Why was Patton so great?

[frank1970]

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/1 ... 00-4723244 : von Charles Whiting
Rezensionen

From Library Journal
These insightful new titles represent a good start to a unique travel series that attempts to re-create some of the fiercest and most critical battles of World War II through photographs, maps, eyewitness quotes, and captivating narratives. Shilleto (The Fighting Fifty-Second) and Tolhurst (The Battle of the Bulge) reconstruct the scenes and mood of the crucial battles of Normandy, France, and tell the reader where to go and how to get there, providing information on museums, monuments, cemeteries, memorials, and statues. Whiting, a distinguished military writer and historian who saw combat himself, describes battles in which the resolve of the Allies was tested and a revitalized German army emerged amidst an elaborate system of defenses, eventually loosing to a superior allied force. He captures the flow of events and sentiments as he guides the tourist through selected sites on a battlefront 400 miles long and 70 miles deep. Both guides retain a historical sensitivity that one hopes will be a hallmark of the entire series; even though they are intended for tourists, they still succeed in fully conveying the ordeal of combat. Historically enlightening, touristically informative, educational, thorough, and enjoyable, these books are recommended for all libraries.DEdward K. Owusu-Ansah, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Frank

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/1 ... 00-4723244 : von Charles Whiting
Rezensionen

From Library Journal
These insightful new titles represent a good start to a unique travel series that attempts to re-create some of the fiercest and most critical battles of World War II through photographs, maps, eyewitness quotes, and captivating narratives. Shilleto (The Fighting Fifty-Second) and Tolhurst (The Battle of the Bulge) reconstruct the scenes and mood of the crucial battles of Normandy, France, and tell the reader where to go and how to get there, providing information on museums, monuments, cemeteries, memorials, and statues. Whiting, a distinguished military writer and historian who saw combat himself, describes battles in which the resolve of the Allies was tested and a revitalized German army emerged amidst an elaborate system of defenses, eventually loosing to a superior allied force. He captures the flow of events and sentiments as he guides the tourist through selected sites on a battlefront 400 miles long and 70 miles deep. Both guides retain a historical sensitivity that one hopes will be a hallmark of the entire series; even though they are intended for tourists, they still succeed in fully conveying the ordeal of combat. Historically enlightening, touristically informative, educational, thorough, and enjoyable, these books are recommended for all libraries.DEdward K. Owusu-Ansah, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Heheh

By the way, what is written above is NOT a review. It's just a publication press release.

I find it odd that as Leo Kessler, Whiting will write cheap pulp fiction novels praising the Waffen SS, and then don his Charles Whiting persona, and write a book critical of General George Patton. Yes, Patton, the man the German High Command feared the most. . .

And as Leo Kessler he again writes a novel called "Kill Patton!"

Isn't that odd. . .?

[Von Rom]

Here are the fictional novels written by Charles Whiting (aka Leo Kessler):

Fictional novels praising the SS:




Novel called "Kill Patton!":

[Von Rom]

Patton's Address to Third Army on June 5, 1944:

Be Seated.

Men, this stuff we hear about America wanting to stay out of the war, not wanting to fight, is a lot of bullshit. Americans love to fight - traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle.

When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble player; the fastest runner; the big league ball players; the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win - all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, nor will ever lose a war, for the very thought of losing is hateful to an American.

You are not all going to die. Only two percent of you here today would die in a major battle. Death must not be feared. Every man is frightened at first in battle. If he says he isn't, he's a goddamn liar. Some men are cowards, yes! But they fight just the same, or get the hell shamed out of them watching men who do fight who are just as scared.

The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared. Some get over their fright in a minute under fire, some take an hour. For some it takes days. But the real man never lets fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to this country and his innate manhood.

All through your army career you men have bitched about "This chickenshit drilling." That is all for a purpose. Drilling and discipline must be maintained in any army if for only one reason -- INSTANT OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS AND TO CREATE CONSTANT ALERTNESS. I don't give a damn for a man who is not always on his toes. You men are veterans or you wouldn't be here. You are ready. A man to continue breathing must be alert at all times. If not, sometime a German son-of-a-bitch will sneak up behind him and beat him to death with a sock full of shit.

