Table of Contents

Introduction: Command and Controversy - To the Army Born - Cadet, Soldier, Athlete, Swordsman - In Pursuit of Pancho Villa - The Great War and the New Weapon - At War with Peace - Restless Mentor - From African Defeat to African Victory - Conqueror of Sicily - The Slap Heard 'Round the World - Operation Cobra - Warrior - 90 Degrees to the North - The Final Advance and the Last Controversy - Epilogue: Blood, Guts, and a Damn Good Plan

About the Author

ALAN AXELROD is the Author of the BusinessWeek bestseller Patton on Leadership and many books on American and military history, including Encyclopedia of Wars, America's Wars and The Macmillan Dictionary of Military Biography. He and his work have been featured in BusinessWeek, Fortune, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, and many newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and USA Today.

Reviews

"An engaging minibiography...Patton's race across France has become legendary, but Mr. Axelrod reminds readers that it was the result of careful planning."--"The Washington Times" "Like Patton at his best: polished, precise and persuasive." --"Kirkus
""An excellent choice for the initial volume in Palgrave's Great Generals series... a solid if brief introduction to Patton's life and career.... Axelrod has captured Patton's checkered legacy in a balanced biography suitable for anyone looking for a concise introduction to the commander German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt pronounced the Allies' best."--"Publishers Weekly" "Concise, incisive, and authoritative, Axelrod's "Patton" is a clear and entertaining biography of the famous general that captures both his complicated personality and the monumental events that made him perhaps the most controversial warrior in American history. For those who don't know Patton, it is a superb primer. For those who do, it is a balanced and insightful presentation of his life and the philosophical drive, personal and military, which propelled him to both greatness and scorn. Axelrod has cut through the politics and chaff to get to the man."--Robert K. Wilcox, bestselling author of "First Blue "and "Wings of Fury"
"Axelrod's powerful prose and historical insight bring the epic bronze monument of George Patton to vibrant life in glorious tones, personal secrets and dramatic action. A compelling story that is a pleasure to read and read again--and to rely on as a rock-solid reference book."--Colonel Jack Kingston, National Security Consultant "Axelrod has written an excellent and compelling brief biography of an American aristocrat of violence, a scourge of the battlefield driven by a hunger for glory, whose enduring lesson for soldiers and commanders alike is that war is not about perfection but about opportunity."--Colonel Ernest Fisher (USA, ret.), Ph.D., Former Senior Historian, United States Army and author of "Guardi