Jacob L. Devers: A General's Life

American Warriors

by James Scott Wheeler, Rick Atkinson (Foreword)

General Jacob L. "Jake" Devers (1897-1979) was one of only two officers -- the other was Omar C. Bradley -- to command an army group during the decisive campaigns of 1944--1945 that liberated Europe and ended the war with Nazi Germany. After the war, Devers led the Army Ground Forces in the United States and eventually retired in 1949 after forty years of service. Despite incredible successes on the battlefield, General George C. Marshall's "dependable man" remains one of the most underrated and overlooked figures of his generation.

In this definitive biography, James Scott Wheeler delivers a groundbreaking reassessment of the American commander whose contributions to victory in Europe are topped only by General Dwight D. Eisenhower's. Wheeler's exhaustively researched chronicle of Devers's life and career reveals a leader who demonstrated an extraordinary ability to cut through red tape and solve complex problems. Nevertheless, Eisenhower disliked Devers -- a fact laid bare when he ordered Devers's Sixth Army Group to halt at the Rhine. After the war, Eisenhower's and Bradley's accounts of the generals' disagreements over strategy and tactics became received wisdom, to the detriment of Devers's reputation.

An essential contribution to twentieth-century history, Jacob L. Devers provides a fresh and nuanced interpretation of the senior command during World War II and offers a new perspective on a highly accomplished soldier.

Genres: Biography

616 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Stephen Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a large number of books on World War II, but very little about General Devers. I was amazed by his story and the number of positions he held including England during the time the US Eighth Air Force was being built up, number two in the Med after Ike left for England and finally Commander of the 6th US Army Group in Northwest Europe.

This book is well written and full of information both on General Devers and many other important figures in Europe during WW II. I have always read about the personalities during the US Civil War. This book points out how similar the WW II Generals were when compared to the Civil War Generals.

All in all an excellent book.

[Darrell E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well researched and written book about a WWII general I had little awareness of. I enjoyed the book but believe the author worked so hard to resurrect Devers' reputation that he found almost no fault with the general while the author spent pages putting down Eisenhower in contrast. A great biography lays out the flaws along with the greatness, but this is almost devoid of it. When negative aspects are presented, the author dismisses them. Still, Devers had a large role in the outcome of WWII and is barely recognized for it. So, this is a worthy read.

[Mike Mcgowan]

This was a little dry but a very surprising and enlightening read about a WW 2 general I had never heard of (but should have). I consider myself fairly well read about WW 2 history but it seems like more "political" US generals (Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Clark) got more attention while Devers kept his head down and just consistently got the job done wherever he was sent. He should be more well known for his accomplishments.

[David Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An outstanding biography on the only other army group commander in Europe during World War II and we know next to nothing about him. Take the time and read the book, it is a full life featured biography and is well worth the time. It discussed among other things the underlying dislike between him, Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton during the war.

[The American Conservative]

The subtitle of this book is as straightforward and unpretentious as its subject. Yet James Scott Wheeler has given us something more than simply a comprehensive account of one general’s life. By resurrecting a notably underappreciated World War II four-star, he provides readers with an insightful appraisal of American military leadership in wartime.

True military geniuses are as rare as genuinely enlightened statesmen, a judgment as applicable to the United States as to any other great power, ancient or modern. Since Grant and Sherman combined their very formidable talents to roll up the Confederacy, no more than two Americans have earned a permanent place in the ranks of history’s Great Captains: George S. Patton in World War II and Matthew B. Ridgway in Korea.

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