Rating: 
Summary: Just the Facts Please
Review: This is a perfectly unobjectionable book outlining Gen. Marshall's life and military and political careers. It did strike me as being rather cursory in a number of areas and does not go very far in terms of the motivations and character of its subject. Undoubtedly this is in part because Marshall left very little in the way of written reminiscences of his own and kept a studied distance from those with whom he worked. As such, it leaves a bit to be desired as an in-depth biography. Nonetheless, it is well written, fair in its viewpoint and can be read within a couple of evenings. It is certainly a fine introduction to Marshall, but a reader looking for a comprehensive treatment of his life might well select one of the longer alternatives.
Rating: 
Summary: Is Being Ruthless Ever Being Kind?
Review: Yes! At times. This is simply a superb book about a great man. A truly great man. Yet so few people know about him. We are very lucky to have a wonderful biography such as this published about such a truly superb gentleman. Today, the "in thing" is to talk about values. Values, values, values. I feel that George Marshall was the greatest American of this century. It is a priceless gift that the biographer has given us in a beautifullt printed format. Extremely well written and, best of all, totally objective! Marshall was a bigger military giant than Eisenhower, Patton, or MacArthur. In fact, during World War II, he was so greatly needed that President Roosevelt gave him a choice about becoming the supreme commander of all allied forces in Europe. Either he could do so, or stay in Washington where he was much more valued. He virtually ran everything except for FDR. One choice meant giving up fame and glory for the likes of you and me. The other choice meantglory, fame, and 20 biographies written about him that you can buy at Amazon.com. Knowing that he was more greatly needed in Washington than in London, he gave up his life's dream. He handed the star role to Eisenhower. Who, as many of us know, became president as the result of Marshall's decision. Here are some of what this man was: 1) He never lied! (talk about values). 2) He never cheated on his wife (both Eisenhower and Patton were not so lucky). 3) He never killed anyone. (He stated that "10 minutes of combat are 10 minutes too many"). He was a true blue gent. And when is values were being walked over, he told off numero unos General Pershing, President Roosevelt, and President Truman! In the first two cases, he expected to be fired. He burned his war time journals after the war because he did not want to hurt anybody. That was the caliber of the man. Yet he could be very ruthless when he thought what he was doing was right. In preperation for World War II, and as Commander-in-Chief, he kept a black notebook for prospective "young" generals. He didn't want the U.S. saddled down with "old men" sending young boys into battle. In his notebook were the names of Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, and many others. And when war broke out, he turned his back on all his peers and gave the "key positions" to the young bloods. After the war, he was the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State in the Truman administration. The Marshall Plan was not named after Marshall Dillon in Gunsmoke! He created the means for building up all of Europe after World War Two. He was virtually worshipped by Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. And like Einstein and William Randolph Hearst, was an admirer of Gandhi! The biographer does not try to make any points. Does not try to hammer any "message" home. He does what all really good biographers do and simply tells you what happened in this man's life. Anyone interested in U.S. history can read all the books about the "pop heroes" such as Patton and Eisenhower, but they won't get the entirety of the picture until they deeply know about this man. Churchill also worshipped Marshall. Thank God one person spent enough time and energy to write about him. Thank you. Very much.
Rating:
Summary: Is Being Ruthless Ever Being Kind?
Review: Yes! At times. This is simply a superb book about a great man. A truly great man. Yet so few people know about him. We are very lucky to have a wonderful biography such as this published about such a truly superb gentleman. Today, the "in thing" is to talk about values. Values, values, values. I feel that George Marshall was the greatest American of this century. It is a priceless gift that the biographer has given us in a beautifullt printed format. Extremely well written and, best of all, totally objective! Marshall was a bigger military giant than Eisenhower, Patton, or MacArthur. In fact, during World War II, he was so greatly needed that President Roosevelt gave him a choice about becoming the supreme commander of all allied forces in Europe. Either he could do so, or stay in Washington where he was much more valued. He virtually ran everything except for FDR. One choice meant giving up fame and glory for the likes of you and me. The other choice meant glory, fame, and 20 biographies written about him that you can buy at Amazon.com. Knowing that he was more greatly needed in Washington than in London, he gave up his life's dream. He handed the star role to Eisenhower. Who, as many of us know, became president as the result of Marshall's decision. Here are some of what this man was: 1) He never lied! (talk about values). 2) He never cheated on his wife (both Eisenhower and Patton were not so lucky). 3) He never killed anyone. (He stated that "10 minutes of combat are 10 minutes too many"). He was a true blue gent. And when is values were being walked over, he told off numero unos General Pershing, President Roosevelt, and President Truman! In the first two cases, he expected to be fired. He burned his war time journals after the war because he did not want to hurt anybody. That was the caliber of the man. Yet he could be very ruthless when he thought what he was doing was right. In preperation for World War II, and as Commander-in-Chief, he kept a black notebook for prospective "young" generals. He didn't want the U.S. saddled down with "old men" sending young boys into battle. In his notebook were the names of Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, and many others. And when war broke out, he turned his back on all his peers and gave the "key positions" to the young bloods. After the war, he was the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State in the Truman administration. The Marshall Plan was not named after Marshall Dillon in Gunsmoke! He created the means for building up all of Europe after World War Two. He was virtually worshipped by Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. And like Einstein and William Randolph Hearst, was an admirer of Gandhi! The biographer does not try to make any points. Does not try to hammer any "message" home. He does what all really good biographers do and simply tells you what happened in this man's life. Anyone interested in U.S. history can read all the books about the "pop heroes" such as Patton and Eisenhower, but they won't get the entirety of the picture until they deeply know about this man. Churchill also worshipped Marshall. Thank God one person spent enough time and energy to write about him. Thank you. Very much.
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