Patton and His Third Army

Great book about the Third Army's role in WW2 starting from the invasion of Normandy all the way to the summer of 1945.The book is written by a chief liaison officer who was involved in all the operations and had plenty of contact with Patton. His account is credible, entertaining, and detailed - maybe a little too detailed at times. However, some the detail provides a level of richness that allows us to understand how the war was fought on a day-to-day basis.The book provides many lessons. For example, how propaganda made citizens of Germany support the Nazi regime and give their lives for it. The best lessons are about strategy and leadership. Patton is clearly an exemplary leader.If found the book to be entertaining and quite interesting and can recommend it.

Excellent account of George Patton as a military strategic & tactical army commander. I have read many Patton books, but this one focuses on the general purely from a military prospective with much insight from someone who was present.This book focuses on Patton’s abilities & achievements as a field commander without the controversial personality issues. He consistently out thought, out maneuvered the enemy, did the unexpected, maintained the offensive, sustained the highest morale & consequently out fought his opponent with minimal casualties. As such, one can see his tactical genius that if given the absences of politics, his strategic priorities followed would likely have ended the war much earlier.Many things define his achievements, but Patton’s ability to react in December 44 to counter the German offensive by quickly organizing divisions in relief by attacking the German flank over 100 miles distant is without a doubt an example of military genius. A man who had vision as well as the conviction of when & how to act according to whatever conditions were present. An example of the pure warrior.I found this book a must read that expanded my understanding of great military leadership as well as Patton’s place among great commanders.

In this well-written story about General Patton’s campaign in Europe after D day, we have a story by one of the General’s aides who witnessed the daily details of this brilliant leader. The writer had all of the knowledge about the planning and execution as the American Army moved from the beaches of Normandy to the Rhine. This story will appeal to readers of military history and the casual reader who enjoys a well-done story. My only concern with the book is a small one. How is it that we can get such a good narrative of the campaign and have so little about the man. The man, General Patton is almost absent from the pages. Not until the very end of the book do we get any light on Patton the man. The author was an eyewitness to this story, but, gave us so little. There is another story here. I am so sorry that the author chose not to write it.

It was very interesting to get an insiders view of the operations of the famous, Third Army in the ETO. I was aware there were many discrepancies between the Patton movie and the true history, but I didn’t know exactly what was right and what wasn’t. I enjoyed the profile of the man, which is different from the Hollywood version, and the history of the Third Army after the Battle of thE Beauty Bulge. Worth ready for those interested in World War II history, US Army history, or George Patton.

This is an enjoyable, fast-moving account of the Third Army in Europe and its charismatic general, George Patton. The author, who served under Patton, speaks of his boss reverently without being cloying and keeps the narrative moving at a speed Patton would have enjoyed. For those wanting to learn more about Patton, this book can be an excellent starting point, albeit limited to his World War II service.