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General Patton: A Soldier's Life – The Most Balanced Portrait of WWII's Brilliant and Complex Commander
“The most complete biography of [Patton] yet produced.” – Chicago Tribune Utilizing untapped archival materials from the United States and England, Stanley P. Hirshson creates the most balanced portrait of Patton ever written. General A Soldier’s Life reveals Patton as a complex soldier capable of brilliant military maneuvers but also of inspiring horrendous acts with fiery speeches. It explains Patton’s belief in a soldier’s Valhalla, connects the family’s wealth to one of America’s bitterest labor strikes, and disputes the usual interpretation of Patton’s relief from command of the Third Army. While investigating this complex man, Hirshson has uncovered surprising material about a series of civilian and military massacres in Sicily, attempts to exploit Patton’s diary after his death, and Patton’s relations with top Allied generals. In this meticulously documented volume, Patton comes to life.
826 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 28, 2020
Let me start by saying my favorite movie biography is "Patton." Not only is it an impressive performance by George C. Scott but it also takes pains to show its subject warts and all. If you admire General George S. Patton, Jr., nothing in the movie will shake your respect for "Old Blood and Guts." Likewise, if you think Patton was a bloodthirsty warlover, there's plenty to back up that view too. Realizing I did not know enough about the real Patton, I looked forward to reading this book. What a disappointment. Professor Hirshson takes a basically adversarial approach to Patton, accusing him of war atrocities from the start, charges he never quite proves. The entire book is like that; he obviously does not like Patton. While that is certainly an acceptable interpretation of the man, the choppy writing style works against him. I'm not sure I needed to be told more than once that Patton WWII aide Charles Codman was a buyer for a Boston fine foods company before the war but Hirshson disagrees, bringing it up several times. This book screams for a good editor who could have organized the narrative and made it effective. While the copious research is obvious here, there is nowhere near enough analysis to accompany it. This book should have done for Patton what "American Caesar" does for Douglas MacArthur; that it does not makes this book a dull slog covering the life of one of the most colorful characters in all of military history.
April 29, 2020
(Written in 2003)
Stanley P. Hirshson’s General Patton is a very well written, revealing and very satisfying look at the American military icon, General George S. Patton, Jr.
Perhaps like many who are interested in this book, my prime connection to the general is the film Patton, staring George C. Scott. The book therefore offered a much greater look at Patton, revealing many interesting items about the man, the general, the legend. Thankfully, more than half of the book is devoted to Patton’s role in World War II, which looms large in the Patton legend.
Beginning with an examination of Patton’s forebears (the only boring chapter in the book), Hirshson lays out Patton’s life to the end in Germany. I was surprised to learn that some biographers claimed Patton was dyslexic because he was a horrible speller. Hirshson contends that Patton’s poor spelling was a result of not seeing a printed page until he was 12, and that Patton did not show any other traits of dyslexia.
Hirshson documents Patton’s experiences in Mexico, pursuing Pancho Villa as part of General Pershing’s force. Again, this is something I did not know: Patton had a very close relationship with General Pershing, something he used to full advantage in World War I. In France, Patton was initially part of Pershing’s staff, then realized he needed to make a name for himself. Eventually, a new military invention, the tank, would give Patton that chance.
The best part of the book is Hirshson’s use of Patton’s personal diary. Patton was very frank in his personal writings and the passages Hirshson uses are direct and highly applicable.
Almost as a sidebar, Hirshson also presents a history of how the tank became part of U.S. Army doctrine. Patton was not, as many would expect, involved with tanks from his initial exposure during World War I all the way up until and through World War II. He actually returned to the cavalry (the horse cavalry) for many years between the wars. It wasn’t until July of 1940 that Patton would command an armored unit (the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Armored Division, Ft. Benning).
What is interesting about this history of armor in the Army is the sharply differing views of Army commanders on how armor should be used. The debate really lasts until 1944. Surprisingly, many Allied commanders did not expect the Allies could manage a “blitzkrieg” of their own after invading France. They thought the invading forces would have to resort to World War I methods. Patton’s drive across France ended that debate.
