Patton (Great Generals) [Paperback]

Alan Axelrod (Author), Wesley K. K. Clark (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0230613926 | ISBN-13: 978-0230613928 | Publication Date: January 6, 2009 | Edition: First Edition

George S. Patton embodied contradiction: a cavalryman steeped in romantic military tradition, he nevertheless pulled a reluctant American military into the most advanced realms of highly mobile armored warfare. An autocratic snob, Patton created unparalleled rapport and loyalty with the lowliest private in his command; an outspoken racist, he led the only racially integrated U.S. military unit in World War II; an exuberantly profane man, he prayed daily and believed God had destined him for military greatness; a profoundly insecure individual, he made his Third Army the most self-confident and consistently victorious fighting force in the European theater. From Patton's boyhood battling dyslexia and becoming an avid reader, to his leadership strategies that modernized the U.S. army, Alan Axelrod delivers a fascinating account of Patton's life and legacy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gen. George Patton, "a great and flawed figure" who still elicits strong feelings, makes an excellent choice for the initial volume in Palgrave's Great Generals series. Axelrod, a prolific business writer and historian (Patton on Leadership; Elizabeth I, CEO), delivers a solid if brief introduction to Patton's life and career. Seeking a "balanced appreciation" of Patton, Axelrod focuses on the contradictions that make the general such a controversial figure. A tactical genius who was instrumental in pioneering the concepts of modern maneuver and combined arms warfare, Patton often struggled to control his own personal demons and emotions. Thus, the man who conquered Sicily and turned "a stunning catastrophe" into an equally stunning victory at the Battle of the Bulge once set off a media storm—and was sidelined by General Eisenhower for 11 months—after he assaulted two soldiers suffering from battle fatigue. Restless in peace, the man who Eisenhower observed was "born to be a soldier," was killed in an automobile accident in occupied Germany in 1946. Axelrod has captured Patton's checkered legacy in a balanced biography suitable for anyone looking for a concise introduction to the commander German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt pronounced the Allies' best. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

George S. Patton, aka "Old Blood and Guts," inaugurates Palgrave's Great Generals series, with Grant, Eisenhower, and World War II bombardier Curtis LeMay to follow. Axelrod's profile relays one truth about Patton: there is no moderate opinion about him. Vainglorious and courageous, militarily intelligent but politically obtuse, outwardly confident but wracked with self-doubt, Patton was one of those warriors a democracy needs in a crisis but finds useless in peace. Even in the army, Patton stood out for his fascination with military sumptuary and protocol: his polished helmet, pearl-handled revolvers, and profanity were both the act and the essence of the man, just as impersonated for the mass audience by actor George C. Scott. Axelrod efficiently backgrounds the youthful and midlife arc of Patton's determination to be a conspicuous leader or die in the attempt, illustrating the latter with Patton's valor in World War I. This able abstract may whet readers' appetites for more full-bodied biographies by Carlo d'Este and Stanley Hirshson. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230613926
• ISBN-13: 978-0230613928
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, accessible bio, February 4, 2006

By 

Edwin B. Burgess "KS librarian" (Leavenworth, KS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Patton: A Biography (Great Generals) (Hardcover)

This compact biography of an already well-documented life is interesting for its attempt to place Patton in the context of his dramatic effect on the U.S. Army's doctrine, training, and operations long after World War II. No startling revelations about Patton the general or the man, although the author does bluntly describe attitudes and prejudices that at this remove are repugnant but which were entirely expectable for a man of Patton's social class and upbringing. Axelrod, a professional author of well over 30 books, provides readable prose and workmanlike descriptive material. General Wesley Clark's forward adds little. Extensive endnotes, mainly of primary sources. Although not a substitute for the Blumenson or D'Este biographies, it is much more concise and accessible. First in Palgrave's Great Generals Series. Series editor is Clark. A good introduction to Patton.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Born to Be a Soldier", April 3, 2006

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Patton: A Biography (Great Generals) (Hardcover)

General Eisenhower once wrote that "Patton was born to be a soldier." Axelrod's biography makes it clear why this was true, while at the same time revealing the weaknesses that sorely cost Patton.

