November 11, 1885 december 21, 1945, kcb was a general of the united states army who commanded the u. Heres how patton earned the nickname old blood and guts. Brown accomplish just that in pattons third army in world war ii. Library books in circulation has remained steady, since 2012 the number of. However, when he arrived at the british legion hq at the rudkin rooms in drury lane. The official statistical annual of the resources, history. Ancestor charts showing the family relationships of general george s.
The in pattons footsteps tour is a fascinating wwii tour. It was the first time a united states army contingent engaged an enemy using motor vehicles. Through the eyes of his enemies in new york journal of books. Subsequently he served in the cavalry and the tank corps. It begins with the roots of his predecessors in the new world. A genius for war is a fullfledged portrait of an extraordinary american that reveals the complex and contradictory personality that lay behind the swashbuckling and brash facade.
Agiris george agiris, age fortyfive years, died last night at a local hospital after a brief illness. According to publishers weekly, the result is a major biography of a major american military figure. Patton from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. I wouldnt call patton the greatest military commander of all time, as it is highly disputable to whom if to any individual commander at all that title belongs. In the realm of world war ii history, few subjects have had more written about them than gen. But no matter the opinion or label attached to his name, few can argue george s. He had a larger than life personality and was, at times, as controversial as he was successful. Frankau, 68, british writer who averaged a novel a year for the past 40 years.
While the first part covers the first 55 years of general george s. However, he was certainly the best commander on the allied side in europe during wor. Patton sailed off to save the world 75 years ago and read these novels on the way by. The first patton, robert, emigrated to virginia from scotland about 1770. After the outbreak of world war ii, patton played a major part in the invasion 1942 of north africa and in the capture 1943 of sicily.
It would seem hard for a book to tread new ground, but authors michael green and james d. The collection documents pattons military career, including his attendance at the. Jean gordons father died at an early age and her invalid mother was the half sister of pattons wife. With full access to pattons private and public papers, and the cooperation of the generals family, carlo deste shows us not only the extrovert patton of public perception, but also the intensely private patton the devoted student of history, the poet, the humble man very unsure of his own abilities who could burst into tears, be.
This is the personal account written by a contemporary of general patton. His career climaxed in 194445 when, after the allies normandy invasion, pattons third army swept across france and into germany. Patton and the drive of his third army across europe and into the heart of the third reich. This book by carlo deste is about how patton handled his campaigns and what made him such a highly sought after general during the time. A history and study of the life and career of general george s.
Brin, jack 7 march 11, 1990 scope and content brin was the general manager of the. The patton society research library patton bibliography. Storied schooner once owned by general patton to be sold. A graduate of west point 1909, he served in world war i and was wounded while commanding a tank brigade in france.
He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness. War as i knew it is the personal and candid account of his celebrated, relentless crusade across western europe during world war ii. Scott in the title role, and it was released by 20th century fox. Here are some interesting links with info to support the details. His book, target patton, contains interviews with mr bazata, who died in 1999, and extracts from his diaries, detailing how he staged the car crash by getting a troop truck to plough into pattons cadillac and then shot the general with a lowvelocity projectile, which broke his neck while his fellow passengers escaped without a scratch.
Updated sep 8, 2017 links with details on pattons death. Patton, also known as old blood and guts a man quite properly regarded as the embodiment of americas martial tradition. Patter, patterson, patteson, pattie, pattinson, pattison, pattison, patton, patton. The first chapter outlines the development of the family from that point to the civil war. History online world history world war ii george patton historia universal american soldiers gi joe. He also was a direct descendant of brigadier general hugh mercer who was killed at the battle of princeton during the american revolution. Using pattons own diaries, speeches, and personal papers, keane examines the generals actions and personality to shed light on. War as i knew it george smith patton, paul donal harkins. This is one of the best books on wwii ive ever read, and i. Wilcox makes a compelling argument for pattons accident in fact being an assassination attempt by the office of strategic services oss, possibly in collaboration with the soviet peoples commissariat for internal affairs nkvd. See more ideas about patton, george patton, military history. Despite his many successes, his aggressive, colorful personal style and his temper often caused issues with his superiors.
