War As I Knew It

Book Description

Adored by many, loathed by some, General George S. Patton, Jr., was one of the most brilliant military strategists in history. War As I Knew It is the personal and candid account of his celebrated, relentless crusade across western Europe during World War II. First published in 1947, this absorbing narrative draws on Patton's vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, from the moment the Third Army exploded onto the Brittany Peninsula to the final Allied casualty report. The result is not only a grueling, human account of daily combat and heroic feats - including a riveting look at the Battle of the Bulge - but a valuable chronicle of the strategies and fiery personality of a legendary warrior. Patton's letters from earlier military campaigns in North Africa and Sicily, complemented by a powerful retrospective of his guiding philosophies, further reveal a man of uncompromising will and uncommon character, which made "Georgie" a household name in mid-century America. With a new introduction.

Customer Reviews:

How to Win War.......2007-08-14

The brilliant military leader and strategist General George S. Patton, Jr., presents his World War 2 autobiography with "War As I Knew It". First published in 1947, this remarkable 425-page book has often been republished (including this review's 1995 paperback).

This extraordinary study recalls the Allies' efforts from its Morocco landing (1942) to victory in Germany (1945) from the Major General's eyewitness 3rd American Army command. General Patton's gives considerable advice through many memorable epigrams:

* "If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself."
* "...the fatalistic teaching of Mohammed and the utter degradation of women is the out standing cause for the arrested development of the Arab."
* "One look is worth a hundred reports."
* "...throughout history, wars had been lost by not crossing rivers..."
* "It is useless to capture an easy place that you can't move from."
* "...one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances."
* "...when the American Army had once put its hand to the plow, it should not let go."
* "...as long as you attack them they cannot find the time to plan how to attack you."
* "...every time I had been bitterly disappointed, it worked out for the best."

Patton reveled in attack and "killing Germans". He was determined for Allied victory by mean of his command. He fought battles, argued strategy with fellow generals, toured corpse ridden shell falling battlefields, and pressed his army to victory. He disliked British General Montgomery, had immense respect for Eisenhower, and had profound sympathy for all fallen Allied soldiers. This book presents war-winning strategy.

This book is recommended for all students World War 2 and those interested in the life of General Patton.

Bow down........2007-01-14

Patton was fine man. he cursed like hell, and roared with delight when his children did the same. I love the guy.

Last chapters are the best.

Old blood-n-guts in his own words.......2007-01-03

A wonderful resource to see how the great general viewed the wars in which he took part. A great study in his personality and his ambition that will be enjoyed by all who admired the man.

A General's General........2006-09-03

This has to be one of those always-at-hand reference books that modern day military leaders pick up and consult. Not so much for the academic and technical resource because it of course, is a bit dated in that regard, but simply to understand and hopefully learn what leadership in it's ultimate pure form really is. Patton had it. It goes without saying that World War II would have been finished much different if it was not for his style and drive. Certainly the most quotable allied general of the war. Todays business leaders and managers (myself included) read books like "War as I knew it" and come away with a renewed confidence in the human potential. Patton pulled every ounce of self worth out of his men to achieve the final victory. It was his standing order. This book discusses in detail how he did that and why. All explained very clearly. His style was unorthodox, his demeanor sometimes in question, his spirituality vivid and some battlefield decisions nearly cost him his career. "War as I knew it" will read at times like a dull teacher giving a lecture. Stick with it and breath it in. This is full-on George Patton. It all still works in the 21st century.

Patton - I imagine.......2006-08-30

This book is an excellent account of General Patton's battles in WWII. In his own words he describes some moments of the campaigns in the European Thater of Operations including North Africa. But this book is not only account of the battles, but it also contains events telling us stories about Patton's personal experineces and showing us that a war is not just battles, but also many other things.

Average customer rating:

The natural and other lessons
Detailed and nuanced biography of a legendary warrior general
One of the best PAtton bio's I have read
Well-Research, Insightful, and Hilarious
Patton: A Study in Contradiction

Patton: A Genius for War
Carlo D'este
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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War As I Knew It
Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)
If You Survive: From Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge to the End of World War II, One American Officer's Riveting True Story
A Soldier's Story (Modern Library War)
Patton on Leadership

ASIN: 0060927623

Book Description

Patton: A Genius for War is a full-fledged portrait of an extraordinary American that reveals the complex and contradictory personality that lay behind the swashbuckling and brash facade. According to Publishers Weekly, the result is "a major biography of a major American military figure."

"This massive work is biography at its very best. Literate and meaty, incisive and balanced, detailed without being pedantic. Mr. D'Este's Patton takes its rightful place as the definitive biography of this American warrior." --Calvin L. Christman, Dallas Morning News

"D'Este tells this story well, and gives us a new understanding of this great and troubled man."-The Wall Street Journal

"An instant classic." --Douglas Brinkley, director, Eisenhower Center

Customer Reviews:

The natural and other lessons.......2007-09-25

Patton is often described as "controversial". To those who have never fought in war, or perhaps even just engaged in competitive sports, or who otherwise have only a sort of normal, everyday idea about how people ought to act, I suppose he is: Arrogant, sometimes outwardly cruel, demanding, competitive, a taskmaster, single-minded, agressive, angry, all the rest. I've never fought in war, but I've played my share of competitive sports (a paltry parallel, but the best I can do). In sports, everyone (if they're lucky) had a coach like this somewhere along the way, and they most likely took more lessons away from that man or woman than all the colorless middle-of-the-roaders combined. They most likely achieved things under that person's direction that they didn't know they had the capacity to do. They most likely recall details about that person many years later, after they've forgotten most of the others. When the old team-mates get together, that's who most of the stories are about (many told as being funny, now - not so at the time).

