Rating: 
Summary: This is the Patton biography to judge all others by.
Review: The book delves into Patton's outlook on life and war. It shows his immense boredom with peacetime soldiering and the unusual attitude about combat of this "born warrior".
Patton was, above all else, a warrior and an accomplished leader. His attitude of hard training and conditioning, along with strict discipline was calculated to protect his troops in battle because they knew what to do and were in condition to do it.Up through World War II, Patton was the greatest expert about tank warfare and also about combining tanks with infantry, artillery, and airpower. His lack of control about what he said was his worst enemy and always got him into trouble. Patton was dyslexic, which gave him problems with reading and made him unsure of himself. Apparently dyslexia affects more than just the ability to read. He always had a strong self-doubt mixed with the firm idea that he was born to lead a great army. He believed in reincarnation and thought that he had been a warrior in all the great battles of history. He overcame his dyslexia to the extent that he was very learned in classic literature and especially in everything concerning war. He also became a very successful lecturer (when he could control his tendency to purple prose) and wrote many important papers about military affairs. The way General Eisenhower used General Patton like a deadly weapon to be used then put on the shelf is well detailed along with Eisenhower's efforts to hold the allies together and the resentment by Generals Patton and Bradley for Eisenhower's apparent favoritism to the British. The book is a really deep look at Patton's career, the politics of World War II and "The Battle of the Generals". It's thorough but highly readable. The account of the automobile accident that took General Patton's life shortly after the end of WWII is clear and well written. This should be a classic of books about World War II and Patton in particular.
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Summary: One of the best military biographies around.
Review: Carlo D'Este's bookis a very well-written book about the most fascinating figure out of World War II. D'Este's portrayal of Patton is comprehensive and thorough, and presents Patton warts and all for history to consider. One of the outstanding features of Patton's personality that stands out from D'Este's book is his superior intellect. Patton had read much of classical literature, and could quote long passages from the Bible, the Iliad, Shakespeare, and other works. Indeed, so profound was Patton's learning, so powerful was his intellect, that he was able to best a Harvard professor of history on a history quiz, and he was able to demonstrate a stronger command of the Bible and Biblical passages than then-Archbishop (later Cardinal) Francis Joseph Spellman of New York. And because of his deep and abiding love for history, and fascination with war, Patton made himself an absolute expert and master on the military arts and sciences. For many military leaders, war was a vocation. For Patton, it was an avocation, and while it is an exaggeration to say that Patton loved war, it is not an exaggeration to say that he was never more fully himself than when he was engaged in battle--whether those battles were during the punitive expedition to capture Sancho Panza, World War I, or World War II. Patton's fascination with war allowed him a certain degree of eerie prescience in preparing for future military conflicts. As D'Este notes, Patton explored "the back roads" of Normandy in 1913 with a Michelin map--a full year before the outbreak of World War I, and 31 years before Operation Overlord--because he was convinced that he would fight battles there someday. Patton's remarkable accomplishments are all the more impressive given the fact that he suffered from dyslexia. His love of reading--especially reading books about history and warfare--is astounding to consider when one remembers that Patton learned to read at a very late age. D'Este does the reader a favor by producing Patton's letters with spelling and punctuation mistakes intact, so that the reader is able to understand how dyslexia affects written communication. And he points out that dyslexia is also responsible for rather dramatic mood swings in those who suffer from it--which perhaps serves to explain some of Patton's extremely erratic behavior throughout his life. It should be noted that D'Este is a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army, and a military historian--which means that he was well-situated to discuss the course of World War II in general, and the nature of Patton's campaigns in particular. Whether discussing the famed Louisiana Maneuvers, or the actual conduct of Patton's Seventh Army--and later the famed Third Army that became operational after the Overlord landings were completed--D'Este is most competent in helping the reader understand and appreciate the nature of the fighting, and Patton's role in World War II as a commanding general who