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Summary: THE Biography of General George Patton!!!
Review: Forget the George C. Scott movie, forget all of the other the revisionist histories, forget the theories that suggest that Patton's death was an assassination. For that matter, forget most of the other legends about "Old Blood and Guts." Carlo D'Este's biography of General George S. Patton is a tour de fource in biography--combining a thorough study of his ancestors, a thorough discussion of his weaknesses (such as his dyslexia, his anti-Semitism and his drive to succeed which led to the slapping incidents in Sicily), a thorough discussion of his strengths as a commander, a thorough discussion of his service during World War I (which the George C. Scott movie ignores), a thorough discussion of how he prepared his soldiers for action in Africa through exercises in the South and in California (don't overlook the appropriate endnotes--some of them are a joy!), a thorough discussion of his relations with other soldiers such as Eisenhower, Montgomery and Bradley, and a thorough discussion of how he is viewed today--the reference to Don Imus (even though the Patton impersonations are actually handled by Larry Kenney) was appropriate. D'Este's assessments of Bradley, Montgomery and the other officers are also valuable. Like thousands, or perhaps, millions of people, I first formed my opinions and impressions of General Patton from seeing the George C. Scott movie, and it guided my thinking about Patton and World War II for years. I would recommend that no one see the movie until they have read this book, and then take the movie with a grain of salt. This book is much, much better and with its comprehensive detail, proves the magic of the printed word over the motion picture.
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Summary: Great: read like a novel
Review: 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.
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Summary: This book captures the essence of General George S. Patton.
Review: As Carlo D' Este notes in the prolouge to Patton: A Genius For War, much of what people know about George S. Patton is derived from the 1970 film, "Patton". Patton is portrayed as the swashbuckling, profane, destiny-obsessed warrior. This portrait is a mere fragment of the the man. In his biography, D'Este penetrates Patton's outter-surface to reveal to the reader the many facets that comprise George S. Patton the man, not the warrior. D'Este begins with Patton's childhood, when he was regaled with stories of his family's bravery during the Civil War, leading Patton to grow up believing it was his destiny to become a great soldier. D'Este also writes rather extensively on Patton's dyslexia, which obviated his education and caused his many feelings of inferiority. D'Este then moves into Patton's involvment chasing the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa and his service in World War I. In both episodes, Patton served under John J. Pershing, who would become his mentor. In World War I, Patton was responsible for the organization of America's armored corps, which under Patton's leadership played a vital role. D'Este's discussion of Patton's interwar years reveals Patton's discontent with peace, which serves a catylyst of severe mood swings that take a heavy toll on his family. Throughout this period, Patton seemed sure his destiny would not be fulfilled, which served as a great source of anxiety. Here, the reader sees the undying devotion Beatrice Patton had for her husband, as she served as his pillar of strength throughout his life. Also, Patton the husband and father is shown to the reader in this section. D'Este then offers great insight into the triumphs and tragedies of Patton in World War II, and reveals the rapport Patton established with his troops, and his deep appreciation for those who fought and sacrificed for his army. Contrary to popular belief, Patton deeply cared for his troops and abhored the carnage of war. D'Este also writes extensively about Patton's belief in reincarnation and his deeply held religious convictions. This chapter is deeply revealing. D'Este also devotes a chapter to the speech Patton delivered to his troops of the Third Army before their deployment after D-Day. The reader does not wonder for too long why Patton developed such confidence in his men. D'Este's research is thorough and is taken mostly from primary sources. The endnotes are well detailed. His writing is excellent, and the book flows smoothly, which is a plus. If one bases bases one's opinion of George S. Patton only on the movie, one becomes a victim of naivety. While one should not accept this book as absolute truth, it should be accepted as a revealing and intimate portrait, as it captures the esssence of George S. Patton. I began this book a skeptic of Patton, but came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the man.
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Summary: Offers tremendous insight into a very complex man,fascinatin
Review: Anyone who has seen the George C. Scott movie of Patton should read this fascinating and insitefull account of the life of George Patton Jr. It is very readable and will hold the readers interest completely throughout its 1000 plus pages. This books offers a view of General Patton not commonly known, that he was a sensitive and caring man as well as being a genius at his chosen occupation, that of a battle field commander. The compexity of this man and the broadness of his interests are clearly presented so as to further emphasize the uniqueness of his contribution and role in World War 2. I recomend it highly.
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Summary: Ignore other reviews, this is a great biography!