To me, that's Patton: An American original who just barely escaped being a bombastic buffoon. He avoided that fate and scaled the heights of history because he was a born leader of men - one who either broke them (rarely), or got the best out of them (much more often); because he knew his business inside-out; because he worked at it day and night; and most of all, because finally, he WON.

I think that this intensely personal essence is what is most completely captured in this book. It fills in many of the overlooked or understated details from the well-known George C. Scott movie, and adds much new material besides. An excellent book, worthy not only as a war biography, but as a study of what it honestly takes to do REALLY well at any endeavor in life.

Detailed and nuanced biography of a legendary warrior general.......2007-04-01

This is a massive biography of General George Patton (820 pages of text, and more pages of footnotes, references, etc.). It begins with the roots of his predecessors in the New World. The first Patton, Robert, emigrated to Virginia from Scotland about 1770. The first chapter outlines the development of the family from that point to the Civil War. Many of the men in the Patton family (including the Mercers) were actively involved in the Confederate Army, fighting in many major battles of the war--with two in the family dying at Gettysburg and again at Winchester. The second chapter follows the family to California, where George S. Patton III was born in 1885.

The book traces his childhood and then his entry into West Point, after a brief time at VMI, early in the 20th century. One of his challenges academically was his affliction--dyslexia. During his time at West Point, he began to see his future wife, Beatrice Banning Ayer. It is interesting to note a change in his persona at the military school, closer to what he thought a military man ought to be like (profaner, tough, ruthless, and aristocratic). As the author puts it (page 77): ". . .while he succeeded beyond measure, in so doing, `he killed much of his sensitivity and warmth and thereby turned a sweet-tempered and affectionate child into a seemingly hard-eyed and choleric adult."

His military career, after graduation, began with the cavalry. He was selected, after doing his own lobbying, to serve as an aide to Black Jack Pershing on the punitive expedition to Mexico, thus securing the patronage of an important leader. He behaved with courage during this expedition. And when the Americans entered World War I, Patton journeyed to Europe to take part. When he saw the opportunity, he joined the brand new Tanks Corps. He was an innovator in development of a doctrine of tank warfare; he also led tanks in combat. In the interwar years, Dwight Eisenhower joined Patton with the tank corps. However, with demobilization, the army declined in number and tanks became downgraded. Patton returned to the cavalry.

As World War II drew Americans into the conflict, Patton headed to North Africa, where he was to gain his first glory as commander of II Corps, energizing that body and leading it to considerable success. He also would find himself in disagreement with fellow allied commanders. He was a key player in the Sicilian campaign, which ended with his regrettable slapping of an American soldier. This put a hiatus on his active combat leadership for awhile, as Eisenhower "sat him down."

However, as we all know, he was destined to command the Third Army after the Normandy invasion. The book portrays his lightning movements, his feuds with other commanders, his urinating in the Rhine, and so on. And, finally, his lingering death (having cheated death many times after bad accidents, it seems almost inevitable that a final accident would take his life).

For those wanting to learn in depth about Patton's background and his leadership in the way years, this is a valuable book. There is a useful postscript on Patton's legacy, including a nuanced assessment of his strengths and weaknesses. Most fair-minded readers would see this as a valuable volume, capturing reasonably well a complex person, who exhibited some pretty poor behaviors and who was at the same time capable of bursts of greatness.

One of the best PAtton bio's I have read.......2007-03-29

Excellent. Complete, and insightful. I would read this for pleasure. It flows well, contains many historical nuggets, and provides insight into the psyche of one of America's greatest Generals.

The book is long, but it is COMPLETE. One stop shop for anything you wanted to know about G.S. Patton Jr.

Well-Research, Insightful, and Hilarious.......2007-02-25

Absolutely fascinating biography of Patton, filled with stories about him that will have you laughing on almost every page (and weeping on some others as he slaps soldiers and especially as he lies in a hospital paralyzed in 1945). The writing is superb and the research impeccable.

The greatest strength of the book is the author's encyclopedic knowledge of Patton and his thoughtful analysis. He doesn't take the public image of Patton as gospel but has interviewed many people who knew him and read Patton's diary and other papers. The author does a great job communicating his main theme, the complexity of the kind and compassionate private Patton contrasted with the public Patton who was profane and brash, yet one of the greatest generals of all history.

Yet the book has one major weakness. Although it is subtitled "Genius for War," the author fails to explain his genius. He does a great job of communicating Patton's marvelous leadership skills, his sense of destiny, and his ability to motivate men to kill and to die; yet he fails to describe Patton's operational genius. What made Patton one of the greatest armor commanders ever? Sure Patton paid great attention to detail and drove his troops harder than almost anyone else, but he knew how to use armor and infantry better than almost anyone else. But D'Este misses his opportunity to tell us how Patton fought his battles.

