According to publishers weekly, the result is a major biography of a major american military figure. Although service in mexico was monotonous, patton took the opportunity to observe general pershing closely, studying him assiduously. Patter, patterson, patteson, pattie, pattinson, pattison, pattison, patton, patton. This is a massive biography of general george patton 820 pages of text, and more pages of footnotes, references, etc. A genius for war is a fullfledged portrait of an extraordinary american that reveals the complex and contradictory personality that lay behind the swashbuckling and brash facade. Pattons place as a truly legendary figure in the annals of military history. It begins with the roots of his predecessors in the new world. The patton society research library patton bibliography.
It was the first time a united states army contingent engaged an enemy using motor vehicles. Although this book can stand quite nicely on its own, those looking for an indepth analysis of patton s military campaigns should be warned, this book gives only a general overview of patton s wartime service. Scott in the title role, and it was released by 20th century fox. Frankau, 68, british writer who averaged a novel a year for the past 40 years. His career climaxed in 194445 when, after the allies normandy invasion, pattons third army swept across france and into germany. George patton but the reality of pattons genius is. Through the eyes of his enemies in new york journal of books. Suggestions for professional officer development readings. This book gives plenty of information as to why there was so much debate that went into keeping such a controversial general in the army. Patton sailed off to save the world 75 years ago and read these novels on the way by. The official statistical annual of the resources, history.
Here are some interesting links with info to support the details. Patton that has been a familiar presence in waters from the vineyard to maine and beyond, is for sale. After the outbreak of world war ii, patton played a major part in the invasion 1942 of north africa and in the capture 1943 of sicily. This book contains a wealth of knowledge concerning portions of pattons life that have not been explained in previous biographies. In 2012, nicholas evan sarantakes, a professor at the us. A soldiers life reveals patton as a complex soldier capable of brilliant military maneuvers but also of inspiring horrendous acts with fiery speeches.
A graduate of west point 1909, he served in world war i and was wounded while commanding a tank brigade in france. Patton 18851945 are part of a larger collection of patton papers available for research use onsite in the manuscript reading room of the library of congress. However, when he arrived at the british legion hq at the rudkin rooms in drury lane. Therefore, it is my humble opinion that this book will be best appreciated when read in conjunction with other books such as. But no matter the opinion or label attached to his name, few can argue george s. Having achieved such legendary status during his own lifetime, it comes as no surprise that general george s. Jean gordons father died at an early age and her invalid mother was the half sister of pattons wife. Patton, also known as old blood and guts a man quite properly regarded as the embodiment of americas martial tradition.
With full access to pattons private and public papers, and the cooperation of the generals family, carlo deste shows us not only the extrovert patton of public perception, but also the intensely private patton the devoted student of history, the poet, the humble man very unsure of his own abilities who could burst into tears, be. As soldiers it is our duty to continue are professional development by reading. Patton from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. See more ideas about patton, george patton, military history. The collection documents pattons military career, including his attendance at the. This link has excellent detail of events, but is written by a govt. Storied schooner once owned by general patton to be sold.
The first patton, robert, emigrated to virginia from scotland about 1770. As americas own answer to blitzkrieg, third armys actions from the normandy coast across france and germany to austria gave a new dimension to the term fluid warfare. The in pattons footsteps tour is a fascinating wwii tour. Hirshsons general patton is a very well written, revealing and very satisfying look at the american military icon, general george s. War as i knew it is the personal and candid account of his celebrated, relentless crusade across western europe during world war ii. Lust for glory is a 1970 movie about united states army general george s. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness. Patton was a largerthanlife figure whose genius for mechanized warfare and relentless pursuit of the enemy made him one of the great commanders of world war ii. The movie became very popular, and won an academy award for best picture in 1971.
Library books in circulation has remained steady, since 2012 the number of. Jeanclaude van itallie papers special collections and archives. It would seem hard for a book to tread new ground, but authors michael green and james d. Patton earned his old blood and guts nickname for having a lust for battle without regard for the lives of his troops. However, he was certainly the best commander on the allied side in europe during wor. Seventh army in the mediterranean theater of world war ii, and the u. The patton papers 1940 1945 is actually part two of a two part series. It explains pattons belief in a soldiers valhalla, connects the familys wealth to one of americas bitterest labor strikes, and disputes the usual interpretation of.
Subsequently he served in the cavalry and the tank corps. If this man is a gl veteran of north africa, sicily, or the third army in europe, however, his response will be a terse, i was with patton. Brin, jack 7 march 11, 1990 scope and content brin was the general manager of the. Discover librarianselected research resources on george s.
This book by carlo deste is about how patton handled his campaigns and what made him such a highly sought after general during the time. Did the germans fear this hardcharging tank commander and watch. Updated sep 8, 2017 links with details on pattons death. History online world history world war ii george patton historia universal american soldiers gi joe. Utilising untapped archival materials in both the usa and uk, government documents, family papers, and oral histories, hirshson creates the most balanced portrait of patton ever written. A history and study of the life and career of general george s.
The first chapter outlines the development of the family from that point to the civil war. First published in 1947, this absorbing narrative draws on pattons vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, from the moment. We visit the sites and battlefields significant to pattons third army, including normandy, brittany, montstmichel, the battlegrounds of falaise pocket, bastogne and mainheim, luxembourg, to understand how this maverick general helped win the war in europe. His book, target patton, contains interviews with mr bazata, who died in 1999, and extracts from his diaries, detailing how he staged the car crash by getting a troop truck to plough into pattons cadillac and then shot the general with a lowvelocity projectile, which broke his neck while his fellow passengers escaped without a scratch. Postgate, postle, postlethwaite, postlewaite, postlewaith, postmaster general, pot. Brown accomplish just that in pattons third army in world war ii. Ancestor charts showing the family relationships of general george s. He also was a direct descendant of brigadier general hugh mercer who was killed at the battle of princeton during the american revolution. Patton november 11, 1885december 21, 1945 was an american army general noted for winning battles in world wars i and ii. The book offers excellent insight into patton s philosophy, worth exploring both for personal growth as for implementation in leadership roles.
Was general george patton the greatest general of all time. General pattons warning at the end of world war ii, one of americas top military leaders accurately assessed the shif t in the balance of world power which that war had produced and foresaw the enormous danger of communist aggression against the west. A sequel, the last days of patton, appeared in 1986, also starring scott. In the realm of world war ii history, few subjects have had more written about them than gen. Extremely indepth biography of patton, eisenhower, and bradley during wwii. Agiris george agiris, age fortyfive years, died last night at a local hospital after a brief illness. Patton jr, an inspirational leader and outstanding tactician, has intrigued and confounded his biographers. Patton 18851945 was a great american general who led armies to victory in north africa, sicily, france, and germany during world war ii.
More importantly, pattons actions signaled the inauguration of motorized warfare. The latter author was the editor of the patton papers and bro. He had a larger than life personality and was, at times, as controversial as he was successful. While the first part covers the first 55 years of general george s. Heres how patton earned the nickname old blood and guts. It reveals patton as a complex soldier capable of brilliant military manoeuvres but. Wifes description of pattons reading habits and favorite books. It is written in personal terms which makes it so readable and interesting. November 11, 1885 december 21, 1945, kcb was a general of the united states army who commanded the u. Columbus, on march 9, 1916, general black jack pershing was sent across the. I wouldnt call patton the greatest military commander of all time, as it is highly disputable to whom if to any individual commander at all that title belongs. Using pattons own diaries, speeches, and personal papers, keane examines the generals actions and personality to shed light on. Blood, guts, and prayer, author michael keane takes readers on a journey through pattons career in three parts.
War as i knew it george smith patton, paul donal harkins. Certainly our fightingest general, and someone who must have been a constant threat to the enemy. Despite his many successes, his aggressive, colorful personal style and his temper often caused issues with his superiors. This is the personal account written by a contemporary of general patton. Pattons life this book details the period leading up to americas involvement in ww ii and takes the reader through all of pattons ordeals. A leader who attained legendary status while commanding corps and armies as a general during world war ii. This is one of the best books on wwii ive ever read, and i. Pattons magnificent third army as it advanced across nazioccupied europe and into hitlers redoubt in the last year of world war ii. A genius for war, this book would make a good introduction to patton for the general or casual reader. Patton oswalt honors late wife michelle mcnamaras book. He first came to attention as a commander fighting pancho villa in mexico and helped revolutionize the use of tanks in warfare. Perhaps like many who are interested in this book, my prime connection to the general is the film patton, staring george c. From psalm 63 general pattons favorite bible verse piety is not a word commonly associated with the memory of general george s. Scott depicted him in the blockbuster movie patton.
Owner candace ruitenberg confirmed that the boat has been placed on the market due to an impending divorce. Pattons third army at war by george forty, hardcover. The personal and candid account of general pattons celebrated, relentless crusade across western europe during world war ii first published in 1947, war as i knew it is an absorbing narrative that draws from pattons vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, covering the moment the third army exploded onto the brittany peninsula to the final allied casualty report. Rutkin, roberta, san francisco, ca to jeanclaude van itallie, rowe, ma. It is just a wonderful book and the author writing about his mission to produce a clear and wonderful biography and record of general pattons war time intelligence department and its chief operation officer gen oscar koch. The entire collection spans the years 18071979, with the bulk of the papers concentrated from 1904 to 1945. Patton was a particularly skilled at the rapid advance of his forces as well as the surprise flanking. Wilcox makes a compelling argument for pattons accident in fact being an assassination attempt by the office of strategic services oss, possibly in collaboration with the soviet peoples commissariat for internal affairs nkvd. The man behind the legend, 18851945 is an insightful, succinct biography of the most famous american general of the twentieth century. The author served with him in the military for a period of time and got to experience patton s wisdom and intensity up close.
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