The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery and Erwin Rommel

by Lloyd Clark

Born between 1885 and 1891, George Patton, Bernard Montgomery and Erwin Rommel all participated in the First World War and, like millions of others, were so affected by their wartime experiences that it became a fundamental influence on their lives. Yet none of the men were dissuaded by the carnage from seeking military careers when the guns finally fell silent. Each became wholly dedicated to the profession of arms and, being exceptional officers and leaders, they prospered.
Despite the broad similarities between them, there were some marked differences in their approach to leadership due to the individuality bestowed on them from their genes, upbringing, life experience and relationships. Triumph reveals how these stimuli created three unique personalities which, in turn, each man came to draw from when they became among the most prominent officers in their armies.
Exploring the many and various influences that shaped these three officers as men, as soldiers and, principally, as leaders, Lloyd Clark tracks their progress - through war and peace - all the way up to their final confrontation on the battlefields of the Second World War.

Genres: History, Biography, World War II, Military Fiction, Leadership, Nonfiction, Military History

557 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2022

About the author

Lloyd Clark is a senior lecturer in war studies at Great Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and he has lectured on military history around the world. His special interests are the Western Front of the First World War, the Mediterranean Front of the Second World War, and airborne warfare.

-Librarything.com

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTF

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The life and careers of three of the twentieth century’s greatest generals are profiled in Lloyd Clark’s military history, The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel. The three famously clashed (metaphorically in Patton and Montgomery’s case, and literally in Rommel’s) first in North Africa and again in western Europe during World War II. While raised in different environments—Patton was an Angelino, Monty’s family were Irish Protestants living in England, and Rommel was born in a newly unified Germany—all came from fairly privileged backgrounds, with families who were involved in local politics and military service. Clark takes us through their formative years, their combat experience during World War I, how they adapted to the peace time between the two World Wars (not particularly well), and then their leadership during the pinnacle of their military careers. Through it all we see three commanders who loved the military and their men, and weren’t quite sure what to do with themselves when they weren’t on the battlefield.

What sets the three men apart from each other the most, aside from their nationalities, are their personalities. In laymen’s terms, Montgomery was an aristocratic snob and Patton was an crazed lunatic, the former looking down his nose at everyone (including his superiors), and the latter frequently seized by a kind of mania, convinced that it was his destiny to achieve greatness. The two complemented each other, even if they were loath to admit it—one cautious and stoic, the other fiery and impassioned—but both had egos to match their talent. Perhaps the most amusing part of The Commanders is the ongoing theme of Monty and Patton driving Eisenhower up the wall with their antics. Monty liked Eisenhower as a person but thought that he was smarter than him and didn’t understand why Ike was in charge, never quite making the connection that it was because Eisenhower could manage both military operations and people. Patton had a good relationship with his longtime friend, and frequently found himself begging his forgiveness after yet another outburst landed them all in hot water. We also get a glimpse of his complicated relationship with Omar Bradley, another mild-mannered general who both liked Patton and was exhausted by his antics. Fans of Old Blood and Guts will probably be surprised and disappointed to learn that Patton wanted to pardon most of the Nazi commanders, a request Eisenhower vociferously refused. (Forrest Gump fans, by contrast, might be amused to learn that Patton, like Lt. Dan, believed it was his destiny to die in combat and was disappointed when he didn’t.) Clark balances this exploration of the men’s flaws with a clear admiration for their accomplishments.

Then there’s Rommel. Of the three men profiled, the German commander best exemplifies the qualities we might associate with a great general: devoted, intelligent, modest, and reasonable. He was also, however, a Nazi collaborator and a supporter of Adolf Hitler, if not a registered member of the Nazi Party himself. Clark, however, downplays this essential part of Rommel’s legacy, preferring instead to focus strictly on his military career. Surprisingly, he does not support the popular belief that Rommel was complicit in an assassination attempt on Hitler’s life, meaning the Fuhrer executed his top general out of sheer paranoia. This also invalidates the strongest defense of Rommel’s service under the Third Reich, which was that he saw the error of his ways and paid the ultimate price for it. The sparse attention given to the general’s politics is in line with the rest of the book, but it may not sit well with readers who do not believe that his role in furthering the Nazi cause should be glossed over.