Nonetheless, the book is an excellent and informative read, whether you are just looking for a good book or want to learn more about Patton or the European Theater in World War II.

Patton: A Study in Contradiction.......2007-01-17

In this biography of legendary General, George S. Patton, Carlo D'Este chronicles his life from birth, Nov. 11, 1885 to his untimely death Dec. 21, 1945. More than a recitation of battlefield successes, D'Este records candid impressions from friends and foes alike and gives the reader a good look at the man behind the "war face" he wore.

The book begins with Patton's early life in California and the influence of his Confederate ancestors. Young George was even schooled by legendary Confederate guerilla leader, John Mosby himself. At critical times he stated he felt his ancestors were watching to see if he would measure up. He struggled academically at the Virginia Military Institute and at West Point primarily due to dyslexia, an ailment unknown at the time. Still, he overcame this obstacle as he would so many others, by sheer determination and plain hard work.

Patton's marriage to Beatrice Ayer provided social status and financial backing for his ambitions. In the class conscious officer corps of the turn of the century, Patton's ability to entertain the social elite of society greatly aided his career. Beatrice was a full partner in achieving her husband's dreams. They were a formidable team!

All the major military campaigns are here: The Punitive Expedition into Mexico and World War I both serving under John J. "Blackjack" Pershing where he learned the art of command; "Torch, in Africa, "Husky" in Sicily; "D-Day," "Cobra," "The Battle of the Bulge" including "Bastogne" which many consider his finest hour, military successes unsurpassed before or since. However, D'Este also documents the birth of political correctness. Patton's career had to be saved repeatedly by Eisenhower himself for incidents that would have gone unnoticed in most armies: the slapping an enlisted man and an unfortunate slip of the tongue at Knutsford. The American army is truly unique!

D'Este records candid impressions of Patton from the men who knew him best. No one was neutral. They either loved or despised the man. Some described him as, "Ike's (Eisenhower's) pit-bull." When there was a fight to win, Ike would tell him, "Sic-um" only to have to muzzle the "attack-dog" later. Other's called him a show-off and a self server. Eisenhower described him best: "He was one of those men born to be a soldier."

This work shows he reader the many faces of Patton. He was a man's man who swore violently yet retired to pray before each battle. A man who reportedly loved war, yet cried unashamedly at the sight of severely wounded men. He could be loud, profane, boisterous, yet humble, contrite, and compassionate all seemingly at the same time. Undoubtedly the most effective of all allied Generals in World War II, he died believing he had not full-filled his destiny. These portraits, so vividly painted by the author make this work unique among Patton's numerous biographies. I whole-heartedly recommend it to any serious student of the war and the man.

Harold Y. Grooms

Average customer rating:

History at its Finest
Patton: The Legend!!
Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book
Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel
A highly effective intellectual reference instrument.

The Patton Papers 1940-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Patton Papers, 1885-1940
War As I Knew It
Patton: A Genius for War
Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It

ASIN: 0306807173

Customer Reviews:

History at its Finest.......2007-03-24

I was so dissapointed at how quickly I read half of an 800+ page book. I did not want this book to end due to the fact it is such a marvelous read. If this is not the authoritative book on Patton it should be. This book is a window into the mind and thoughts of Patton in the heat of battle and I can think of no other book that comes close in bringing this to light. Based on the way Martin Blumenson pieced together all of Patton's personal communications and diary entries in chronological order makes this a very unique biography. I read volume I of the Patton Papers and although it is very fascinating it does not come close to volume II. This is because volume II deals exclusively with Patton's WW II exploits and his infamous incidents. Although Patton had his imperfections and despite some of his views being distasteful, I can think of no other military leader in modern times I would want leading our troops into battle. If you love American history and WW II in particular this book on an American legend definitely belongs on your shelf. Martin Blumenson did a masterful job putting this book together.

Patton: The Legend!!.......2005-12-03

This second volume of his memoirs deals with World War II and the battles that made Patton a legend. Author Martin Blumenson lets, "Ol Blood and Guts," tell his own story through letters and official correspondence giving the reader an intimate view of the public and private man that captivated the world's attention for four years.

All of the big battles are here: "Torch" in North Africa; "Husky" in Sicily; "Cobra" in France and Bastogne which some call, "his finest hour." Patton played a key role in each of them. His tactics, featuring rapidly moving armor and mechanized infantry forces supported by mobile artillery and air wrote the book used for decades to come. However, he never overlooked the human element. Machines could never replace well trained and highly motivated soldiers personally led by competent commanders. His success was undeniable but he often proved to be his own worst enemy.

Patton's well known slapping of a shell shocked soldier followed by his unintended slight of our Soviet allies made headlines. Newsmen jumped at the opportunity to sell papers by printing anything controversial about a man whose name evoked emotional responses from friends and enemies alike. This was an "enemy" Patton couldn't comprehend. It was the one "fight" he was destined to lose.

