Best book about Patton???

[ElisabethWhispers]

I know asking this question here is like asking ... oh I don't know.

But I'm looking for a last minute holiday gift and I'd like to get this person a book about General Patton.

What is the best biography out there about him? Signing into Amazon now but if anyone has a suggestion, I'd appreciate it!!!

Thanks,
Elisabeth

[ElisabethWhispers]

The only answer that I could find on Quora was this recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/Patton-Genius.../dp/0060927623

Patton. Genius of War.

Has anyone read this book?

[Unique_Carpenter]

The book by Tang is more recent than others but I haven't seen that.

The book by David Smith is decent. Includes a lot of references to outside sources which some folks like, but others think dry.

There's a couple others, including the one you found.

I would suggest picking whichever book has decent sections on his west point and virgina military academy days along with his action in the Pancho Villa Expedition, which some think was a foundation of his later move fast / stike fast methodology.

Last, if the giftee is a Patton buff, seriously consider adding a book about Rommel. There's a couple about Rommel's earlier North African campaign that are nice (before Patton kicked his azz).

[gary5912]

Bill Oreily has a book out called Killing Patton. They say his books are good

[cptjohnstone]

Originally Posted by gary5912

Bill Oreily has a book out called Killing Patton. They say his books are good

his books are the best I have ever read

[I B Hankering]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

The only answer that I could find on Quora was this recommendation:

https://www.amazon.com/Patton-Genius.../dp/0060927623

Patton. Genius of War.

Has anyone read this book?

I have not read that particular book, but I've read two other books by that author (Bitter Victory: The Battle for Sicily, 1943 and Fatal Decision: Anzio and the Battle for Rome), and historian Carlo D'Este is both an outstanding writer and a highly respected WWII historian.

Originally Posted by cptjohnstone

his books are the best I have ever read

+1

He's as good as or better than Cornelius Ryan was.

Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter

The book by Tang is more recent than others but I haven't seen that.

The book by David Smith is decent. Includes a lot of references to outside sources which some folks like, but others think dry.

There's a couple others, including the one you found.

I would suggest picking whichever book has decent sections on his west point and virgina military academy days along with his action in the Pancho Villa Expedition, which some think was a foundation of his later move fast / stike fast methodology.

Last, if the giftee is a Patton buff, seriously consider adding a book about Rommel. There's a couple about Rommel's earlier North African campaign that are nice (before Patton kicked his azz).

+1

Knight's Cross

[Unique_Carpenter]

I have to veto (this is the polysci forum) the Killing Patton book cause that's only the last couple years of his life.
A nice write, but can't be considered a biography.

[DSK]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

I know asking this question here is like asking ... oh I don't know.

But I'm looking for a last minute holiday gift and I'd like to get this person a book about General Patton.

What is the best biography out there about him? Signing into Amazon now but if anyone has a suggestion, I'd appreciate it!!!

Thanks,
Elisabeth

That movie about him where George C. Scott played Patton was a most excellent movie.

[IIFFOFRDB]

Ask Donald J Trump... He knows...

[I B Hankering]

Originally Posted by DSK

That movie about him where George C. Scott played Patton was a most excellent movie.

+1

That movie was based on military historian Ladislas Farago's book, Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, a book I did read ... in high school. It's also very good.

[DSK]

Originally Posted by I B Hankering

+1

That movie was based on military historian Ladislas Farago's book, Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, a book I did read ... in high school. It's also very good.

I don't read as many books as I used to, what with the internet news and all.

I might have to pick that one up and read it over the Christmas break. BTW, I give my employees Christmas off, and I refer to it as Christmas. I hope others do, also.

[Rey Lengua]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

I know asking this question here is like asking ... oh I don't know.

But I'm looking for a last minute holiday gift and I'd like to get this person a book about General Patton.

What is the best biography out there about him? Signing into Amazon now but if anyone has a suggestion, I'd appreciate it!!!

Thanks,
Elisabeth

You might consider " War As I Knew It " , Patton's memoirs published posthumously in 1947. Not sure if it's still in print or if the books stores can get it. Might try Amazon. Since most of it was written by him, it gives a different perspective than that of someone " ghostwriting " or some egg-head historian. Good luck and Merry CHRISTMAS.

[Chica Chaser]

I stopped in at this place a few moths ago, awesome!
Its in the middle of Desert NoPlace California, but well worth the time.

http://generalpattonmuseum.com/

[I B Hankering]

Originally Posted by Chica Chaser

I stopped in at this place a few moths ago, awesome!
Its in the middle of Desert NoPlace California, but well worth the time.

http://generalpattonmuseum.com/

+1

Date: January 1946
Place: Bad Nauheim, Wetteraukreis, Hesse, Germany
Photographer: Unknown

General George S. Patton’s dog “Willie,” mourns the loss of his master and friend after his death in an automobile accident in occupied Germany, 1946. General George S. Patton led U.S. armies in World War II. He was notorious for his strong opinions and inability to avoid controversies. In life he was called “Old Blood and Guts.” His death has been a subject of mystery and intrigue. Although his commanding style was domineering, some might say bullying, and he had some definite anger management issues, General Patton was a devoted dog lover. He bought the first of many Bull Terriers for his daughters just after World War I. Although Tank turned out to be totally deaf, he always somehow knew when General Patton was to arrive home and met him at the front door. He bought the famous Willie in 1944 and wrote about him: "…my bull pup . . . took to me like a duck to water. He is 15 months old, pure white except for a little lemin [sic] on his tail which to a cursory glance would seem to indicate that he had not used toilet paper..." Willie was devoted to the general and followed him everywhere. General Patton doted on Willie and even threw a birthday party for him. The general wrote in his diary on July 15th, 1944 "Willie is crazy about me and almost has a fit when I come back to camp. He snores too and is company at night.” On his encounter with General Patton and Willie, cartoonist Bill Mauldlin wrote: "Beside him, lying in a big chair was Willie, the bull terrier. If ever dog was suited to master this one was. Willie had his beloved boss's expression and lacked only the ribbons and stars. I stood in that door staring into the four meanest eyes I'd ever seen." Willie patton's dog Sadly, one day before Patton was to return to the United States in December, 1945, he was involved in an automobile accident which broke his neck and he died a few days later. Willie was sent home to live out the rest of his life as the beloved dog of a fallen warrior with the general’s wife and daughters. This picture of Willie, a lost little dog, was taken a few days after the general’s death as preparations were made to send home his effects. A book, "Target: Patton: The Plot to Assassinate General George S. Patton", published in 2008, claims that General Patton was murdered to keep him from revealing secrets that would have ruined important careers and changed history. A 12-foot high bronze statue of Patton and Willie stands today at the General Patton Memorial Museum thirty miles east of Indio, California.

Source:
NARA FILE #: 208-PU-153C-14.WAR & CONFLICT #: 754