My Fellow Soldiers: General John Pershing and the Americans Who Helped Win the Great War

by Andrew Carroll

From the New York Times bestselling author of War Letters and Behind the Lines, Andrew Carroll’s My Fellow Soldiers draws on a rich trove of both little-known and newly uncovered letters and diaries to create a marvelously vivid and moving account of the American experience in World War I, with General John Pershing featured prominently in the foreground.   Andrew Carroll’s intimate portrait of General Pershing, who led all of the American troops in Europe during World War I, is a revelation. Given a military force that on the eve of its entry into the war was downright primitive compared to the European combatants, the general surmounted enormous obstacles to build an army and ultimately command millions of U.S. soldiers. But Pershing himself—often perceived as a harsh, humorless, and wooden leader—concealed inner agony from those around almost two years before the United States entered the war, Pershing suffered a personal tragedy so catastrophic that he almost went insane with grief and remained haunted by the loss for the rest of his life, as private and previously unpublished letters he wrote to family members now reveal. Before leaving for Europe, Pershing also had a passionate romance with George Patton’s sister, Anne. But once he was in France, Pershing fell madly in love with a young painter named Micheline Resco, whom he later married in secret.   Woven throughout Pershing’s story are the experiences of a remarkable group of American men and women, both the famous and unheralded, including Harry Truman, Douglas Macarthur, William “Wild Bill” Donovan, Teddy Roosevelt, and his youngest son Quentin. The chorus of these voices, which begins with the first Americans who enlisted in the French Foreign Legion 1914 as well as those who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille, make the high stakes of this epic American saga piercingly real and demonstrates the war’s profound impact on the individuals who served—during and in the years after the conflict—with extraordinary humanity and emotional force.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, War, World War I, Military Fiction, American History

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[David Allen Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of the Great War, I seldom come across books where I learn something new, and too many books are too narrowly focused or boringly academic. This book was a home run for me: I learned new things, it was broadly focused on the American experience in World War I, and very well written and enjoyable to read.

Using American Expeditionary Force Commander in Chief General John Pershing as a focal point, this book relates the American experience in the Great War. While the reader gets a wonderful overall perspective on the war, the author uses some highly personalized vignettes drawn from letters, diaries and period news articles that brings the people and the experience to life. He explains the challenges America faced, needing essentially to quickly create a million man army from scratch in a period of mere months and transport it across the Atlantic, infested with German U-Boats; he covers the basic battles and strategies of the war in a way any reader can understand; he explores the experience of black American soldiers, who were treated far better by the French than by their own countryman; the pioneering aviators; the vital and over-looked role of female nurses; and he explores how John J. Pershing came to command and successfully lead the American forces in what was a highly political alliance.

At a time when the roles of women and minorities in past events seem to be being pushed regardless of historical reality, and often to the detriment of the experiences of white males, this writer seemlessly weaves the story and experiences of black, white, and female Americans in the Great War in a way that is really remarkable. No one who reads this book will feel any one group is spotlighted at the expense of others; more than likely, regardless of whether you are a white male, female, or black American, you will learn something about each experience reading this book and learn about America's participation.

With the war's recent centenary, a plethora of books on World War I emerged; many rushed; many too academic or too specialized; many too long or too short; My Fellow Soldiers is one of the rare good ones: Short enough to not be a burden to read; wide-ranging, yet personalized; balanced; and very readable. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn about the American experience in World War I.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published in 2017 and I suspect the author wanted to cash in on the 100th anniversary of the US entry into the war. This is a pretty cursory survey of America's experience in this conflict, but the author does a good job of hitting all the salient points. Kudos for good maps! And also for a good basic narrative from start to finish. The chapter on race problems within the US military (and the US in general) is outstanding.

My problems with the books is chiefly this: the author apparently works with and has access to historical archives and he makes a point of telling how important the memoirs and letters of the participants are to understanding this period. But he mostly draws from the memoirs of a handful of participants (Pershing, Patton, Truman). There must be hundreds if not thousands of letters from the doughboys to draw from. Another nit to pick: there no footnotes and the end notes are terrible. This ain't a Ken Burns "Civil War" effort by a long shot. It is well written and a quick read.