There are 400 neatly marked graves somewhere in Sicily all because one man went to sleep on his job -- but they were German graves for we caught the bastard asleep before his officers did. An Army is a team. Lives, sleeps, eats, fights as a team.

This individual heroic stuff is a lot of crap. The bilious bastards who wrote that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don't know any more about real fighting, under fire, than they do about fucking. We have the best food, the finest equipment, the best spirit and the best fighting men in the world. Why, by God, I actually pity these poor sons-of-bitches we are going up against. By God, I do!

My men don't surrender. I don't want to hear of any soldier under my command being captured unless he is hit. Even if you are hit, you can still fight. That's not just bullshit, either. The kind of man I want under me is like the lieutenant in Libya, who, with a Lugar against his chest, jerked off his helmet, swept the gun aside with one hand and busted hell out of the Boche with the helmet. Then he jumped on the gun and went out and killed another German: All this with a bullet through his lung. That's a man for you.

All real heroes are not story book combat fighters either. Every man in the army plays a vital part. Every little job is essential. Don't ever let down, thinking your role is unimportant. Every man has a job to do. Every man is a link in the great chain. What if every truck driver decided that he didn't like the whine of the shells overhead, turned yellow and jumped headlong into the ditch? He could say to himself, "They won't miss me -- just one in thousands." What if every man said that? Where in hell would we be now? No, thank God, Americans don't say that! Every man does his job; every man serves the whole. Every department, every unit, is important to the vast scheme of things. The Ordnance men are needed to supply the guns, the Quartermaster to bring up the food and clothes to us -- for where we're going there isn't a hell of a lot to steal. Every last man in the mess hall, even the one who heats the water to keep us from getting the GI shits has a job to do. Even the chaplain is important, for if we get killed and if he is not there to bury us we'd all go to hell.

Each man must not only think of himself, but of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this army. They should all be killed off like flies. If not they will go back home after the war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed brave men. Kill off the goddamn cowards and we'll have a nation of brave men.

One of the bravest men I ever saw in the African campaign was the fellow I saw on top of a telegraph pole in the midst of furious fire while we were plowing toward Tunis. I stopped and asked what the hell he was doing up there at that time. He answered, "Fixing the wire, sir." "Isn't it a little unhealthy right now?," I asked. "Yes sir, but this goddamn wire's got to be fixed." There was a real soldier. There was a man who devoted all he had to his duty, no matter how great the odds, no matter how seemingly insignificant his duty might appear at the time.

You should have seen those trucks on the road to Gabes. The drivers were magnificent. All day and all night they rolled over those son-of-a-bitching roads, never stopping, never faltering from their course, with shells bursting around them all the time. We got through on good old American guts. Many of these men drove over forty consecutive hours. These weren't combat men. But they were soldiers with a job to do. They did it -- and in a whale of a way they did it. They were part of a team. Without them the fight would have been lost. All the links in the chain pulled together and that chain became unbreakable.

Don't forget, you don't know I'm here. No word of the fact is to be mentioned in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell became of me. I'm not supposed to be commanding this Army. I'm not even supposed to be in England. Let the first bastards to find out be the goddamn Germans. Someday I want them to raise up on their hind legs and howl, "Jesus Christ, it's the goddamn Third Army and that son-of-a-bitch Patton again."

We want to get the hell over there. We want to get over there and clear the goddamn thing up. You can't win a war lying down. The quicker we clean up this goddamn mess, the quicker we can take a jaunt against the purple pissing Japs an clean their nest out too, before the Marines get all the goddamn credit.

Sure, we all want to be home. We want this thing over with. The quickest way to get it over is to get the bastards. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin. When a man is lying in a shell hole, if he just stays there all day, a Boche will get him eventually, and the hell with that idea. The hell with taking it. My men don't dig foxholes. I don't want them to. Foxholes only slow up an offensive. Keep moving. And don't give the enemy time to dig one. We'll win this war but we'll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans we've got more guts than they have.

There is one great thing you men will all be able to say when you go home. You may thank God for it. Thank God, that at least, thirty years from now, when you are sitting around the fireside with your grandson on your knees, and he asks you what you did in the great war, you won't have to cough and say, "I shoveled shit in Louisiana."

[Von Rom]

GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. QUOTATIONS

"A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week."

“A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.”

"America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.”

“A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood.”

