Review of Jonathan Dimbleby's new book on El Alamein Destiny in the Desert

An Evening with Jonathan Dimbleby Destiny in the Desert, The Story behind El Alamein Blackheath Halls, Wednesday, June 19, 2013 For the first time in wartime Britain, the bells of victory rang out. At last there was hope where before, there was none. Churchill, as ever, penned appropriate words. “ It is not the end nor is it the beginning of the end, it is the end of the beginning”. But did success at El Alamein really change World War Two? In his persuasive new book, Destiny in the Desert, The Road to El Alamein, political commentator and historian, Jonathan Dimbleby, makes a powerful case. “It was a seminal moment,” he told Scene enthusiastically, “marked a clear turning point and gave the Allies a morale-boosting victory”. The book seamlessly weaves political and strategic considerations into the narrative of a complex battle – El Alamein comprised 3 distinctive engagements. “It came naturally,” he said modestly, “it’s what I’ve been doing for most of my professional life”. The protagonists are resurrected by judicious use of detail - Churchill’s endless meddling through his incessant telegrams to the front and (Field Marshal) Rommel’s devotion to his partner in daily letters to his wife. In his assessment of (Field Marshal Bernard) Montgomery, favourite of Churchill and conventional hero of El Alamein, Dimbleby courts controversy “He was dogged and fortunate but also hugely self-centred and he took over when victory was inevitable”. Dimbleby goes further unveiling an abrasive, intolerant and shameless self-publicist, remorselessly relentless in the pursuit of his objective. “We will stand and fight here. If we can’t stay here alive, then let us stay here dead”. The narrative is quite stunning, the pace unrelenting and the sentences crafted like Flaubert. “Narrative drive is my litmus test,” he told Scene, “I have to enjoy what I write”. The battle was ferocious and after two weeks of fighting, 40,000 bodies lay strewn across the sands of North Africa. Intertwined in the telling are personal moments - the dying Sargent who called for his mother or the tank captain whose crew were incinerated. But for Dimbleby too, the past echoes loudly, father, Richard, the BBC’s War Correspondent for Egypt. Ultimately recalled to London without, according to his son, “ a word of explanation or gratitude,” he went on to cover such momentous events as Churchill’s funeral. Dimbleby junior seems similarly driven and is currently “feverishly researching the Battle of the Atlantic,” for a new book expected next year. Much has been written of this small town in Egypt but never has it read like a novel. Hooked from the start we are willingly reeled in by a writer at the top of his game. Beautifully crafted prose. 9/10. Jonathan Dimbleby comes to Blackheath Halls on Wednesday, June 19 at 8pm. Tickets £10. Box Office: +44 (0) 208 463 0100 http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/blackheath-halls.aspx Dick Morgan, June 2013