Perhaps most revealing was Patton’s low opinions of Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery. Ike is seen as a poor commander, just a pro-British administrator. Monty is seen as a timid, hesitating bungler. These are not just sour grapes: Patton’s opinions are supported by statements by other generals, Ike on Monty and General Alan Brooke on Ike.
There are some other surprising, even alarming, points raised in the book (such as Patton the rich socialite), but I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
Hirshson’s book is very easy to read. He avoids overblown language and focuses on the key threads of Patton’s life. I only have two real criticisms of the book.
First, and this applies primarily to World War II, I found it hard to keep up with all the generals and other soliders Hirshson mentions. I think a “Who’s Who” list would have been very helpful.
Second, Hirshson probably should have included a few more maps. There are 10, but three or four more would have been great. For example, as Patton’s Third Army nears Germany, Metz, Nancy, and the Saar River area of Germany are prominently mentioned. There are, however, no maps focusing on this area.
I think Hirshson should have also used one or two more maps in detailing movements during the Battle of the Bulge.
I enthusiastically endorse Hirshson’s General Patton. It’s a fascinating look at a fascinating man. I have to agree with Hirshson’s conclusion that “Patton was a better tactician than strategist.” It should be a valued addition to anyone interested in World War II and General Patton.
Stanley P. Hirshson’s General Patton is a very well written, revealing and very satisfying look at the American military icon, General George S. Patton, Jr.
Perhaps like many who are interested in this book, my prime connection to the general is the film Patton, staring George C. Scott. The book therefore offered a much greater look at Patton, revealing many interesting items about the man, the general, the legend. Thankfully, more than half of the book is devoted to Patton’s role in World War II, which looms large in the Patton legend.
Beginning with an examination of Patton’s forebears (the only boring chapter in the book), Hirshson lays out Patton’s life to the end in Germany. I was surprised to learn that some biographers claimed Patton was dyslexic because he was a horrible speller. Hirshson contends that Patton’s poor spelling was a result of not seeing a printed page until he was 12, and that Patton did not show any other traits of dyslexia.
Hirshson documents Patton’s experiences in Mexico, pursuing Pancho Villa as part of General Pershing’s force. Again, this is something I did not know: Patton had a very close relationship with General Pershing, something he used to full advantage in World War I. In France, Patton was initially part of Pershing’s staff, then realized he needed to make a name for himself. Eventually, a new military invention, the tank, would give Patton that chance.
The best part of the book is Hirshson’s use of Patton’s personal diary. Patton was very frank in his personal writings and the passages Hirshson uses are direct and highly applicable.
Almost as a sidebar, Hirshson also presents a history of how the tank became part of U.S. Army doctrine. Patton was not, as many would expect, involved with tanks from his initial exposure during World War I all the way up until and through World War II. He actually returned to the cavalry (the horse cavalry) for many years between the wars. It wasn’t until July of 1940 that Patton would command an armored unit (the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Armored Division, Ft. Benning).
What is interesting about this history of armor in the Army is the sharply differing views of Army commanders on how armor should be used. The debate really lasts until 1944. Surprisingly, many Allied commanders did not expect the Allies could manage a “blitzkrieg” of their own after invading France. They thought the invading forces would have to resort to World War I methods. Patton’s drive across France ended that debate.
Perhaps most revealing was Patton’s low opinions of Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery. Ike is seen as a poor commander, just a pro-British administrator. Monty is seen as a timid, hesitating bungler. These are not just sour grapes: Patton’s opinions are supported by statements by other generals, Ike on Monty and General Alan Brooke on Ike.
There are some other surprising, even alarming, points raised in the book (such as Patton the rich socialite), but I don’t want to spoil the surprise.
Hirshson’s book is very easy to read. He avoids overblown language and focuses on the key threads of Patton’s life. I only have two real criticisms of the book.
First, and this applies primarily to World War II, I found it hard to keep up with all the generals and other soliders Hirshson mentions. I think a “Who’s Who” list would have been very helpful.