“By perseverance, study, and eternal desire, any man can become great.”

“Do everything you ask of those you command.”

“Do more than is required of you.”

“Fixed fortifications are monuments to man's stupidity.”

“Good tactics can save even the worst strategy. Bad tactics will destroy even the best strategy.”

“I always believe in being prepared, even when I'm dressed in white tie and tails.”

“I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.”

“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.”

“If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.”

“In case of doubt, attack.”

“It’s the unconquerable soul of man, not the nature of the weapon he uses, that insures victory.”

“Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way. ”

“Live for something rather than die for nothing.”

"May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't.”

“Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.”

“Never let the enemy pick the battle site.”

“No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair.”

“Say what you mean and mean what you say.”

“Success is how you bounce on the bottom.”

“The leader must be an actor."

“The soldier is the army.”

“There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline.”

“War is simple, direct, and ruthless.”

“Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.”

“You’re never beaten until you admit it.”

“You shouldn't underestimate an enemy, but it is just as fatal to overestimate him.”

"Attack rapidly, ruthlessly, viciously, without rest, however tired and hungry you may be, the enemy will be more tire, more hungry. Keep punching."

"In landing operations, retreat is impossible, to surrender is as ignoble as it is foolish… above all else remember that we as attackers have the initiative, we know exactly what we are going to do, while the enemy is ignorant of our intentions and can only parry our blows. We must retain this tremendous advantage by always attacking rapidly, ruthlessly, viciously, and without rest."

"An Army is a team; lives, sleeps, eats, fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is a lot of crap."

"War is the supreme test of man in which he rises to heights never approached in any other activity."

"No sane man is unafraid in battle, but discipline produces in him a form of vicarious courage."

"A man must know his destiny… if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder… if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it."

"In war the only sure defense is offense, and the efficiency of the offense depends on the warlike souls of those conducting it."

"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

"Wars might be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who leads that gains the victory."

"… many, who should know better, think that wars can be decided by soulless machines, rather than by the blood and anguish of brave men."

"Tanks are new and special weapon-newer than, as special, and certainly as valuable as the airplane."

"An incessant change of means to attain unalterable ends is always going on; we must take care not to let these sundry means undue eminence in the perspective of our minds; for, since the beginning, there has been an unending cycle of them, and for each its advocates have claimed adoption as the sole solution of successful war."

"Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets."

"The obvious thing for the cavalryman to do is to accept the fighting machine as a partner, and prepare to meet more fully the demands of future warfare."

"Many soldiers are led to faulty ideas of war by knowing too much about too little."

[Culiacan Mexico]

ORIGINAL: Deep Breakfast
It seems like Patton is considered one of the great US heros but I am having trouble finding anything he did tactically or strategically great. It just seems to this amateur WWII buff that if you look at Manstein, Rommel, Montgomery, or Konev they did things that were true feats and Patton just pushed back a defeated army faster than the rest out of pure gusto and agressiveness rather than military genius.

Any comments?

“…Patton just pushed back a defeated army faster than the rest…”

Ok. Did you answer your own question? [;)]

[Culiacan Mexico]

ORIGINAL: IronDuke
I suspect Patton would have fared a lot worse in more even circumstances. In his favour, he was exceptionally aggressive (not a trait shared by Allied Commanders on the whole) and he had the sort of drive and push that inspires men. I think an Armoured Corp was the command he was born for, give him an objective and let him loose.

Regards,
IronDuke

I pretty much agree.

Patton was, at heart, an old Cavalry soldier who believed in discipline, élan, and aggression. It worked.

[frank1970]

Would it have worked on the Eastern Front?

[frank1970]

ORIGINAL: Von Rom

ORIGINAL: Frank

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/1 ... 00-4723244 : von Charles Whiting
Rezensionen

