What do you think?
Rate this book
A General's Life
Draws on Bradley's diaries and papers to recount his experiences as American commander at Normandy, as ground-war strategist in Europe, and as first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
752 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1983
84 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Omar N. Bradley
13 books23 followersGeneral of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley was an American military officer who served as a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II. He was the last surviving five-star commissioned officer of the United States, and was also the first general to be selected Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Bradley served on active duty with the United States Army from 1915-1953.
He died on April 8, 1981 in New York City of a cardiac arrhythmia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia,
General Bradley served on active duty with the United States Army from 1915-1953.
He died on April 8, 1981 in New York City of a cardiac arrhythmia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 20, 2018
Bradley wrote this autobiography with Clay Blair in 1983, years after he wrote "A Soldier's Story" which was his memoir for World War II. This autobiography includes his entire life up to his retirement from the army in 1953 which a short chapter outlining his life from retirement to his death.
Bradley grew up dirt poor in rural Missouri. Bradley does not minimize the harshness of his family's poverty but still recounts fond memories of his dad teaching him to hunt, his love of sports and excellence in his schoolwork. Admission to West Point was the avenue leading to Bradley eventually becoming the battlefield leader for America from Normandy to victory against Germany, which makes Bradley's telling of his unlikely admission(he was admitted only after the first choice of his congressman failed the exam) so fascinating, leading to the what if questions.
Bradley loved his time at West Point, he even defended the hazing and other traditions that had come under attack and changed by the time he wrote the book, Bradly found them to be egalitarian traditions that placed all incoming cadets on an even playing field.
Bradley's description of his post West Point military career reads of a travelogue with different job responsibilities. This phase also discusses the political developments leading to World War II.
The autobiography retells his time in World War II, the foreword explains that in his first memoir he did not have access to all materials and his then position in government limited his candor. Here, Bradley is especially blunt in his appraisal of battlefield decisions, including acknowledgment of mistakes he says he made, and other leaders. It is little surprise to read of his low opinion of Patton, Macarthur, and Montgomery, but it was jolting to read his criticisms of Eishenhower's performance as a strategic commander, tempered by his admiration for his administrative and leadership skills.
Also clear in these chapters is his admiration of and concern for the average GI on the battlefield.
Bradley spends much time on the Korean War during which he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These chapters read like a brief explaining the geopolitical issues of the time, Macarthur's military mistakes, and why Macarthur had to be fired. They also include his disappointment in Eishenhower for buckling to Joe McCarthy and not defending George Marshall, the man that Bradley has the most respect for.
There is so much more to this insightful book, it is absolutely a great read
Bradley grew up dirt poor in rural Missouri. Bradley does not minimize the harshness of his family's poverty but still recounts fond memories of his dad teaching him to hunt, his love of sports and excellence in his schoolwork. Admission to West Point was the avenue leading to Bradley eventually becoming the battlefield leader for America from Normandy to victory against Germany, which makes Bradley's telling of his unlikely admission(he was admitted only after the first choice of his congressman failed the exam) so fascinating, leading to the what if questions.
Bradley loved his time at West Point, he even defended the hazing and other traditions that had come under attack and changed by the time he wrote the book, Bradly found them to be egalitarian traditions that placed all incoming cadets on an even playing field.
Bradley's description of his post West Point military career reads of a travelogue with different job responsibilities. This phase also discusses the political developments leading to World War II.
The autobiography retells his time in World War II, the foreword explains that in his first memoir he did not have access to all materials and his then position in government limited his candor. Here, Bradley is especially blunt in his appraisal of battlefield decisions, including acknowledgment of mistakes he says he made, and other leaders. It is little surprise to read of his low opinion of Patton, Macarthur, and Montgomery, but it was jolting to read his criticisms of Eishenhower's performance as a strategic commander, tempered by his admiration for his administrative and leadership skills.
Also clear in these chapters is his admiration of and concern for the average GI on the battlefield.