contributed much to the winning of the war. D'Este points out that Patton helped revolutionize armored warfare before World War II started--a rather remarkable feat, given the fact that Patton was trained as a horse cavalryman--and that his tactics in prosecuting armored warfare are still followed today--most notably by the famous "Jedi Knights", whose tactical doctrines closely mirrored Patton's own preferred method for fighting an land warfare campaign, and who helped implement the brilliant military strategy and tactics that led to overwhelming American military victories in Operations Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom. Patton consistently urged his ground forces to be aggressive, to take the fight to the enemy, to refuse to be content with merely holding their positions, and to refuse to be put on the defensive. His favorite aphorism was Frederick the Great's "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace!" And he implemented Frederick's advice relentlessly--thus making himself the American commander most respected and feared by the Germans. Of course, Patton did commit some terrible and astonishing blunders as an American military commander. As D'Este points out, Patton's extensive study of military history should have alerted him to the folly of conducting siege warfare during the Lorraine campaign--when Third Army's rapid progress came to a near complete halt thanks to dreadful weather conditions, and Patton's inability to adjust to them. While the target city of Metz eventually fell to Third Army, Patton's leadership was scorned as "weak and timid," and cited as the major reason why German forces were able to hold out so long. Then there was the raid on a German POW camp in Hammelburg--a raid which cost many American lives due to poor planning and execution, and which was likely conducted because Patton learned that Lt. Col. John Knight Waters--Patton's son-in-law--was interned at the camp. But for the most part, Patton earned his legacy as a bold, daring and brilliant military commander, who had far more successes than failures. And D'Este ensures that we learn about Patton's diplomatic skills--skills which have come into disrepute for Patton's inability to keep his mouth shut at delicate times, but skills which also allowed Patton to emerge as a successful administrator in Morocco when the Allies took over the country. Patton's diplomacy was a triumph in Morocco--allowing the Allies to win the hearts and minds of the civilian population, as well as the support of the Moroccan leadership in the struggle to wrest control of North Africa from the Nazis. D'Este's portrayal of some of the other leading figures in World War II is most revealing. Contrary to his popular designation as "the GI General" (thanks to the work of Ernie Pyle), General Omar Bradley, who would later win five stars and a rank as General of the Army, is shown to be quite mercurial and a martinet. Contrary to what was shown in Patton, Bradley despised Patton, and sought to undercut him at every turn. When Bradley and Patton were allies, it was mostly out of convenience--at times when Bradley did not know Patton well enough to dislike him, or when Bradley and Patton had a mutual interest in opposing the actions of Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery. Concerning Montgomery, D'Este reveals yet another misportrayal in Patton--the alleged rivalry between Patton and the British general. According to D'Este, the rivalry was entirely one-sided--with Patton thinking that Montgomery sought to undercut him, and with Montgomery actually stating and demonstrating that he had a very high regard for Patton and the American military (as opposed to Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander--whose opinion of the American military was permanently colored by the disaster at the Kasserine Pass and the Battle of Sidi-Bou-Zid). And D'Este does an excellent job in fleshing out the complicated relationship between Patton and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. There were some weaknesses in D'Este's work. He harped too much on Patton's dyslexia and how it affected his emotional state--a couple of repetitions would have sufficed to drive the point home to the reader. Repetitions about Willie's lazy and cowardly nature are similarly overdone. D'Este also has the strange and incomprehensible habit of editing out some of Patton's swear words in certain writings--while leaving others intact. And at times, D'Este slips into the vernacular in a manner that is somewhat strange for the reader--he says that Patton acted at times like "a damned fool," which is strange given D'Este's effort to avoid the vernacular throughout the rest of the book. In the end, however, these are small concerns. D'Este's biography is marvelous--one of the best I have ever read. I recommend it most strongly--especially if you are interested in military affairs, and epochal military figures. George S. Patton Jr. was a complicated man to understand, but D'Este has completed the effort in superb and gripping fashion.
