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Patton: Ordeal and Triumph
The Book that Inspired the Academy Award-Winning Film
"The best Patton biography."— Military Bookman He is America's most famous general. He represents toughness, focus, determination, and the ideal of achievement in the face of overwhelming odds. He was the most feared and respected adversary to his enemies and an object of envy, admiration, and sometimes, scorn to his professional peers. An early proponent of tank warfare, George S. Patton moved from being a foresighted lieutenant in the First World War to commanding the Third Army in the next, leading armored divisions in the Allied offensive that broke the back of Nazi Germany. Patton was an enigmatic figure. His image among his troops and much of the press achieved legendary status through his bold and colorful comments and combat leadership, yet these same qualities nearly jeopardized his career and forced him out of the battle on several occasions. Victory was impossible without Patton, and returning to the field, his army was responsible for one of the most crushing advances in the history of warfare. In Ladislas Farago's masterpiece, Ordeal and Triumph , the complete story of this fascinating personality is revealed. Born into an aristocratic California family, Patton rose in military rank quickly and was tapped to lead the Allied landings in North Africa in 1942. Under Patton's direction, American troops cut their teeth against Rommel's Afrikakorps, advanced further and more quickly than British General Montgomery's army in the conquest of Sicily, and ultimately continued their exploits by punching into Germany and checking the Russian westward advance at the end of World War II. A sweeping, absorbing biography and critically hailed, Ordeal and Triumph provides unique insights into Patton's life and leadership style and is military history at its finest.
"The best Patton biography."— Military Bookman He is America's most famous general. He represents toughness, focus, determination, and the ideal of achievement in the face of overwhelming odds. He was the most feared and respected adversary to his enemies and an object of envy, admiration, and sometimes, scorn to his professional peers. An early proponent of tank warfare, George S. Patton moved from being a foresighted lieutenant in the First World War to commanding the Third Army in the next, leading armored divisions in the Allied offensive that broke the back of Nazi Germany. Patton was an enigmatic figure. His image among his troops and much of the press achieved legendary status through his bold and colorful comments and combat leadership, yet these same qualities nearly jeopardized his career and forced him out of the battle on several occasions. Victory was impossible without Patton, and returning to the field, his army was responsible for one of the most crushing advances in the history of warfare. In Ladislas Farago's masterpiece, Ordeal and Triumph , the complete story of this fascinating personality is revealed. Born into an aristocratic California family, Patton rose in military rank quickly and was tapped to lead the Allied landings in North Africa in 1942. Under Patton's direction, American troops cut their teeth against Rommel's Afrikakorps, advanced further and more quickly than British General Montgomery's army in the conquest of Sicily, and ultimately continued their exploits by punching into Germany and checking the Russian westward advance at the end of World War II. A sweeping, absorbing biography and critically hailed, Ordeal and Triumph provides unique insights into Patton's life and leadership style and is military history at its finest.
896 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
167 people are currently reading
842 people want to read
About the author
Ladislas Farago
47 books23 followersLadislas Farago was a military historian and journalist who published a number of best-selling books on history and espionage, especially concerning the World War II era.
He was the author of Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, the biography of General George Patton that formed the basis for the film "Patton" and wrote The Broken Seal, one of the books that formed the basis for the movie ''Tora! Tora! Tora!''.
One of his more controversial books was Aftermath: Martin Bormann and the Fourth Reich .
He was the author of Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, the biography of General George Patton that formed the basis for the film "Patton" and wrote The Broken Seal, one of the books that formed the basis for the movie ''Tora! Tora! Tora!''.
One of his more controversial books was Aftermath: Martin Bormann and the Fourth Reich .
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October 25, 2020Movie review
The 1970 war film,Patton,largely based on this book is excellent.George C. Scott got to play the role of a lifetime.From a speech to soldiers by Patton in the film :
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.You win a war by making the other bastard die for his country."
On meeting a Russian general who called him a son of a bitch,Patton toasted him :
"One son of a bitch to another"
It is a fascinating portrait of a general who though very effective,was not all that likeable.