Second, Hirshson probably should have included a few more maps. There are 10, but three or four more would have been great. For example, as Patton’s Third Army nears Germany, Metz, Nancy, and the Saar River area of Germany are prominently mentioned. There are, however, no maps focusing on this area.
I think Hirshson should have also used one or two more maps in detailing movements during the Battle of the Bulge.
I enthusiastically endorse Hirshson’s General Patton. It’s a fascinating look at a fascinating man. I have to agree with Hirshson’s conclusion that “Patton was a better tactician than strategist.” It should be a valued addition to anyone interested in World War II and General Patton.
May 24, 2017
Read this several years ago and picked it up again.
Possibly the most comprehensive biography I've ever read.
Most impressive was the exhaustive amount of research and work that must have gone into this book. This had to have taken years to complete.
It's hard to imagine there were any details of Patton that have been left out.
There were hundreds and hundreds of footnotes and a lengthy bibliography, not to mention interviews and passages from many people's diaries as well.
Long read. Over 700 pages. But the author didn't get long-winded in any one area. He succeeded in keeping passages short and sweet. Although there was some writing that lacked a little flair and was somewhat bland. As a result, parts of this read a bit like a school textbook.
But overall, a very impressive piece of work by Hirshson.
Possibly the most comprehensive biography I've ever read.
Most impressive was the exhaustive amount of research and work that must have gone into this book. This had to have taken years to complete.
It's hard to imagine there were any details of Patton that have been left out.
There were hundreds and hundreds of footnotes and a lengthy bibliography, not to mention interviews and passages from many people's diaries as well.
Long read. Over 700 pages. But the author didn't get long-winded in any one area. He succeeded in keeping passages short and sweet. Although there was some writing that lacked a little flair and was somewhat bland. As a result, parts of this read a bit like a school textbook.
But overall, a very impressive piece of work by Hirshson.
November 8, 2021
Outstanding biography. More on Bookwinked at:
https://bookwinked.wordpress.com/2021...
https://bookwinked.wordpress.com/2021...
June 20, 2016
Extremely thorough, well researched and documented, and unbiased in its writing.
I picked this book up in late 2008 at a second-hand book store. I've always been fascinated with General Patton, even as a kid. My grandfather served as an engineer during World War II in the Third Army (commanded by Patton), so I've always had a great interest in the general. I started this book back in 2012. I had read almost half of it at that time. My husband and I moved houses during my reading it, and I got side-tracked from finishing it, what with packing, fixing up our newest house, and then me misplacing the Patton biography. In any case, I picked the book back up a couple of weeks ago to finish it up where I had left off.
I found all of it fascinating. Having done my own research over the years, I knew quite a bit about Patton, but this book was remarkably detailed and in-depth. I learned so much from this biography. As I mentioned, the author used a great amount of research for this book, and he cites his sources throughout the book and with end notes. The book is almost purely told through primary sources, chronologically, with an abundance of quoted material. The author very rarely steps into the narrative to put in his own two cents. Also as mentioned above, the author was very unbiased. He airs as much of Patton's negative "dirty laundry" as he does his greatness, and for the most part doesn't try to make excuses for the general.
Being the World War II buff that I am, I expected to enjoy the last half of the book better than the first. Yet, looking back, I immensely enjoyed the first half of the book better. His accomplishments in the Olympics, his studies in his youth of war heroes and tactics, his feats in America's search for Pancho Villa and in World War I were all captivating. I felt that the first half of the book you got to know George Patton better as a person, whereas the second half of the book it was more about his exploits as a World War II general rather than as a person. Even so, I still liked the second half and quickly ran through the rest of the book with delight. I highly recommend it.
I picked this book up in late 2008 at a second-hand book store. I've always been fascinated with General Patton, even as a kid. My grandfather served as an engineer during World War II in the Third Army (commanded by Patton), so I've always had a great interest in the general. I started this book back in 2012. I had read almost half of it at that time. My husband and I moved houses during my reading it, and I got side-tracked from finishing it, what with packing, fixing up our newest house, and then me misplacing the Patton biography. In any case, I picked the book back up a couple of weeks ago to finish it up where I had left off.
