war on his life and career This well-researched, fascinating book is a must-have for anyone interested in Erwin Rommel."

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9781941184332

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Reviews

"""Rommel's original text comes vividly alive through Zita Steele's superb German-to-English translation... Steele also reveals Erwin Rommel as a person, with the all-too-human flaws he possessed... Steele's new book which is based on her new, insightful, nuanced and authoritative English translation of Erwin Rommel's classic of military history 1937 book, ""Infantry Attacks,"" is a hand's-down, ""must-have"" book in any military history enthusiast's library. It's not only a ""classic"" account of World War I combat, it's an insightful preview of one of the most famous commanders of World War II - and how he learned his trade! Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it!"" - JERRY D. MORELOCK, PhD, Colonel, U.S. Army, ret., is a 1969 West Point graduate who served 36 years in uniform in command and staff positions, including Director of the Combat Studies Institute, the history department of the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. He has authored several books and published over 300 articles in history journals and magazines. He is MHQ and HistoryNet senior editor and senior historian. ........... ""Steele's new book, Erwin Rommel's First War: A New Look at Infantry Attacks, is a major contribution for understanding Rommel's early life as a young officer and genius tactician. Her work is based on many years of personal research into Rommel's life. Steele's insightful analysis of German historical documents and photographs provide new insights into the formative days of one of World War II's top generals and his classic book on infantry tactics. Steele has the same view of Rommel as Winston Churchill, who said, ""We have a daring and skillful opponent against us, and may I say across the havoc of war, a great general."" Her appropriate admiration for Rommel's military acumen includes his honorable character. After Germany's devastating defeat in WWI, though Rommel was initially impressed by Hitler's revitalization of Germany, he never joined the Nazi Party and became disillusioned by Hitler's behavior. Near the end of WWII, Hitler caused Rommel's death by forcing his suicide for his alleged, but false charge of attempting to assassinate the Fuhrer. Steele's work is truly unique and valuable. Based on her in depth research, she incorporates expert, personal commentary, and notes into the first part of her book; then in each chapter of the English edition of Infantry Attacks. That edition was first printed by the Infantry Journal during WWII, but was redacted to censor objectional material. Steele rightly explains her approach as ""more than a new translation ... [written] to provide a new perspective on Rommel in World War I, as well as introductory material and final assessments to analyze the war's impact on his character and future generalship."" In this well done effort, she succeeds admirably. As a former infantry officer assigned to the US Army Infantry School's Doctrine and Training Development Directorate and later, the Command, Tactics, and Leadership Department, I am quite impressed by Steele's book. I consider it a must read for military historians, tactics instructors, future or current combat arms officers and noncommissioned officers, or old military veterans like me."" -ED SHERWOOD, Lt. Colonel, (US Army, ret. author of Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne's Hidden Battle at Tam Ky, a 2021 Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Writing Award finalist."

"""Rommel's original text comes vividly alive through Zita Steele's superb German-to-English translation... Steele also reveals Erwin Rommel as a person, with the all-too-human flaws he possessed... Steele's new book which is based on her new, insightful, nuanced and authoritative English translation of Erwin Rommel's classic of military history 1937 book, ""Infantry Attacks,"" is a hand's-down, ""must-have"" book in any military history enthusiast's library. It's not only a ""classic"" account of World War I combat, it's an insightful preview of one of the most famous commanders of World War II - and how he learned his trade! Buy it! Read it! Enjoy it!"" - JERRY D. MORELOCK, PhD, Colonel, U.S. Army, ret., is a 1969 West Point graduate who served 36 years in uniform in command and staff positions, including Director of the Combat Studies Institute, the history department of the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. He has authored several books and published over 300 articles in history journals and magazines. He is MHQ and HistoryNet senior editor and senior historian."

Author Information

"Zita Steele is the creative pen name of military historian and author Zita Ballinger Fletcher. Zita has written more than 10 books, including the first published collection of Field Marshal Rommel's war photography. She won awards for two of her books in both fiction and nonfiction categories: a Silver Medal for History for ""Bernard Montgomery's Art of War,"" and a Bronze Medal for Historical Fiction for ""The Hidden Sphinx: A Tale of World War II Egypt,"" from the Military Writers Society of America in 2020. Zita received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Honors College at the University of South Florida and is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Military History. She is the editor of Military History Quarterly (MHQ) and Vietnam magazines published by HistoryNet. She lives in Washington, D.C. Zita Steele is the creative pen name of military historian and author Zita Ballinger Fletcher. Zita has written more than 10 books, including the first published collection of Field Marshal Rommel's war photography. She won awards for two of her books in both fiction and nonfiction categories: a Silver Medal for History for ""Bernard Montgomery's Art of War,"" and a Bronze Medal for Historical Fiction for ""The Hidden Sphinx: A Tale of World War II Egypt,"" from the Military Writers Society of America in 2020. Zita received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Honors College at the University of South Florida and is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Military History. She is the editor of Military History Quarterly (MHQ) and Vietnam magazines published by HistoryNet. She lives in Washington, D.C."

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