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST biographies I've ever read
Review: This masterpiece ranks among my favorite biographies. I put alongside excellent biographies of George Marshall (Cray), Dwight Eisenhower (Ambrose, D'Este), Churchill (Gilbert), Teddy Roosevelt (2 volumes by Edmund Morris), and Truman (McCullough). You'll meet a Patton far different than the bellicose, rather one-dimensional character portrayed by George C. Scott in the Academy Award winning film. A great soldier and leader of men, well remembered as a great military innovator, Pattton was also a great athlete (Olympics!) and accomplished equestrian. He was also very spiritual, wrote outstanding poetry, occasionally suffered from depression, and overcame dyslexia. Marvelous reading! Enjoy!
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Summary: THE Patton Biography
Review: Brace yourself. Carlo D'Este after publishing works on Normandy, Sicily, Anzio and a brief work on the war in the Mediterranean, tries his hand at biography. And what an effort! Patton is an out and out classic. Not since Farago's Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, has someone attempted a complete and thorough work on this controversial, complicated and charismatic figure. Most Patton bios tend to go lightly over the General's beginnings, not so D'Este. Here, he gives the reader a full treatment of Patton's origins. From his Confederate ancestry and the famous Don Benito Wilson, we see Patton go from a struggling youth, to a young man obssessed with wanting to be a career soldier. Other wonderful stories abound. My personal favorite is the one where Patton's daughters shock the family by reciting a profanity laced poem (carefully instructed by Daddy). World War II takes up nearly half the book, but that's not surprising. All facets of his WWII career are gone over. Third Army buffs may be disappointed that Patton's tenure with his fabled Army is only given 100 pages, but considering how much of his life was spent with Third Army, it's understandable. Well, written, carefully researched, entertaining, this is what all military biographies should shoot for. "They'll lose their fear of the Germans, I hope to God they'll never lose their fear of me." Lieutenant General George S. Patton Jr.
Rating: 
Summary: Combat General
Review: A detailed and comprehensive account of one of the greatest combat generals the U.S. Army has ever had. The author successfully captures the many sides of General Patton, going beyond the rather one-sided interpretation in the movie "Patton". The first sections of the book center on the general's early personnel life. Many of these chapters drag, but once the book enters into the battle chapters the author's skill and intimate knowledge of military history really shines. The author spends considerable time detailing the personnel relationships between Patton and the Army's top generals such as Eisenhower, Bradley, and Clark.
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Summary: Old blood and guts is brought to life
Review: An excellant and intelligent biography, Patton the man is examined as much as Patton the General, hence we only reach his first World War II command more than half way into the book. Mr D'Este's portrait is vivid and compelling, showing a creature born and bred for war. The development of his character and personality is charted from childhood, through World War I, the inter-war years and on into his campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and mainland Europe. His belief in his own destiny pervades the book and although it is not spoken, one can almost sense from the writing that Patton's untimely and accidental death in 1945 was inevitable, such was his utter unsuitability for peacetime life.
This is a modern biography, hence somehow Tom Cruise is referenced and a quote from Liam Neeson is provided at the start of one chapter. Fortunately however, the author refrains from excessive psychological analysis in the contemporary mold and instead portrays Patton solely through his actions and writings, allowing us to draw many of our own conclusions and interpretations.
The book for me did have one or two drawbacks. Patton was dyslexic and as so much of his own diaries and letters are included unaltered, it is at times difficult to read. The Battle of the Bulge period is also surprisingly brief and there is curiously no mention of the counter-attack debate between Patton, Montgomery and Eisenhower, which would have highlighted clearly the differences between Patton's dash and Monty's conservatism. Nevertheless, the omission does not spoil what is overall a superb biography.