Character studies aside, this is nevertheless a military history, which will determine whether or not a reader enjoys The Commanders. The descriptions of battle strategies will enthrall military history buffs, but may come across as too dry for anyone less interested in battles than in people. As someone who gravitates towards political and cultural history, there were long stretches of the book where I struggled to maintain interest. Clark writes in a clear and comprehensive way, but how much enjoyment one gets out of The Commanders will ultimately depend on the reader and whether this type of history appeals to them.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this! I’m an avid military history enthusiast, especially of World War II, and loved how it was packed to the brim with detail. The structuring was perfect and found myself learning lots of new things, as always. Deserves all the praise it gets!

[Owen Neumayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Commanders was a very well written and detailed book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The journeys of these three WWII generals were very different, but they all led to great success for their home countries. What surprised me the most was the negative side of these leaders. It was very surprising to know that they were sometimes selfish and close-minded. They all had a very difficult journey throughout their wars, but they all gave their country everything they had.

Rommel’s death is tragic and I am surprised I had not heard about it before reading this. Patton’s death seemed ironic, as he put himself into battle so often and yet died to a car crash. Monty led a long life, yet he tried to take a lot of sole ownership for the things his army achieved as a cohesive unit. These men are all heroes in their own respect, and I am glad to have read about them.

[Steven Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly thorough exploration of the leadership "journeys" of Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. Very detailed where it matters most, painting a picture of three leaders who traveled unique journeys to rise to the top of their respective professions.

What stands out most in the telling is that the leaders they ultimately became was very much a product of who they were as individuals long before they wore the uniform. Clark does a brilliant job of tracing their personalities and habits over time, essentially painting a portrait who they were and why.

A great read.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Patton's words, a leader needed to get under the hood to see what drives their people, while Rommel argued that by skillful psychological handling...the performance of troops can be increased enormously, and Montgomery asserted it is essential to understand human nature...If the approach to human factor is cold and impersonal, then you can achieve nothing. But if you can gain the confidence and trust of your men and they feel their best interests are safe in your hands, then you have in your possession a priceless asset and the greatest achievements become possible."(p.369)

My fascination with WWII led me to read this book. I was looking for a book that would explain why these commanders were so great? This book gives you that reason. Although it is heavy on the biography of these three commanders and gets bog down in trivia details, it is the chapters on leadership that made these commanders so important. The nature of leadership is the theme that drives this narrative from the beginning. Lloyd Clark makes clear, each of his subjects exhibited the personal qualities that mark an effective military leader. The capacity to inspire and motivate troops, combined with an in-depth knowledge of the craft of making war. From those under their command, they expected high standards. They were always demanding, sometimes harsh, though also demonstrated a human concern for their troops’ welfare.

So, who was the greatest of the three? Clark leaves readers to make up their own minds, having provided the information needed to form a judgment. All three had major flaws. Patton’s brashness and tendency to bully were deeply unattractive. Montgomery’s egotism grated on almost everyone who encountered him. Rommel’s tactical brilliance was countered by a lack of strategic insight. Yet in their different ways, they were all superb leaders of men.

Clark has set out to give us a vivid portrait of his subjects' characters and careers, and in this he has succeeded. For me rating these three I put my money on Patton, Rommel, and Montgomery in that order. You might differ after reading this book. Let me know. Awesome book.

[Adam‘’s book reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy nonfiction World War I and World War II books, especially military history and military biographies, but in my opinion this book did not fully work for me.

One of the biggest drawbacks is that I found the author tried to do too much in a relatively short book. Comparing George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel — three very complex commanders — does not leave enough room to fully explore any one of them in depth.