General of the Army, Omar N. Bradley said in his book, A General's Life, (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1983) ". . .I believe it was better for George Patton and his professional reputation to die when he did. . . . He was not a good peacetime soldier. . . In time he probably would have become a boring parody of himself-a decrepit, bitter, pitiful figure, unwittingly debasing the legend."

An unknown poet said it best:

"In times of danger, not before, God and soldiers all men adore. Danger's past and all is righted. God's forgotten, the soldier slighted."

No truer words could describe Patton's career. Relegated to a desk job; his primary function was to serve as grist for political and journalistic mills, a truly sad ending for an outstanding military career.

This work is an outstanding history of World War II and of the man himself. You can't call yourself a serious student of WWII unless you have read both volumes. A GREAT read. 5 stars!!

Harold Y. Grooms

Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book.......2005-09-20

When I saw what a project of a book this was at 857 pages, I wondered if I would ever get through it. It took no more than 15 or 20 pages to convince me that I would enjoy every page of it. This is a great read, especially if you are already a Patton fan. His diary entries and letters are honest and blunt, and offer great insights into Patton's winning style and strategy, his distaste for putting allied considerations over American interests, his frustrations with the press and his superiors, and his deep distrust of the Russians. Blumenson weaves these innumerable entries and letters into a seamless and easy-to-read narrative of Patton and his heroic exploits. Fans of the movie will love seeing lines taken word for word from his diary entries. I truly loved this book -- one of my favorite reads of all time.

Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel.......2003-04-25

Martin Blumenson's has created a fascinating and surprisingly readable biography of the World War II hero, General George Patton. Blumenson has taken the General's diaries, personal and official letters and combined them with letters written to him and newspaper articles written about him. These are arranged in chronological order.

The period covered by this book was the most active of Patton's lifetime. In the last three years of his life, Patton had adventures enough for several lifetimes. After playing a major part in the conquest of North Africa, then Sicily, Patton was sidelined for nearly a year after the slapping incidents. During this time a disinformation campaign was put forth to convince the Nazis that Patton would command a non-existent army group that was to invade the south of France. A month after D Day Patton took command of the recently formed Third Army and drove across Europe, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of the Bulge.

In this book, Blumenson splices together the actual documents written by and about Patton as the actual events unfolded. Despite being an amalgamation of material from so many different sources, the book reads like a novel. Blumenson very rarely adds his own editorial commentary. This is done in a way that enhances the flow of the narrrative. My only complaint is that it frequently is difficult to determine where these asides begin and end. This readability is what makes the book great and unique. Having read many other biographies that over-analyze and inject the authors' personal opinion into the narrative it is refreshing to simply have the facts laid out in front of you.

Patton had an amusing tendency to give sarcastic nicknames to his rivals and adversaries. Omar Bradley is "the tentmaker," both for his Arab name and his tendency towards caution, Eisenhower is "divine destiny" for his political ambitions. General W. Bedell Smith, Eisenhower's hated chief of staff, is variously referred to as Beadle and Beetle. At the same time he is privately mocking these people, Patton takes great pains to praise and flatter them publicly. He even admits to himself in his diary that he is a shameless bootlicker and rear-end kisser when necessary. Patton justifies his actions because he feels he must be a sycophant to fulfill his destiny of leading men in battle. Patton even advises his son (who was a West Point Cadet at the time) that the way to advancement at the Academy is to seek out the Commandant and Superintendent and suck-up to them and their wives as much as possible.

I had low expectations for this book. Every other collection of the letters of famous men I have read has been interesting in spots but unreadable as a whole.Even the famous collected letters of Pliny the Younger are mostly dreary reports to the emperor and uninteresting notes to friends. For Blumenson to have created such an entertaining and informative document from similar material is a remarkable achievement.

A highly effective intellectual reference instrument........2001-12-21

I used this book while writing a paper for my Graduate level International Relations class. Although it is not considered a classic, it possess and delivers enormously relevant information regarding one of the greatest and most controversial master of war acknowledged in modern history. I commend this book as an pleasurable read, as well as an highly effective intellectual reference instrument.

Average customer rating:

Pretty good
Great Read on Patton
Great Intro
excellent introduction
GREAT SHORT OVERVIEW - WELL DONE - A GOOD READ

Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)
Alan Axelrod
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

War As I Knew It
Eisenhower: A Biography (Great Generals)
Patton on Leadership
Patton: A Genius for War
PATTON AND ROMMEL: Men of war in the twentieth century.

ASIN: 1403971390
Release Date: 2006-02-02

Book Description

This distinguished new series will feature the lives of eminent military leaders who changed history in the United States and abroad. Top military historians will write concise but comprehensive biographies including the personal lives, battles, strategies, and legacies of these great generals, aiming to provide background and insight into todays armies and wars. These books will be of interest to the military history buff, and, thanks to fast-paced narratives and references to current affairs, they will be accessible to the general reader. Palgrave is delighted to launch this new series with a terrific title from the bestselling author of Patton on Leadership. Alan Axelrod succeeds in looking beyond the contextualization and analysis of Pattons military innovations and leadership strategies to reveal his legacy and influence on warfare today. Patton was a great tactician who single-handedly created Americas first generation of desert warriors, but he was also the most controversial general in U.S. history. Pattons life and methods still evoke passionate debate and in this concise volume, Alan Axelrod provides a new perspective on this great mans legacy.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good.......2007-08-12

I generally thought that this book was not particularly well written, I spotted a typo in the first of the book that could have been corrected with some editing. The writing was certainly not complex: more like a middle school text. However, I found the facts of Patton's life extrodinary.