Bradley spends much time on the Korean War during which he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These chapters read like a brief explaining the geopolitical issues of the time, Macarthur's military mistakes, and why Macarthur had to be fired. They also include his disappointment in Eishenhower for buckling to Joe McCarthy and not defending George Marshall, the man that Bradley has the most respect for.
There is so much more to this insightful book, it is absolutely a great read
January 1, 2014
I am intrigued by the lot of American’s who were born in the 1890’s decade and lived life to it’s fullest in the 20th Century. Omar Bradley born in 1893 is yet another amazing individual.
Of all the famous WWII Army generals I selected Bradley as my first choice to read about his life history. As a youth he was poor, but his parents provided him with basic values that enriched him. The West Point graduate class of 1915 was afforded a curriculum in math, science and engineering that seems so lacking in many other higher educational institutions today. He was not flamboyant or charismatic, often shunning the limelight, but to his credit the athletic individual parlayed his strong educational skills to become a solid tactician a leader and consummate career Army officer.
Bradley’s military career spanned WWI, WWII and Korea and this autobiography (with assistance of his second wife) puts forth a detailed and very candid assessment particularly of WWII. His views on the Korean conflict shed much light on the rise of communist China. He aligned himself with General John J. Pershing and Sgt. Alvin York from WWI fame and during WWII he always looked up to his mentor General George C. Marshall. One will have to read the book to ascertain his opinions of other military leaders including, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, MacArthur, Patton, Churchill, Montgomery and with many more.
After reading this book I have an even greater appreciation of General Bradley as a man.
Of all the famous WWII Army generals I selected Bradley as my first choice to read about his life history. As a youth he was poor, but his parents provided him with basic values that enriched him. The West Point graduate class of 1915 was afforded a curriculum in math, science and engineering that seems so lacking in many other higher educational institutions today. He was not flamboyant or charismatic, often shunning the limelight, but to his credit the athletic individual parlayed his strong educational skills to become a solid tactician a leader and consummate career Army officer.
Bradley’s military career spanned WWI, WWII and Korea and this autobiography (with assistance of his second wife) puts forth a detailed and very candid assessment particularly of WWII. His views on the Korean conflict shed much light on the rise of communist China. He aligned himself with General John J. Pershing and Sgt. Alvin York from WWI fame and during WWII he always looked up to his mentor General George C. Marshall. One will have to read the book to ascertain his opinions of other military leaders including, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, MacArthur, Patton, Churchill, Montgomery and with many more.
After reading this book I have an even greater appreciation of General Bradley as a man.
September 4, 2021
I had barely heard about Omar Bradley before I found this book at the library, and boy did it deliver. It's a hefty read, took me about a month to finish completely, but definitely worth it. Bradley writes his account of World War 2 and Korea very well, and taught me a lot about the Korean war, which I didn't know much about.
November 3, 2010
"I pray that history records his moral cowardice" (Patton). A lovely experience this book. loved the style of Clay Blair. it was more of a 3 D experience as the writer was not writing on hind sight or from one man's notes. he was looking at all corners. luvd it
January 13, 2020
Omar Nelson Bradley was the last of America’s generals to obtain the 5-Star rank. This delves further that his previous ‘A Soldier’s Life’ which only detailed his WWII exploits. From his humble origins to his elevation to America’s most senior military officers (as officers of 5-star rank never officially retire). While perhaps overshadowed by the more flamboyant personalities of Patton, Montgomery and MacArthur he is still a person to be admired. This is a biography that is a must read for any fan of military history and anyone who wishes to know more about a man who despite the accolades and adoration would remain humble to the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
This was a slog, but it was interesting, and I definitely learned things I didn't know about both the African and European theaters of war. The constant naming of people involved in the various battles (who I had never heard of) was a little much, and I found the last part about Korea to be impossible to get through because it was mostly political behind-the-scenes stuff in Washington vs. the more engaging chapters about WWII. Overall, though, worth the read if you're interested in military history.
