The Fighting Pattons [Hardcover]

Brian M. Sobel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275957144 | ISBN-13: 978-0275957148 | Publication Date: February 28, 1997

This book presents a unique view of a military family, and, most importantly, displays the lives of a father and son: a father who would become an American hero and a son who excelled on his own terms, but who was profoundly influenced by a figure who had gained legendary status. The elder Patton gained widespread fame during World War II as a fearless commander and motivator of soldiers in war. He was brash, supremely self-confident, and greatly admired by the enemy; many German officers would later say Patton was the most important weapon in the American arsenal. A complex man driven by his knowledge of history and warfare, the elder Patton was compassionate and easily moved to tears. He was a professional soldier who loved the art of war and hated war itself. The younger Patton has also lived a most exciting life, having been acquainted with many of the famous names in political and military history. Together, father and son logged 79 years of continuous miltary service. They fought in every American conflict from the punitive action taken in Mexico in 1916 through Vietnam. This is the only book on the Patton family that includes commentary from both the son and daughter of General George S. Patton, concerning their father's life and times. Including a vast array of never before published information, this book is also a family story and a contemporary history of the wars that shaped the 20th century. There are interviews with the late Richard Nixon, General William Westmoreland, General James Dozier, Jimmy Doolittle, and many others.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While the senior Patton, Major General George S., has been immortalized in books and on film, especially for his service during World War II, the junior Patton, General George S., is less well known to the general public. The latter, too, earned distinction as a soldier throughout his military career, leading troops in combat in Korea and Vietnam. Sobel, a media consultant and public official in California, presents a balanced portrayal of the men and their myths, revealing the father and son to be much alike: dedicated professional men of arms, unswerving in their duty and their devotion to their men. The strength of this book rests in Sobel's profile of the junior Patton, with his anecdotes and pointed thoughts on Vietnam, the media, the Gulf War, nuclear weapons, and today's army. Although expensive, this work is recommended for the general reader and the military buff.?Col. William D. Bushnell, USMC (ret.), Sebascodegan, Me.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Sobel...presents a balanced portrayal of the men and their myths, revealing the father and son to be much alike: dedicated professional men of arms, unswerving in their duty and their devotion to their men. The strength of this book lies in Sobel's profile of the junior Patton, with his anecdotes and pointed thoughts on Vietnam, the media, the Gulf War, nuclear weapons, and today's army....this work is recommended for the general reader and the military buff.”–Library Journal

“While assertive and ambitious, the younger Patton appears here as concerned for the welfare of his men and the army, and frustrated by what he saw as a post-Vietnam emphasis on public relations and political correctness. Through his story, Patton opens a window to the Cold War army's 'lost generation' of senior officers....If their concepts of service and duty appear unsophisticated in an age of uniformed spin doctors, their heritage remains honorable, worthy of the kind of memorial provided by this book.”–Publishers Weekly

“Brian Sobel, as author of The Fighting Pattons, has done a fine piece of work, putting into perspective the life experiences of a father and son who shared a love of the Army career, though they served in very different times and circumstances....In his book, Brian Sobel has let me travel the old roads, enjoying the recollections of past comrades, many now in retirement or gone to their rewards....I consider that he has done an excellent job of interpreting my experiences of command, with special attention paid to both the Vietnam conflict and the Korean War. I believe that he has done his utmost to be accurate, candid, and fair without being boring or prejudicial....(He) has taken our history and spun an excellent yarn, gathering into it many of my own experiences in my Army assignments, weaving in some of the characters I had the privilege of meeting or knowing...He has included them appropriately and described them with caring skill.”–from the foreword by George S. Patton Major General, US Army, retired Owner, Green Meadows Farm

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (February 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275957144
• ISBN-13: 978-0275957148
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,431,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MG Pattons command at Ft Hood is very accurate. I was there, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fighting Pattons (Hardcover)

I served in the 2nd Armored Division during MG Patton's tenure. He was an inspiration to many of us. The stories are true and very accurate. I am sure there are a few more that are not in the book! BB

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine account of the famous warrior family., June 4, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fighting Pattons (Hardcover)

The Generals Patton, father and son, served their country for 79 years, altogether, in careers unsurpassed by any other American military family. General George S. Patton Jr's life, in particular, has been examined microscopically, but the section of this work which recounts his career is enhanced by comments, for the first time, by his son and daughter.
That alone would make the book worthwhile, but the bulk of the work tells the story of Major General George S. Patton (1923 - ), himself a fine fighting general and one of the best trained officers ever to wear the uniform. Like his father, he was a scholar of his trade who understood that skillful audacity accomplishes the mission with minimal casualties.
Very readable, with invaluable comments by Major General Patton interspersed; photos, bibliography, and index. Highly recommended.

(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This recviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Fighting Pattons, July 6, 2009

By 

William A. Housey "Wahsr" (Il) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fighting Pattons (Mass Market Paperback)

Somewhat interesting but so many millitary abreviations & acronyms that it was @ times difficult to read