Review: I almost did not purchase this book because of a review that I had read saying that the author constantly juxtaposed incidents in time and spent an inordinate amount of time discussing D-Day (Patton was not directly involved). But because I have such a strong interest in Patton, I purchased anyway. It was simply the best single biography I have ever read. I currently hold a Masters Degree in History and am usually very critical of historical writings. But this account was rivieting and facinating. This is one of the few historical books I have read that I was sad to conclude. I am currently reading a biography of Eisenhower, but when completed, I intend to go back and re-read this biography again. I have also recently read a dual biography of Crazy Horse and George Custer by Stephen Ambrose and would very much like Mr. Ambrose to consider doing a dual biography about George Custer and Patton. It seems to me there are many similarities and differences and I would like to see a great historical writer compare and contrast these two fascinating American Generals! If you are at all interested in Patton and enjoyed the movie, this book is for you. If you also like biographies, regardless of the subject, this is a great biography. Buy this book now!
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Summary: If you have read the Patton Papers, you can skip this book.
Review: While the author goes into much detail concerning Patton, it is generally a retelling of the all that has been written before. The exception concerns Patton's dyslexia. If you cannot imagine a biography that is not time sequenced, then you need to read this. D'Este manages to tell a tale that skips back and forth through the years. Even when D'Este is telling of Patton's death, he gets out of time sequence. D'Este explains that Bea, Patton's wife, is able to cheer Patton up while Patton is suffering after his final accident. Two pages later D'Este explains how the Army arranged to get Bea to the hospital in Germany from her home in the United States. This is just one example of many instances when the author told a story out of sequence. D'Este also breaks some basic rules of writing when he does not define terms and abbreviations when he first uses them. For example, do you know what an army G-1, G-2, and G-3 are? From time to time D'Este uses these terms and does not fully define them even the first time he uses them. About two-thirds of the way through the book he defines most of theses terms.
This book spends a great deal of time explaining the basic plan for the invasion of Normandy. Why? Patton did not participate in the D-Day invasion. Details concerning this invasion, to include the airborne invasion, are not relevant to this book. Yet the author explains it in detail.
The author also goes other needless meanderings comparing General Frank's command, control, and communications (C3) capabilities in the Gulf War to to the C3 available to Patton in North Africa . Again I ask why. It is not relevant in a book about Patton.
Some worn out phroses make their way into this book. I loosely quote, "The war was not over for Patton unitl the fat lady sang." Is this good writing? No. Further, D'Este also failed to give credit to Blumenthal in a few instances. Purposefully or through neglect?
The subject of the book saves this book. Patton, whether vainglorious or not, was bigger than life.
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Summary: This is the best Biography of Patton ever written
Review: I have seen Carlo D'Este on CSPAN booknotes and have heard him on the radio describing his work on this fine book. I only knew about Patton from the movie of the same name. I am 35 years old and I Patton has been a hero of mine for years. I am an amateur historian and no one has made GSP seem more alive than the author. I have found this book to be impeccable in its writing and its research. I am rereading it for the 2nd time now. Many of of the things GSP wrote over 50 years ago regarding the price and prosecution on war are pertinent today as when he wrote them. In a country currently starved for leadership and Patroitism, Carlo D'Este has shown us a true leader. This book is essential to all WWII afficianados. I hope another GSP will arise when we need him.Peter MarottaI own the Hardcover edition
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Summary: An intelligent and well-researched book
Review: This is an in-depth biography of the general who today's audience knows as George C. Scott from the movie "Patton." The most fascinating aspect of the book was its extensive reliance on Patton's personal papers and letters. In that sense, large portions of the book are, in reality, Patton's autobiography. The book was a fascinating read. The book paints Patton as a complex man of many contradictions: a warrier and a poet; a deeply religious man and a man who loved battle
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Summary: Patton; A Different View
Review: ENN Book Review -05/12/97 - 22:00CDT
By C. L. Staten, EmergencyNet News Service
Shortly after my visit to the local hospital, and during a somewhat extended illness at home, I have had the good fortune to read a lengthy but very satisfying title by a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and military historian, Carlo D'Este. The subject of this biography is admittedly a personal hero and the subject of some deep reading on the part of this reviewer on several past occasions. In fact, at the onset of the manuscript, I wasn't sure what more there was to learn about George S. Patton, Jr.. Thankfully, D'Este's treatment of Patton is an amazingly well-balanced and unbiased analysis that will be regarded by some as a non-traditional treatment of the World war II hero.
