MAJOR & MRS HOLT’S BATTLEFIELD GUIDE TO OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN
Third Edition, Update Section with GPS
Published by Pen & Sword Military
ISBN: 978 1 78159 378 3
Review by Mark Barnes for War History Online
Here is a classic for battlefield tourists back for a third bite at the cherry. It is updated for the world of GPS and includes info on the monuments and other things which have been added or changed on the battlefield since the first edition came out over a decade ago. All the usual ingredients of itineraries and snippets of detail in dedicated panels are in place. It looks and feels the same; reliable, tough and easy to follow. The photos entice you out on to the battlefield trail.
The accompanying map is a solid bit of kit, much less flimsy than some I’ve seen previously in books for other battle fronts. Though, to be fair, maybe I am a tad heavy handed. I’m not bothered. The accent is all on practicality. I am pleased to say the book finds room to plug the efforts of our very own Joris Nieuwint. He contributed to some of this book and is a first class battlefield guide. I know, because I’ve done one of his tours.
Holt guides are the Nobby’s Nuts. They have it all. I bought the Normandy book for my first trek over a decade ago and have several others dedicated to the Western Front of WW1. This volume is of the same high standard. It fits in your pocket. It does the job.
Updating the things is a no brainer. The axiom about most guide books lives on. As soon as they are printed they are out of date. This sounds harsh, because you’ll get a good few years out of this one. But it was ever thus. But hey! Use your noggin. Annotate it with your own updates. Stick things in and make it a living, working book. Or just go out and buy the updates. Whatever floats your boat. Get someone to buy it for your Christmas or just treat yourself. If you’re going anywhere on the Market-Garden battlefield trail, with or without a Joris; this book should be in your pocket. Simples!