[William J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very different perspective of World War I. It is not a history of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) or of the War itself. Nor is it a biography of General Pershing. It tells the story of WWI beginning with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and spouse and the cause of the war using letters initially between the Kaiser and his cousin the King of England in the forward. He then transitions to introduce General Pershing serving in El Paso, Texas and uses letters between the General and his spouse, Frankie. The Author, Andrew Carroll, again using letters of those involved, writes about the first Americans to enter World War I. Most were in the French Foreign Legion but others started Ambulance Services and even some nurses went over. The books chapters cover the Punitive Expedition and Americans in WWI prior to the United States joining, US war preparations where then Lieutenant Harry Truman is introduced through letters to his fiance, Bess Wallace. General Pershing and his relations with the African-American soldiers who were used mainly in service positions is covered as well as the record of the Black Soldiers who fought under French command is reviewed. The story of the war journalist is presented and perspectives from Nurses are given. There is a chapter devoted to Captain Harry, future President Truman, and his relationship with his soldiers. The air war is examined through the letters of pilots to family and friends. The war on the ground then is told through the eyes of many of the soldiers who participated.
The author has made the book easy and interesting reading interspersing letters from participants. Mr. Carroll does follow the lives of the survivors and some of the sad results are the suicides of twin sisters Dorothea and Gladys Cromwell, nurses who jumped overboard on the return trip the US most likely because of the trauma they had experienced throughout the War. Captain Whittlesey who commanded the famous "Lost Battalion" committed suicide less than a week after serving as a pallbearer for the entombment of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Of those "Harlem Hellfighters" who fought with the French Army, two who received the Croix de Guerre for their bravery from the French received no recognition from the US Government until 2015 when Henry Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor. Eugene Bullard died in obscurity. In this 100th Anniversary year of World War I, I recommend this book as an excellent way to familiarize yourself to that faded era of American history.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carefully researched and written history of General John Pershing and many American who fought in the Great War, this book earns its place on the shelf of WWI history. I read this because my knowledge of that war was greatly lacking and I wanted to learn about Pershing.

I am amazed at the scope of this book. Andrew Carroll, Jr. starts with General John Pershing experience with the Pancho Villa Expedition and includes well known officers who were active in WWII and those who never gained recognition but sorely deserve it. He fills you in on so many areas too. The author covers the conditions of war, the reluctance of Wilson to get into it, the terrible conditions that the fighting men had in the trenches including the Germans using nerve gas, the French Foreign Legion, the Lafayette Escadrille.

The story about Private Needham Roberts and Henry Johnson, is a stark contrast to the bigotry inspired by President Woodrow Wilson inspired that black soldiers faced. Those two exhibited incredible bravery worthy and were highly praised by General Pershing. That part stands out to me and many other parts like the letters about Quentin Roosevelt's death. Part of what makes this history book more alive than a statement of facts is the letters of the family and there are plenty in this book.

I highly recommend this book to all history lovers but do caution that the print copy is in small print. It was a struggle for me to read with my aging eyes so those of you with the same problem may want to find another way of reading the story.

I received this Advanced Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.

[Michael Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book about Pershing during the Great War but the visions of this book was broader than Pershing. The focus of the book was on the written correspondence Americans participating in the war were sending to the United States. This approach is similar to previous books by this author.

The author’s narrative primarily provided context to the selected letters. These letters included future famous characters in American history, like Truman and Roosevelt. This isn’t the book to learn all about the First World War, or General Pershing, for the matter.

A persistent irritant (to me, at least) was the author’s lack of knowledge about the military and military organizations. These factual errors led me to wonder if there were other errors.

Nonetheless, the letters were abundant throughout the narrative and provided fresh perspectives to the many historical events.

[Michael Grizer (He-Him) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. The author seamlessly integrates a narrative of WWI with letters from Soldiers, some very famous, some not.

[Josef · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intimate and personal look at the US role in WWI and a very easy and ensnaring read.

[Coachtfp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the title would suggest the book is about Pershing's relationships with his WW 1 military associates and opponents, that is misleading. It is much more: Each of the principal leaders (Patton, Foch, MacArthur, Donovan, etc.) have extensive thumbnails.

Carroll's writing skills enabled him to avoid the sometimes jarring transitions that so many subtexts can create. Unfortunately the editing and proofing leaves much to be desired. Despite these shortcomings, it is an excellent insight into a critical period in modern US history.

