My previous experience with Pressfield is as a chronicler of the ancients. I became a fan after reading his wonderful "The Virtue of War." Pressfield writes with a deep insight into the mind of warriors and his battle scenes are riveting. In Killing Rommel Pressfield takes on world war 2 and the battle for North Africa. The story is told through the eyes of a young Lieutenant in the British army. After volunteering for service with the long range desert group -- (a highly secret and mobile unit charged with fighting behind the enemiy lines, hunting Rommel in order to assasinate the Desert Fox as he was known)--he is taken on a journey of self discovery. Like his other books Pressfield writes with great compassion for warriors and men that become warriors. He illuminates the courage and bonds of brotherhood that form during battle and of course as always offers vivid portraits of war and the battle field. What stood out in this book is that while there are relatively few battles the book is filled with suspence and more importantly humanity. This young Lt. is not Alexander or Hannibal. He is just a regular guy -- a would be publisher as it happens -- who finds himself in an extraordinary time and rises to the occasion.

Based on Richard Adams Best selling novel Watership down is the story of a band of rabbits that sets out to find a new home. Along the way they battle the elements and predators. They meet up with docile domesticated rabbits that do not know enough to know they are caged, a cult of rabbits that celebrates death and finally do battle with a kingdom of rabbit run by a tyrant. The story is filled with mythology, violence and the themes of courage, loyalty and the need for people to live free. I loved the book so I really wanted to love this movie. I really did. Unfortunately the film doesn't do the book justice. In fairness it may be that in 1979 the animation technology available placed real limits on what this film could and couldn't do. What is missing is the terror the rabbits feel. In Adams novel the violence is brutal and sudden. The cult of death rabbits is creepy, the domesticated rabbits pathetic and the rabbit tyrant frightening. As much as the filmmakers tried there is something about cartoon rabbits that is always a bit well cute. The result is a film that is a watered down, luke- warm version of a terrific book. Oh and the film is rated PG, but is really more appropriate for older children, say over 10. Two stars on Netflix.