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Patton the Commander
An exceptional biography of the outstanding champion of armored warfare in the Second World War.
Perfect for fans of B. H. Liddell-Hart, Alex Kershaw and Max Hastings.
In imagination, technique, and achievement, General George S. Patton Jr. outshone all of his allied contemporaries. In the words of Hans Spiedel, Rommel’s Chief of Staff, he was ‘the only Allied General who dared exceed the safety limits in the endeavor to win a decision.’
Major-General H. Essame, who served as a Brigade Commander throughout the North-West Europe campaign and later became a renowned military historian, provides vivid insight into the life of Patton, from his promising early years as a young aide-de-camp in World War One, through to his eventual rise to become an equal of Manstein and Rommel.
Essame demonstrates how Patton overcame his enemies by working ‘in the light of the cavalry tradition—quick decision, speed in execution, calculated audacity; better a good plan violently executed now than a perfect plan next week.’ On no less than four occasions, Essame argues, he could have shortened the course of the war if Eisenhower had taken advantage of his genius — his unique ability to seize opportunities and exploit them to the fullest.
Patton the Commander looks beyond the flamboyant façade that Patton presented to the press and the world, giving a forthright and perceptive biography that deserves to be read by all interested in the greatest allied general of World War Two.
Perfect for fans of B. H. Liddell-Hart, Alex Kershaw and Max Hastings.
In imagination, technique, and achievement, General George S. Patton Jr. outshone all of his allied contemporaries. In the words of Hans Spiedel, Rommel’s Chief of Staff, he was ‘the only Allied General who dared exceed the safety limits in the endeavor to win a decision.’
Major-General H. Essame, who served as a Brigade Commander throughout the North-West Europe campaign and later became a renowned military historian, provides vivid insight into the life of Patton, from his promising early years as a young aide-de-camp in World War One, through to his eventual rise to become an equal of Manstein and Rommel.
Essame demonstrates how Patton overcame his enemies by working ‘in the light of the cavalry tradition—quick decision, speed in execution, calculated audacity; better a good plan violently executed now than a perfect plan next week.’ On no less than four occasions, Essame argues, he could have shortened the course of the war if Eisenhower had taken advantage of his genius — his unique ability to seize opportunities and exploit them to the fullest.
Patton the Commander looks beyond the flamboyant façade that Patton presented to the press and the world, giving a forthright and perceptive biography that deserves to be read by all interested in the greatest allied general of World War Two.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 17, 2025
Essame is clearly wanting to be Patton’s publicist. While I understand that an author might not write a biography of a person one was dispassionate about, I tend to like dispassionate biographies, as I believe I get a truer picture of the subject that way.
This Patton biography is tainted, in my view, by Essame’s hero worship. Nonetheless, it is still a valuable insight into Patton’s character - and, notably, is NOT as over the top as other Patton biographies in the overtness of its adulation.
This Patton biography is tainted, in my view, by Essame’s hero worship. Nonetheless, it is still a valuable insight into Patton’s character - and, notably, is NOT as over the top as other Patton biographies in the overtness of its adulation.
July 24, 2024
Sober record of the Rise, Triumphs and Fall of Patton
There are many books focused on Patton and there are more books in which he is a key figure. This added book specializes in the more personal aspects of Patton's life -the "why" of Patton's actions. I found this addition to Patton scholarship informative and a generally good read. An added benefit is the author is apparently not American creating a bit of beneficial outsider analysis.
There are many books focused on Patton and there are more books in which he is a key figure. This added book specializes in the more personal aspects of Patton's life -the "why" of Patton's actions. I found this addition to Patton scholarship informative and a generally good read. An added benefit is the author is apparently not American creating a bit of beneficial outsider analysis.
July 20, 2024
A Man ofSteel
A well written story about an American hero. The outcome of the war would have been different if Eisenhower had not kept restraint on Patton. Patton was by far the best General in WW II.Including Eisenhower and McArthur.
A well written story about an American hero. The outcome of the war would have been different if Eisenhower had not kept restraint on Patton. Patton was by far the best General in WW II.Including Eisenhower and McArthur.
August 8, 2024
well written
Well written and documented. The detail and prose make it a page Turner. The battle and political analysis flow smoothly and logicaly.
Well written and documented. The detail and prose make it a page Turner. The battle and political analysis flow smoothly and logicaly.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews