Caen: Anvil of Victory

Hello gentlemen,

'Caen: Anvil of Victory', by Alexander McKee. This book is rather old, but is it any good? I'm certainly no expert on the D-Day/Normandy chapter of WWII, but after reading Robert Kershaw's 'D-Day, Piercing the Atlantic Wall' I would like to read about Caen. Do some of you gentlemen know this book and would you be kind enough to express your opinion. Thanks.

Regards,
I-16 Rata

 

Having not read the book, I can't comment as to it being 'any good'. The book is an account of the British and Canadian efforts in Normandy and one website that has reviewed the book states:
'Had McKee stayed away from discussions of operational planning and command decisions, the book would be a tight, compelling history. Read this book for the combat descriptions and personal tales, but don't believe a word of McKee's discussions on command, planning, and operations.'
Even so, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a copy.

 

I can't comment on Caen: Anvil of Victory, but I can recommend, Fields of Fire: the Canadians in Normandy by Terry Copp, The Guns of Normandy by George Blackburn, and victory at falaise by Denis Whitaker, Shelagh Whitaker, and Terry Copp. These all have a Canadian perspective, both Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Whitaker were Veterans of Normandy. Until I read these I had mostly been exposed to British and American accounts in documentaries.

I now have Max Hastings Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy

 

McKee's book is OK and the review quoted by JP44 above is fair. The books mentioned by Michelle are very good indeed although, as she says, focus on the Canadian perspective.

A decent overall account remains Belfield & Essame's 'The Battle For Normandy' and especially good on Caen is J J How's book 'Hill 112' - but this one is sadly very hard to find today ( surely it deserves a reprint ? )

 

JJF did a reprint about three or four years back. Copies are going for about £20-£25.

McKee's book is very good for its first-hand material, particularly some of the German stuff (from memory his wife was German) such as Werner Kortenhaus, who went on to be the 21 Panzer Division chronicler. I think that's what lifts it above so many run-of-the-mill Normandy books - the fact that he covers both sides. From memory - although it's a long time since I read it - How does the same. It too is a very good account.

 

Hello gentlemen,

I thank you all for your quick reply and expertise!

Regards,
I-16 Rata