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then Centenary of the Great War is bringing forth a flood of new titles and “My Fellow Soldiers” has to be one of the best. Its focus is on Gen. John Pershing and the men and women (remember the nurses) who served under him.

The Great War did not start in America and America’s war did not start over there. Readers are introduced to the assassination in Sarajevo that set Europe ablaze and the royal cousins who spread the fire. The first Americans to go went as volunteers to other nation’s armed forces or as civilian ambulance drivers and medical personnel. The pilots of the Escadrille Americaine achieved fame as the Lafayette Escadrille until America’s involvement permitted their incorporation into the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Pershing and America can be said to have gotten their first taste of the War in Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa and his men who raided Columbus, New Mexico on March 9, 1916. During the Mexican incursion Pershing led, on horseback, 10,000 men supported by supply trains and aided by reconnaissance airplanes. It was here that Pershing demonstrated the qualities that secured for him the appointment as commander of the American Expeditionary Force the following year.

Much of this work deals with the Pershing’s leadership of the AEF in Europe. The preparation of the soldiers for combat and the battlefield plans occupied much of his energy but his steadfast refusal to permit the American Army to be broken up to fill gaps in the French and British lines, a course mandated by his orders from Washington, was the most crucial and contentious decision that he made.

Personalities who composed or affected the AEF receive ample attention. Pershing arrived with his heart wounded by the death in a house fire of his wife and three daughters, with only his son, Warren, surviving. His romantical liaisons with Anne Patton, sister of George, and Micheline Resco, whom he later secretly married, insert a touch of humanity into an inhumane war. Officers with whom he worked, including George Marshall, George Patton, Wild Bill Donovan and Douglas MacArthur would be the leaders of a later and greater war. Lesser figures also have their ink such as Dr. William T. Fitzsimons, the first AEF fatality of the war, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and his brother, Quentin, who was shot down over German lines, Flying Ace Eddie Rickenbacker, Sgt. Alvin York, poet Joyce Kilmer, artillery Capt. Harry Truman and the Choctaw Indians who used their own language to create an unbreakable code. Not forgotten are the African-American troops, the nurses who treated and the reporters who sent news home and Dwight Eisenhower who trained troops stateside.

The distinguishing factor I find in “My Fellow Soldiers” is its ability to weave the story of the AEF and its individual soldiers into the history of the Great War. The conflicts between Pershing, Foch and Haig shine new light on intra Allied “cooperation”. By the end of this book I had a much firmer grasp on the operations of the AEF than I had before I started. The epilogue does an excellent job of telling the rest of the story about individuals featured in the narrative. Author Andrew Carroll employs a writing style that draws the reader in and never taxes the attention span. “My Fellow Soldiers” is a valuable addition to the Great War canon.

I did receive a free copy of this book.

[Rona Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Carroll tells General John Pershing’s story perhaps in the best way it should be told and as the general himself might have approved. Told, not as a traditional biography with a tight focus and strict chronology, but through glimpses of Pershing in the eyes of his contemporaries, some who knew him well and others who only knew of the legend of the man.

In the opening pages, Carroll slyly reveals his intent, sharing a 1914 photo of Pershing surrounded by a few “fellow soldiers.” The soldiers include Mexican General Álvaro Obregón, General Francisco “Pancho” Villa, and over Pershing’s left shoulder, a young George S. Patton, Jr. And, just as the first Americans are deploying to Europe, Carroll has us gallop on horseback across the American southwest and the Mexican border along with Pershing and Patton as they hunt for but fail to capture Pancho Villa.

Still months before Pershing arrives in Europe to command the American Expeditionary Force, Carroll provides a vivid and brutal account of trench warfare, the ill-equipped soldiers, and the lack of communication and coordination across the battlefield. During this aside, while the US observes from its position of neutrality, we meet a few of the first Americans on the European continent. Well-bred young men from America’s upper crust like Kiffin Rockwell and Victor Chapman. Wounded through the thigh but eager to continue fighting, Rockwell joins the fledgling air force. Victor, a “wealthy and idealistic Harvard graduate who had been studying in Paris when the war broke had joined the Foreign Legion,” then later joined Rockwell as a pilot. These two fought alongside ranchers like Maury Maverick and young black men like Private Henry Johnson and Private Needham Roberts of the 369th Infantry Regiment, a group later known as the Hellcats and under Pershing’s Command. The soldiers’ stories are woven together with that of Pershing, in a style reminiscent of Winston Groom’s Forrest Gump, who moved through life in a series of encounters with famous personages. Pershing brushes up against the likes of Rockwell, Chapman, Maverick, Johnson, and Roberts, as well as Patton, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, Eddie Rickenbacker, Harry Truman, and George Marshall.