Rating:
Summary: Patton: A Genius for War
Review: There are lots of books about Patton, but this is the most informative, the most balanced, and the most inspiring. It is very readable so that the length is not a problem. Further, you can pick it up and dig into a chapter all by itself. I have frequently referred to this book to understand better the Patton mystique and leadership style. D'Este highlights the unhappy relationship with Eisenhower who was bailed out numerous times by Patton: after Kasserine Pass and in the Bulge. Then Ike dishonored Patton by taking the 3rd Army away from him. Patton comes off as our best combat commander in Europe and one of the finest generals in U.S. history. It is easy to be put off by Patton's idiosyncracies and tough discipline, but his recsults speak for themselves. I do not know how you could write a better bio on "Old Blod and Guts" than this.
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Summary: THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON GEORGE S.PATTON JR.
Review: THIS IS THE BOOK THAT THE MOVIE WITH GEORGE C. SCOTT ACTS AS THE CLIFF NOTES. ALL THE ANADOTES ATE THERE WITH MUCH MORE INDEPTH INSIGHTS.THIS IS THE BIOGRAPHY THAT NEEDS TO BE READ BY ANYONE LOOKING FOR INSIGHTS INTO THE GREATEST U.S GENERAL OF WW2(INCLUDING EISENHOWER}.MUST READ FOR ANY SERIOUS STUDENT OF WW2 OR 20TH CENTURY HISTORY.REALLY A VERY ENJOYABLE READ.5 STARS IS WELL DESERVED.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Please note that this review was published without my name on 10-20-98 Simply wonderful. Very few dull moments permeate this this truly remarkable biograghy. I enjoyed it thouroughly; I read a lot of WWII history and rarely run into a book that reads more like a thriller than a dull regurgitation of dusty history. The possible exception might be Stephen Ambrose. The end of the book is trully haunting and chilling. You will know what I mean if you have read it! Grab it this winter and curl up in front of the fire. You will try to put it down but it will keep you up past your bed time.
Rating:
Summary: An Exciting Biography of a Military Genius
Review: Are 800 plus pages too much for a biography of George Patton? When I first picked up this hefty book, I thought to myself: "I don't know if I want to know THAT much about Patton." However, I soon found myself wishing for even more detail in a few sections, especially in the WWII chapters. D'Este does spend more than 200 pages describing Patton's family, childhood, and early manhood before WWI, but these (possibly) less interesting sections do give important clues to Patton's personality and background. For example, Patton's undiagnosed dyslexia had a major impact on him. Patton's WWII involvement covers most of the second half of the book, and then the pace of action really picks up. Although a very sympathetic portrait overall, D'Este does describe quite well his complicated personality. Patton could be profane and pious, deeply emotional and callous, all at the same time. The author makes clear that Patton's obsession with his destiny to play an important part in a great war did not mean that he didn't care deeply for the men who served under him. In fact, D'Este provides evidence that Patton was more careful of the lives of his men that other generals such as Omar Bradley. Patton's complicated relationships with Bradley and Eisenhower are also delved into deeply. He and Eisenhower had been close friends since 1919, although that friendship was deeply strained during WWII. D'Este also discloses that Bradley basically detested Patton after the Sicily campaign. D'Este also informs you along the way which parts of the famous movie Patton were true and which weren't. For example, the scene in the film where the German Luftwaffe attacks Patton's headquarters just as the British are telling him that of course they are providing adequate air cover is basically true. The competition between Patton and Montgomery to see who would get to Messina first is, at best, a one-way competition in Patton's mind. The scene in the movie where Patton greets Montgomery in Messina is purely apocryphal. D'Este discloses that after the American troops prove their worth in the later parts of the African campaign, Montgomery actually had a high regard for Patton's abilities. He also draws parallels between Montgomery and Patton, showing that in many ways, they had a lot in common. I found myself wishing in a few places for a more detailed description of Patton's battlefield strategies, but to be fair, this is a biography and not a book about military tactics. Overall, I found it to be an excellent biography of a brilliant military general, and not one page too long.
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