Pershing: General of the Armies [Hardcover]

Donald Smythe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 1986

The product of nearly 25 years of research, Pershing: General of the Armies remains one of the most authoritative biographies of the man known as "Black Jack." Newly appointed head of the American Expeditionary Forces, Pershing sailed for Europe in May 1917. Once in France, he set about the task of building an army. By October the Americans were at the front and over the next year became involved in increasingly significant battles, all vividly recounted here: Cantigny, Chateau-Thierry, Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and the 47-day slugfest in the Meuse-Argonne. Although the impact of the American forces on the outcome of the war has been much debated, there is no question that the troops acquitted themselves well under Pershing's command. Pershing's postwar life included an unsuccessful run for president, a stint as Chief of Staff, and a secret romance with a French woman 34 years younger than he; nonetheless, his influence as a leader extended into World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book completes Smythe's biography of John J. Pershing. His first volume was Guerrilla Warrior (1973). Smythe's is the second modern two-volume biography of the general; the other is Frank E. Vandiver's Black Jack: the life and times of John J. Pershing ( LJ 10/1/77). Smythe and Vandiver agree that Pershing put his mark on the American Expeditionary Force that helped turn the tide to the Allies' favor in World War I. Smythe argues that Pershing was almost overwhelmed by his multiple jobssupervisor of logistics, field commander, and diplomat who blocked amalgamation of U.S. units with British and French divisions. While Smythe's book is more thoroughly researched in primary sources than Vandiver's, Vandiver's is the more sprightly written. General readers may prefer Vandiver; scholars may prefer Smythe. Highly recommended for all college and large public libraries. Joseph G. Dawson, History Dept., Texas A&M Univ., College Station
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A model of military biography and a major contribution to our knowledge of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I." Allan R. Millet

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; 1ST edition (May 22, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 025334381X
• ISBN-13: 978-0253343819
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,225,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Command in World War I, February 12, 2007

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pershing: General of the Armies (Paperback)

It appears of late that there is an increasing interest in books about World War I. Books have appeared on individual battles and on specialized equipment such as tanks and aircraft. After all, this was the time when much of the foundation for the later wars was being derived.

This particular book by Donald Smythe covers Pershing during the World War I years. (Smythe covers Gen. Pershing's earlier life in the previous book: Guerrilla Warror.) This book was written in the late 1980's, and just reprinted now.During this time Pershing had to build the army and assuage the commanders of the British and French forces who wanted the Americans to come into their armies as replacment soldiers under British or French commanders.

This was the first time that a large army would be sent by the Americans to fight on land beyond the oceans. The Americans had a lot to learn on the battlefield and in the conference room, but learn it they did. And they applied this learning in another European was a generation later.

As a measure of the tribute to be paid to Pershing, when he died in 1948, the funeral procession was led by sixteen American generals marching in the rain. At the head of the generals were Eisenhower and Bradley.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars super book, June 13, 2011

By 

Peter F. Brown (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pershing: General of the Armies (Paperback)

This is a very well written book. It sheds light on much of the turmoil that accompanied Pershings work in setting up the AEF in WWI. Highly recommended.