Customer Reviews

Pershing (Great Generals)

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Pershing has always been an interest of mine, as I viewed him as the best forgotten general America has ever produced. The two best biographies prior to this were both huge multi-volume editions and I was a bit wary about anyone trying to capture Pershing and all of his many accomplishments in a single slim volume. However, Jim Lacey appears to have captured everything I would want covered and even presented a few priceless bits of information I had not seen elsewhere. For instance, he lays to rest a debate that has raged on the Internet and among historians as to whether Pershing ever condoned wrapping dead Islamic insurgents in pork skins to deter others. In summary, the book proceeds at a furious pace and truly brings Pershing to life. It is a must read for all historians, and for anyone else look for brilliant leadership study.

The author, Jim Lacey, does an outstanding job of capturing the history of one of the first great military leaders of the 20th Century, General Pershing. It is undeniable the mark that Pershing left on the military after WWI, giving the United States a huge advantage when it saw action again during World War II. Lacey does a fantastic job of telling the life story of Pershing in 193 easy-to-read pages. For any student of history, more specifically military history, this text is a must read.

I read this book as part of a research paper I did on the Spanish American War. This book is short but is filled with information and does not leave gaps in his life they way other biographies sometimes do that tend to focus on only big events. I think any one interested in the man, the time period or any of the event Pershing was a part of will find the length of this book, the content and is ease of reading a true pleasure. As an introductory to Pershing it should be first on anyone's list. I recommend this often to people curious on Pershing, or interested on American history at the turn of the last century in general. If you only read one book about Pershing make it this one.

Pershing (Great General) pretty much could do it all! He put down a major insurrection in the Philippines, beat back an attempt by the Mexicans to recapture Texas, stormed up the Hill with Teddy Roosevelt and knew him on a first name basis, and took a bunch of school kids to Europe, trained them, led them in battle, took mre gaff from the Allies than he deserved, and won WWI. Too much for one General. I thought so, too. Apparently though, he did all those things and many more which I didn't list. It must be true. Generals knew more then. This was a great read, artfully told by the author. Charley Irions, Major General, USAF (Ret)

Author Jim Lacey clearly gives the GENERAL'S perspective of the events during Pershing's life. The reader gets no feeling of having been in the trenches although the general's perspective is presented quite well. The author, if he truly did set out to communicate only the view from above, was very successful and I do recommend this book for those who are interested in that angle.

The clearest example of this bias is the campaign against the Moros in the Philippines. The slaughter was presented as always a necessary thing. It makes one wonder. Perhaps the reader who wishes a broader perspective of Pershing's professional activities should compare and contrast views by other historians as well.
Paul Baum, Ph.D.
Living Historyist
Audrain County Historical Society

This book will remain in my personal library collection a book to refer to. There are other book that could more detail in the future,however my library has been deficent on Gen. Pershing. I recived book at on Christmas Eve.

good overview of the man's life and accomplishments... Easy and engaging, basic but thorough, heartfelt yet objective... It is what it says it is.

Example of the thinness? Lacey simply waves away questions about how roving Pershing's eye had been in the Philippines, ignoring the story entirely in the Philippines portion of Pershing's life, then just waving away the rumor, per Pershing's own waving it away, at the time he was going to get married to Frances Warren.

Yes, the rumor may in part have been a whispering campaign. But, he reportedly had two bouts of VD while in the Philippines. Lacey doesn't even discuss.

And, at $21.95 for a book that is only 200 pages, pre-footnotes, and in small size at that?

If you do read this, skip the Introduction, too, unless you want to read Wes Clark fluffing himself.

That said, if you're looking for an intro to Pershing, this is an OK starting point. Even then, it's not that good of one.

Better yet, do some basic online research, then buy one of the real Pershing bios Amazon sells.