Great Read on Patton.......2007-02-10

In my humble opinion, this title is one of the best biographies I've read in a long time. While the book contains only about 180 pages, the account is thorough and does not get bogged down in a dry summary of war strategy and tactics that afflicts other books.

Axelrod is able to describe in appropriate detail many aspects of Patton's life:

1. His early childhood in California, time at Virginia Military Institute, and ultimately graduating from West Point.
2. Involvement in the expedition against Pancho Villa and World War 1.
3. Rise to fame in World War 2.
4. Relationship with Eisenhower, Bradley, Montgomery, and other WW2 officers.
5. Relationship with enlisted men (including the 2 slapping incidents).
6. Tempestuous marriage to his wife Beatrice and his supposed reputation as a ladies' man.
7. The automobile wreck that led to his untimely death.

The part I enjoyed reading the most was probably the author's description of this highly effective general and most complex individual's personality. On the one hand, there is no doubt that while Patton played a significant role in WW2, many people disliked him. However, no one can argue with his point that Russia should have been dealt with much more firmly at the conclusion of WW2. Events from the 1940s - 1980s proved him to be correct.

A highly recommended read. Read and enjoy learning about one of our nation's greatest generals.

Great Intro.......2006-10-25

Axelrod has written a great intro. to Patton's life and career. Axelrod does a wonderful job portraying Patton the man- his leadership stlye, his sense of purpose, and most interestingly his willingness and desire to pass on glory and accolades to others in the armed service. Patton read heavily, wrote on militaty affairs and worked hard to create new tank doctrine.

This book is a must for those who are interested in learning more about Patton. Axeolrond had written a great intro.

excellent introduction.......2006-07-27

To echo the other reviewers: this crisp, easy-to-read biography is an excellent introduction to one of the most legendary commanders in all of military history.

After briefly covering Patton's youth, Axelrod jumps right into his military career, covering Patton's participation in the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in 1916, his combat experiences with early armor in World War I, and his interwar role in developing American tank doctrine before launching into Patton's famous exploits during World War II, which constitute the bulk of the book. From North Africa to Sicily, from England to Northwest Europe, from the slapping incident to his bold northward dash during the Battle of the Bulge, it's all here.

I can't imagine this book would be very useful to someone who has already read D'Este's or Hirshson's books, but for the newcomer, Axelrod has condensed the essentials of Patton's life, battles, and generalship into a summary that's well worth the couple hours it takes to read.

GREAT SHORT OVERVIEW - WELL DONE - A GOOD READ.......2006-05-16

As other reviewers have pointed out, there are a number of excellent biographies out there covering the life of General Patton. This short work though, does a wonderful job of compacting a very large amount of informaton into a short, readable biography. The author is quite concise and the material very well organized. For those readers not wanting to delve into a 1000 plus page work, yet are interested in this great generals life, this quite fills the bill. The technical aspect of war is kept to a minimum, yet the author is able to convey the complexities of war quite well as well as the complexities of George S. Patton. I do hope the rest of the books in this series are as well done. Overall, recommend this one highly.

The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton

Average customer rating:

Outstanding and Funny Read
Incredible Tribute to an Incredible Woman
The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir of Mrs. George S. Patton

The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton
Ruth Ellen Patton Totten , and James Patton Totten
Manufacturer: University of Missouri Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)
Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It
Blood of the Shark
Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)
Patton and the Battle of the Bulge

ASIN: 0826215769

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding and Funny Read.......2007-01-25

Great Read for any Patton fan. Reads quick and is insightful.

Incredible Tribute to an Incredible Woman.......2006-06-08

Ruth Ellen Patton Totten has left us with an extraordinary insight into the lives of the Patton family & most especially a wonderful tribute to her mother, Beatrice Ayer Patton. This book does more than present facts as a biographer would. Ruth Ellen tells the story from an insider's perspective. She not only tells the story but more importantly gives her mother's reaction to some of the most trying events in her lifetime & how she handled those events. The underlying theme of the book is the way Beatrice faced life; positively. She summoned courage, dignity & perseverance in the face of trials.

Ruth Ellen makes a great point by saying that soldiers are not the only casualties of war & it is evidenced by the sufferings which Beatrice, Ruth Ellen & Little Bea (Beatrice's daughter) endured, each of them being married to husbands in the Army.

This is an inspiring book that makes you wish you had met Beatrice Patton. Ruth Ellen herself is an incredible story teller & must have been one amazing woman in her own right. The Patton family has much of which to be proud because of the courage & strong character of Beatrice Patton. You don't have to be a fan of General George S. Patton Jr. to read the book. If you simply want to read a great book about a great woman, read this book.

The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir of Mrs. George S. Patton.......2005-07-28

What an amazing window into the true lives of the "Cold Roast Boston" aristocracy, and what a tribute to a strong, multi-talented and insatiably curious woman. Hilarious, insightful, poignant, historical, and best of all...completely uncensored.

