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Correlli Douglas BarnettEnglish military historian
Date of Birth: 28.06.1927
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Marriage and Family
- Analysis of British Military History
- Critical View of Napoleon
- The Decline of British Power
- "The Collapse of British Power"
- "Forgotten Victory: The British Dream, British Reality, 1945-50"
Early Life and Education
Douglas Barnett, a renowned English military historian, was born in Norbury, London, to Douglas and Kathleen Barnett. He attended Whitgift School in Croydon and subsequently Exeter College, Oxford, where he graduated with honors and a first-class degree in Modern History specializing in military history and war theory. He earned an Oxbridge Master of Arts degree in 1954.
Marriage and Family
In 1950, Barnett married Ruth Murphy, and they had two daughters.Career and Writings
Barnett served as a consultant in history and authored the BBC documentary television series "The Great War" (1963-64). He actively opposed the 2003 Iraq War through articles published in various newspapers.
His most notable work is "The Desert Generals," in which he reassessed the British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's role in the removal of his predecessors during the North African campaign. Barnett criticized Montgomery's excessive use of force in the second battle of El Alamein and characterized him as an "emotional cripple."
Analysis of British Military History
Throughout his works, including "The Desert Generals" and "Armies and Power," Barnett argued that the British Armed Forces were often hindered by tradition and technological inferiority. He cited the performance of British tanks in the North African desert and the Royal Navy's involvement in the Battle of Jutland as examples.
Critical View of Napoleon
In his 1978 book "Bonaparte," Barnett presented a less favorable view of Napoleon Bonaparte than is typically portrayed. He portrayed Napoleon as a "Mediterranean bandit" and emphasized the role of luck and deception in his famous victories.
The Decline of British Power
Barnett's "Pride and Fall" series consists of several books that examine the decline of British power:
"The Collapse of British Power"
"The Audit of War: The Illusions and Realities of Britain as a Great Nation"
"Forgotten Victory: The British Dream, British Reality, 1945-50"
"Verdict on the World: Britain Between Her Past and Future"The Audit of War
"The Audit of War" analyzes the decline of British power over the 19th century. Barnett attributes this to a shift in the ruling elite's values, from those of religious evangelism and nonconformism to a more secular and materialistic outlook.