He once slapped a soldier who was suffering from shellshock.
Terrific action sequences from multiple battles in World War II. Great movie,4.5 stars.
The 1970 war film,Patton,largely based on this book is excellent.George C. Scott got to play the role of a lifetime.From a speech to soldiers by Patton in the film :
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.You win a war by making the other bastard die for his country."
On meeting a Russian general who called him a son of a bitch,Patton toasted him :
"One son of a bitch to another"
It is a fascinating portrait of a general who though very effective,was not all that likeable.
He once slapped a soldier who was suffering from shellshock.
Terrific action sequences from multiple battles in World War II. Great movie,4.5 stars.
September 29, 2013
I've wanted to read this book for some time, but was intimidated by its size (830+ pages). The deciding factor for making the commitment to read it was the fact that the movie Patton (one of my all-time favorite films) was based, in large part, on this book. For me, the greatest aspect of this work, is it often reads like a novel. The amount of research that went into the making of the book is more than evident (and not simply by the amount of its pages). General Patton nearly jumps off the page, bigger than life, through the countless tales of his famous character. It's clear to see why the book was used as the basis of the award winning film. The biggest drawback of the book is its size. Mixed in with the quotes and interesting stories along the way of Patton's life are the in-depth details of the war. As a result, the book is, at times, geared toward the more astute historian. But, it's worth noting, that even the "part-time" student of history will gain much from this book. I contemplated giving the book 4 stars due to the obvious work that went into writing it as well as the fascinating detail given to conversations involving and pertaining to our country's greatest general. Patton, the man, was as complex as they come. What he lacked in political acumen, he made up for in pure military foresight and genius. The author is more than fair in his interpretations of England's Montgomery (for whom Patton had a fierce rivalry), as well as our own Generals Bradley & Eisenhower. Eisenhower, in general, comes across as man constantly in check by his own political aspirations. Patton may have been too freewheeling with his brashness, but there is something appealing in the fact that he lacked the falseness that is so often tied to the political realm.
This is not the first book I've read on Patton, but it was most certainly the most in-depth one. I'm not sure if I would have liked the man personally, but, now that I have a better understanding of him, I believe the war would have been over sooner had he been given freer reign to pursue the goals he planned but were denied by SHAEF (headed by Eisenhower who, more often than not, sided with the more cautious Montgomery). History has a way of being pulled apart in our attempt to understand it, but it is an interesting prospect to consider the possibility that, had he been heard and granted his pursuit plans, the war might have ended before the Bulge, hence, ending it before 1945, and saving countless lives. This was just one point of consideration the book contemplates. The author doesn't get bogged down by these questions, but uses them as telling signs of his subject's character and greatness. Patton had an innate ability to contemplate tactical plans better than anyone. The book shows how he was, for much of the war, the one man the Germans feared and respected most. For anyone interested in dissecting the interesting, complex nature of America's greatest general of WWII, this book would be a worthy consideration. FINISHED: 9-28-13
This is not the first book I've read on Patton, but it was most certainly the most in-depth one. I'm not sure if I would have liked the man personally, but, now that I have a better understanding of him, I believe the war would have been over sooner had he been given freer reign to pursue the goals he planned but were denied by SHAEF (headed by Eisenhower who, more often than not, sided with the more cautious Montgomery). History has a way of being pulled apart in our attempt to understand it, but it is an interesting prospect to consider the possibility that, had he been heard and granted his pursuit plans, the war might have ended before the Bulge, hence, ending it before 1945, and saving countless lives. This was just one point of consideration the book contemplates. The author doesn't get bogged down by these questions, but uses them as telling signs of his subject's character and greatness. Patton had an innate ability to contemplate tactical plans better than anyone. The book shows how he was, for much of the war, the one man the Germans feared and respected most. For anyone interested in dissecting the interesting, complex nature of America's greatest general of WWII, this book would be a worthy consideration. FINISHED: 9-28-13
October 7, 2007
I'm on my third read of this in the last 25? years.A true genius ,badass motherfucker .Einstein with tank divisions.He had a deep understanding of the history of warfare back to the Romans.He was also deeply concerned with the American soldier.He wanted to kill as many Germans as he could without using infantry.