June 14, 2025
I really liked this book. I’m in the middle of Clay Blair’s masterpiece, The Forgotten War, and this ties in nicely with that manuscript. Gen. Bradley was a quiet man from humble beginnings that made sound judgment on nearly everything affecting the last 100 years. He wasn’t a showman just a background shadow that helped our country more than most will ever know. The strong quiet type in form and fashion. I’m glad he lived a good, long life. If you’ve never heard of Omar Bradley, look him up. Do some research, read this book. He’s as much a hero as any other general WW2 ever produced.
May 18, 2023
This is Clay Blair's biography of Omar Bradley. It started as a memoir, but Bradley was unable to finish it, and it seems to be more Blair than Bradley.
In any case, it follows the same path of Bradley's original autobiography "A Soldier's Story", only more so. As in that book, Bradley (and Blair) blame others for Bradley's mistakes or explain them away. We also get lots of over-the-top criticism of Terry Allen, Monty, MacArthur, and Patton. Even Eisenhower is attacked for being too "Pro-British" and listening to Monty too much.
And of course, there's the silly criticisms that Patton/Mac/Monty were "egotisitcal" or "Showboaters" compared to the meek, 'umble Bradley. LIke most mediocrities Bradley makes much of the fact that he worked hard and knew all the details of logisitics, supply, etc. unlike those"Grandstanders". And also that he only took deeply thought out "Calculated Risks" - unlike Patton or MacArthur or even Monty at Arnhem.
Most of the book covers WW II. While Bradley was Chairman of the JCS during the Korean War, he really wasn't a key decision maker. During the key period September 1950-September 1951. he was overshadowed by George Marshall who was head of DoD and Frank Pace as Secretary of the Army. Further, Truman often by-passed Bradley to deal directly with Ridgeway and MacArthur.
Bradley was famous for saying an expanded war against Red China in the Spring of 1951 would be "the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, against the wrong enemy". Of course Bradley didn't explain how Red China could be "the wrong enemy" since they were killing our soldiers in 1951, and Stalinist Russia wasn't.
As for WWII, Bradley sets himself up as the judge of other Generals, but its impossible to point to anything brilliant he did. His performance at II Corps in Tunisia and Sicily was solid but unspectatular. His planning for D-Day, especially Omaha beach was flawed. In Normandy, he was under Monty's direction and just bulled ahead. However, Operation Cobra was well-executed and the highpoint.
After that, its a less than briliant record. Lets See:
1) Letting the germans escape from Normandy through thw Falaise gap,
2) Advancing on a broad front and by attacking everywhere in September 1944, breaking though nowhere.
3) The miserable November 44 offensive which accomplished nothing.
4) The failure to understand the importance of the Roer dams, and the bloody, worthless battle of the Hurtgen forest.
5) Underestimating the Germans, resultng in them bursting throught the thinly defended Ardennes front.
6) Pouting over Ike giving Monty control of Allied forces north of the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.
7) Persisting in attacking throught the Eifel Region in the middle of winter.
8) Spending lives reducing the Ruhr pocket when the war was almost over
9) Refusing to take Berlin. Instead sending Patton southward to Bavaria to prevent a mythical "Nazi Southern Redoubt"
In any case, it follows the same path of Bradley's original autobiography "A Soldier's Story", only more so. As in that book, Bradley (and Blair) blame others for Bradley's mistakes or explain them away. We also get lots of over-the-top criticism of Terry Allen, Monty, MacArthur, and Patton. Even Eisenhower is attacked for being too "Pro-British" and listening to Monty too much.
And of course, there's the silly criticisms that Patton/Mac/Monty were "egotisitcal" or "Showboaters" compared to the meek, 'umble Bradley. LIke most mediocrities Bradley makes much of the fact that he worked hard and knew all the details of logisitics, supply, etc. unlike those"Grandstanders". And also that he only took deeply thought out "Calculated Risks" - unlike Patton or MacArthur or even Monty at Arnhem.