From Library Journal
These insightful new titles represent a good start to a unique travel series that attempts to re-create some of the fiercest and most critical battles of World War II through photographs, maps, eyewitness quotes, and captivating narratives. Shilleto (The Fighting Fifty-Second) and Tolhurst (The Battle of the Bulge) reconstruct the scenes and mood of the crucial battles of Normandy, France, and tell the reader where to go and how to get there, providing information on museums, monuments, cemeteries, memorials, and statues. Whiting, a distinguished military writer and historian who saw combat himself, describes battles in which the resolve of the Allies was tested and a revitalized German army emerged amidst an elaborate system of defenses, eventually loosing to a superior allied force. He captures the flow of events and sentiments as he guides the tourist through selected sites on a battlefront 400 miles long and 70 miles deep. Both guides retain a historical sensitivity that one hopes will be a hallmark of the entire series; even though they are intended for tourists, they still succeed in fully conveying the ordeal of combat. Historically enlightening, touristically informative, educational, thorough, and enjoyable, these books are recommended for all libraries.DEdward K. Owusu-Ansah, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Heheh

By the way, what is written above is NOT a review. It's just a publication press release.

I find it odd that as Leo Kessler, Whiting will write cheap pulp fiction novels praising the Waffen SS, and then don his Charles Whiting persona, and write a book critical of General George Patton. Yes, Patton, the man the German High Command feared the most. . .

And as Leo Kessler he again writes a novel called "Kill Patton!"

Isn't that odd. . .?

As a matter of fact it is. It is written by DEdward K. Owusu-Ansah, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY and used as an ad, because the firm loved it.

There are bunshes of good scientists, especially historicians out there who write novels under pseudonyms. I can´t see why this one should be especially bad. Because he is from the wrong side of the Atlantic and doesn´t share your point of view?

[Culiacan Mexico]

ORIGINAL: Frank

Would it have worked on the Eastern Front?

General Heinz Gurderian.

Maybe. One could argue that a Wehrmacht as aggressive as Patton would have went straight for the Soviet Jugular (Moscow), but that kind of misses the point in my opinion.

Montgomery was the man needed in the Desert when he took command: solid, a good planner, respected by his men, and able to get more time and equipment from Churchill than anyone before. Could he have done the same thing in Russia… maybe or maybe not, but he did do it in North Africa.

[frank1970]

I am quite sure it hadn´t worked: too long distances, too bad roads.
Patton was burning supplies and fuel in the West in so a large scale he got problems after some hundred miles. In the East this hundred miles would have been even harder to cover.

He was an specialist on logistics and ordering traffic. All this would have made even larger problems in Russia.

For Western - Allied leaders, he is a good one. For German leaders he was average IMHO.

[frank1970]

Was Patton really so great?

Rommel´s 7th Pz DIVISION went from the German -French border to CHerbourg from may 19th May to June 9th. His division captured 277 Guns, 450 tanks and about 100000 prisoners.
He lost 42 tanks while doing this.

And Rommel wasn´t the general who put his division the longest way.

[Ludovic Coval]

Cullie,

Montgomery was the man needed in the Desert when he took command: solid, a good planner, respected by his men, and able to get more time and equipment from Churchill than anyone before. Could he have done the same thing in Russia… maybe or maybe not, but he did do it in North Africa.

Well I dont share your view as Monty being a good planner. Both for Caen and Arnhem, he seems to have badly underestimated German capabilities. For Caen, British operations turned to several mini-"Suprcharge" while Market-Garden saw Allied troops stalled without any options but frontal assault on well prepared German defenses (especially at Nijmegen). But finnally it is probably Monty main 'flaw' to be unable to use Patton like war conduct (in both operations). I always wondered how MG would have turned be US XV corps being in charge of exploitation instead of British XXX corps.

LC

[Kevinugly]

ORIGINAL: Von Rom


I find it odd that as Leo Kessler, Whiting will write cheap pulp fiction novels praising the Waffen SS, and then don his Charles Whiting persona, and write a book critical of General George Patton. Yes, Patton, the man the German High Command feared the most. . .

And as Leo Kessler he again writes a novel called "Kill Patton!"

Isn't that odd. . .?

No it isn't odd for reasons that have already been explained to you. To continue railing against Whiting in this manner is simply trolling.

Incidentally, in Richard Overy's 'Why the Allies Won' (pub. 1995) Patton is mentioned only in passing.

[Kevinugly]

ORIGINAL: Von Rom

I am presenting this information to show how much Patton is truly admired by people.