August 10, 2020
4.33 stars. Outstanding, thorough, and balanced. I found myself reading this book as rapidly as Patton’s tanks raced across Europe. Farago brings into focus the continuous tension between competent daring commanders and the sedate traditional careerists; between historic brash motivators and self-centered bureaucrats; and between heroic martial leaders (warriors) and pacifist civilian sentimentality (the unmilitary).
March 5, 2022
A massive and remarkable read of the Greatest General in World War II, Gen. George S Patton. It may be an unpopular opinion for some but his achievements could never be denied nor erased in the history. This book showed the real story of what happened in the war and how they held him back and defamed him. The author was not biased in revealing the colorful character of Gen. Patton. Admiration and respect for Gen. George S. Patton of which I offered to such an amazing Military Man in the History.
July 24, 2011
Handling the biography of an individual as complex and controversial as George Smith Patton cannot be an easy undertaking. Farago celebrates Patton's genius as a tactician and strategist, as an inspirer of men, and as a romantic yet broadminded soldier. And though it is apparent that Farago has a deep affection for Patton as a man, he also fully explores Patton's weaknesses, such as his disastrous inability to understand public relations and political diplomacy. Perhaps it is no wonder that this biography was the primary source and inspiration for the film with George C. Scott (in fact, whole speeches and passages are lifted directly from the book).
I found this biography extremely satisfying, as it explored all the aspects of a truly eccentric character. Farago delves deeply into the "two Pattons": the theatrical, obstreperous general more familiarly remembered as "Old Blood and Guts" (a misquote of a speech Patton made when he declared that blood and brains are needed to win wars), and the quiet, thoughtful, deeply emotional and humane Patton. Described as an anachronism, a quixotic "16th century man" living in the 20th century, who believed in reincarnation and saw himself as an ancient soldier who had fought in centuries of war, Patton was also one of the most up-to-date soldiers who accepted all the new inventions in weaponry and yet abhorred casualties and sought to limit them as much as possible. Patton is in imperfect man, an exceptional man, and a man whom one cannot help but admire for his tenacity, trenchant intelligence, and dashing adventurousness.
Highly, highly recommended!
I found this biography extremely satisfying, as it explored all the aspects of a truly eccentric character. Farago delves deeply into the "two Pattons": the theatrical, obstreperous general more familiarly remembered as "Old Blood and Guts" (a misquote of a speech Patton made when he declared that blood and brains are needed to win wars), and the quiet, thoughtful, deeply emotional and humane Patton. Described as an anachronism, a quixotic "16th century man" living in the 20th century, who believed in reincarnation and saw himself as an ancient soldier who had fought in centuries of war, Patton was also one of the most up-to-date soldiers who accepted all the new inventions in weaponry and yet abhorred casualties and sought to limit them as much as possible. Patton is in imperfect man, an exceptional man, and a man whom one cannot help but admire for his tenacity, trenchant intelligence, and dashing adventurousness.
Highly, highly recommended!
December 5, 2020
This is the book on which the 1970 movie was based. There were some details in the movie I questioned, and I wanted to see if the book supported them. Fortunately, it doesn’t. The film shows a rivalry between Generals Patton and Montgomery. Whether there was one between the two men is a subject of debate in books and online (Farago reports Patton delighted in crossing the Rhine ahead of Monty’s showpiece performance). At the senior (“four-star”) level, Americans and British did clash repeatedly over strategy (read Masters and Commanders by Andrew Roberts), but that was above ground commanders’ heads. American troops entered Messina barely ahead of the British; it would not have been a surprise (the parade scene) to Monty. The scene in which American tanks are slaughtered, having run out of gas, is bogus. Tank commanders in any army know their fuel situation before setting forth. The “war prayer” by Chaplain O’Neill was delivered during the wet and muddy Lorraine Campaign, predating the Bulge.
I hoped to see how Patton won his campaigns, but there was little of his tactics discussed. Chapter 26, “Brittany,” opens with a description of the Third Army’s approach. Later, we read of Third Army’s progress and struggles (in Alsace and Lorraine) and of Patton’s drive and leadership. I think that’s what Farago is emphasizing: Patton the dynamic leader. Much of the book is devoted to the campaigns of Patton’s II Corps, Seventh Army, and Third Army.
Overall, it’s a good biography; it does focuses more on his career and his progress than on his personal life. At 831 pages, it will keep the reader busy. The maps could’ve been better and the index is of people only.
I hoped to see how Patton won his campaigns, but there was little of his tactics discussed. Chapter 26, “Brittany,” opens with a description of the Third Army’s approach. Later, we read of Third Army’s progress and struggles (in Alsace and Lorraine) and of Patton’s drive and leadership. I think that’s what Farago is emphasizing: Patton the dynamic leader. Much of the book is devoted to the campaigns of Patton’s II Corps, Seventh Army, and Third Army.
Overall, it’s a good biography; it does focuses more on his career and his progress than on his personal life. At 831 pages, it will keep the reader busy. The maps could’ve been better and the index is of people only.
December 28, 2010
this book makes you walk with a swagger and curse.
August 13, 2015
Excellent book on one of WW11's fascinating characters. The movie on his life is one of my all time favourites , and this book just adds to my interest in the man. I highly recommend this book
November 8, 2025
The book that made a legend. PATTON: ORDEAL AND TRIUMPH is the basis for the 1970 Oscar winner, but don't come here looking for Francis Ford Coppola's script. That rotund genius took to the pages of Ladislas Farago with a great deal of creative liberty. This biography, poetic and erudite like Patton himself, is no less fascinating in portraying a military genius who was also petty, vain, and careless with human life. Born in California to a Virginia aristocratic family that boasted several Confederate veterans of the U.S. Civil War, Patton seemed destined for a military career, yet walking that path was not easy for him, nor would it ever be. The young Patton was precocious in intelligence and dyslectic. His wading in military history, family history for him, convinced the devoutly Catholic Patton he had lived multiple lives as a warrior, sparking a belief in reincarnation. Every Patton victory from then on was matched by a severe setback. He loved and practiced sports but flopped when competing in two Olympics, Stockholm and Los Angeles. Patton matriculated at Virginia Military Academy, transferred to West Point and got held back a year, for failing mathematics, while his future military bosses, Eisenhower and Bradley, had "the stars fall on them" and won quick promotion. Stints with the Pershing Expedition in Mexico and crushing the Bonus Army in Washington, D.C. introduced him to a man who outshone him in every way, Douglas MacArthur. His service in World War I was undistinguished, but built up his character. He learned a warrior's greatest enemy is not the bullet but fear, and swore he would never show cowardice in battle, the one unforgivable sin in Patton's book, ever again. The inter-war years found Patton literally and clinically depressed. He knew no world outside of combat. A devotion to the cavalry, and old friendship with Eisenhower, guaranteed Patton a combat assignment in North Africa when the bullets started flying in 1942. Patton's war record during World War II is too well-known to review in detail. What Farago adds to our picture of Patton is the way he integrated his love of war, no other word but love will suffice, with a furious temper and the detachment of the military historian. Patton became the only hero in the very play he had written for himself as a boy in California; the all-American braggart whose ego was surpassed only by the size of his accomplishments. When he died, ignobly in 1945 in a truck accident, he passed into the realm of fiction, and ready for Hollywood, a general straight out of central casting.
December 16, 2019
Although I feel the book is not 100% objective, it is really interesting for the interaction between Montgomery and Patton + the overall commander (Alexander in Sicily and Eisenhower in 1944)
Subjective I mean in the way you do walk away with the feeling that WW2 was a battle of the genius between Patton and Montgomery and Bradley & Eisenhower only had to pick one or the other, without relevant input of their own. And they mostly chose the wrong one, in the author's view. In addition different sources are being corrected in the book, but always so as Patton comes out for the better.