Most of the book covers WW II. While Bradley was Chairman of the JCS during the Korean War, he really wasn't a key decision maker. During the key period September 1950-September 1951. he was overshadowed by George Marshall who was head of DoD and Frank Pace as Secretary of the Army. Further, Truman often by-passed Bradley to deal directly with Ridgeway and MacArthur.
Bradley was famous for saying an expanded war against Red China in the Spring of 1951 would be "the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, against the wrong enemy". Of course Bradley didn't explain how Red China could be "the wrong enemy" since they were killing our soldiers in 1951, and Stalinist Russia wasn't.
As for WWII, Bradley sets himself up as the judge of other Generals, but its impossible to point to anything brilliant he did. His performance at II Corps in Tunisia and Sicily was solid but unspectatular. His planning for D-Day, especially Omaha beach was flawed. In Normandy, he was under Monty's direction and just bulled ahead. However, Operation Cobra was well-executed and the highpoint.
After that, its a less than briliant record. Lets See:
1) Letting the germans escape from Normandy through thw Falaise gap,
2) Advancing on a broad front and by attacking everywhere in September 1944, breaking though nowhere.
3) The miserable November 44 offensive which accomplished nothing.
4) The failure to understand the importance of the Roer dams, and the bloody, worthless battle of the Hurtgen forest.
5) Underestimating the Germans, resultng in them bursting throught the thinly defended Ardennes front.
6) Pouting over Ike giving Monty control of Allied forces north of the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge.
7) Persisting in attacking throught the Eifel Region in the middle of winter.
8) Spending lives reducing the Ruhr pocket when the war was almost over
9) Refusing to take Berlin. Instead sending Patton southward to Bavaria to prevent a mythical "Nazi Southern Redoubt"
January 7, 2022
This is a not-quite whole-life biography of Omar Bradley, who rose in rank to 4-star general and led the largest fighting force in US history. He also served as the head of the Veterans Administration, as Army Chief of Staff, and as the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His story ends with his stepping down from the JCS, leaving nearly three decades to be covered in five or six pages.
I'm calling this a biography rather than a memoir. It arose from a memoir Bradley started in 1971 but this book was fundamentally written by Clay Blair. I'd say he was more than a ghostwriter but less than the author.
I found the book to be quite fair and balanced. I've read quite a bit about Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, Marshall, and MacArthur, who are the main characters in the story. Bradley reinforces the views I'd derived from this reading: that Ike wasn't a great battlefield leader but more of a politician, that Patton was deeply flawed, that Monty and MacArthur were among the most egotistical figures of the mid-20th century, that Marshall was indispensable. Through all that reading, Bradley was often mentioned but never really fleshed out, so I'm happy to finally get a good understanding of the man.
Bradley did publish an earlier memoir, concentrating on the World War II years. I haven't read it, and after reading this one have decided it would serve no purpose. WW II is covered here in pretty good detail, and it includes some declassified material that he couldn't include in the earlier book.
Anyone who has a good grasp of the fighting in North Africa, Sicily, and after Normandy may find a lot of the material here a bit redundant. But there is some interesting information: he doesn't just cover the "what happened" but also the "why it was this way" and the debates about strategy.
Many years ago, my father asked me who I thought was the best US General in WWII. He made the case for Marshall. Giving the question more thought, now many years later, I've decided it isn't a good question. There are all sorts of Generals. Marshall and Ike weren't battlefield Generals. And there's a significant difference between the leader of a single division and the leader of an Army Group. I don't know that I have a better answer to the question than way back then, but I'd have to put Bradley near the top of the list of battlefield Generals in the US Army during WWII.
I'm calling this a biography rather than a memoir. It arose from a memoir Bradley started in 1971 but this book was fundamentally written by Clay Blair. I'd say he was more than a ghostwriter but less than the author.
