A biography of Orde Charles Wingate, a charismatic and eccentric World War II general. His overriding passion was for Zionism, a cause embraced when posted to British-ruled Palestine in 1936. He led many campaigns, the most famous conducted behind enemy lines in Burma against the Japanese.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Few men have made as outstanding contributions to their country's cause as Orde Wingate, yet few have divided opinion so completely either. "We don't want any more Wingates in the British Army" says an Army Council minute written after the end of the Second World War, and after his death. In contrast, no less than Winston Churchill himself said, before the House of Commons, "There was a man of genius, who might well have become a man of destiny".
John Bierman and Colin Smith's enlightening and rigorous biography of this brilliant man amply demonstrates how the conservative establishment of the British Army could come to adopt such an ungracious attitude to one of their most dynamic sons, who contributed so much to the war effort with dazzling performances in Abyssinia and Burma, and so much to future strategic thinking with his bold formulation of new methods. He was a square, or perhaps a Star-of-David, shaped peg who ruffled feathers with his uncompromising style, unconventional thinking and eccentric nature (perhaps most memorably expressed in his unaffected penchant for receiving visitors in the nude). Together with an acute intelligence and great breadth of learning, Wingate was a man possessed of awe-inspiring will and single-minded application, and he was often seen flying into a rage when things were not done as he thought they should be. Many, regardless of rank, felt the lash of his tongue. His almost fanatical commitment to the cause of Zionism, a highly sensitive and ambivalent political hot potato for the British at the time, seems also to have rankled many who simply could not understand a man so unlike the typical public-school educated officer. Although not Jewish himself, to this day he is widely honoured in Israel. Zvi Brenner, his Jewish bodyguard in Palestine before the war when he was commanding the Special Night Squads, elegantly encapsulated the man when, in describing Wingate's uncanny ability to negotiate all terrain in darkness, he said, "Wingate didn't follow any paths but walked in straight lines". A truly exceptional man, there is, unfortunately, little chance of the British Army having any more Wingates. --Alisdair Bowles
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 7.85
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbb0023156617
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: M Godding Books Ltd, Devizes, WILTS, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good Jacket. Previous owner's ink inscription. Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail with tracking worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging. Picture is the actual item. Seller Inventory # 230041
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 033372576X-R
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. Ex-Library Copy **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 4355207
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Balfour Books, Sidmouth, DEVON, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Reprint. Copy in black cloth on boards in unclipped D/J. Free of inscriptions. Clean text with b/w plates. Appears unread. Seller Inventory # 032049
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Callaghan Books South, New Port Richey, FL, U.S.A.
Cloth. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. 2d. Large, sturdy book, quality black cloth, very bright gilt lettering on spine, 434 crisp pages including two glossy photo sections on this unique military leader. DJ has a blue-tinted photograph of younger General Wingate on front in uniform, black spine and back, praise from British publications including the Times Literary Supplement, Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, and also The New Republic. DJ and book, both As New. Seller Inventory # 57111
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Pelican Bay Books, Anacortes, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Hardcover. Minor shelf-wear to book and jacket. Interior is clean and unmarked, binding solid. Seller Inventory # 315264
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: CHARLES BOSSOM, Ely, CAMBS, United Kingdom
Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition, First Impression. Dust jacket complete, unclipped. Original cloth boards with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership marks. A biography of Orde Charles Wingate, a charismatic and eccentric World War II general. His overriding passion was for Zionism, a cause embraced when posted to British-ruled Palestine in 1936. He led many campaigns, the most famous conducted behind enemy lines in Burma against the Japanese. Size: 8vo. Seller Inventory # 144512
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books Puddle, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 26133924178
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Majestic Books, Hounslow, United Kingdom
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 126630541
Quantity: 1 available