Carroll says Pershing “seemed destined to become a soldier since childhood.” He was a disciplined man, dedicated to his pursuits, and standing fast on his principles, but wounded emotionally after the deaths of his wife and three of his children early in his career. More Bradley or Marshall than Patton, he “vented his frustrations privately and kept his cool in public and with the press.” And, in one telling, full-on description, Carroll says: “In person he was magnetic. With his ramrod straight posture, sharp blue eyes, and square jaw … he emanated strength and had the bearing of a true leader, someone who could inspire millions of troops.” Fittingly, we learn that after Pershing died in 1948, he was buried as he preferred, not in a grand memorial but in Arlington next to his troops.

Pershing was a model of a leader, one we could use today and someone we should know better than we do. Carroll’s book helps us immensely in that pursuit.

[John Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit that I was not overly excited to begin My Fellow Soldiers: General John Pershing and the Americans Who Helped Win the Great War by Andrew Carroll. Although I was interested to learn about General John J “Blackjack” Pershing (who I knew almost nothing about), I was not looking forward to a dry biography. I am a military history buff but, like many, WWI is a bit of a blind spot for me. I have read about the Great War, but usually from the perspective of the French or British, and my eyes tend to glaze over at the descriptions of the countless divisions involved and the appalling casualty figures. Therefore, I was interested to learn about the unique American experience in the war.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book uses Pershing’s life as a touchstone for a wider discussion of the era and the attitudes of Americans during the 1910’s. Using letters and diaries from various combatants, along with providing background on American life and attitudes at the time, the author presents the reader with a framework to understand WWI and America’s and Pershing’s contributions at a personal level. I learned that Pershing’s life was framed and haunted by a tragedy that befell him and his family in his early adulthood. I came to understand that WWI was really the beginning of the modern US military: it was the first war to include air power, dog tags, even Native American code talkers. The author wove in the experience of African Americans and women, but in a holistic manner that fit into the broader perspective and was not forced. We also get to witness the early exploits of future heroes like Patton, Macarthur, Marshall, Truman, Eisenhower, and FDR in a very human manner! It turns out people in the 1910's are a lot like people today.

One last note: It was interesting to me to find out how many knowledgeable Americans predicted the inevitability of WWII shortly after the end of WWI due to the mishandling of the Treaty of Versailles by the French/British. The European powers were irritated by the Americans, but they should have listened. I begin to understand America's reluctance to join another European war 20 years later.

4.5 stars

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reader would be hard pressed to find a more highly readable and painlessly educational book about World War I than this one. Starting with General John Pershing’s life and the Pancho Villa Expedition, author Andrew Carroll sets the stage for the entrance of the United States into World War I. Even before American troops were sent to Europe, there were Americans fighting in the French Foreign Legion. Mr. Carroll does not forget those men. Next, it’s onward to the American ambulance drivers, surprisingly both men and women; and the World War I pilots, in their unbelievably primitive airplanes. Even more unbelievable was how unprepared the United States was for a European war; how untrained the soldiers were; how little supplies were available when the first troops arrived in Europe, including coats and boots; how limited the rifles were. What was most unbelievable, though, was how any soldiers survived the horrid conditions of trench warfare; the deadly mustard gas; the daily exposure to bullets, bombs and death; the blown apart and rotting bodies.

While Mr. Carroll does not skimp on the ugly details of World War I, he also does not present them in a sensational way. Even a highly sensitive reader could read this book and not have to stop reading. For in this book, in this war, is much beauty. The reader is introduced to the most beautiful, courageous individuals--the pilots, the Army nurses, the average ground soldiers, the black soldiers, the rich soldiers, the soldiers who did not give up after being horribly wounded. Some of those in the story even wrote in their letters home about how beautiful the French countryside was, before it was incinerated, how beautiful the clouds were while flying among them. It was hard not to think while looking at pictures of General John Pershing what a beautiful Army general he was, just the man to fight and win the war. The war that was suppose to end all wars. Alas, we humans are too stupid to end all wars.

