Until the Last Trumpet Sounds : The Life of General of the Armies John J. Pershing

Rating:
Summary: A good book with an "extended ending."
Review: An overview rich in detail which captures the times and the disparity between the public views and 'working under Pershing' views of the infantry ... both one sided and partially inaccurate. The book chronicles the larger Pershing family which is a fascinating study in character formation of Pershing himself and those to follow. Pershing was, as the book portrays, a perfectionist but also 'fair and just' who might well have made a decent, if difficult, President, especially as he was known to pick capable men to serve under him. Read all this in Smiths book which, on many levels, will hold your interest and stir your ideas.

Rating:
Summary: Arm-Chair Historian Housewife disappointed with Pershing
Review: I wanted to learn more about the forgotten WWI. I wanted to know why and how Gen. Pershing earned 6 stars! This book is really not a good read. Perhaps it is because I had just finished reading Robert Asprey's Napoleon, volumes I & II, that Gene Smith's book did not compare in quality, research and information, in my eyes. It is a quick read, but it miserably fails to live up to a great beginning chapter and a wonderful title.

Many factoids are told all over the book, seemingly out of place, when they would have been most appropriately placed at the time of the event. For example, we learn in a parenthetical sidebar to a later period in his life, that Pershing had two bouts of a venerial disease while he was in the Phillipenes earlier. Given that there were controversial news stories at that time, about his having kept a Filipeno woman or having kids who called him 'father,' that factoid was appropriate at the earlier time when he arrived in the Phillipenes with his new wife and that particular controversy exploded, not years afterwards.

I am especially vexed at the air-brushing of his time as commander of the all Black 10th Cavalry. The 'norm' of racist thought that pervaded white males of Pershing's era and social/economic class is well-documented. Yet, we read very little direct writings of Pershing's opinions on race. We read about one of his friends who wrote racist things alluding to the usual put-downs about blacks and their capabilities as soldiers and human beings. We also get a feel for the social put-down of Pershing being set as commander of the Black cavalry troops; the 'N_ _ _ _ _ Jack Pershing' nickname as case-in-point. But, what about himself? Where are in his letters during that time? We hear that he physically abused a Black soldier (with no apparent punishment forthcoming)in a temporary fit of anger, demonstrating his obsession about strict military form, order and dress rather than his feelings about Blacks. In later chapters of the book, we read more about some fiance of one of Pershings'grandsons, than about the 10th Cav and Pershings' role!!! What about the historically brave, courageous performance of the 10th Cav in the Spanish American War? What was Pershings' leadership role? His feelings? Nada. Once again a page in Black history, brushed aside. Could it be because no one wants to admit the 'great' general disdained his black command? It seems to me, that just like only a few want to talk about Thomas Jefferson's decades-long love affair with a slave woman, this yet another written historical text that wants to ignore something that in modern times would be perceived as negative concerning an American Historical figure. Mr. Smith is this so?

Basically, I see Pershings' rise to 6 stars as an adventure in the men's club of back-slapping buddies, rather than exceptional military achievement. OK.. he subjegated the people of the Phillipenes and became the great white father to many. OK.. he chased a Mexican bandit across the country (never caught him) and ended cross-border raids. OK... he withstood French and British pressure to use American bodies as cannon fodder in that bloody 'great' war. But America came to that War late and Pershing's role was limited in the overall picture. But, compared to the great Civil War Generals, George Washington, the exceptional WWII Generals like MacArthur, Patton or Eisenhower.. how in heavens' name did Pershing earn 6 stars? The first star was given because he was a buddy of Teddy Roosevelt. His battle commission in the Spanish American war was granted because he 'knew somebody' to give him a waver out of his West Point teaching post where everyone seemed to loathe him anyway. The command in WWI was under a pacifist Secretary of War and a peace-desiring academic Commander-in-Chief that knew nothing of war.

For me, this book is a sub-standard written text, too short, without more analysis of major historical issues -- coupled with a subject matter that cannot be apologized for (the man didn't seem to have earned 6 stars in my view).. Still, it made an interesting read in very few parts (the stories of his family's Civil War past, his historic/artistic friends, the sadness of the fire at the Presidio) and silly reading in other parts (the exploits of some Pershing off-spring as rich, alcoholic jet-setters with a famous name.) Generally, the book was a disapointment all around.