Structurally, I found the book confusing to follow in audio, and this issue appeared in almost every chapter. The narrative generally moves from Patton to Montgomery to Rommel, but there are no clear or distinct breaks to signal when the focus shifts from one commander to another. Because of this, it was often difficult to tell when one section ended and another began, especially if I briefly zoned out while listening, even though I always went back and replayed the last section I remembered.

The narration also added to the difficulty. The delivery remains at the same level and tone throughout, with very little variation. Combined with the dense subject matter and the lack of clear structural markers, this made it harder to stay engaged and keep track of where I was in the book. In my opinion, using three distinct narrators — one for each commander — could have helped clarify the structure and improved the listening experience.

I found that one aspect that makes the book relevant today is Patton’s public persona and leadership style. His bold statements, self-promotion, and emphasis on authority echo qualities often associated with Donald J. Trump. I think reading about Patton can help modern readers better understand how this type of leadership has appeared before and how it was received in its own time.

While the idea of comparing these three commanders is interesting and Patton’s sections may feel especially relevant to current readers, the execution didn’t work for me, particularly in audio form. I would still recommend more focused, individual biographies of Patton, Montgomery, or Rommel instead.

[Paddy Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading The Commanders, I was struck by how clearly Lloyd George lays out the distinct pressures that shape each leader’s decisions. I’ve always admired Rommel’s tactical brilliance, but this book sharpened my sense that he was perhaps the commander operating under the tightest constraints with limited supplies, chaotic political oversight, and a strategic situation stacked against him. Seeing the extent of those restrictions made me appreciate his achievements even more.

Montgomery has always been a more personal reference point for me. I’ve long respected the way he valued his men’s lives and imposed discipline without treating soldiers as expendable. At the same time, I can’t deny that the book is fair in describing him as arrogant and flamboyant. Patton sits in almost the opposite space for me: I appreciate his aggressive, relentless drive, yet I’m increasingly convinced that, as an officer who didn’t see much real combat in World War I, he was sometimes too willing to accept casualties to achieve momentum. Reading Lloyd George’s treatment of these commanders helped clarify to me the brilliance of wartime generals are often paired with significant personal drawbacks.

[Shelley Fearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historian Lloyd Clark has written a fascinating look at the leadership styles of three of the 20th century's most recognizable military leaders; Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. As all three men's career trajectory included the same wars (both the 1st and 2nd world wars), the similarities in their combat leadership styles were interesting to learn. All three focused on the welfare of their men and certainly saw the mission as all. Most surprising, and glossed over at TBS, was the hubris that all three suffered which seemed to get worse as they aged. (Maybe hubris is what allows one to send men and women into battle.)

A fascinating examination of leadership styles, leadership effectiveness, and war's effect on senior officers.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historian Lloyd Clark has written a fascinating look at the leadership styles of three of the 20th century's most recognizable military leaders; Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. As all three men's career trajectory included the same wars (both the 1st and 2nd world wars), the similarities in their combat leadership styles were interesting to learn. All three focused on the welfare of their men and certainly saw the mission as all. Most surprising, and glossed over at TBS, was the hubris that all three suffered which seemed to get worse as they aged. (Maybe hubris is what allows one to send men and women into battle.)

A fascinating examination of leadership styles, leadership effectiveness, and war's effect on senior officers.

- Reviewed by Shelley F.

[Dell Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and readable comparing three of the top four battle generals of WW2 in the European theater (respects to Soviet General Zhukov). Clark brings the three to life, strengths & foibles. All three could be brilliant tacticians and seemed to believe they were always the smartest person in the room. Bedell Smith told Montgomery, " You may be great to serve under, difficult to serve alongside, but you sure as hell to serve over "

[SFooter · Rating 5 out of 5]

People saying that anyone other than Monty is deserving of the title of 'best' out of the 3 needs a re-read of the book. In accordance to 'the leadership journeys' of the 3, Monty had the most influential and accomplished journey and therefore deserves the title of best.

The argument is different if you want to focus on WW2. What can be said, with certainty, is that Patton isn't in the race for number 1.

