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George C. Marshall #3
George C. Marshall: Organizer of Victory: 1943-1945
This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection
683 pages, Hardcover
Published January 31, 1973
13 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Forrest C. Pogue
12 books12 followersForrest Carlisle Pogue Jr. was an official United States Army historian during World War II. He was a proponent of oral history techniques, and collected many oral histories from the war under the direction of chief Army historian S. L. A. Marshall. He also served for many years as the Executive Director of the George C. Marshall Foundation as well as Director of the Marshall Library located on the campus of Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2021
The third volume of Forrest Pogue’s biography of George Catlett Marshall opens with the general’s attendance at the 1943 Casablanca Conference. It’s a fitting starting point given that it represents much of the activity that would occupy Marshall during the final two-and-a-half years of the war: namely the attending of conferences and never-ending negotiations with his counterparts in the other armed services. Though often tedious and tension-filled, it was a process that was absolutely necessary in order to hammer out a combined strategy against the Axis powers – and one to which Marshall brought an effective array of abilities.
This is the theme that emerges from Pogue’s book: Marshall as the indispensable man. It comes across most clearly in his examination of the decision that perhaps more than any other defined Marshall’s place in history: the command of the Normandy invasion. Throughout 1943 it was expected by many in the American leadership that Marshall would trade places with Dwight Eisenhower at some point in the near future and lead the forces opening up the long-awaited “second front” in France. Pogue makes it clear that Marshall himself desired this, as it reflected what would be a career-capping challenge for any military commander. Yet as speculation of Marshall’s departure increased, the calls to retain Marshall as the Army’s chief-of-staff only grew, underscoring the vital role in played in the war effort and culminating in Marshall’s reluctant decision to stay on in his post.
As a result, Marshall has never received the degree of popular acclaim awarded to generals such as Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, and Omar Bradley for their role in commanding American ground forces. This is unfortunate, because as Pogue makes clear Marshall’s labors were vital to their success. The scope of Marshall’s concerns was enormous, ranging from questions of manpower to the balance of divisions assigned to various campaigns. Throughout this process he coordinated the activities of theater commanders, attended meetings with world leaders, negotiated with his counterparts in the United States Navy and the British armed forces, and worked patiently with members of Congress in order to ensure the degree of harmony necessary to turn the global military effort into victory. It was an enormous and exhausting effort, and one that taxed Marshall to the fullest.
What comes across in Pogue’s text, though, is not just his capability in the role but his humanity as well. Pogue takes the space to explain how Marshall coped with the enormous strain of his role, which was both mentally and physically demanding. Even with his manifold concerns, though, Marshall made the time for human touches, whether it was personal letters to the families of fallen soldiers or his efforts to honor his good friend Sir John Dill, the British general who served as a liaison in Washington until his death in 1944. That Dill resides today in Arlington National Cemetery is entirely due to Marshall, and it reflects the lengths to which he would go to ensuring that Dill received the recognition Marshall thought was Dill’s due.
Pogue’s book succeeds in conveying the enormity of Marshall’s responsibilities during the Second World War, as well as his role in bringing about the ultimate victory over the Axis powers. While the degree of detail can often make for less-than-scintillating reading, the sheer scope of the amount of material is a real testament to the depth of knowledge about Pogue’s subject. It makes for a fitting testament to one of the 20th century’s great Americans, one that needs to be read by anyone seeking to understand Marshall’s achievements in one of the most critical moments in his nation’s history.
This is the theme that emerges from Pogue’s book: Marshall as the indispensable man. It comes across most clearly in his examination of the decision that perhaps more than any other defined Marshall’s place in history: the command of the Normandy invasion. Throughout 1943 it was expected by many in the American leadership that Marshall would trade places with Dwight Eisenhower at some point in the near future and lead the forces opening up the long-awaited “second front” in France. Pogue makes it clear that Marshall himself desired this, as it reflected what would be a career-capping challenge for any military commander. Yet as speculation of Marshall’s departure increased, the calls to retain Marshall as the Army’s chief-of-staff only grew, underscoring the vital role in played in the war effort and culminating in Marshall’s reluctant decision to stay on in his post.