I found all of it fascinating. Having done my own research over the years, I knew quite a bit about Patton, but this book was remarkably detailed and in-depth. I learned so much from this biography. As I mentioned, the author used a great amount of research for this book, and he cites his sources throughout the book and with end notes. The book is almost purely told through primary sources, chronologically, with an abundance of quoted material. The author very rarely steps into the narrative to put in his own two cents. Also as mentioned above, the author was very unbiased. He airs as much of Patton's negative "dirty laundry" as he does his greatness, and for the most part doesn't try to make excuses for the general.
Being the World War II buff that I am, I expected to enjoy the last half of the book better than the first. Yet, looking back, I immensely enjoyed the first half of the book better. His accomplishments in the Olympics, his studies in his youth of war heroes and tactics, his feats in America's search for Pancho Villa and in World War I were all captivating. I felt that the first half of the book you got to know George Patton better as a person, whereas the second half of the book it was more about his exploits as a World War II general rather than as a person. Even so, I still liked the second half and quickly ran through the rest of the book with delight. I highly recommend it.
June 1, 2010
For my Memorial Day Weekend, I read this biography of Gen. George Patton. Ever since I saw "Patton" with George C. Scott at the movies, I've wondered if the screen version was faithful to the real man. Hirshson's biography is well-documented and very detailed. He takes the reader from Patton's West Point days to his death in Germany. I am not familiar with all the military commanders and units of the European theatre, so it was a bit tedious at times, but I can say that the man was for real! He was profane, arrogant, commanding, ruthless, and daring as can be. This man knew no fear and he relished war. He was a soldier's soldier and had the ability to motivate men to walk right into hell if need be. Hirshson also reveals and investigates the problems Patton had too and the trouble he got into, especially the incident in Sicily where he slapped a combat-fatigued soldier.
Needless to say, if Patton was commanding troops today, he would only have a desk job because he was not "camera ready." The press in WW2 protected him, but he would never get away with what he did today. His ending was a bit surprising. He went hunting one day and was killed in a car accident. Patton is buried in the American cemetery in Luxembourg with the soldiers he commanded.
Needless to say, if Patton was commanding troops today, he would only have a desk job because he was not "camera ready." The press in WW2 protected him, but he would never get away with what he did today. His ending was a bit surprising. He went hunting one day and was killed in a car accident. Patton is buried in the American cemetery in Luxembourg with the soldiers he commanded.
June 10, 2020
This book is about as close to a 5 Star book without being one that you can get. It is a great biography heavily relying on Patton's diaries and letters along with the letters of his friends and family. It gives a great account of the man's life and does a good job of presenting what happens both the good and the bad. Another thing the author should be commended on is keeping his opinions as limited as someone can expect any work to be.
There is a heavy focus on the years prior to WW2 which I appreciate as it makes up the majority of Patton's life and when I read biographies I prefer for them to show the areas that the person is not famous for as much or more than their most well known moments. Overall I can't recommend this more if you are looking for a bio on Patton, better understanding of some of the characters of WW2 Army leadership (of which Patton had known for a long time and so come up as soon as he makes it to West Point), or a decently fun read about a man with an interesting life.
There is a heavy focus on the years prior to WW2 which I appreciate as it makes up the majority of Patton's life and when I read biographies I prefer for them to show the areas that the person is not famous for as much or more than their most well known moments. Overall I can't recommend this more if you are looking for a bio on Patton, better understanding of some of the characters of WW2 Army leadership (of which Patton had known for a long time and so come up as soon as he makes it to West Point), or a decently fun read about a man with an interesting life.
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August 14, 2019Excellent incite into the world of General George Patton. Very informative. Highly recommended.
