THE BATTLE OF THE GENERALS

Reviews

Roland Perry delves into the ructions and manoeuvering between MacArthur and Blamey in informed, entertaining detail, provides portraits of them---Blamey pugnacious and militarily astute, MacArthur, a showman as much as a commander---while also looking at how posterity has treated the two.

Smooth, engaging popular history.

---Steven Carroll, SMH and The Age

*

What an uneven battle! Thomas Blamey, the little guy, rural-bred, rough, rumbunctious, distrusted; Douglas MacArthur, nobly bred, imperious, destined for greatness, the darling of his own heart…Blamey’s weaknesses and foibles, Perry writes, were outweighed by his strengths, fortitude, and care for his country. He was the necessary tough commander in a brutal war: ‘his elevation to field marshal was an acknowledgement of his grand contributions to the Australian military in two world wars.’

This enjoyable, clearly argued, comprehensive and highly readable book  allows readers to appreciate the pressures of war on its leaders, and their weaknesses and strengths.

----Michael McKernan,  Australian Book Review

*

This is a fascinating biography…It is an even-handed, intriguing, easy to read history of the WW11 South West Pacific war theatre that should be read by all Australians to appreciate how close Australia came to be being invaded by the Japanese.

----General Jim Barry

*

Professor Perry captures the relationship of these two men, their connections with the troops, politicians and public in a style that is informative, personal and  accessible to all. I strongly recommend The Battle of the Generals for anyone who is interested in our history and a harbinger for the future.

----Dr Leon Levin

*

Roland Perry  transforms the events, the battles and the politics of WW11 into people, human character and insights, uncovering human flaws of our leaders and heroes that guarded and fought for our liberty. This history and how it was  influenced by these leaders is critical in understanding the core values that make up who we are in Australia.

----Peter Singer

*