George S. Patton Jr. (History Maker Bios (Lerner))

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George S. Patton Jr. (History Maker Bios (Lerner))
Jane Sutcliffe
Manufacturer: Lerner Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Sterling Point Books: General George Patton: Old Blood & Guts (Sterling Point Books)

ASIN: 0822554615

The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)

Average customer rating:

Forward Knight!
A Must Read for any Patton Fan
Sad
The Pattons
Kudos to the author's beautiful literary style and wit

The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)
Robert H. Patton
Manufacturer: Potomac Books Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton
Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It
War As I Knew It
Patton: A Genius for War

ASIN: 1574886908

Book Description

The Pattons is an exceptional portrait of the famous military family, eloquently written by the grandson of its most illustrious member, George S. Patton. Washington Post critic Jonathan Yardley called it â€œone of the best books of the year.â€

Customer Reviews:

Forward Knight!.......2007-08-04

In writing "The Patton's" Robert Patton has succeeded in an area where most of the previous biographers of his famous Grandfather have failed, namely he manages to humanize the legend and reveal the man behind the myth. This is not a Biography in the strictest sense, rather it's a genealogical history. Here "Georgie" is viewed in the context of his ancestors, and through the prism of his family. Evaluating him in this light, the reader gets a much truer understanding of the part that his upbringing played in formulating the various aspects of his character. As a family member, the author surely has his own opinions of the people involved, but he keeps these to a minimum, letting the rich array of family sources speak for themselves, and presents an amazingly well-balanced, concise portrait of his subjects, he doesn't go out of his way to trash his Grandfather's reputation (as so many tell-all books written by relatives of celebrities today seem only too happy to do) nor does he seek to glorify his accomplishments. He merely sought to chronicle one family's devotion to public service, but most importantly to each other.

Although this book can stand quite nicely on its own, those looking for an in-depth analysis of Patton's military campaigns should be warned, this book gives only a general overview of Patton's wartime service. Therefore, it is my humble opinion that this book will be best appreciated when read in conjunction with other books such as:

War As I Knew It The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 The Patton Papers 1940-1945 Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945 Patton: A Genius for War The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton

to get a more complete picture of this legendary and controversial figure.

A Must Read for any Patton Fan.......2006-04-21

Robert Patton has written a great work not only for general readership but a lasting legacy to the Patton descendants. He delves into family history & writes about more than just names & dates. This book tells the story of the Patton ancestors that shaped the life of General George S. Patton Jr.

After reading this book you can clearly see the values & mindsets that drove 'Old Blood & Guts' & made him a legendary figure. It would be inappropriate to just read the military career of Patton & try to form an opinion of him without understanding the inner workings of the family & circumstances that shaped him. This book fills in so many gaps that are left out by other authors & extends past the general's death by following up with other family members.

Robert Patton should be commended for telling the whole story without leaving out the negative incidents. He tells the story, good & bad. To leave out negative incidents would be to ignore the occurences that were as much a part of Patton as were his glorious successes on the battlefield. It has been said that "We are the sum total of all our experiences". This clearly explains the man behind the legend & Robert Patton has done him justice.

Sad.......2004-12-08

It was very sad to read the terrible words about George Patton. It seems Robert has an enormous inferiority complex and decided to take it out on this famous family member. In order to further his agenda, he goes as far as to imply Patton had a mental problem ("West Point sometimes accepted students from other colleges 'without the usual mental exam'."). He characterizes Patton's messages in his letters to his family as "scolding" ("I have not had a letter from home for four days. Are you all dead?"). And any West Point cadet (or any man for that matter!) would see "scenes of rejoicing" as "embarrassing" and abhor them! My husband, who was in a Military Academy told me that if a cadet was kissed by his mother in public, he could be reprimanded for "public display of affection." Imagine West Point at the beginning of the XX century?!
That George Patton was a controversial figure, there is no doubt, but after reading this book, I believe Robert Patton's problem is that he is not even a shadow of what his relative was. This book is an excuse for Robert's failure in life (he begins by excusing himself for not following a military career), so he goes on to attack a successful man. That is how this book came to life.
I wish I could give it -1 star!

The Pattons.......2001-12-21

A truly inspiring work -- when I heard that Jonathan Yardley had dubbed it on the best books of that year, I had to read it... And it is. Should be required reading for anyone interested in history, especially their own.

Kudos to the author's beautiful literary style and wit.......1998-09-27

I am myself admittedly a Patton aficionado, and I must say, this book reveals an even more complicated man and colorful family history than I realized. But what in my view truly distinguishes this book from other recent studies of General Patton is that its fascinating subject matter does not obscure the author's smooth, beautiful, often funny - but always precise and deliberate - literary style. Unlike so many of our more popular modern historians: this guy can actually write!