It reveals patton as a complex soldier capable of brilliant military manoeuvres but. Patton was a largerthanlife figure whose genius for mechanized warfare and relentless pursuit of the enemy made him one of the great commanders of world war ii. Seventh army in the mediterranean theater of world war ii, and the u. In 2012, nicholas evan sarantakes, a professor at the us. Discover librarianselected research resources on george s. Although service in mexico was monotonous, patton took the opportunity to observe general pershing closely, studying him assiduously. Columbus, on march 9, 1916, general black jack pershing was sent across the. This is a massive biography of general george patton 820 pages of text, and more pages of footnotes, references, etc. Perhaps like many who are interested in this book, my prime connection to the general is the film patton, staring george c. Pattons third army at war by george forty, hardcover. It is just a wonderful book and the author writing about his mission to produce a clear and wonderful biography and record of general pattons war time intelligence department and its chief operation officer gen oscar koch. Wifes description of pattons reading habits and favorite books. The author served with him in the military for a period of time and got to experience patton s wisdom and intensity up close. Patton was a particularly skilled at the rapid advance of his forces as well as the surprise flanking.
Patton november 11, 1885december 21, 1945 was an american army general noted for winning battles in world wars i and ii. Patton 18851945 was a great american general who led armies to victory in north africa, sicily, france, and germany during world war ii. Lust for glory is a 1970 movie about united states army general george s. Postgate, postle, postlethwaite, postlewaite, postlewaith, postmaster general, pot. Patton earned his old blood and guts nickname for having a lust for battle without regard for the lives of his troops. Patton that has been a familiar presence in waters from the vineyard to maine and beyond, is for sale. Patton jr, an inspirational leader and outstanding tactician, has intrigued and confounded his biographers. This book gives plenty of information as to why there was so much debate that went into keeping such a controversial general in the army. From psalm 63 general pattons favorite bible verse piety is not a word commonly associated with the memory of general george s. Scott depicted him in the blockbuster movie patton. George patton but the reality of pattons genius is. Blood, guts, and prayer, author michael keane takes readers on a journey through pattons career in three parts.
This link has excellent detail of events, but is written by a govt. Although this book can stand quite nicely on its own, those looking for an indepth analysis of patton s military campaigns should be warned, this book gives only a general overview of patton s wartime service. Owner candace ruitenberg confirmed that the boat has been placed on the market due to an impending divorce. Extremely indepth biography of patton, eisenhower, and bradley during wwii. The patton papers 1940 1945 is actually part two of a two part series. As soldiers it is our duty to continue are professional development by reading. The man behind the legend, 18851945 is an insightful, succinct biography of the most famous american general of the twentieth century. Utilising untapped archival materials in both the usa and uk, government documents, family papers, and oral histories, hirshson creates the most balanced portrait of patton ever written. The entire collection spans the years 18071979, with the bulk of the papers concentrated from 1904 to 1945. Certainly our fightingest general, and someone who must have been a constant threat to the enemy.
Hirshsons general patton is a very well written, revealing and very satisfying look at the american military icon, general george s. Pattons life this book details the period leading up to americas involvement in ww ii and takes the reader through all of pattons ordeals. Having achieved such legendary status during his own lifetime, it comes as no surprise that general george s. It is written in personal terms which makes it so readable and interesting. A genius for war, this book would make a good introduction to patton for the general or casual reader. Jeanclaude van itallie papers special collections and archives. Rutkin, roberta, san francisco, ca to jeanclaude van itallie, rowe, ma. Was general george patton the greatest general of all time. The personal and candid account of general pattons celebrated, relentless crusade across western europe during world war ii first published in 1947, war as i knew it is an absorbing narrative that draws from pattons vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, covering the moment the third army exploded onto the brittany peninsula to the final allied casualty report. Third army in france and germany after the allied invasion of normandy in june 1944 born in 1885 to a family whose members had served in the united states and confederate states armies. The movie became very popular, and won an academy award for best picture in 1971. The book offers excellent insight into patton s philosophy, worth exploring both for personal growth as for implementation in leadership roles. Ruth, ruthbone, ruthen, rutherfield, rutherford, rutkin, rutland, rutledge.
Therefore, it is my humble opinion that this book will be best appreciated when read in conjunction with other books such as. Did the germans fear this hardcharging tank commander and watch. A soldiers life reveals patton as a complex soldier capable of brilliant military maneuvers but also of inspiring horrendous acts with fiery speeches. As americas own answer to blitzkrieg, third armys actions from the normandy coast across france and germany to austria gave a new dimension to the term fluid warfare. This book contains a wealth of knowledge concerning portions of pattons life that have not been explained in previous biographies. First published in 1947, this absorbing narrative draws on pattons vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, from the moment. A sequel, the last days of patton, appeared in 1986, also starring scott. It explains pattons belief in a soldiers valhalla, connects the familys wealth to one of americas bitterest labor strikes, and disputes the usual interpretation of. Patton oswalt honors late wife michelle mcnamaras book. He first came to attention as a commander fighting pancho villa in mexico and helped revolutionize the use of tanks in warfare. More importantly, pattons actions signaled the inauguration of motorized warfare.