Erwin Rommel Battles and Campaigns 1940-1944 Illustrated
About this book
The realization of a man's ambition is possible only within the limitations imposed by his physiology and psychology. If, in addition to exploiting their natural endowments to the full, illustrious leaders could but detect, evaluate and subjugate their frailties, how much more contented and effective they might be, and how different the course of history. Consider the biographical details of the 'Great Captains': how many of them managed to check the onward rush of their careers before becpming overstretched by sheer exhaustion or by attempting feats beyond their capacity? In particular, recall to mind the men of action who sought fame at the cannon's mouth, and ask how many of them considered in any depth the consequences of their search for glory. Few among the brave will publicly admit to failings or to constraints that have, at times of crisis, held them back. It is extremely rare for a courageous, ambitious hero to restrain himself when the target of his ambition is in sight and, seemingly - temptingly - within reach. Frequently in the past, even the strongest of characters have been urged on by impetuous aspiration to overreach themselves, and have been dashed to pieces on the hard rocks of destiny.