General Patton's Principles: For Life and Leadership
by Porter B. Williamson




Customer Reviews


Kicked in the butt, February 1, 2004
Reviewer: theflyinghellfish from Galveston, TX USA
Gen. Patton often proudly stated that "you have to take the enemy by the nose and kick them in the butt". This book is Gen. Patton's Kick in the butt. Most readers know Gen. Patton as "Ole Blood and Guts" or as the general that slapped a soldier. These and other myths about one of America's greatest leaders are dispelled by a soldier who was there! Gen. Patton loved his men and his leadership style revolved around keeping them alive. Learn how Gen. Patton was fourty years ahead and shoulders above by reading this simple account of his philosphies in story that makes you wish you were there. --This text refers to the Unknown Binding edition


Leader? Read this!, October 14, 1999
Reviewer: Micah (see more about me) from Peoria, AZ USA
General Patton is here for the next generation of managers and CEO's. Wonderfully written in a style that made me feel I was there. I lived the experiences Mr Williamson lived with Patton, and I have learned. One of the best 'how to' mgt books available. I only wish I had found it sooner...



The Essential Guide for Leadership, February 12, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Yorktown, VA
General George S. Patton, Jr. was one of the greatest heroes this country has ever produced. In addition, he was also one of the most misunderstood. Many thought he was hated by his men, but the truth is that his men loved him. Porter B. Williamson served with General Patton in the I Armored Corps in 1942. Although he did not follow Patton across the Atlantic, Williamson had instilled in him the principles that would follow him for the rest of his life. This book is the best collection of the leadership principles and philosophies of General George S. Patton. Minus the profanity that Patton made famous, this book uses many speeches and talks to the troops that exemplify the leadership principles that helped Patton lead his men to victory. This book is highly recommended for anyone in a position of leadership, and is must reading for anyone seeking a management position.


A Great Lesson, December 21, 1998
Reviewer: A reader from Charleston, SC
As a Naval Officer I have read this book well over ten times. It's lessons show the importance of such leadership qualities as honesty, integrity, care for your men, and the importance of being fair. An excellent book for anyone wanting leadership advice. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title



One of the best books on Leadership and on Patton ever writt, May 22, 1998
Reviewer: Ashley LeMay (leeash@supernews.com) from Covallis, Oregon
You have seen the movie, this book takes a look at man behind the myth. Written by Porter B. Williamson who served as an officer under the General only briefly but has lived by Patton's principles ever since. Williamson gives some very rare insight into the complex man and clears Patton's name in the famous South Carolina war games exercise in which the General has been wrongly accused of not following the rules by most of his other biographers.



Required Reading!, October 28, 1997
Reviewer: An Amazon.com Customer
The American Business community would do well to stop looking at college education as a qualification for leadership, and simply quiz applicants by the contents of this book!


Outstanding - to the POINT!, October 13, 1997
Reviewer: jeremy@cyberport.net from Glacier National Park, Montana
Written by the general's personal aide, Porter Williamson was there first hand. A compact paperback that I originally purchased by the dozens to give them as gifts . . . I lost my last edition in a Christmas fire a few years ago. So, if Amazon can locate this Hard-to-Find Classic, I'll probably order another dozen for my safe deposit box! (A MUST read for folks who are blunt). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... PDKIKX0DER

This is utterly irrelevant to any discussion as to Patton's greatness (or lack of it!). These are customer reviews of a book, not an academic appreciation of Pattons military skills.

[Kevinugly]

ORIGINAL: Von Rom


When I say everyone, I am referring to almost all the Allied leaders, many of the high ranking German officers, and a great many writers and historians.

Later, though, you quote this -

While obviously Bradley’s opinion of Patton had soured with age, Bradley never truly appreciated Patton’s worth. In Sicily, Patton had been in command of Bradley. Patton forced Bradley to employ daring end-run tactics which eventually led to the capture of Palermo and Messina. Nevertheless, Bradley resented Patton’s “meddling” in his command. Bradley was the military adviser for the Patton movie. As Carlo d’Este pointed out, Bradley seems the hero, always advising Patton not to be foolhardy – “Those out-spoken comments will eventually catch up with you!” “George, you’re going to get yourself relieved if you don’t shut up!”

Since we already know that Montgomery had little time for Patton, yet again you contradict your own evidence since it appears that neither of his immediate superiors rated him. Isn't that a little odd....

[Kevinugly]

Much is made of Patton's 'dash across France' yet when analysed by Colonel John Osgood (a respected military theoretician) we get this gem.