I found the book to be quite fair and balanced. I've read quite a bit about Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, Marshall, and MacArthur, who are the main characters in the story. Bradley reinforces the views I'd derived from this reading: that Ike wasn't a great battlefield leader but more of a politician, that Patton was deeply flawed, that Monty and MacArthur were among the most egotistical figures of the mid-20th century, that Marshall was indispensable. Through all that reading, Bradley was often mentioned but never really fleshed out, so I'm happy to finally get a good understanding of the man.
Bradley did publish an earlier memoir, concentrating on the World War II years. I haven't read it, and after reading this one have decided it would serve no purpose. WW II is covered here in pretty good detail, and it includes some declassified material that he couldn't include in the earlier book.
Anyone who has a good grasp of the fighting in North Africa, Sicily, and after Normandy may find a lot of the material here a bit redundant. But there is some interesting information: he doesn't just cover the "what happened" but also the "why it was this way" and the debates about strategy.
Many years ago, my father asked me who I thought was the best US General in WWII. He made the case for Marshall. Giving the question more thought, now many years later, I've decided it isn't a good question. There are all sorts of Generals. Marshall and Ike weren't battlefield Generals. And there's a significant difference between the leader of a single division and the leader of an Army Group. I don't know that I have a better answer to the question than way back then, but I'd have to put Bradley near the top of the list of battlefield Generals in the US Army during WWII.
April 30, 2024
This is a semi-autobiographical story of one of the most well-known generals of World War 2. I say "semi" because, unfortunately, Bradley died during the writing of this book and was finished by the second author credited, Clay Blair. I've read quite a few of Mr. Blair's books and enjoyed the subtle, non-flashy style.
The beginning portion of the book reads briskly, and I felt it was quite interesting learning more about Omar Bradley's upbringing. Of course, after his upbringing, a majority of the book covers Bradley's service during WW2. This portion also marks a noticeable shift in the pace and tone of the book. By Blair's admission in the foreword: "Bradley died in 1981 before I completed the WW2 portion," and it truly shows. The first few years (Africa, Sicily and Italy campaigns) are well told, but the main event, Normandy, is noticeably less so. Here, the book gets bogged down in self-praise and Bernard Montgomery bashing. It seems that hardly a paragraph passes without the book criticizing Monty in some way and in my mind, this is more the work of Blair than it is Bradley.
It's this WW2 section where the book loses its steam and never quite regains it. I had high expectations for it and felt somewhat let down. That's not to say it was a terrible read, it just felt a little empty in the long run.
The beginning portion of the book reads briskly, and I felt it was quite interesting learning more about Omar Bradley's upbringing. Of course, after his upbringing, a majority of the book covers Bradley's service during WW2. This portion also marks a noticeable shift in the pace and tone of the book. By Blair's admission in the foreword: "Bradley died in 1981 before I completed the WW2 portion," and it truly shows. The first few years (Africa, Sicily and Italy campaigns) are well told, but the main event, Normandy, is noticeably less so. Here, the book gets bogged down in self-praise and Bernard Montgomery bashing. It seems that hardly a paragraph passes without the book criticizing Monty in some way and in my mind, this is more the work of Blair than it is Bradley.
It's this WW2 section where the book loses its steam and never quite regains it. I had high expectations for it and felt somewhat let down. That's not to say it was a terrible read, it just felt a little empty in the long run.
March 5, 2019
An in depth review of his life until 1953. It is more detailed and retrospection than his Soldier's Story. It gives you behind the curtain assessments of the individuals active in military life in the first half os the twentieth century. Pershing, Patton, Ike and many others are brought to the forefront. I found the section on the Cold War rather riveting.
March 6, 2020
A book I should have read years ago. A first hand account by a leader that participated in every aspect of the Second World War including the state of the US Army leading up to the war and preparations that were made. A first hand account of the Joints Chiefs of Staff during the Korean War and the early years of the Cold War. Bradley will be one of my mentors through books.