April 16, 2021
I just finished Stanley Hirshon’s General Patton: A Soldier’s Life. Up to this time I have always considered Carlo D’Estes’ Patton: A Genius For War to be the standard for George Patton biographies and while this doesn’t supplant it, it is every part its equal. A solid 4 to 5 star rating.
One of the extraordinary tactical commanders in history and certainly the finest tactical commander in 20th century U.S. History. Patton is spent a mere 13 months in combat to create this legacy, in World War I he participated in the Saint Mihiel Capaign and the Meuse-Argonne Campaign and in World War II he participated in Operation Torch and the North African Campaign, Tunisia, Sicily, the invasion of France in the Lorraine and Rhineland Campaign as well as the Ardennes and Central European Campaigns.
An anachronism who was both refined and educated as well a profane and prone to outbursts he is too complex to put in a box. A better fighter but less political than Eisenhower, a more aggressive general but less concerned with logistics than Bradley. George Patton is that rare breed who lives in a glass box that says break only in case of war.
One must decide for themselves the value of George Patton’s legacy, count me among those who see’s the flawed and complex individual who saved countless lives through his exceptional use of combined infantry and armor engagement, who helpful propel armor and combined arms forward.
One of the extraordinary tactical commanders in history and certainly the finest tactical commander in 20th century U.S. History. Patton is spent a mere 13 months in combat to create this legacy, in World War I he participated in the Saint Mihiel Capaign and the Meuse-Argonne Campaign and in World War II he participated in Operation Torch and the North African Campaign, Tunisia, Sicily, the invasion of France in the Lorraine and Rhineland Campaign as well as the Ardennes and Central European Campaigns.
An anachronism who was both refined and educated as well a profane and prone to outbursts he is too complex to put in a box. A better fighter but less political than Eisenhower, a more aggressive general but less concerned with logistics than Bradley. George Patton is that rare breed who lives in a glass box that says break only in case of war.
One must decide for themselves the value of George Patton’s legacy, count me among those who see’s the flawed and complex individual who saved countless lives through his exceptional use of combined infantry and armor engagement, who helpful propel armor and combined arms forward.
April 28, 2020
Picked this one up because I wanted to know more about the man, George Patton. Was particularly interested to see if he was human. Does he cry? Is he ever afraid? Or is he just the blood and guts warrior people have since made him out to be? I think Hirshon shows a little bit of everything in Patton in this book. He's a scholar, blowhard, fighter, childish...craziness. In any case, the first half of the book was boring to me. Didn't really care much for Patton's upbringing or dinner parties and schmoozing to get to the top. Starting with the invasion of North Africa, the book was a breeze though. It really focuses on Patton without much context as to what's going on in the world. Little things will sneak up on you if you don't know your history - things like Pearl Harbor, Axis surrender in Tunisia, FDR dying, Germany surrendering. Even Patton's death sneaks up out of nowhere and gets about 5 pages of treatment. It's not a history of WWI and WWII - it's truly a Patton book - though probably a bit heavy in pointless dialogue and dinner parties. Came away with some good thoughts about how an individual can be great at one thing (war), but poor at so many others (diplomacy, race relations, empathy in general). In this work, we see Patton was a genius at one thing - perfect wartime fighting general. Shameless self-promoter too. Glad to have picked it up.
November 10, 2022
It would have been a lot better of a read if the Mr. Hirshon hadn't been hopelessly stuck in hatred for the Ayers previous history before Patton even married into the family. I would assume that at some time in the past, one of them must have stepped on the toes of some family member of his and he was bound and determined to get them back, even if he had to smear everyone else to do it.
It also might have helped if he could pick a side and stick to it. He spent most of the book condemning people, then lauding them. So much that he even would lose the thread of what he was talking about, contradict himself and even forget which person he was referencing. He also spent a lot of time licking the metaphorical boots of people who have repeatedly proven their lack of worth both at the time and later in their lives.
It is understood that Patton was hardly the paragon of humanity. He was very strict and had a temper, but he also had many of the same beliefs as others of the time. So condemning him for them might be "in vogue" now, but only as a publicity stunt to sell books. Which I'm sure is what Mr Hirshon was trying to do, just to try reinvigorating a career that had stalled.