(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from Amazon Vine.)

[Greg Mcneilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY FELLOW SOLDIERS: General John Pershing and the Americans Who Helped Win the Great War | Andrew Carroll, Penguin Press, (2017), p416

My Fellow Soldiers is a compelling account of the role played by General John Pershing and the Americans who served in the First World War. Authored by Andrew Carroll, it is a detailed and informative account of the experiences of American soldiers.

From the volunteers who traveled to France to support the allied efforts before America entered the war as airmen, soldiers, and medics, this story traces at the human level the personal stories of those who helped stop German aggression. He uses Pershing’s story from the campaign pursuing Poncho Villa to his command of the US Expeditionary Forces in WWI. Still, he weaves around him the stories of the everyday contributor informed by their personal letters and diaries.

Names everyone will recognize from the next War got their tutoring in the first: George Marshall, Harry Truman, Bill Donovan, and George S. Patton.

Pershing, whose brand was that of a starchy, stiff-upper-lip disciplinarian, is unveiled at the personal level. His wife and three daughters were killed in a house fire two years before the war. Only his six-year-old son survived. After that, he had an intense romance with Patton’s sister and then, while in France, fell madly in love with a young French painter.

In the effort, Carroll brings forth the stories of often overlooked contributors, women, and African American soldiers. He also details the diplomatic tensions between the French, English, and Americans in coordinating action.

One of the strengths of Carroll's book is his attention to detail. He provides a wealth of information about the logistics of the war effort, including the difficulties faced by American troops in securing adequate food, medical supplies, and training. This is a significant contribution and a compelling read for those interested in learning more about an often-overlooked conflict.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this treasure on a Dollar Tree whim! While General John Black Jack Pershing anchors this work, his story is told not only through his own tragedy and letters, but through the letters home of those forgotten to history, and those on the cusp of greatness: arrogant Douglas MacArthur, a (not so) young Harry Truman writing home to Bess, an assured George Patton who nominates himself for the Medal of Honor. Those lost to history include the young Americans often of status who volunteered for the fledgling air service, all by assuring certain death. Only Theodore's son Quentin is remembered now in the history; as for the others their words and an occasional handsome face on these pages tell us of their sacrifice. African American troops are remembered here, if relegated to the back or non existent pages of a century of writing. Did you see the powerful film 1917? Realistic, but the Great War in all of its trench war horror and the devastating developments of weaponry, and the wounds and gore they wrought, are here. Andrew Carroll works through the letters and eyewitness of a generation lost, to write a vivid history of war and a biography of the first great American General on the world stage.

[Jerry Keathley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but needs proofing

This was a good book, very readable and dealing more with the human side of the war than with the details of which regiment moved a half mile to the east of Company C and so forth.

Maybe it's just me, but I would have liked it much more if it were not just jam-packed with typos, bad grammar and mistakes mostly concerning weapons. For example, the author has "Members of the machine gun units, aware of how easily their M1917 Enfields could jam, made sure they were in good condition, while the regular infantryman focused on tending to their standard-issue Browning rifles." (p. 286). This is backward; machine gunners used Browning Machine Guns, and the standard rifle issued to infantrymen was the M1917. The picture of an " American soldier" in a flooded trench shown on p.21 actually depicts a British soldier. Throughout the book, every general officer of whatever rank is simply a "General." And my favorite "... in the Eisenhower's (sic) home for little Ikky." (p. 342). These are just a few.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

As other reviewers have noted, this is not a deep dive into the life of Gen. Pershing, nor is it a detailed narrative of the AEF and America's contribution to WWI. It does provide a good general overview of both topics told mostly through the diaries and letters of Pershing and his fellow soldiers. Carroll clearly built open his work on War Letters to produce this book before adding the additional historical details around America's march to war.

This book was an enjoyable read. I learned much about Pershing from the hunt for Poncho Villa to his forming and leading the AEF. Many letters are printed in nearly full which provide a nice personal touch and really bring the reader into the story.

The book also covers some of Pershing's junior officers, including Harry Truman, Douglas McArthur and George Patton. It was interesting to read about the early careers of these future leaders as well.

