This historical account describes the political and strategic realities behind the Battle of El Alamein. The battle was fought over twelve grueling days and nights between two war weary armies. The fight was between the British General Montgomery "Monty" and Germany's Field Marshal Rommel the "Desert Fox". Britain's victory salvaged Britain's morale and reputation. Placing the Desert war in a wider context the victory at El Alamein was a triumph on a war front that was pivotal to the struggle between the Allies and the Axis for control of a vital front in a Mediterranean theater which shaped the course of the Second World War.

Preface: A pivotal struggle -- Starting points -- Opening salvos -- Mussolini's mistake -- A change of plan -- Rommel to the rescue -- Dangerous diversions -- Trouble at home and away -- A fightback fails -- A new broom in the desert -- Auchinleck stands firm -- The tables are turned -- Roosevelt joins the fray -- The Desert Fox goes hunting -- Trouble at the top -- Deadlock -- Stretched to breaking point -- The worst of time -- The Americans come good -- The Auk's last stand -- Enter Montgomery -- Montgomery makes his mark -- Churchill feels the pressure -- Into the breach -- "An unforgettable nightmare" -- The end of the beginning -- The beginning of the end.