The Patton Papers 1885 1940

1. 1885-1940.--2. 1940-1945.

One of World War II's most brilliant and controversial generals, George S. Patton (1885-1945) fought in North Africa and Sicily, as commander of the Third Army, spearheaded the Allies' spectacular 1944-1945 sweep through France, Belgium, and Germany. Martin Blumenson is the only historian to enjoy unlimited access to the vast Patton papers. his many books include Masters of the Art of Command (available from Da Capo Press) and Patton: The Man Behind the Legend.

A new volume in the Military Profiles series.

While General George S. Patton Jr. remains an iconic figure seventy years after his death, few fully appreciate him as a strategic thinker. Indeed, his flamboyant personality often obscures the fact that he was a lifelong student of the military arts, a true strategic visionary, and a unique figure in American military history. This short volume introduces readers to a more complete and nuanced Patton. By tracing his intellectual development and connecting his views on strategic thought and history to the issues of the present day, this book offers a bold, fresh view on the famous general. Linking Patton’s success as a warfighter to his efforts as a thinker, this book hopes to kindle debate on managing human capital within the military. Most surely the book will demonstrate that—like Patton— the seeds of military success can be planted throughout a lifetime of formal and self-directed study of the military arts.