As a result, Marshall has never received the degree of popular acclaim awarded to generals such as Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, and Omar Bradley for their role in commanding American ground forces. This is unfortunate, because as Pogue makes clear Marshall’s labors were vital to their success. The scope of Marshall’s concerns was enormous, ranging from questions of manpower to the balance of divisions assigned to various campaigns. Throughout this process he coordinated the activities of theater commanders, attended meetings with world leaders, negotiated with his counterparts in the United States Navy and the British armed forces, and worked patiently with members of Congress in order to ensure the degree of harmony necessary to turn the global military effort into victory. It was an enormous and exhausting effort, and one that taxed Marshall to the fullest.
What comes across in Pogue’s text, though, is not just his capability in the role but his humanity as well. Pogue takes the space to explain how Marshall coped with the enormous strain of his role, which was both mentally and physically demanding. Even with his manifold concerns, though, Marshall made the time for human touches, whether it was personal letters to the families of fallen soldiers or his efforts to honor his good friend Sir John Dill, the British general who served as a liaison in Washington until his death in 1944. That Dill resides today in Arlington National Cemetery is entirely due to Marshall, and it reflects the lengths to which he would go to ensuring that Dill received the recognition Marshall thought was Dill’s due.
Pogue’s book succeeds in conveying the enormity of Marshall’s responsibilities during the Second World War, as well as his role in bringing about the ultimate victory over the Axis powers. While the degree of detail can often make for less-than-scintillating reading, the sheer scope of the amount of material is a real testament to the depth of knowledge about Pogue’s subject. It makes for a fitting testament to one of the 20th century’s great Americans, one that needs to be read by anyone seeking to understand Marshall’s achievements in one of the most critical moments in his nation’s history.
April 7, 2015
Very valuable. Confirmation that Marshall ranks at the TOP of the list of contributors to the 20th Century. Whatever ego he had clearly was set aside for the good of the Army and the US and even the thorny WW 2 alliance with the Brits. Speaking of which, this book is full of examples of how difficult it was to keep making that alliance work. (Credit goes to British Field Marshal Dill, too).
I could go on with details, but the point is that Pogue is, as far as I know, the definitive biographer of Marshall, and Marshall is someone whom everyone should know something about. So, well worth reading -- and don't neglect the notes.
I could go on with details, but the point is that Pogue is, as far as I know, the definitive biographer of Marshall, and Marshall is someone whom everyone should know something about. So, well worth reading -- and don't neglect the notes.
September 15, 2023
Another volume of an incredible biography. I've often commented we should thank God during World War II we had the right men at the right time and place. Reading this series one sees how much General Marshall picked the right men from a peacetime army to lead it in the greatest war in history. HIs guidance, leadership and direction in managing countless requirements only makes one more impressed with this man.
Definitely not weekend at the beach reading, this is a serious read that takes commitment. But it's well worth it, and I can't wait to start the four column.
Definitely not weekend at the beach reading, this is a serious read that takes commitment. But it's well worth it, and I can't wait to start the four column.
July 15, 2016
A must for anyone with a serious interest in the War. Excellent perspective on differences with other Allies, particularly Churchill's penchant for military sideshows. Marshall deserves great credit for identifying and sticking with the cross-Channel approach as the surest route to victory. His ability to turn down command of that theater when it was offered to him is remarkable. Military and political realities in view of the approaching Cold War are carefully sorted out. Pogue's bio is also enlightening on the subject of allocation of man and material - most discussions seem to take it for granted that the US simply supplied these things and there was enough to go around to Russia, Britain, Italy, "Anvil", what became "Overlord", China, and the various Pacific fronts. Landing craft were in particular short supply. Supplying Eisenhower's forces was a problem for a long time after June 6, 1944.
October 7, 2013
Fascinating account of the chief of staff's juggling war ops in Europe and the Pacific. The portraits of outsized personalities of MacArthur, Churchill, Montgomery and others are interesting, as is the maneuvering through politics of the 1944 presidential campaign.
January 19, 2016
Meticulous to the point of being more for the serious enthusiast than casual reader. Provides great insight into the man, the leader, and the organizer of victory. Recommended for anyone interested in military history and/or leading large organizations in time of tremendous challenge.
August 10, 2014
This book was recommended in one of the "Bookmarks" magazine's issues of either: (Nov/ Dec 2007) or (Jan/ Feb 2008).
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews