Twentieth Century American Biography Series: George C. Marshall [Paperback]

Mark A. Stoler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Twentieth Century American Biography | Publication Date: February 1, 1989

General George C. Marshall played a pivotal role in American history between 1939 and 1951. In this fascinating work, Mark Stoler integrates an extensive variety of primary and secondary sources, including Marshall's private papers, in the story of the frustrations and successes of Marshall's attempts to forge a workable military policy in World War II consistent with the basic principles of American democracy. Marshall, best remembered for the Marshall Plan, is made comprehensible as a strategist at the center of the most destructive conflict in world history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Twayne Publishers; 1 edition (February 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805777857
• ISBN-13: 978-0805777857
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of the life of a great American, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Twentieth Century American Biography Series: George C. Marshall (Paperback)

Barely 200 pages in length, this book isn't comprehensive enough to do justice to Marshall's life and accomplishments. However, as an overview with more attention paid to the years 1939-51, this book is the best place to start when learning about General Marshall's accomplishments once he reached high command and his two cabinet positions. Mark Stoller does manage to convey in such a short work, the impact Marshall's life has had on America and the world and how we are still feeling that impact. If interested in Marshall's early years in the Army, Forrest Pogue's work is still the best, but this book is a good introduction to the life of a great man.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is Being Ruthless Ever Being Kind?, February 27, 2000

By 

Bill Butler "Bill Butler" (Tarzana, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twentieth Century American Biography Series: George C. Marshall (Paperback)

Yes! At times. This is simply a superb book about a great man. A truly great man. Yet so few people know about him. We are very lucky to have a wonderful biography such as this published about such a truly superb gentleman. Today, the "in thing" is to talk about values. Values, values, values. I feel that George Marshall was the greatest American of this century. It is a priceless gift that the biographer has given us in a beautifullt printed format. Extremely well written and, best of all, totally objective! Marshall was a bigger military giant than Eisenhower, Patton, or MacArthur. In fact, during World War II, he was so greatly needed that President Roosevelt gave him a choice about becoming the supreme commander of all allied forces in Europe. Either he could do so, or stay in Washington where he was much more valued. He virtually ran everything except for FDR. One choice meant giving up fame and glory for the likes of you and me. The other choice meant

glory, fame, and 20 biographies written about him that you can buy at Amazon.com. Knowing that he was more greatly needed in Washington than in London, he gave up his life's dream. He handed the star role to Eisenhower. Who, as many of us know, became president as the result of Marshall's decision. Here are some of what this man was: 1) He never lied! (talk about values). 2) He never cheated on his wife (both Eisenhower and Patton were not so lucky). 3) He never killed anyone. (He stated that "10 minutes of combat are 10 minutes too many"). He was a true blue gent. And when is values were being walked over, he told off numero unos General Pershing, President Roosevelt, and President Truman! In the first two cases, he expected to be fired. He burned his war time journals after the war because he did not want to hurt anybody. That was the caliber of the man. Yet he could be very ruthless when he thought what he was doing was right. In preperation for World War II, and as Commander-in-Chief, he kept a black notebook for prospective "young" generals. He didn't want the U.S. saddled down with "old men" sending young boys into battle. In his notebook were the names of Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, and many others. And when war broke out, he turned his back on all his peers and gave the "key positions" to the young bloods. After the war, he was the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State in the Truman administration. The Marshall Plan was not named after Marshall Dillon in Gunsmoke! He created the means for building up all of Europe after World War Two. He was virtually worshipped by Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. And like Einstein and William Randolph Hearst, was an admirer of Gandhi! The biographer does not try to make any points. Does not try to hammer any "message" home. He does what all really good biographers do and simply tells you what happened in this man's life. Anyone interested in U.S. history can read all the books about the "pop heroes" such as Patton and Eisenhower, but they won't get the entirety of the picture until they deeply know about this man. Churchill also worshipped Marshall. Thank God one person spent enough time and energy to write about him. Thank you. Very much.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Succinct Appraisal of an Extraordinary Leader, May 5, 2003

By 

S. Miska (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twentieth Century American Biography Series: George C. Marshall (Paperback)

Mark Stoler writes a concise account of the life and accomplishments of George C. Marshall, one of the greatest soldiers and statesmen in U.S. history. The opening lines in chapter one describe how Marshall was the only professional soldier to receive the Nobel Peace prize. Stoler's work provides inspiration to not only those in uniform, but also diplomats and others interested in leadership in general. I found the book highly readable, succinct, yet having the detailed notes that provide guidance for further reading. It is well worth the read.

Stoler's work comes in at just under two hundred pages, but adds depth with extensive notes for the reader who wishes to pursue more details on the life and accomplishments of General Marshall. The author leans heavily on Forrest C. Pogue, Marshall's official biography, and others who have written extensively on the leader and World War II. The book also features a chronology of Marshall's life, two sets of photos, a bibliographic essay, and an index.

I found the chapter on Marshall's time as Secretary of State to be extremely interesting. He not only garnered passage of the European Recovery Plan ("Marshall Plan") during his tenure, but he also helped negotiate the Rio Pact and Organization of American States, witnessed Tito's Communist coup in Czechoslovakia, opposed the Soviet blockade of Berlin, and supported the creation of NATO. Marshall's immense impact on world affairs can still be felt in Western Europe and elsewhere, as his military and diplomatic efforts set the stage for international relations for the remainder of the 20th century.

As a military leader, I found this to be great reading and a good source for future reading on General Marshall. Read Stoler's work if you are a student of history or enjoy reading about leadership. Highly recommended!