I've read multiple books on these events and the main players there in and I must say this book really adds a very interesting perspective to it. I did notice as well that '19 stars' (comparison between Patton, Ike, Marshall & MacArthur) drew heavily on this book and logically deserves the same top rating.
Yet, it contains very few details on his career before WW2. The Patton mind or books on Fox Conner, Eisenhower, Marshall,.. will even give you more info on the young Patton than this one.
To be clear, I really liked the book. It reads like a thriller where you can't help but wonder what you would do facing this of that order and if you could handle such a subordinate as Patton or such an ally as Montgomery. To make up for the one-sided narrative, I will be reading Bradley's memoir next.
Subjective I mean in the way you do walk away with the feeling that WW2 was a battle of the genius between Patton and Montgomery and Bradley & Eisenhower only had to pick one or the other, without relevant input of their own. And they mostly chose the wrong one, in the author's view. In addition different sources are being corrected in the book, but always so as Patton comes out for the better.
I've read multiple books on these events and the main players there in and I must say this book really adds a very interesting perspective to it. I did notice as well that '19 stars' (comparison between Patton, Ike, Marshall & MacArthur) drew heavily on this book and logically deserves the same top rating.
Yet, it contains very few details on his career before WW2. The Patton mind or books on Fox Conner, Eisenhower, Marshall,.. will even give you more info on the young Patton than this one.
To be clear, I really liked the book. It reads like a thriller where you can't help but wonder what you would do facing this of that order and if you could handle such a subordinate as Patton or such an ally as Montgomery. To make up for the one-sided narrative, I will be reading Bradley's memoir next.
March 28, 2022
Finished Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago.
A fitting tribute to our greatest tactical General of World War II who was an early convert from Cavalry to Armored Warfare.
Farago wrote an outstanding cradle to grave biography on George Patton that came in with 832 pages of reading not including maps.
A West Point educated soldier, who was was a cavalry officer who transitioned to tanks in his service in World War I.
Never a soldier who relegated one arm of service below another he was ardent practioner of combined arms warfare who saw the value of infantry, artillery and armor fighting together.
A professional soldier who saw and embodied especially with his beloved Third Army the U.S. version of Blitzkrieg.
From Torch, to Sicily to the post breakout of phase (Cobra) in France he acted quickly and decisively at the Falaise Gap, he quick reorientation of his forces to fight at the Bulge. To his crossing of the Rhine before Monty to the final cleanup in Germany.
A 5 star biography on George Patton. I wholeheartedly recommend to scholary readers on Patton.
A fitting tribute to our greatest tactical General of World War II who was an early convert from Cavalry to Armored Warfare.
Farago wrote an outstanding cradle to grave biography on George Patton that came in with 832 pages of reading not including maps.
A West Point educated soldier, who was was a cavalry officer who transitioned to tanks in his service in World War I.
Never a soldier who relegated one arm of service below another he was ardent practioner of combined arms warfare who saw the value of infantry, artillery and armor fighting together.
A professional soldier who saw and embodied especially with his beloved Third Army the U.S. version of Blitzkrieg.
From Torch, to Sicily to the post breakout of phase (Cobra) in France he acted quickly and decisively at the Falaise Gap, he quick reorientation of his forces to fight at the Bulge. To his crossing of the Rhine before Monty to the final cleanup in Germany.
A 5 star biography on George Patton. I wholeheartedly recommend to scholary readers on Patton.
December 23, 2024
My new favorite book
This is roughly book number 189 for me. I love history, military history, biographies, autobiographies, sociology and true crime. Patton is now my third favorite general after Napoleon and Washington. This book was a blast to read. well written and about an amazing and remarkable human being. I actually began to get sad towards the ended when I knew his death was coming. I didn’t want Georgie to die. And to die the way he did and under the cloud of rumors and a broken relationship with Eisenhower….it strikes me that he deserved better. RIP General Patton. I wish I could have met you.