Average customer rating:

Patton's last battle

Patton's Last Battle
Charles Whiting
Manufacturer: Stein & Day Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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BOUNCE THE RHINE (The West Wall Series)
44 : In Combat from Normandy to the Ardennes (West Wall Series) (Charles Whiting ""West Wall"" Series)
PATHS OF DEATH AND GLORY: The Last Days of the Third Reich, January - May 1945 (West Wall Series)
Bloody Aachen
Ardennes: The Secret War

ASIN: 0812831152

Customer Reviews:

Patton's last battle.......2004-11-22

Well Mr Whiting , I sure as hell can guess you did'nt like ''Georgie'' there was scarcely a page went by when when you didn't refer to GSP jnr's
sqeaky voice. I could'nt help but think through the book
you were attacking his personality .
Not one for Patton lovers.

The Patton Mind (West Point Military History)

Average customer rating:

Anyone striving for excellence should read this book.

The Patton Mind (West Point Military History)
Roger H. Nye
Manufacturer: Avery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors)
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ASIN: 0895294281

Customer Reviews:

Anyone striving for excellence should read this book........1999-11-19

O.K., I confess I'm a fan of Patton and read most books on him. But I'm also a professional military historian and analyst who wants my students (both civilians and army officer cadets) to learn the value of reading good books -- and plenty of them.

Patton learned it, as Roger Nye's splendid book makes clear. This carefully researched and very readable volume shows that, throughout his dramatic life, from ambitious boy to four-star general, Patton read and digested almost every military historical and doctrinal book he could get his hands on.

What an example Patton is! When confronted by new tests in combat he was able to draw on an encyclopedic memory of what the 'great captains' of the past had done to achieve success under similar circumstances. And it paid off handsomely.

Nye's book tells us plenty about Patton, and also about the need for us to set goals and prepare and equip ourselves through all-out study to confidently face and overcome the challenges we face as we strive to achieve those goals.

Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Average customer rating:

Witty, coherent, humerous: Wonderful

A great book on a George Patton

By The Man Who Served Under Patton

Five Stars for a Four-Star General!

This book is GREAT for a newcomer to Patton

Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
Martin Blumenson
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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War As I Knew It

Patton: A Genius for War

Patton: A Biography (Great Generals)

Patton & His Third Army

The Patton Papers 1940-1945

ASIN: 0688137954
Release Date: 1994-11-29

Book Description

This magnificent biography by the world's foremost expert on the life of George S. Patton portrays the many faces of the general with uncompromising insight: the gruff, demanding public front known (and feared) by millions; the sensitive, intellectual visage shown to intimates; and the self-conscious, emotional, religious man only a handful of people ever met. Martin Blumenson deftly explores the life of this American hero, a paradoxical man who inspired others to greatness but who sometimes questioned the greatness within himself.

Illustrated with 64 photographs, many from the Patton family archives, Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945 is a dramatic and memorable portrait of a complex American hero, a man called "the greatest combat general of modern times."

Customer Reviews:

Witty, coherent, humerous: Wonderful.......2007-08-28

For most, Patton is a well known name, familiar; but like most, I knew nothing more than the impact of the mythology and short squibs about his commanding manners as one of the most powerful and important Army Generals of the 20th century.

The author, whom I have never heard of or fully know the relationship between him and Patton, was the staff historian in Patton's Third Army during WWII. As such, I assumed a much biased portrayal, good or bad.

Instead, I found a well-thought, well delivered description of man so driven that he accomplished anything he wanted. A man so volatile yet thoughtful, a masterful and brilliant tactian born to lead with no fear of death and wanting a fight, driven to succeed at any cost and sacrificing everything but his own strict morals so that he could achieve all that Destiny had set for him, because he was destined to be great. This was a man entirely devoted to the ideology of the Warrior mold, never modeling himself on any one great legend or man, Patton followed the path of the idea of being a warrior and gave it his life. Always questioning himself, not always sure he was 'the man', Patton had an unshakable believe in himself and Fate that is truly awesome and inspring.

From his early upbringing--one of wealth, privilege and good breeding--up along to each promotion and to his eventual death, Blumenson gives a personal touch to the aura that was Patton, eloquent, acerbic, devoted to his soldiers but also, the Patton that could sometimes blow up in one's face.

Of the biographies that I have read, I haven't chuckled and earmarked more pages that I wanted to remember. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't stop until I finished. Reading the highs of Patton's life and career made me cheer and reading the harrowing blows made me shake my head in wonder and lament along with Patton. Biases? Only in one case: The author choicely slips in a reason for Patton's up and down mood swings that latter crippled his career and made him as infamous as his military stamina, accident prone and usually in the head, Blumenson believed that the mood swings were result from subdural hemotoma, a building of blood pressure around the brain. There's nothing conclusive, merely supposition, but entirely plausible.

The writing style is straightforward, although sometimes awkward, but because Blumenson had first had account of Patton, in both images, it had more intimacy, made less formal. Even more interesting were the many photos of Patton throughout his life, in various dress and events that brought what Blumeson wrote about come to life. Even battle scenes were described in layman's terms, easy to follow and interesting--though maps would have been a nice touch. The back has a comprehensive index that I found helpful when I wanted to go over parts for memory.

A definite must read!

A great book on a George Patton.......2004-07-31

This biography starts with Patton's family roots, covers his growing up years, and works through his career in the military. The book is only about 300 pages and is a fairly quick read. There are lots of pictures.

