Fighting Wars, Planning For Peace: The Story Of George C. Marshall (World Leaders) [Library Binding]

Lee Gimpel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Although Roosevelt publicly credited Marshall for the allied victory in World War II, the general remains much less well known than his more colorful contemporaries, whose battlefield successes made them national heroes. This biography includes material about Marshall's education and personal life as well as his lengthy and successful military and diplomatic careers. Gimpel is admiring of his subject, explaining how the man's intelligence, diligence, and endless devotion to his country gave him the patience to accept the slow promotions and bureaucratic strictures he encountered in the shrunken post-World War I army. He describes how Marshall used those years as a learning period, and how he used his knowledge to create an effective fighting machine when he commanded all American forces during the Second World War, and to rebuild Europe and Japan when he served as Secretary of State under Truman. Gimpel places him in the larger perspective of 20th-century military history. The lengthy background sections slow the narrative and make for dry reading. Average-quality color photos of Marshall, his family, and world leaders are included.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 9-12. This insightful, well-written biography, part of the World Leaders series, reveals the lasting importance of Marshall as both soldier and statesman. Although the text focuses primarily on Marshall's World War II and postwar accomplishments, readers will find sufficient background on his childhood, youth, and early military service. Gimpel goes on to show how Marshall's organizational and planning skills as army chief of staff were as vital to achieving victory as the more celebrated battlefield exploits of Eisenhower and MacArthur. As ambassador to China and secretary of state,^B Marshall also proved himself a talented diplomat; his Marshall Plan to rebuild postwar Europe, for instance, demonstrated to the world the links between democracy, economic prosperity, and world peace. Motivated YA readers will come away with an excellent understanding of the legacies of this important twentieth-century leader. Maps, photographs, and other visual materials illustrate; end matter includes a time line, citations for quotes, a bibliography, and Web resources. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 176 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Reynolds Pub (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931798664
• ISBN-13: 978-1931798662
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly useful insights about wars, peace, and leadership, November 23, 2005

By 

Laura Kiken (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting Wars, Planning For Peace: The Story Of George C. Marshall (World Leaders) (Library Binding)

This book is worth buying. It's packed full of information, yet uses simple explanations and includes amusing touches, making it easy and enjoyable to follow. Detailing the chronological path of Marshall's life and work, Gimpel provides insight not just into what Marshall accomplished but also how he grew as a person. This allows readers to learn or brush up on the last century's history while feeling like part of Marshall's quest to make the right choices for himself and his country. Both younger and older readers will likely find themselves inspired by Marshall's persistence in the face of obstacles, his assertiveness in making the most of opportunities, his adaptability when he gets what he wants but finds it different than expected, and his forthright and humble character.

Gimpel provides a solid overview of the progression of 20th century history, including descriptions of many other great leaders of that time. The sections about WW II and the Marshall Plan are particularly good. I imagine that any reader would see the relevance of Marshall's strategies to present-day international affairs.

Truman said of George C. Marshall: "He was the greatest of the great of our time." After reading this book, you'll know why.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teens--Relevant, interesting, easy read for adults, October 17, 2005

By 

Jim D. Lewis "Coach Jim" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting Wars, Planning For Peace: The Story Of George C. Marshall (World Leaders) (Library Binding)

A teenage friend lent me this book on Marshall and recommended that I read it. I haven't read a history book since college and have never been interested in biographies of military heroes, but I read it anyway. It was great! I found myself incredibly impressed with Marshall's leadership skills at a young age and his patience, persistence and humility as a leader, diplomat and outstanding human being who really valued peace. I unexpectedly found myself caught up in the historical events that now have so much more meaning to me. The examples of his leadership and the challenges he faced are so completely relevant for our current issues that I found myself wondering how Marshall would lead us through the global and national issues we face today. It's definitely on my holiday shopping list for other young readers I know and for friends who would appreciate a good modern history book that is well written and a quick and easy read.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Character Shaping, August 23, 2005

By 

Angela Giallanza (VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting Wars, Planning For Peace: The Story Of George C. Marshall (World Leaders) (Library Binding)

George C. Marshall's approach to his life will serve as a model to every student with regard to purpose and the shaping of a man that resulted in the shaping of a nation. The makings of great people lead to the ingredients necessary to continue to fight for American freedoms today, just as we did in years past. The principles remain the same, and Gimpel has done a superb job at translating Marsall's life to an easy-to-follow and digest reading that will be intriguing while educational. A great voice for a great role model in American history.