From - http://pw1.netcom.com/~jrosgood/wc5.htm

After experiencing tough German opposition such as that encountered at St. Lo, the frustrations of war in the hedgerows, and fearing the possibility of a potential stalemate similar to that of WW I, Bradley, with Eisenhower's blessings, formulated Operation COBRA which, like the unsuccessful British Operation GOODWOOD, was designed to achieve a breakout.

Operation COBRA involved a six division penetration by a concentrated Allied force across the St Lo to Periers highway. Following heavy carpet bombing along a three mile front, on July 25th three US infantry divisions punched a hole in the German lines after which three mechanized divisions exploited the breach.

This was precisely the text book course followed by VIII Corps when it turned West into Brittany while the XV Corps raced toward Argentan. However, critics now see the Brittany move as operationally flawed since the Breton ports ended up having little significance to the overall effort and the forces would have been better employed in the Eastern drive. Indeed this required the expenditure gasoline which later proved to be in short supply during Third Army's race to the Rhine.

I have added the emphasis in order to draw attention to that last, key, sentence.

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Frank

ORIGINAL: Von Rom

ORIGINAL: Frank

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/1 ... 00-4723244 : von Charles Whiting
Rezensionen

From Library Journal
These insightful new titles represent a good start to a unique travel series that attempts to re-create some of the fiercest and most critical battles of World War II through photographs, maps, eyewitness quotes, and captivating narratives. Shilleto (The Fighting Fifty-Second) and Tolhurst (The Battle of the Bulge) reconstruct the scenes and mood of the crucial battles of Normandy, France, and tell the reader where to go and how to get there, providing information on museums, monuments, cemeteries, memorials, and statues. Whiting, a distinguished military writer and historian who saw combat himself, describes battles in which the resolve of the Allies was tested and a revitalized German army emerged amidst an elaborate system of defenses, eventually loosing to a superior allied force. He captures the flow of events and sentiments as he guides the tourist through selected sites on a battlefront 400 miles long and 70 miles deep. Both guides retain a historical sensitivity that one hopes will be a hallmark of the entire series; even though they are intended for tourists, they still succeed in fully conveying the ordeal of combat. Historically enlightening, touristically informative, educational, thorough, and enjoyable, these books are recommended for all libraries.DEdward K. Owusu-Ansah, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Heheh

By the way, what is written above is NOT a review. It's just a publication press release.

I find it odd that as Leo Kessler, Whiting will write cheap pulp fiction novels praising the Waffen SS, and then don his Charles Whiting persona, and write a book critical of General George Patton. Yes, Patton, the man the German High Command feared the most. . .

And as Leo Kessler he again writes a novel called "Kill Patton!"

Isn't that odd. . .?

There are bunshes of good scientists, especially historicians out there who write novels under pseudonyms. I can´t see why this one should be especially bad. Because he is from the wrong side of the Atlantic and doesn´t share your point of view?

I don't mind if he doesn't share my point of view [:)]

And he can write all the books he wants.

I thought it was important to point out for other interested readers that while Whiting "as historian" criticizes Patton on the one hand, in his disguise as Kessler, he writes cheap novels where he wants to kill Patton, and where he glorifies the SS.

The so-called "serious" historian is also a cheap pulp novelist.

I think any reader on these forums who is going to buy books by Whiting should be made aware of his "several" writing lives. And what he writes.

Cheers!

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Kevinugly

ORIGINAL: Von Rom


I find it odd that as Leo Kessler, Whiting will write cheap pulp fiction novels praising the Waffen SS, and then don his Charles Whiting persona, and write a book critical of General George Patton. Yes, Patton, the man the German High Command feared the most. . .

And as Leo Kessler he again writes a novel called "Kill Patton!"

Isn't that odd. . .?

No it isn't odd for reasons that have already been explained to you. To continue railing against Whiting in this manner is simply trolling.

Incidentally, in Richard Overy's 'Why the Allies Won' (pub. 1995) Patton is mentioned only in passing.

Trolling?

Many readers on these forums do not share your uncritical approach to writers.

When readers on these forums are looking for serious historians from whom to purchase books, and when many of these same readers can only purchase books through mail order, then it behooves them to be aware of exactly the type of writer Whiting his, and the types of books he writes.