It also might have helped if he could pick a side and stick to it. He spent most of the book condemning people, then lauding them. So much that he even would lose the thread of what he was talking about, contradict himself and even forget which person he was referencing. He also spent a lot of time licking the metaphorical boots of people who have repeatedly proven their lack of worth both at the time and later in their lives.
It is understood that Patton was hardly the paragon of humanity. He was very strict and had a temper, but he also had many of the same beliefs as others of the time. So condemning him for them might be "in vogue" now, but only as a publicity stunt to sell books. Which I'm sure is what Mr Hirshon was trying to do, just to try reinvigorating a career that had stalled.
October 17, 2024
This book offers a less effusive take on General Patton. Given that most other books on him end up deifying him, I can see why this book needed to be written. While Pattons attitudes on race and Semitism were not unusual for his era, it is still jarring considering some of his peers more liberal attitudes. However, this book does not emphasize that aspect of his personality as much. It focuses more on his shortcomings as a leader of men and his lack of judgement in battle. It was hard to find the narrative just, especially the “slapping incident”. It is almost as if this book went too far the other way. The book is well written and I think the overall narrative of Pattons life is pretty well done and covers all the major events of his life. While I would recommend other biographies of his over this one. Especially since they better emphasize tactics of armored warfare and supply lines. This one grounds some of those more sycophantic (lol, not really) books.
December 11, 2017
It's possible that I'm the only person to read this book who hasn't seen the George C. Scott film, and I think I'm glad that I read this first - while slightly dry at times, this is an evenhanded take on a man who was tremendously complex and who was a great example of the right person for his time. At times laudatory and at others harshly critical, Hirshson achieves balance differently than other biographers might - rather than avoiding taking a stance on either side, he is willing to make strong statements, both positive and negative, about this flawed hero. Definitely glad I read it.
January 25, 2021
This book is a treasure trove of research into General Patton and WWII in general. Meticulous detail. I love that all this information is housed in one work. Thank you Mr. Hirshson. I thoroughly enjoyed working through this volume. My knowledge of General Patton was superficial based only on the movie. So glad I invested the time to read. Although not for casual readers of history, I do strongly recommend to those seeking a deep understanding of General Patton and specifically his impact on WWII.
July 26, 2017
I have been reading about General Patton since I was 15 years old, and each time I pick up another book, I never fail to learn something new about this brilliant, but very enigmatic man.
March 6, 2018
Did not finish. Enjoyed it up to WWII. Too technical. May have to try again when I'm prepared to digest all the technical aspects of war.
April 16, 2022
An excellent overall biography of this great, but largely misunderstood General. Another like him is always needed.
April 4, 2025
woo-hoo, i'm done! huge book, so deeply researched. very happy to have read it, but also to finally have it off my shelf after 20+ years.
July 8, 2016
This is an informative and interesting book. I have read many of the Patton books and figured I'd learn little more than what I had already read however Mr. Hirshson has added considerably to the literature and perspective of General Patton. The author disputes the belief that General Patton was dyslexic explaining that Patton's formal schooling did not begin until he was 12 years old. That is when he began to learn to read and spell. His spelling remained poor through his life although he read voraciously. Patton also did better in math than many previously writers have stated. These assertions are documented well. Also the belief that the General had that he was reincarnated, Hirshson believes was a coping mechanism that Patton used to control his fear of combat and battle. There are also good assessments of additional figures along with some new facts about atrocities that were committed by soldiers under General Patton in Italy that were swept under the rug - two individuals were Court-martialed for atrocities, one convicted the other not. If those atrocities had been reported properly the author suspects that they would have meant the end of the careers of Genera Patton, General Truscott and General Gay. This is an excellent book!
September 22, 2012
Everything about the man was intimidating at first until you really pause to consider all that was happening and how important rituals were not to just his existence but everyone around him. He made you believe in a way of life he valued more than anything. He wasn't a natural born leader, certainly made his share of mistakes but you knew when it mattered he was going to be in the thick of it with you. He believed in military life. It made boys into men!