Overall, I would recommend the book but do not expect a detailed narrative of Pershing or the AEF.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, big thanks to Goodreads for me winning this in a giveaway.

In other news, this book is excellent. It's well-written and easy to read, when is always an important factor, whether non-fiction or fiction. The personal stories all tied into the narrative smoothly and helped bring hundred-year-old history to a more relatable level. These stories help prove the well done research, emphasized also by the notes and bibliography.

The title was well chosen. This is a look at the people involved in the whole effort, from volunteer nurses to future presidents. General Pershing is used as the tie that binds everyone together, rather than a complete focus and biography on him, though it certainly contains lots of information about the AEF commander and his own personal tragedy.

Really, the only major downside for me was that my copy was an uncorrected advance copy. I look forward to seeing a corrected edition and the index that was absent from my own.

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Fellow Soldiers by Andrew Carroll
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The story of General John J. Pershing and the American fight to win the First World War. Vivid firsthand accounts with personal letters to family members of those who served in “The war to end all wars”. Varied perspectives are offered from soldiers, Generals, ambulance drivers, nurses, foreign political figures and U.S. Presidents. This story begins with the 1916 expedition to hunt down Pancho Villa on the Mexican Border with General Pershing leading the charge. Upon the U.S. entry to the War in Europe, General Pershing is selected as the Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force. Many famous figures served in WW1, such as George Patton, Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, Harry Truman, Eddie Rickenbacker, “Wild” Bill Donovan, and many more that went on to be prominent historical figures that shaped the future. Easily the best book I have read on World War One and General Pershing! Great material and captivating from the get go! Would highly recommend!
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#history #unitedwestand #usa🇺🇸 #usa #reading #books #bookstagram #read #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #worldwar1

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book by Mr. Carroll that covers the Indian wars and World War 1.
We follow General Pershing through his history in the military and after he has retired.
He was a devoted husband and father throughout his life.
There are many stories about the horrors of war and how men stepped up when called to duty.
He was also a sensitive man who felt the loss of his men and visited them in the hospital.
This book is a great way to understand why WW1 happened and what motivated Hitler to start WW2.
My Grandfather lied about his age to join the Pershing Army. He did this to earn money to send home to his family.
He also received a commendation from General Pershing, which the family still has.
On the book's cover, you will see men lined up for review, and my Grandfather is the shorter man on the front row.

[Edy Gies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and compelling story of the Americans who fought in the Great War. It tells the story of so much more than just Persing. There are parts that were very difficult to swallow such as the description of the treatment of African-American troops. Everyone should read that part to understand the awful treatment of these people who wanted nothing more than to be accepted into a country whose creed was that all men are created equal. The stories of Pershing and his leadership were enlightening. He was a great example of someone who honored doing what was right and promoted men who told him the truth like George C. Marshal over others who refused to stand up to him. This is not easy and takes a very special kind of man. All fans of the Great War should read this one!

[Chris Fluit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. Carroll chose to share an up-close view of the Great War, relying on the personal letters of everyone from Gen. Pershing down to tell the story of the war through the people who lived through it. He's very up front that this isn't a historical overview but a sample of personal accounts. It reminded me the Ken Burns documentaries or Peter Jackson's They Will Never Grow Old. I felt like a learned a lot as Carroll covered often-ignored facets of war such as ambulance drivers, nurses, artillery men and the grave recovery corps after the war. I also got to know Pershing, Patton, MacArthur, Marshall, Rickenbacker, Truman and York as people rather than as historical figures. Highly recommended!

[Sean McClintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written and is told through the lens of letters written by United States soldiers serving overseas in World War 1. John Pershings' experiences during his hunt for Pancho Villa in Mexico and leading the United States military through World War 1 are also told through his letters and further background is given for context. Some information is given about his early years and after World War 1. However, the main focus is WW1 and his earlier hunt for Villa. There are many photographs that show the faces of those mentioned throughout the story as well as General Pershing. Overall, this book was very enjoyable and I recommend for those that are curious about United States involvement in World War 1.

[Susan Socha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Pershing but more importantly, the men who fought for the United States in WWI. Also included is a good explanation of how we got there. Very timely since Viet Nam was fought around 1965Ish, and so was the civil war. Just as Viet Nam influences policies now, so did the Civil war when it came to getting involved in WWI. there are chapters are women who were nurses, pilots, men in the trenches, along with some people who played a part after WWI that I never new were in the war, like Harry Truman, Patton, George Marshall...etc. This gave me some perspective on the war, what it was like and was very readable.

