The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family

The Warriors

by Robert H. Patton

The Pattons is an exceptional portrait of the famous military family, eloquently written by the grandson of its most illustrious member, George S. Patton. Washington Post critic Jonathan Yardley called it “one of the best books of the year.”

Genres: History, American History, Biography, Civil War, World War II

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Susan Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just read his daughter Ruth's memoir of her mother, "The Button Box" which tried to be upbeat for the most part, I feared that having been written by Patton's grandson this might be a bit revisionist, as well, but it isn't at all. He obviously spent a lot of time with Aunt Ruth and fills in the places where one could read between the lines about ambivalent feelings towards her father. (how about taking her up in a airplane, turning off the engine and telling her they were going to crash? Apparently she was the only member of the family who routinely stood up to him and he wanted to prove he could cow her) His analysis of Georgie's personality seems pretty astute, and overall this is quite an interesting book. (I can't think of Patton as anything but Georgie now, I wonder if Roosevelt or Eisenhower called him that.) This book does not go into much detail his military exploits, by the way, it is, as it says, told from the perspective of the family.

[Margot Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endlessly fascinating saga of the Patton family in America, as researched and written by a family member. What I knew of the Pattons was that they were a tribe of eccentrics (I once went up to visit the General's daughter near Ipswich, Mass., because she claimed to be a witch; the General of course believe in reincarnation) but more gifted than mad. I obtained this book merely for workaday research, but hope someday soon to reread it pleasurably, at leisure.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book was difficult to read. I found it to be more about war and interspersed with family history. With determination to finish it, I enjoyed the last few chapters because of the family stories (happy and sad).

[Janna K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m fascinated by this somewhat mysterious family

Robert H Patton has done a remarkable job of weaving personal knowledge of his family and each member’s quirks and personality into a history of several wars in American history. So naturally as a history buff and the child of an obscure Texas farmer, who happens to be descended from a Patton from Ireland, I found this book fascinating. It has a smooth progression from very early Revolutionary days to modern America. I recommend it.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting history of the Patton Family line. A quick look at some of the Pattons in the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. A hard act to follow, but ingrained on George. Being home-schooled until Junior High made him a target for bulling, and a loner. some historians felt he was dyslexic although there has never any evidence. The book spends most of it's pages covering Georgie (that is the nickname since his father was also a George). The death of Georgie has never been satisfactorily explained. It has always been so ineptly investigated by the army, leading many to believe it was a "hit", but by whom??

A pretty good read, it does drag in some spots.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book searching a connection between the Georgia Pattens and the general who was born in California. My grandmother had always said there was a distant kinship. I haven't found it but I did learn more about "Georgie" than I had from my relatives or even the movie. The book surprised me with the honesty and even criticism of the general by his grandson who wrote the book. You might say he was brutally honest. That is refreshing although there were times when I questioned if I even wanted to be related to Patton. Truly a narcissist, he was also such a great strategist and warrior that his military superiors tried to overlook his racist and cruel nature. If you are interested in military leaders without a lot of war scenes I would recommend this book to you. Either you will hate Patton or feel compassion, probably the former. Still a good read!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the creation of the Patton family name just prior to the American Revolution to current times, the history and background of the family is examined. Very few of the family set out for a military life but are represented in every war through modern times. World War II General George Patton is easily the most famous.