This is roughly book number 189 for me. I love history, military history, biographies, autobiographies, sociology and true crime. Patton is now my third favorite general after Napoleon and Washington. This book was a blast to read. well written and about an amazing and remarkable human being. I actually began to get sad towards the ended when I knew his death was coming. I didn’t want Georgie to die. And to die the way he did and under the cloud of rumors and a broken relationship with Eisenhower….it strikes me that he deserved better. RIP General Patton. I wish I could have met you.
August 16, 2020
Readable book on Patton’s personality and life
I wanted to learn about Patton and get a feel for his personality. And this book achieved that in an engaging fashion. It is also rich in details about battles engaged. The only reason I give this 4 out of 5 stars is for me, this detail not that interesting and I skipped through some of it. If you like such detail, this would be a 5 star book for you.
I wanted to learn about Patton and get a feel for his personality. And this book achieved that in an engaging fashion. It is also rich in details about battles engaged. The only reason I give this 4 out of 5 stars is for me, this detail not that interesting and I skipped through some of it. If you like such detail, this would be a 5 star book for you.
June 29, 2021
Excellent bio of a military genius, one of the greatest military minds of all time. Also some good insights into the command structure of WW2 in Europe. When you read about some of the collossal foul ups, the petty jealousies and rivalries, you may marvel that we somehow managed to beat Hitler anyway.
April 6, 2022
4/10
Top-down military history is often dour enough already, but this has the added bonus of being a purely hagiographical exercise in service of an emotionally immature psychotic narcissist. Perhaps those traits made him a successful general, I don’t know, but it sure doesn’t make for great reading material.
Top-down military history is often dour enough already, but this has the added bonus of being a purely hagiographical exercise in service of an emotionally immature psychotic narcissist. Perhaps those traits made him a successful general, I don’t know, but it sure doesn’t make for great reading material.
April 21, 2025
very interesting
Very interesting biography of wartime Patton. A complex man and one of the greatest military leaders in our country’s history. A leader that seemed more appropriate in the19th century than the 20th. This was a very interesting book that history loving readers will enjoy.
Very interesting biography of wartime Patton. A complex man and one of the greatest military leaders in our country’s history. A leader that seemed more appropriate in the19th century than the 20th. This was a very interesting book that history loving readers will enjoy.
December 22, 2020
Having read several ETO histories before getting to this, I enjoyed the storytelling. Where things were glossed over (anything Montgomery did), that background fleshed out the activities in other parts of the front.
March 2, 2022
Patton
An amazing book on a man who was judged by many, wrongly. Here you will find the truth of General George S Patton. And hopefully in the reading thereof he will be honored as he is deserving. Thank you Georgie +
An amazing book on a man who was judged by many, wrongly. Here you will find the truth of General George S Patton. And hopefully in the reading thereof he will be honored as he is deserving. Thank you Georgie +
September 23, 2023
Outstanding biography of General Patton !!
I throughly enjoyed this in-depth biography of General Patton. Highly detailed and thoroughly researched. Anyone who is interested in Pattons exploits during WW2 will consider this book to be a valuable investment.
I throughly enjoyed this in-depth biography of General Patton. Highly detailed and thoroughly researched. Anyone who is interested in Pattons exploits during WW2 will consider this book to be a valuable investment.
November 8, 2017
Great book. Very long but worth it. You learn about complexities of a character like Patton. He had his qualities, both Good and Bad.
June 24, 2018
Loved every bit just thought he whitewashed things a bit in favor of our hero.
August 16, 2019
Farago takes a potentially dry subject and imbues it with life. Although Farago is clearly pro-Patton, this book is no whitewash. If you read this book, the movie will make a lot more sense.
January 3, 2022
I read this as a teen after seeing the movie "Patton."