To class Whiting in the same league with any "serious" historian is laughable.

I have indicated that most people who have read his books consider him to be a poor to average writer and researcher.

He is basically a pulp novelist who is also a non-fiction writer. . .

If this type of thing assails your sensibilities, and if you find yourself gnashing your teeth over reading such things, then just simply close your eyes, and it will all go away. . .

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Kevinugly

ORIGINAL: Von Rom

I am presenting this information to show how much Patton is truly admired by people.

General Patton's Principles: For Life and Leadership
by Porter B. Williamson




Customer Reviews


Kicked in the butt, February 1, 2004
Reviewer: theflyinghellfish from Galveston, TX USA
Gen. Patton often proudly stated that "you have to take the enemy by the nose and kick them in the butt". This book is Gen. Patton's Kick in the butt. Most readers know Gen. Patton as "Ole Blood and Guts" or as the general that slapped a soldier. These and other myths about one of America's greatest leaders are dispelled by a soldier who was there! Gen. Patton loved his men and his leadership style revolved around keeping them alive. Learn how Gen. Patton was fourty years ahead and shoulders above by reading this simple account of his philosphies in story that makes you wish you were there. --This text refers to the Unknown Binding edition


Leader? Read this!, October 14, 1999
Reviewer: Micah (see more about me) from Peoria, AZ USA
General Patton is here for the next generation of managers and CEO's. Wonderfully written in a style that made me feel I was there. I lived the experiences Mr Williamson lived with Patton, and I have learned. One of the best 'how to' mgt books available. I only wish I had found it sooner...



The Essential Guide for Leadership, February 12, 1999
Reviewer: A reader from Yorktown, VA
General George S. Patton, Jr. was one of the greatest heroes this country has ever produced. In addition, he was also one of the most misunderstood. Many thought he was hated by his men, but the truth is that his men loved him. Porter B. Williamson served with General Patton in the I Armored Corps in 1942. Although he did not follow Patton across the Atlantic, Williamson had instilled in him the principles that would follow him for the rest of his life. This book is the best collection of the leadership principles and philosophies of General George S. Patton. Minus the profanity that Patton made famous, this book uses many speeches and talks to the troops that exemplify the leadership principles that helped Patton lead his men to victory. This book is highly recommended for anyone in a position of leadership, and is must reading for anyone seeking a management position.


A Great Lesson, December 21, 1998
Reviewer: A reader from Charleston, SC
As a Naval Officer I have read this book well over ten times. It's lessons show the importance of such leadership qualities as honesty, integrity, care for your men, and the importance of being fair. An excellent book for anyone wanting leadership advice. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title



One of the best books on Leadership and on Patton ever writt, May 22, 1998
Reviewer: Ashley LeMay (leeash@supernews.com) from Covallis, Oregon
You have seen the movie, this book takes a look at man behind the myth. Written by Porter B. Williamson who served as an officer under the General only briefly but has lived by Patton's principles ever since. Williamson gives some very rare insight into the complex man and clears Patton's name in the famous South Carolina war games exercise in which the General has been wrongly accused of not following the rules by most of his other biographers.



Required Reading!, October 28, 1997
Reviewer: An Amazon.com Customer
The American Business community would do well to stop looking at college education as a qualification for leadership, and simply quiz applicants by the contents of this book!


Outstanding - to the POINT!, October 13, 1997
Reviewer: jeremy@cyberport.net from Glacier National Park, Montana
Written by the general's personal aide, Porter Williamson was there first hand. A compact paperback that I originally purchased by the dozens to give them as gifts . . . I lost my last edition in a Christmas fire a few years ago. So, if Amazon can locate this Hard-to-Find Classic, I'll probably order another dozen for my safe deposit box! (A MUST read for folks who are blunt). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... PDKIKX0DER

This is utterly irrelevant to any discussion as to Patton's greatness (or lack of it!). These are customer reviews of a book, not an academic appreciation of Pattons military skills.

Look up. . .

Look waaaayyyy up. . .

And you will see the title of this thread.

It says: "Why Was Patton So Great?"

A handful of people here have tried their darnest to tear Patton down.

I have shown that most people consider Patton to have been a GREAT man, and that his leadership style and principles are still studied today.

Do you understand that now?