Sicily '43 by James Holland

 Sicily '43: The First Assault on Fortress Europe by James Holland-598 pages

This is a long-overdue popular account of a major Allied campaign that's been overshadowed by later events. The Sicilian invasion was a major test of coordination between the U.S. and British armies and their naval counterparts. The author does an excellent job of discrediting certain criticisms of the 38-day battle, such as too many German units were allowed to escape across the straits of Messina. The book gives an accurate picture of combat experiences in various parts of the sweltering island, and the overall importance of capturing the island in the Allied strategy.