George Patton, plagued by dyslexia throughout life, simply worked harder to overcome it - at first in his studies (requiring a "preparatory" year at VMI, and repeating his first year at West Point), and then reading to keep himself up-to-date on military tactics and history - including Rommel's writings and the Koran (the latter to prepare for battle in largely Muslim North Africa).

Patton was appointed 2nd Corporal his second year at West Point, but eventually was demoted for being a martinet - always quick to upbraid classmates for failings, but failing to praise when appropriate. It was a lesson he kept with him, reminding subordinates later to be both demanding and praising. Lean and fit, he tried football, but injuries prevented his playing for West Point - instead he became a pentathlon athlete - placing 5th in the 1912 Olympics.

Patton always pursued a preference for commanding soldiers in action to staff or stateside duties. This early on brought him into service with General Pershing, where he won acclaim in a small skirmish pursuing Pancho Villa and ultimately to Pershing's staff in WWI. Once in Europe, Patton became aware of the potential of tanks, was appointed to organize officer training in the new field, and took to the battlefield in their command. Their he demonstrated his trademark tactic of leading from the front - immediately resolving problems and motivating the soldiers, and was wounded. Just as importantly, Patton also realized that it was a mistake to limit tanks to supporting infantry - their speed offered much greater potential.

Early postwar duty included helping Gen. McArthur clear the Bonus Marchers from Washington, which Patton found quite distasteful. Later it was strongly rumored that he had a long affair with his niece. Regardless, as WWII approached and Patton was moved to leadership of a large tank command, he took up flying as a means of helping resolve bottlenecks and thinking about methods of avoiding presenting massed tank targets for enemy aircraft.

WWII began without Patton, but after the U.S. suffered a humiliating defeat in a North Africa tank battle, Patton was placed in command, and quickly turned the situation around - beginning with his insistence on strict discipline and providing well for his soldiers. He also became known for encouraging spirited debate among his staff, and then insisting on enthusiastic implementation of decisions.

Slapping Incidents: Involved two soldiers and two occasions. The M.D. in charge notified Eisenhower after the second; Eisenhower managed to keep the incident quiet, asking the press to sit on the story to protect a key commander. Columnist Drew Pearson, however, eventually learned of it and stirred a furor with his story. Patton ended up sidelined for 11 months, primarily serving as a decoy to confuse the Germans about Allied plans. Patton again got into trouble at a reception given opening a new facility for soldiers - there he (various versions) either slighted the Russians, either by omission or directly.

Patton is probably best known for the seemingly impossible task of rushing his large army a long distance in bitter cold to the rescue of U.S. soldiers trapped at Bastogne.

Once more, after the war, Patton again got into trouble - this time for remarks to the effect that many Nazis became party members because it was the only way to get their job, that many were needed to run post-war Germany, and it should not become an absolute bar to utilization. The result was Eisenhower's removing him from command and placing him in charge of compiling WWII history. Tragically, Patton didn't last long - he was fatally injured in a minor accident.

An easy, balanced read about a remarkable leader.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT SHORT OVERVIEW - WELL DONE - A GOOD READ, May 15, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Patton: A Biography (Great Generals) (Hardcover)

As other reviewers have pointed out, there are a number of excellent biographies out there covering the life of General Patton. This short work though, does a wonderful job of compacting a very large amount of informaton into a short, readable biography. The author is quite concise and the material very well organized. For those readers not wanting to delve into a 1000 plus page work, yet are interested in this great generals life, this quite fills the bill. The technical aspect of war is kept to a minimum, yet the author is able to convey the complexities of war quite well as well as the complexities of George S. Patton. I do hope the rest of the books in this series are as well done. Overall, recommend this one highly.