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a biography of Pershing. More of using him as the main lense on which to tell the story of Americans in WWI. For example, much of of American involvement in 1914-1917 is told through the stories of those who had volunteered for the French Legion and the Lafayette Escquadrille. Even after American involvement, it told as much about Alvin York, Quentin Roosevelt, George Marshall, Harry Truman, and others as Pershing.

One of Carroll's significant achievements is to take the austere and seemingly distant Pershing and turn him into a flesh and blood human being with the all the quirks, assumptions, feelings, trials, tribulations, and emotions we all experience.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a look at WWI as presented through from soldiers in the war, particularly General John Pershing. It helped my understanding of the war, particularly American's late entry into the war and even later entry into combat. Correspondence is well edited, with excerpts from letters providing insights without extraneous material. The author (Andrew Carroll) is involved with The Legacy Project, which collects war correspondence from US military actions. The book, similar to how the letters were presented, was about the "right length", leaving me feeling both enlightened and interested in reading more.

[Mike Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Fellow Soldiers" offers a new perspective on the great war. It does not simply recount facts and events related to the AEF and the great war. It also does not simply serve as a biography of John Pershing. Andrew Carroll writes with the intention of portraying the stories of those who fought. From people such as F. Scott Fitzgerald that would help leave America's cultural mark on the world, to people such as George Patton who would revolutionize military tactics, to the average dougboy who found himself in a trench far from home. It's a beautifully written perspective, that is surprising that it has not been done before.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historian Andrew Carroll published My Fellow Soldiers: General John Pershing and the Americans Who Helped Win the Great War in 2017. Carroll deeply believes that letters are the key to understanding warfare (Floess 2024). Carroll discovered letters from General John Pershing in a garage attic (Carroll XVII). Carroll decided to write a nonfiction book based mainly on letters from Americans who served in the military and nurses in World War I. The book is also a biography of General John Pershing. I agree with the Goodreads reviewer named “Bill” that the chapter entitled “Black Jack and the Hellfighters” (Carroll 185-211) is well done. This chapter examines racial issues in the United States military during World War I. This chapter covers General Jack Pershing’s complex view of Black Americans. This chapter covers all these topics very well. Along with World War I, the book covers General Pershing’s role in leading the American military in the hunt for Pancho Villa in Mexico. The book has illustrations and maps. The book has a section entitled “notes of sources” (Carroll 361-366). The book also has a bibliography and an index. The book is a well-written history of the United States' role on the Western Front in France during World War I. I found Bill's Goodreads review helpful in writing this ‘review.’
Works Cited:
Floess, Peter. 2025. “Twin City Theatre turns handwritten history into living memory.” Simile Politely. November 12. Twin City Theatre turns handwritten history into living memory - Smile Politely — Champaign-Urbana's Culture Magazine

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just John Pershing's tale, though he remains its centerpiece; rather it is an extraordinary recounting of many of the Americans who fought the War To End All Wars and thus an almost elegiac tribute to all. Here are unkown nurses, Harry Truman, Kermit Roosevelt and tens of thousands of doughboys, each of whom Carroll describes with empathy and power. Yes, this is a story of war, but it is not simply a "war story", but something more powerful and insightful. Brilliant! Simply Brilliant!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different perspective of the " Generals" series. Told through the eyes of persons who lived in Pershing's orbit: Truman, MacArthur, and many who were a lot less famous. Thus, it's not really a biography, more of a history lesson around the early twentieth century. Here is a bit of the story: while searching for Pancho Via in the American Southwest and Mexico, most of JJP's family died in a house fire. He received many letters of condolence from people around the world.....one from Pancho Via himself! So, in the course of reading this history lesson, we get a view of Pershing.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of WW1, first 2 chapters, unsure, 3rd picks up the battles with Panco Villa in Mexico by Pershing's men. With Germany pushing Mexico and Japan to invade the US, Wilson gets off the fence and congress declares war on Germany. Poor Pershing, not only had to fight the Germans, he had to fight the French, British, and jealous US Generals. Many well known names crop up in the book. Geo. Marshall, Patton, Harry Truman, Eddie Rickenbacher.