Impossible Victories: Ten Unlikely Battlefield Successes

by Bryan Perrett

Some of the most unlikely, unexpected, improbable, and even impossible military successes of the past 200 years, covered in a "top ten" list! With accurate detail and adventurous drama, these accounts highlight the Albuera counterattack in the 1811 Peninsular War; the Battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane in 1814; the Charges at Beersheba and Huj in Palestine (1917); the Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill; US Rangers at Omaha Beach; and the Hill 875 attack in Vietnam.

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction, War, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Bryan Perrett was born in 1934 and educated at Liverpool College. He served in the Royal Armoured Corps, the 17th/21st Lancers, Westminster Dragoons, and the Royal Tank Regiment, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration.A professional military historian for many years, his books include "A History of the Blitzkrieg" and "Knights of the Black Cross - Hitler's Panzerwaffe and its Leaders". His treatise Desert Warfare was widely consulted during the Gulf War. His most recent works, including "Last Stand, At All Costs" and "Against all Odds" examine aspects of motivation. During the Falklands and Gulf Wars Bryan Perrett served as Defense Correspondent to the Liverpool Echo. His books are widely read on both sides of the Atlantic and have been translated into several languages.

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really sure why this book was written. If you want descriptions of these battles there are MANY better places to find them. This book is more of a "Boy's Own" book of battles. There is plenty of Racism and Imperialism for everyone to enjoy. Only real military enthusiasts will make it though to get any real value out of this book. Even wargamers will have trouble sucking whatever marrow there is here...

[Dennis Germundal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but the imperialist viewpoint is annoying.
Also, when Brits or Americans fight to the last man they are heroic, when Germans do it they are fanatical.

[David Hiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good military history, author is better at the 17th century stuff than the more modern tho his WW1 work on Palestine was first rate. A decidedly British flavor.

[Seth J. Vogelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light reading and at times entertaining. The story of the cavalrt charge at Beer Sheva was a good read.

[William Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but rather biased

[Pat Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise for me. Well written and good descriptions of famous battles in the history of war. The stories tell of the great odds facecd by the victors and their techniques and pure heart involved in their winning said battles.

[Murf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of 10 battles out of history that were incredible victories against overwhelming odds. Great history book, very recommended