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Summary: Annotation
Review: One of World War II's most brilliant and controversial generals, Goerge S. Patton (1885-1945) fought in North Africa, Sicily and as commander of the Third Army, spearheaded the Allies' spectacular 1944-1945 sweep through France, Belgium & Germany.
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Summary: A Great Insight to one of the Greatest Military Minds Ever
Review: The Patton Papers (1940-1945) is actually part two of a two part series. While the first part covers the first 55 years of General George S. Patton's life this book details the period leading up to Americas involvement in WW II and takes the reader through all of Patton's ordeals. The Author, Martin Blumenson, has taken General Pattons own words from letters and diary entires to paint a wonderfully detailed portrait of Patton, not only as a military officer but as a human being. This book captures the true spirit of Patton. His ego-mania, his drive for success both on the battlefield and off, his sometimes paranoia about other officers, especially Montgomery. Patton was a very complex figure and no book that I have read really comes close to explaining his personality better than this one. Best of all, this book details his military genius, through all of World War II, including his end-run in France to liberate Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. What is also interesting is how Patton was unable to adapt to peace-time, leading to his dismissal as post-war occupational governor of Bavaria. If you're interested in WWII and Patton intriques you as he does me, I would highly recommend this book. It truly gives you a great understanding of the man instead of the myth.
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Summary: An essential tool for understanding the ETO in WWII.
Review: This book gives the reader an insight into the way the war was fought and the personality of the main participants. General Patton's letters, both personal and professional, enable us to gain a window into the mind of a combat officer in the middle of a war. He also highlights the conflicts between the Allied forces and the American command structure, as well as the conflicts between the various senior Americans (Eisenhower, Bradley, Hodges, ect...) The editor, Blumenson, gives the reader a picture of what was going on while Patton's letters were being written as well as the truth when the author was uninformed about something. (It's impossible to know every event during a war.) A great book that should be in every WWII historians library.
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