This is a full-fledged portrait of Patton, from his childhood, through his military service, and up to and including his untimely death at the end of the war. It doesn't spare the reader the blemishes of Patton's life, nor an insightful analysis of his generally acknowledged military genius. Interestingly, this work actually explores the possibility that much of what Americans commonly know about George S. Patton Jr., including his infamous profanity, may have been a facade intended to fool others.
D'Este spends a great deal of time dwelling into the family and private life of Patton, as well as exploring some of the psychological implications of events that shaped his life. He correctly observes, that given Patton's parentage and upbringing that there are few other things that he could have been except a "warrior." From the time that he was old enough to listen to the stories around the fireplace, he was educated about a deep-seated family tradition of military service and sacrifice for the country. These stories and his formal education at VMI and West Point undoubtedly, firmly, shaped his destiny.
Also of note in regard to Patton's education is the not well known fact that he suffered from dyslexia. D'Estes review goes to some lengths to discuss the effects of this condition and the possible emotional ramifications that it can have on its victims. D'Estes expounds on the works of Dr. Harold Levinson, a renowned Dyslexia expert, who contributes much of Patton's eventual success (and subsequent emotional distress) to his normal feelings of inferiority caused by the dyslexic disorder. Levinson's hypothesis includes an opinion that Patton's drive, authoritarian demeanor, macho attitude, and warrior mentality may have all been rooted in compensating for his life-long illness.
Finally, D'Estes covers the strategic war in Europe in great depth. He reviews some of the facts concerning stories associated with Patton's slapping of two enlisted men in Sicily, Patton's alleged feuds with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and his continued "political disputes" with Gen. Mark Clark, Gen. Omar Bradley, and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. One commonly accepted fact does remain undisputed by D'Estes diatribe...Patton was one of the most successful generals on the allied side. D'Estes well documents the fact that through a combination of audacity, bulldoggedness, and clever tactics he managed to take more ground in a shorter time frame than any other general in the war.
All in all, "Patton; A Genius For War" comes highly recommended. Parts of it do contain mature language, which may not be suitable for children. But, that is only in keeping with Patton's philosophy of "giving it to 'em straight and dirty...so they'll understand it." This book gives significant insight for the serious World War II history student, as well as providing a "behind the scenes" feel that contributes to any readers understanding of a complex and turbulent time in the world's history. It you like detailed WWII history, and especially one of its most controversial generals...buy this book.
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Summary: I've never read such a big book so quickly
Review: Was George Patton crazy or was he one of the few people that saw things as they really were.
He was in the business of being a soldier. So he worked hard at being the best at it. He lived it from every aspect. From helping the wounded to riding through the mud and snow in a jeep. (That reminds me of something I read about the European Generals after loosing hundreds of men one general went to see the front and after seeing the mud for the first time realised why his tactics hadn't been working. He said "We sent men to fight in that."
Patton knew what he was sending his men into because he lived in it himself. In WWI there were only (I think) two Generals killed in combat. Patten's quote that seeing a dead General now and then wouldn't hurt moral is very true. And shows a very American attitude of equality. In fact I think the statement shows a very caring side of the great man. In the movie Patton Omar Bradly tells Patton that "I do this job because I was trained to do you do it because you love it." I always wondered about that statement. I was never sure how to take it. On the surface Bradly is only following orders. But then one begins to think if Bradly doesn't love it then what is he doing a general. And what sort of inner conflict is he going through and how is this affecting his performance. Your book on Patton really cleared up a lot of questions I had about Bradly. I think that Patton was the better general by far. Patton says towards the end of your book that his 'best and worst aspect is that he has no ulterior motive.' In some ways it was like reading a medieval or Roman history from the days when people less hypocritical. They were brave or they were cowards they were dead or the were alive. They were great or they were captured and became slaves. Patton understood all this. He understood the great power of simplicity. Which I must say you also understand. You have a very simple (just the facts mam') writing style that I found very readable. I'm not a quick reader and I've never read a book this big before in so little time. Your book on Patton has re-reinforced my beliefs.
1) A spelling doesn't matter (I'm dyslexic) it has nothing to do with intelligence.
2) Sincerity and friend ship will get you further than back stabbing.
3) That great men and women are created by the careful study of history and the reading of great books like yours.
4) That I very proud to be an American even though I've been living outside the country for almost 10 years now.
The reason the Americans did so well is because we Americans have always had men like Gen George Smith Patton Jr and we have always know how to use them. We can look at all a persons faults and mistakes in the clear light of day and somehow that just makes them greater.
This book makes me very proud to be an American.
Sincerely
Todd LeMay
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