In Patton, Montgomery, Rommel, one of Britain's most accomplished military scholars presents an unprecedented study of the land war in the North African and European theaters, as well as their chief commanders--three men who also happened to be the most compelling dramatis personae of World War II.--Dust jacket.

"Originally published as Masters of battle: Monty, Patton and Rommel at war by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd, London, in 2008."--T.p. verso.

Prologue : The ego at war -- Introductions: three portraits -- First blood -- How to fight in armor -- Rommel's blitzkrieg -- Original Rommel: 7th Panzer Division invasion narrataive -- Conquests of the Deutsches Afrika Korps -- Hounding Rommel: Monty and Patton close in -- Operations Lightfoot and Torch -- Fractures in Anglo-American alliance -- Patton's race to Messina -- Monty's crawl to Salerno -- The battering ram and the Atlantic wall -- Original Patton: The invasion speech to the Third Army -- The master plan and the Grossinvasion -- The Caen Controversy -- Patton's blitzkrieg and the "Montgomery Thrust" -- The Rommel murder -- Bulging ambitions: PAtton and Monty "win" the was -- What to do with Nazis and Communists -- Original Monty: Memoirs at war -- Epilogue: The will to fight.