March 27, 2023
A great history of a great man
I have read many books on WW1 and WW2 and Korea but was very surprised on how much I didn’t know. A very interesting and revealing account of Gen Bradley’s life and our country. Many of the accounts of the Korean War and the back scenes of the various decisions were completely new to me including how close we were to using atomic bombs during that war.
I have read many books on WW1 and WW2 and Korea but was very surprised on how much I didn’t know. A very interesting and revealing account of Gen Bradley’s life and our country. Many of the accounts of the Korean War and the back scenes of the various decisions were completely new to me including how close we were to using atomic bombs during that war.
January 1, 2021
Excellent book which is a great read for those interested in World War II in Europe. Many fascinating anecdotes and explanations from one of the most respected US. Generals. It is fascinating to hear his recollections of the thinking at the time decisions were being made.
September 6, 2020
Heroes great life detailed. History lovers should read this book.
Read
March 27, 2022A General's Life
A lot of detail with no context. Parts are very boring. Some interesting insights on various WWII characters are revealed
A lot of detail with no context. Parts are very boring. Some interesting insights on various WWII characters are revealed
April 14, 2024
I read it in six days. A lot of information.
September 29, 2025
I found this fascinating. From the detailed autobiography stuff to views on his fellow commanders. It's important we all can get an understanding of what that time in the world was like and I think this book excels at that. Well worth the read.
December 5, 2011
This was close to my interest. I was surprised to see the General's photograph hanging in my audiologists office at the V.A. with the signature below. My audio was Bradley's audio for several years. I told him I had read the book and he commented that he had also and that it was a very good account of the Man. It was interesting to read his comments on Eisenhauer and Patton and added some mystique to futher reading on those individuals as military leaders. I want to get to that in the near future.
April 6, 2011
I had just finished Patton's biography and thought reading Bradley's would be a good counterpoint to issues the two of them faced in WWII. I found this book to be straightforward and Bradley was very willing to tell it like he thought it was even if people commented on might be offended. I was surprised at the comments about WWII becuase there really was little in the way of battlefield analysis. It was more complaining about Montgomery and how Ike bent over backwards to benefit the British.
November 25, 2012
BATTLE OF THE BULGE: "Every scrap of intelligence we had available, including a mountain of Ultra, indicated beyond doubt that owing to our rapid and effective countermeasures and the courage of the individual American soldier, Hitler's last great, ill-advised gamble had failed. His panzers had run out of gas and ammo. He had suffered enormous casualties. ... Now was the time to hit back. Not three months from now." (page 370)
December 22, 2008
It was while reading this book that I realized for the first time that in order to be a leader at that level (whether in the military, business, politics), you have got to have an enormous ego. I mean enormous. Huge. Not sure how Brad, Patton, Ike, and Monty could all be in the same room together without the room exploding.
November 11, 2014
Excellent read. I met General of the Army Bradley when I was a ROTC cadet. It made reading this book extra special. It filled in a number of gaps in my knowledge of history; especially Bradley's impact on post-WWII events. It also shows the Mac Arthur was wrong - old soldiers don't slowly fade away; they write books.
October 3, 2008
A forgotten, but extremely important, figure from World War II. His insights into Montgomery, Patton, and Marshall make it worth reading.
Read
July 17, 2008940.54osbwar
December 31, 2008
This is an excellent memoir, especially the parts that cover his participation in WWII. As Bradley moved higher, his job became a lot more political, and those parts of the book drag on.
January 25, 2009
This book is the autobiography of Omar N. Bradley. Very long and detailed. I appreciated the different perceptions he gave of Eisenhower, Patton and Montgomery.
Read
March 7, 2011Most of the WWII Generals were Bozos
August 12, 2013
Bradley greatly put down Patton, Monty and even Ike while making himself look better. Interesting how he was the advisor on Patton the movie.
October 5, 2013
A very good read and an interesting approach to autobiography
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews