The Day of Battle: the War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944 by Rick Atkinson

To say that no war in American history ever went well is an understatement. The Allied effort in the Mediterranean portrayed in this extensive study of World War II verifies that military acumen and tactical maneuvering had not improved much since the day of the smooth bored musket. It is truly a wonder the Americans, the British, smatterings of Canadians, Poles, and French pulled off the liberation of Sicily and Italy. Italy, and the advance on Rome, proved to be beyond the capabilities of the Allied forces against the Nazi Panzer division under General Kesselring.
Of course it may have been helpful if Patton hadn't slapped two soldiers around and been relieved during the Sicilian campaign. Lieutenant General Mark Clark had too much to handle coordinating the American troops and was nearly done in by the recalcitrant and smug independence of the British Eighth Army.
An excellent delve into the minds of the principals involved, particularly Clark and the always opportunistic Kesselring. Highly recommended for World War II buffs who fear the ultimate insignificant loss of the lives of young men.