George C. Marshall, Vol. 4: Statesman, 1945-1959 [Hardcover]

Forrest C. Pogue (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Army chief of staff from 1939 to 1945, Marshall directed the organization and training of U.S. land and air forces during World War II. The fourth and final volume of Pogue's biography deals with Marshall's "other dimension" as statesman, humanitarian and peacemaker during his tenure as Secretary of State, head of the American Red Cross and Secretary of Defense during the middle period of the Korean War. This remarkable later career included Marshall's struggle to bring peace to China in the postwar years; his initiation and implementation of the European Recovery Program (the Marshall Plan); his role in the establishment of NATO and the State of Israel; his reaction to assaults by the radical right led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy; and his working relationship as defense secretary with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, probably the most successful collaboration in the history of the two departments. Pogue, former director of the Marshall Library, thus rounds off his monumental study of one of the great leaders of the 20th century. Photos.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Superbly researched and written, the fourth and final volume of Pogue's monumental study portrays a man who after years of military accomplishment took on the numerous and weighty challenges of the post-World War II world. His vision and understanding of U.S. postwar responsibilities saved Europe from economic collapse and political turmoil. Pogue richly details Marshall's many achievements: his struggle to bring peace to China, his role in the evolution of a new U.S. foreign policy, his duels with the Soviet Union over the future of Germany, and his leadership in formulating and selling the Marshall Plan. Marshall emerges as a man of unfailing dedication to his country, whatever the emotional or physical cost, and of immense integrity. Highly recommended to both academic and public libraries. Charles E. Kratz, Hofstra Univ. Lib., Hempstead, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1ST edition (June 5, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670810428
• ISBN-13: 978-0670810420
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To be read for information rather than enjoyment, July 3, 2009

By 

Morgan Witthoft (austin, tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George C. Marshall, Vol. 4: Statesman, 1945-1959 (Mass Market Paperback)

There seems to be a consensus that Pogue's massive biography is the definitive authority on Marshall. Certainly every possible detail is included, which is why the book is so huge. If you want the most possible information on Marshall or on any particular phase of his life, go find a copy of one or all volumes of Pogue's work.
I found the reading slow going and sometimes the level of detail stood in the way of a strong narrative. Contrast this with, say, Caro's biography of LBJ, where each instance of delving into deeper detail and closer focus just makes the book more intensely gripping.