Erwin Rommel was born in 1891 and, as a young man, was very intellectual. His father was a traditionalist (in thought) schoolmaster who offered him a choice of careers that was between: being a school teacher, or joining the military. Young Rommel chose the military. Displaying the initiative and cunning for which he later became famous, he pioneered ways of overcoming the tactical stalemate imposed by trench warfare, leading assault teams through weak spots in the front line, causing chaos inside Allied territory. His valor earned him the Iron Cross, Germany's highest military decoration. But, after the war ended in defeat and disgrace for Germany in 1918, Rommel lived in dreadful shame until the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1933. For Rommel, Hitler's program of national revival meant the resurrection of the army, and new opportunities for officers. With the invasion of poland, World War Two had started. During a victory parade in Warsaw, he joined Hitler on the podium, and, for the invasion of France, he was put in command of a Panzer tank division.In February 1941, after the successful campaign against France, Rommel was sent to northern Africa, and led the Afrika Korps against the British forces defending Egypt and the strategically important Suez Canal. With immense flair and imagination, plus a practical understanding of detail, Rommel led his troops to a series of outstanding victories, the greatest of which was the capture of Tobruk in June 1942. Rommel stood out during battle hosting a costume of goggles, leather greatcoat, scarf and medals. Rommel deliberately played the part of noble warrior, appearing in dozens of Nazi propaganda films. He was a war hero. In October 1942, while Rommel was on holiday with his family, the British 8th Army attacked at El Alamein, and shattered the myth of the invincible Afrika Korps. Although Rommel rushed back, it was too late to avoid defeat. Despite failure in Africa, Rommel was still immensely popular. El Alamein is 150...