The author did an excellent job of recreating Patton on the pages, sharing his thoughts and the reasons why. I found myself smiling and laughing at different points in the book because of things he stubbornly fought to get and the lengths he went to accomplish his goals. Like for example Eisenhower and Patton tore a tank down completely and rebuilt it again just so they could understand how it worked and what needed to be improved. Tanks were necessary if we were going to have successful wars.
I really enjoyed the book!
The author did an excellent job of recreating Patton on the pages, sharing his thoughts and the reasons why. I found myself smiling and laughing at different points in the book because of things he stubbornly fought to get and the lengths he went to accomplish his goals. Like for example Eisenhower and Patton tore a tank down completely and rebuilt it again just so they could understand how it worked and what needed to be improved. Tanks were necessary if we were going to have successful wars.
I really enjoyed the book!
September 21, 2025
A very worthwhile biography, though a bit hard to read at times with unhelpful and/or disorganized detail. At time the author reflects his background and the times with some slightly shocking and careless statements around race.
My conclusion after reading this book is that Patton was not a great guy in any regard (e.g. cheated on his wife more than once, was a racist, aligned with the robber-baron of his day etc), but he was one of the few Generals that scared the crap out of the Germans, and he played a not-insignificant role in ending the war.
In the end, his own lack of verbal self-control or any self-awareness counter-acted his bravery and tactical prowess resulting in his ultimate demotion and sidelining.
He is a classic example of a massively privileged white male who had no doubt that could do and get away with anything he set his heart on doing- until he couldn’t in the end. I want to believe that accountability is still possible even today.
My conclusion after reading this book is that Patton was not a great guy in any regard (e.g. cheated on his wife more than once, was a racist, aligned with the robber-baron of his day etc), but he was one of the few Generals that scared the crap out of the Germans, and he played a not-insignificant role in ending the war.
In the end, his own lack of verbal self-control or any self-awareness counter-acted his bravery and tactical prowess resulting in his ultimate demotion and sidelining.
He is a classic example of a massively privileged white male who had no doubt that could do and get away with anything he set his heart on doing- until he couldn’t in the end. I want to believe that accountability is still possible even today.
January 19, 2009
historically detailed and an interesting read, but I did not appreciate the authors critique of General Pattton regarding either the slapping incident or his alleged culpability for the killing of captured enemy soldiers. Until the author has benn in the position of watching fellow soldiers be cut down by the enemy, and/or witnessed enemy atrocities, he should keep the editorializing to himself. History judges Patton as an exceptional and brilliantly agressive tanker, and his instillation of this agression into his troops made the effective and feard fighting force they were. He knew that the fastest way to win the war was to kill the enemy and to utterly destroy their will to fight. That is exactly what made him so effective.
November 22, 2008
Unnamed individuals have insinuated that I hate General Patton. This is of course not the case. This biography on the other hand has reduced one of the most adventure filled lives of the twentieth century in to a dry over-analyzed historiography. Where analysis is called for (the invasions of Morocco, Sicily or De-Nazification) it is fleeting. Where it is not (weather Eisenwer revived Bradly's phone call or Deaves' letter first) it is executive. This tremendously well researched book is not for general audiences.
November 30, 2008
It gets four stars because of the depth of research and the 11 years Hirshson spent writing the book. The writing and editing, however, deserves only three stars. I just can't give 3 1/2 stars in this format, though. There is much in this book that is not needed to paint a picture of the great field commander but often abrasive and permanently anti-Semitic rich guy from California. Better editing would have caught some repetition and inserted better punctuation where necessary.
November 10, 2007
Just deathly boring. Watch the movie.
February 18, 2009
A little wordy, and has some fact contradictions, but a good book.
December 5, 2011
This was good reading but not as well detailed in respect to the personal thoughts as Omar Bradleys book A GENERAL'S LIFE
April 30, 2017
One of the best books on Patton I've read. Balanced and I believe fair.
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