April 9, 2025
While the author can be repetitive at times in this very lengthy book, it is one of the best, most thorough books I have ever read. It was also extremely hard to put down. I soaked up the meticulous detail and found myself cheering for Patton as I read. This author argues that Patton was held back in most cases because higher echelons were afraid of his unpredictability and intimidated by his innate ability to see enemy movements and look beyond the current objective to the future objectives so that he wouldn’t be unprepared. How many extremely intelligent people have been held back by those intimidated by their intelligence? It seems this was the case for Patton. In the WWII books that I’ve read, they have never delved into the political maneuvering behind the scenes at the higher military levels. I was completely unaware how political higher military rank becomes - including Secretary of War, the President, Congress, and even the media. I see lessons from the past that Americans haven’t learned- the media outlets can and will distort facts and set others up against specific individuals they deem unworthy and should be removed from generalship. Americans haven’t learned that they shouldn’t let media outlets form our opinions & then involve Congress simply because of the bad media publicity. Congress almost took away an extremely qualified individual only because he left out a country in an unofficial speech event. It is rather comical that these kinds of events were happening in 1943-44 when they are a common occurrence now. Perhaps that’s due to having yet another democrat president. It’s rather frustrating to know that the American Press did not accurately represent General Patton and did as much as they could to sully his name. General Eisenhower was more a politician and favored British General Montgomery over American General Patton. General Eisenhower diverted supplies, gasoline, and ammunition from Patton in order to slow down his drive through Europe. Who knows what would have happened had he been given the resources he needed to continue the pursuit. Many lives might have been saved. It appeared that Eisenhower favored Montgomery too heavily based upon the inner political battles raging within the upper echelon of both the British and American governments. I find this fascinating particularly since Patton had demonstrated his capabilities time and again both in Sicily and in France, while Montgomery showed his lack of action and too careful attention to detail. This was superbly demonstrated when General Patton crossed the Rhine river into Germany overnight with no air support, paratroopers, etc. while Montgomery was still planning a huge assault and didn’t cross until 2 days later. Lastly, it speaks volumes that the Germans only spoke of Patton and were more afraid of his army than any of the other armies on the European western front. This was a highly intriguing, interesting, superbly well written biography. The fact that it was published in the 1960s gives it more historical clout due to the fact that many individuals who participated in World War II were interviewed for the use of this biography. It speaks volumes that this book is still published today. Any World War II historian or history buff should read this book.
November 26, 2013
"Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" is a full life biography of one of the most colorful and successful officers ever to wear the uniform of the United States. It claims to be the book on which the movie was based and many of the anecdotes so beloved in the movie are presented in the book, although, occasionally, with slightly different details.
Author Ladislas Farago informs the reader of Patton's ancestry, beginning with his immigrant ancestor who, presumably, left Scotland to avoid debtors, justice, or both. He continues with the Congressman and series of generals, including ones who died in the Revolution and Civil War, in Patton's line. He brings us to the subject who, he tells us, grew up on a ranch in California, where he made the acquaintance of Rudyard Kipling and John S. Mosby.
Patton's own tale is larger than life. His days at VMI and West Point are mentioned, but they are not the focus of the story. The focus is Patton's active duty career. He saw action with Pershing in Mexico and World War I, where he was introduced into the world of armored warfare.
This book enables the reader to understand the crucial role which Patton, in cooperation with Eisenhower and others, played in bringing tanks into the American arsenal. Having taken command of the tank corps in World War I, he tested its potentials. Between the wars he maintained his research into armor, preparing for the day when the U.S. Army would embrace the weapon.
Throughout this work, Patton is shown as a leader whose dash and unconventional behavior is the key to his notoriety and success. In his first tank action, at St. Mihiel, Patton incurred the wrath of his superiors by extending his attack far beyond its expectations in a spectacular, but undisciplined advance.
Author Ladislas Farago informs the reader of Patton's ancestry, beginning with his immigrant ancestor who, presumably, left Scotland to avoid debtors, justice, or both. He continues with the Congressman and series of generals, including ones who died in the Revolution and Civil War, in Patton's line. He brings us to the subject who, he tells us, grew up on a ranch in California, where he made the acquaintance of Rudyard Kipling and John S. Mosby.
Patton's own tale is larger than life. His days at VMI and West Point are mentioned, but they are not the focus of the story. The focus is Patton's active duty career. He saw action with Pershing in Mexico and World War I, where he was introduced into the world of armored warfare.