Rating:
Summary: Good, As Far As It Goes...
Review: This book is a good beginning to any study of John J. Pershing, but there isn't enough "meat on the bones". Pershing led quite a life, and really needs a thorough, well-researched bio, but this isn't it. Oh, it's quite readable, and if you don't know much about Blackjack, it will give you good, basic information, but it will leave you wanting a biography with more depth. And the writing style! The author uses sentences that are more like laundry lists...on and on and on...Somebody give this man a comma, a semi-colon, a period, and then teach him how to use them!

Rating:
Summary: Good introduction to the life of Gen. John J. Pershing
Review: This concise biography is interesting as a broad overview of the life and military career of General John J. Pershing. Gene Smith, much as Walter Lord, typically does an effective job of writing "history lite." His books provide salient facts and details without overwhelming the reader with a lengthy narrative. The high points of Pershing's military career, culminating in his role as leader of the AEF during WWI, are described. Pershing was one of the few voices in 1918 that called for total victory rather than a negotiated peace. Such a total loss to Germany might have prevented WWII, one of the great "what ifs?" of history. The text spends what seems an inordinate amount of time detailing the life of Pershing's son and even his two grandsons. After the war in Europe ends, Pershing becomes a minor character in his own biography. Perhaps this is because a defining moment in Pershing's life was the asphyxiation death of his wife and daughters in a fire. The relationship with his surviving son was a top priority for Pershing. Regardless of the reason, one is left yearning for more military history blood and thunder and more saber rattling details of the career of "Black Jack" Pershing. Other than the stern professional soldier, not much insight is given of the man and his mindset. In addition, too many long, convoluted sentences impede a free flowing narrative. Nevertheless, this biography serves a useful purpose as an entry point to a serious study of its subject. ;-)

Rating:
Summary: Read another book about Pershing!
Review: This is neither a history of the period nor a biography. It is a collection of quotations and anecdotes, that appear to have been taken from the personal papers of John J. Pershing, that are on file at the Library of Congress, not an unbiased source. I got as far as through the period on Pershing's frontier and Philippine service and put it down. It is a shallow treatment that reads like a history for young children. If someone is really interested in the era and the man, read Frank Vandiver's book " Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing" in two volumes, published in 1977. A book Smith cites, Donald Smythe's "Guerilla Warrior: The Early Life of John J. Pershing" (1973) is not too bad, nor is "Black Jack Pershing" by Richard O'Connor (1961). None of these are hostile treatments, and all are well written. Pershing was an able and brave Army officer, but so were many others of the era. But Pershing was the only one to go from Captain to Brigadier General despite opposition of the Army command, and this was not solely due to his ability. His smartest move was marrying the daughter of Senator Warren, one of the shrewder political operators of the time, and one who, although a Republican, had equal entree with Wilson as well as Roosevelt and Taft. Warren was Pershing's guardian angel. If you are older than 12, pass this book up and read one of the others.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been bigger. Could have been better.
Review: Until the Last Trumpet Sounds is a fine book. Gene Smith has written an interesting, fast-paced narrative of the life of John J. Pershing. This reader, however, upon finishing the book, was left a bit unfulfilled. At 337 pages, a full 50 of which are devoted exclusively to the lives of Pershing's grandsons, Smith simply cannot do full justice to the highest ranking military officer in US history. Smith merely alights upon a peak of Pershing's career and then sets off for another before the meat of the story is told. What results, nevertheless, is a highly interesting read, but not half of what it could be.

Pershing, born in 1860, rose from obscurity to the General of US Armies garnering an unprecedented sixth star. He went from fighting Indians of the American West on horseback to leading mechanized battles of World War I. Gene Smith's Until the Last Trumpet Sounds has only scratched the surface of a truly remarkable life and, therefore, leaves the reader feeling he could have done quite a bit more. Even so, what he has completed merits a solid 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been bigger. Could have been better.
Review: Until the Last Trumpet Sounds is a fine book. Gene Smith has written an interesting, fast-paced narrative of the life of John J. Pershing. This reader, however, upon finishing the book, was left a bit unfulfilled. At 337 pages, a full 50 of which are devoted exclusively to the lives of Pershing's grandsons, Smith simply cannot do full justice to the highest ranking military officer in US history. Smith merely alights upon a peak of Pershing's career and then sets off for another before the meat of the story is told. What results, nevertheless, is a highly interesting read, but not half of what it could be.

Pershing, born in 1860, rose from obscurity to the General of US Armies garnering an unprecedented sixth star. He went from fighting Indians of the American West on horseback to leading mechanized battles of World War I. Gene Smith's Until the Last Trumpet Sounds has only scratched the surface of a truly remarkable life and, therefore, leaves the reader feeling he could have done quite a bit more. Even so, what he has completed merits a solid 4 stars.