The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton (Hardcover)

~ (Author), James Patton Totten (Author), Carlo W. D'Este (Foreword) "On a spring day in 1960, I was weeding the front lawn of our house in Washington, D.C., when the two little Nixon girls came..." (more)
Key Phrases: Granfer Ayer, Fort Myer, West Point (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Button Box is the loving memoir of Beatrice Ayer Patton (1886-1953), the wife of one of the greatest military figures in history, General George S. Patton, Jr. Written by the Pattons' daughter, Ruth Ellen, the book covers Beatrice's life from her youth in a wealthy New England family until her death, with an emphasis on her years of marriage to George Patton. A supportive and loving wife, Beatrice was accomplished in her own right as an equestrian, musician, lecturer, sailor, and internationally published author. Courageous and adventurous, Beatrice played a significant role in her husband's life. Without her, General Patton might never have reached his own level of success. Although there have been numerous books written on George S. Patton, The Button Box provides a unique perspective on the general's complex personality as well as a rare and intimate look inside his famous American family, a glimpse of the "Old Army" that formed the cadre of the army of World War II, and a detailed description of life "between the wars" in a society not to be seen again. Most important, though, it is the story of a truly fascinating woman, told with love and a rowdy sense of humor by her daughter.

About the Author

Ruth Ellen Patton Totten (1915-1993) was the daughter of General George S. Patton and Beatrice Ayer Patton. She was the author of The Rolling Kitchen. James Patton Totten is the son of Ruth Ellen Patton Totten. He was an officer in the U.S. Army from 1969 through 1983 and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1983 to 1992. He was also a textile manufacturing executive from 1985 to 1998. He lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 388 pages
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press (June 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826215769
• ISBN-13: 978-0826215765
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #482,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Tribute to an Incredible Woman, June 8, 2006

By	Mira (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Ruth Ellen Patton Totten has left us with an extraordinary insight into the lives of the Patton family & most especially a wonderful tribute to her mother, Beatrice Ayer Patton. This book does more than present facts as a biographer would. Ruth Ellen tells the story from an insider's perspective. She not only tells the story but more importantly gives her mother's reaction to some of the most trying events in her lifetime & how she handled those events. The underlying theme of the book is the way Beatrice faced life; positively. She summoned courage, dignity & perseverance in the face of trials.

Ruth Ellen makes a great point by saying that soldiers are not the only casualties of war & it is evidenced by the sufferings which Beatrice, Ruth Ellen & Little Bea (Beatrice's daughter) endured, each of them being married to husbands in the Army.

This is an inspiring book that makes you wish you had met Beatrice Patton. Ruth Ellen herself is an incredible story teller & must have been one amazing woman in her own right. The Patton family has much of which to be proud because of the courage & strong character of Beatrice Patton. You don't have to be a fan of General George S. Patton Jr. to read the book. If you simply want to read a great book about a great woman, read this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir of Mrs. George S. Patton, July 27, 2005

By	Eliza Bowman "editor" (London) - See all my reviews

What an amazing window into the true lives of the "Cold Roast Boston" aristocracy, and what a tribute to a strong, multi-talented and insatiably curious woman. Hilarious, insightful, poignant, historical, and best of all...completely uncensored.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you really don't know george patton, November 14, 2007

By	marlin - See all my reviews

If you think you've read everything there is on George Patton as I had, then you owe it to yourself to read this book or you will never really understand his life's story. His daughter did a masterful job of putting the family story in a readable fashion and I could only dream of having such an adventurous life as their's was.