This book enables the reader to understand the crucial role which Patton, in cooperation with Eisenhower and others, played in bringing tanks into the American arsenal. Having taken command of the tank corps in World War I, he tested its potentials. Between the wars he maintained his research into armor, preparing for the day when the U.S. Army would embrace the weapon.
Throughout this work, Patton is shown as a leader whose dash and unconventional behavior is the key to his notoriety and success. In his first tank action, at St. Mihiel, Patton incurred the wrath of his superiors by extending his attack far beyond its expectations in a spectacular, but undisciplined advance.
July 26, 2016
Magnificent
I've read much about General Patton over the years, but somehow I had never gotten around to this masterful work. While this book served as the basis for the film "Patton" (indeed, a fair amount of dialog in the film comes verbatim from the book), Fargo's work goes a long way in terms of telling the story of the General as a man.
In particular, he detailed re-telling of the campaigns of 1944-44 in the European theatre of operations does much to emphasize Patton's brilliance as a combat commander and, in so doing, does much to distinguish him from some of the others in the pantheon of America's Generals, many of whom are more notable for their skills as theatre-level commanders as opposed to battle leaders.
Previously I had always been mystified as to why Patton, in his flights of fantasy, imagined himself as the reincarnation of one Napoleon's marshals rather than as Bonaparte himself. Now, after reading this, I do understand.
Patton had the soul of a warrior, one which might be recognized universally throughout time. He seems to have understood this and Fargo conveys it well. This book is well worth your time.
I've read much about General Patton over the years, but somehow I had never gotten around to this masterful work. While this book served as the basis for the film "Patton" (indeed, a fair amount of dialog in the film comes verbatim from the book), Fargo's work goes a long way in terms of telling the story of the General as a man.
In particular, he detailed re-telling of the campaigns of 1944-44 in the European theatre of operations does much to emphasize Patton's brilliance as a combat commander and, in so doing, does much to distinguish him from some of the others in the pantheon of America's Generals, many of whom are more notable for their skills as theatre-level commanders as opposed to battle leaders.
Previously I had always been mystified as to why Patton, in his flights of fantasy, imagined himself as the reincarnation of one Napoleon's marshals rather than as Bonaparte himself. Now, after reading this, I do understand.
Patton had the soul of a warrior, one which might be recognized universally throughout time. He seems to have understood this and Fargo conveys it well. This book is well worth your time.
October 19, 2014
I watched the movie "Patton" on one of those slow days. He was such a nut I had to dig a little deeper. This is a great read and his life is an interesting story from birth to death. Patton likely was the best battle commander since Sherman. The Germans feared him and, if he was given the opportunity, could have concluded WWII much earlier. He also could have started WWIII immediately. His relationship with General Eisenhower and General Bradley is the main theme of most of his time in the war. I am reading "Eisenhower - In War and Peace" to get Ike's thoughts.
Patton was a classic narcissist. He was bigger than life, huge ego with huge frailties. To me, the measure of the man he was is symbolized with his request to be buried with the men of the third army in France.
If you like WWII history, this is a must read. Farago does a good job balancing the story with opposing views.
Patton was a classic narcissist. He was bigger than life, huge ego with huge frailties. To me, the measure of the man he was is symbolized with his request to be buried with the men of the third army in France.
If you like WWII history, this is a must read. Farago does a good job balancing the story with opposing views.
February 17, 2015
I started to read this because after watching the movie "Patton" (which was based on this book) I decided that I needed to know more about the General. The book is over 800 pages long and after reading about half of it, I knew enough about General Patton to get an insight into his complicated persona. The details about World War II battles and the various commanders involved got to be too detailed and a bit confusing.
December 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book- but it is as much a Hagiography as any from the 60s. This is the book they made the movie from, so you are getting the full "Patton as God of War" treatment. That said, I learned a lot and I enjoyed reading about a General I did not like - even learned to give him a little respect. But he's the hero of this tome and its evident on every page. A good book for any level of reader.
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