This is all if you want to indulge in the childishness of the effort.

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I wish had been available when I was a second lieutenant so very many years ago. It's an excellent book on leadership. All 3 commanders could have been sacked because of their flaws but it was a tribute to those above them that they recognized the very rare talent these men had in battle and stuck with them. It's also a very solid historical work.

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor of Modern War Lloyd Clark has taken previously existing knowledge concerning Generals, Patton, Rommel, and Montgomery and compared and contrasted them. How were they alike and dissimilar? What were their backgrounds? How did they fight the war?

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the lives of three of great field commanders of WWII. It compares the upbringing, background, and cultural influences of the three, and shows both their strengths and weaknesses. An interesting approach to these three.

[Shipwrecked Fool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great analysis of the leadership styles of these three Generals. It feels a little rushed at the end but perhaps that is because Clark is more concerned with the development of the men as leaders than with their military history.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice work. It is great to read about these three leaders from an author that is not championing one over the other. Thought provoking about what makes a leader and that these three had a lot more in common that is normally recognized.

[Gerry Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book ... love that he showed common leadership traits. I watched an old movie with James Mason as Rommel.

[Peter Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. At times it bogs down a bit in trivial details, but overall a rewarding read. I enjoyed it.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good review of the careers of three World War II generals. Shows a side of Montgomery few authors have explored.

[John Gorham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently got into reading history, and this book is the reason why. A really excellent view of the three characters and what led them to their positions in life.

[Russell R · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bit of whiplash from the switches in focus. I learned a lot about Montgomery, Rommel and Patton are discussed so much that I didn't learn anything new there. The premise was great and done well, where the author highlighted quotes and actions that represented good leadership.

[Jeff Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lloyd Clark’s “The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel” attempts an interesting conceit, basically revealed in the title: examining the leadership trajectories of America’s enduringly fascinating Patton, Britain’s more enigmatic “Monty,” and the also fascinating “Desert Fox,” Rommel.

There are definitely similarities among the three, from their contributions re: World War I, to their mega-contributions re: World War II (interestingly, one would not survive the war, one would survive but wish he hadn’t, dying by accident weeks later, and one would live another 30 years).

At its driest, “The Commanders” can be a slog, the author’s attempts to link the three men incongruent and unengaging. But at its best, it’s a compelling portrait, showing that regardless of their disparate countries and cultures, the three did share inherent traits: i.e., they were all self-promoters, none was particularly adept at domestic life, and all three were… assholes.

Yes, consider this brilliantly written passage, from the book’s epilogue:

“However accomplished, Patton, Montgomery and Rommel were also flawed men. Deeply so in some cases, with their leadership naturally mirroring their weaknesses, which included irascibility, a lack of consideration for the opinions and feelings of others, arrogance and selfishness. Each was also desperately seeking to write his own chapter in the annals of history, and so was not averse to allowing ambition to cloud his judgment.”

When “The Commanders” hits this tone—character studies, analyses of psyches—rather than just military history, it goes from a 3/5 to a 4/5.

[Anton Tkalich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Commanders — це не просто біографії трьох видатних військових діячів Другої світової, а глибоке дослідження їхнього становлення як командирів, їхньої взаємодії з системами, в яких вони служили, і викликів, з якими вони зіштовхувалися — від кадрового голоду до хаосу штабної роботи.

Особливо вразило, що попри різні політичні системи — США, Британія чи нацистська Німеччина — проблеми у війську мали схожий характер: нестача підготовлених офіцерів, слабка комунікація між рівнями командування та труднощі з адаптацією до реалій сучасної війни.

Для читача з України, який перебуває в контексті нинішньої повномасштабної війни, ця книга може бути дуже корисною: вона показує, як насправді формуються рішучі лідери у кризових умовах і чому іноді саме характер, а не система, визначає успіх на полі бою.

Рекомендую всім, хто цікавиться військовою історією або хоче глибше зрозуміти суть військового лідерства у надскладні моменти.