Patton grew up in California, his father was Old South gentry, and his mother's father was a fairly rich self made man. Patton idealized his military roots. Fairly early in life Patton wanted to become famous and felt the honorable way was to do so in the army. Patton appears to have had dyslexia. School was a struggle for him which he overcame through hard work.

As a teenager Patton meet Beatrice Ayer who later become his wife. She was from a rich family. Through her emotional support Patton was able to keep struggling all his life against his self doubts. Without her support it doesn't sound like Patton would have been nearly as successful. They had two daughters and a son.

The kind of character description of Patton this book gives is a gifted man who was focused on himself. He wanted glory and he wanted to be known. He wanted to be famous. He often did things to make sure he was noticed. He pulled strings to get the attention of higher commanding officers.

Also unfortunately he wasn't faithful to his wife. There were a couple mentions of how many condoms he used in a short period. Patten had a long affair with his niece. And after he died, the niece killed herself. She left a note that she would be with Uncle Georgia before Beatrice.

Strategically and tactically George Patton seemed to have been almost without peer. He studied war for over forty years. But his greater gift may have been his ability to train and motivate large groups of soldiers. In two instances Patton was given an army and fairly quickly he improved the level of performance several levels. The Third Army, which was under his command from after D-Day to the end of the war, was largely an untrained and unseasoned group of men. But they took the most number of prisoners, and moved the quickest across dozens of miles in a day. George Patton seems to have consciously taken on an act of swearing and cussing to be at the level of the common solider, but then when he meet with his officers he was much more refined. He told his Third Army they were different, he told them they were on a righteous cause, and he asked a lot of them. They came through.

Over all George Patton comes across as a flawed person who achieved some greatness. Martin Blumenson did a good job in giving the reader insight into the life and character of George Patton.

By The Man Who Served Under Patton.......2004-05-16

The one primary reason this ranks as the paramount biography of Patton is because the Patton family never tried to control the author. The secondary reason for the success of this biography is because the author, Blumenson, served as a young lieutenant under Patton.

I surprised about a number of facts regarding Patton. First of all, he was dyslexic, but was able to overcome that problem through hard work. He was also kicked by a horse later in life, and this may be the reason for his "unstable" and volatile character.

There are plenty of fun facts in this biography. I was surprised that Patton was an Olympic athlete in the pentathlon. I did not realise, though, that the pentathlon was built around an officer carrying dispatches (i.e., horse, sword, pistol, swimming, running). He also should have placed first, but they could not decide if his pistol round had punched through the same hole twice (so the judges counted it as a complete miss).

Patton had many doubts about his manhood. He joked, while at West Point, that he made a fine woman as a dancer. Since West Point only had men at the time, they had to trade off when learning to dance. There is also a serious character flaw in Patton regarding his niece. Although he denied it, it was pretty obvious he was having sex with his niece. This is where we, as the reading public, must give all thanks to the Patton family. They trust Blumenson so much that he is the only man they have given full access to the family papers and letters. At no point did they tell Blumenson to hide anything. They recognized that their family member was an historical figure,and insisted on a complete analysis--warts and all. Otherwise, how can you form an opinion on the man?

Blumenson ends his biography with a chapter "Behind the Legend." Patton's ideal of leadership is one key to understanding him. On page 307 he states "slef-confidence and leadership are twin brothers." As Blumenson states, "the sublime irony is that Patton's self-confidence was an act, forced and assumed, put on, riveted to his exterior."

Blumenson is quite informative and a must see. He is positive that, had Patton lived a lengthy life, he would have been discredited. He was a real embarrassment, great in war but terrible in peace. The author is also a very humble man, even though he is a retired colonel, and always makes the emphasis when he speaks about Patton.

Five Stars for a Four-Star General!.......2003-06-12

For readers who want a top-notch biography of Patton without committing to an 800-page or 1000-page tome, this is the book. Blumenson makes excellent use of Patton's personal letters, especially those to Patton's wife, to reveal the human side of his tough-as-nails persona. Patton with nervous indigestion? Patton feeling worthless and inferior? Who would have guessed! Highly recommended for those interested in historic figures and military history, but who don't want to get bogged down in minutae such as detailed battlefield tactics. This book focuses on the man, as it should, and not so much on the wars that made his career. That being said, my only complaint is that for the chapters about actual warfare the book could have used some basic large-scale maps of North Africa and Western Europe, especially France, showing the route of Patton's advances and major battles. I sometimes felt lost as Patton rolled through one village after another to attack the enemy.

This book is GREAT for a newcomer to Patton.......2001-11-22

I saw the movie with George C Scott, and was inspired to learn more about Patton, and this was the first book I picked up. It turns out that this was the right one, as it is fast reading, relatively short, and gives a good overview of the man behind the legend. I feel that the author is objective, and is not biased, which must be hard. He talks about Patton's weaknesses as well as his strengths. He even discussess Patton's later years when he became delusional and described the Jewish people as "lower than animals". I particularly liked the end, where it states that if Patton had lived, he would not be the legend that he is today. I have since read "The last days of Patton", an entire novel, which is only covered here in one short chapter. Of course, this is not a bad thing if you have not read a Patton book before. I HIGHLY recommend this one as a first Patton book to read or give as a gift to a friend.

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