DescriptionGeorge S. Patton was a general who achieved greatness in his field by contradicting his own nature. A cavalryman steeped in romantic military tradition, he nevertheless pulled a reluctant American military into the most advanced realms of highly mobile armored warfare. An autocratic snob, Patton created unparalleled rapport and loyalty with the lowliest private in his command. An outspoken racist, he led the only racially integrated U.S. military unit in World War II. A profoundly insecure individual, he made his Third Army the most self-confident and consistently victorious fighting force in the European theater. An exuberantly profane man, he prayed daily and believed God had destined him for military greatness. Alan Axelrod delivers a fascinating account of Patton's fascinating life and legacy. This book is one of a series on great generals.
DescriptionChristmas 1826 finds Major Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons alone and isolated. A prisoner of the Spanish, he is locked up in the notorious fortress of Badajoz, with little means of outside communication. He must escape; but as he lays his plans, his thoughts return to 1812, when he was a young cornet with Wellington's Peninsular army. Badajoz was then of huge strategic importance, and French resistance at its bloodiest. Twice the Duke laid siege to the fortress and twice he failed. At the third attempt Cornet Matthew Hervey sees scenes that will stay with him forever. What Hervey does not know, as he paces his prison cell 14 years later, is that in Lisbon, his close friends, including the beautiful Isabella Delgado, are rushing to his aid.
DescriptionAn introductory military history of the American Civil War, Shades of Blue and Gray places the 1861-1865 conflict within the broad context of evolving warfare. Emphasizing technology and its significant impact, Hattaway includes valuable material on land and sea mines, minesweepers, hand grenades, automatic weapons, the Confederate submarine, and balloons. The evolution of professionalism in the American military serves as an important connective theme throughout. Hattaway extrapolates from recent works by revisionists William Skelton and Roy Roberts to illustrate convincingly that the development of military professionalism is not entirely a post-Civil War phenomenon. Informative and clearly written, enhanced by graceful prose and colorful anecdotes, Shades of Blue and Gray will appeal to all listeners.
DescriptionIn fiction, the spy is a glamorous figure whose secrets make or break peace, but, historically, has intelligence really been a vital step to military victories? In this breakthrough study, the preeminent war historian John Keegan goes to the heart of a se…
