Rating: 
Summary: Superb; intimate yet objective, admiring yet circumspect
Review: George Smith Patton III's life-long, sometimes tragic, sometimes comical, ever-obsessive quest for glory is chronicled over its 5 long decades by Carlo D'Este. Indoctrinated from birth in an indulging, aristocratic
ex-Confederate family, the ancestor-worshipping, war-lusting
boy named "Georgie" (and known as such throughout by his friends, despite the "Blood & Guts" image thrust on him by
his detractors) became America's pioneer of armoured attack in two world wars and the Allied general the Germans feared most. This biography captures the very essence of this complex and misunderstood combat master, debunking his many (and varied) critics, yet succeeds in unmasking the very human "Georgie" beneath the Patton veneer.
Rating:
Summary: highly readable biography
Review: The Patton of popular perception, "swashbuckling, brash, profane, impetuous", was deliberately created down to the tiniest detail by a man obsessed with a belief that he was destined to lead a great army into battle.
That creation overshadowed another Patton, known to few: deeply religious, poetic, struggling to overcome dyslexia and self-doubts.
Colonel D'Este, with admirable scholarship and the cooperation of the Patton family, has brought together into one highly readable volume all of the complications and contradictions of the Patton character, placed in the context of the great struggle of WWII.
Essential for your WWII bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Patton is one of the figures of World War II, of the 20th Century, who has transcended "historical figure" and has become a mythological figure. Whether heaped with praise, or villified, he is almost always treated as larger than life. In this remarkable biography, Carlo D'Este cuts through all that nonsense and gives us an astonishingly thorough picture of Patton the man.What is revealed, is that Patton was an enormously complex HUMAN BEING. While irrefutably a military genius, he was also a horribly conflicted person. Plagued by dyslexia at a time when it lacked scientific recognition, this shy, horribly self-concious man created a personality to mask his true feelings of self doubt. Perhaps inevitably, this persona eclipsed the man who created it, and left the world with the impression of Patton as a colorful, but unfortunately outrageous and uncouth man. D'Este undoubtably has the utmost respect for Patton, but he is also unflinching in his critiscm when warranted. His research is extremely thorough, and the narrative is remarkably even-handed for a figure who is frequently portraied as Greek hero. "Patton: A Genius for War" is a biography of the highest caliber, and a must read for an serious student of World War II.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST PATON BIOGRAPHY I'VE READ
Review: Recommend this one. D'Este is one of my favorite popular history authors and he certainly came through with this one. Of the many works on Patton I have read, this one seems to catch the soul of the man closer than anyother. The book is a easy read, comfortable and extremely informative. This is one of those I will reread soon. Certainly recommend you add this one to your collection.
Rating:
Summary: The best Patton biography
Review: Many biographies of Patton deal with individual issues as well, and some issues better than, this classic military biography, but in terms of a birth-to-death study this has no equals. It is neither hagiographic nor harsh. It is fair, thorough and informative.
Rating:
Summary: War was his whole life.
Review: Carlo D'Este has written a colossal an exhaustively documented biography of the unparalleled General Patton.
He starts portraying Patton's ancestors. In many biographies is usually neglected the micro history of the subject. Frequently, as in this case, is essential to understand the character. Patton is the offspring of deep rooted American families. Remarkable warriors populate his lineage. Then is not surprising such a Fighter emerged from that soil.
D'Este follows Patton thru his earlier steps, his education, first at VMI, then at West Point. His struggle with dyslexia and with a physical condition that was not superlative for the burning activity that Patton displayed.
Next: Patton falling in love, marriage and early experiences as Cavalry officer is shown; his first contact with "real war" at Mexico with Pershing's Punitive Expedition; his WWI career with the new tank forces and his meteoric ascension to Colonelcy.
Then the dark and stark interwar period, with the rank reduction included and the regular army boring life is presented in detail.
Finally the last and more known portion of his life: from Africa, as warrior and diplomat; thru Sicily and the "slapping episode"; the rupture of Normandy's stalemate till the crossing of the Rhine.
D'Este constructs a solid biography, presenting the "real" Patton with his merits and drawbacks. Patton is neither an icon nor a monster; he is a human being convinced of his destiny and committed to fulfill it.
A superb book to be sure!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Rating:
Summary: The best Patton biography
Review: Carlo does it again with this excellent biography of Patton. Recently a number of bios of this great american figure have appeared but this one remains the classic account and the neccesary text for any study of Patton. It regalls us with pattons early life, his aristocratic heritage and the many quirks that made him stand out in the american army prior to WWII. Then it details Pattons succesful armored column command during the Lousiana Manuevors. Next the author takes on a coup de' main of Pattons role in WWII from North Africa, to Sicily and finally the race across France. An excellent account, highly readable and wonderfully written.
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