Operation Torch: The Allied Gamble to Invade North Africa

One might assume that all the major World War II campaigns involving American troops had been thoroughly covered by now, but here's one that has received comparatively little attention. Although Breuer's workmanlike account of the Allied invasion of North Africa goes far to fill the historical gap, the fact remains that the campaign was relatively uninteresting, even though such dynamic figures as Eisenhower, Clark, Patton and Doolittle were centrally involved. The most interesting sections of the book have to do with the delicate and complicated diplomatic negotiations between the Allies and the French, whose cooperation was essential to the follow-up campaign against the Germans in Tunisia. Photos. Military Book Club selection. (March 31)