Pat Ton

Keith Benson Military/Diplomatic History Dr. Dorwart 3.23.2007 Review of Carlo d’Este’s, Patton: Genius at War Early in the Patton: Genius at War, Carlo d’Este asserts a central theme: in history, when seemingly ordinary men do extraordinary things, the passing of time often becomes kind to such men’s legacies. For example, Gen. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve was not a simple trip across the narrowest span of the river, but rather becomes a tumultuous and heroic adventure worthy of being immortalization. President Abraham Lincoln repeatedly commented the he would allow the institution of slavery to exist if he thought it would save the Union, now owns the title of “Great Emancipator.” Finally JFK, through cheating, only narrowly defeated Richard Nixon in 1960, yet through the years has transformed into the most adored president in American history. It is clear the passage of time and interpretation is, generally, kind to prominent historical figures. This theme is also true for Gen. George S. Patton as well as Carlo d’Este argues in his book Patton: Genius for War. Carlo d’Este is a retired Lieutenant colonel in the US Army, and a renowned military historian. He has authored books on Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and various battles of World War II. While it is easy to prejudge that a historian from such a military background would easily be “pro-Patton” in the portrayal of the famous general, d’Este presents Patton as he was, heroic and deeply troubled, and gives the reader indepth observation of the misunderstood general. In the beginning of the book, d’Este comments that many people’s perception of Patton derives from the movie, Patton, played by actor George C. Scott, who later won

an Academy Award for his performance. This movie, explains d’Este, cemented Patton’s legacy and heroism in the minds of many Americans. “This film has turned Patton the legend, into Patton the folk hero.” But it is d’Este’s argument that while numerous biographies and movies about this general have been produced, very little is truly known about the life of General Patton. He arrives at the belief that George Patton was as brave and excellent a soldier and general as he was troubled and tragic. In the book’s early chapters, d’Este comments at length about the dyslexia Patton suffered. This disorder, which unknown during the early 1900’s, was directly responsible for his academic shortcomings at VMI and West Point. Further, d’Este communicates, Patton’s familial background of which he was thoroughly proud, a descendent of wealth and of Civil War heroes, at the same time made him feel equally inadequate from his adolescent years and into adulthood. Patton’s hidden feelings of inadequacy, due largely to his dyslexia D’Este suggests, inspired the external “warrior, swashbuckling and brash façade”; the personality with which most people associated him and the one Patton desired to be known for. Carlo d’Este leaves unquestioned the fact that Patton had an alternate personality, “whose tender, romantic, religious, side remained virtually unknown in his lifetime outside his circle of friends and admirers.” The perpetual struggle between the manner Patton wanted to be viewed, and the existence of closet insecurities within, led to Patton’s frequent self-destructive behavior; exemplified in his slapping of sick soldiers in Sicily in 1943, his bloodthirsty, profanity laced speeches, and ultimately, his removal of command of the Third Army. While largely celebrated as a warrior-hero, Patton is as largely unknown and misunderstood today as he was in the past. Too easy is it to celebrate the positives of

history’s men while ignoring the complexities and conflicts that make them human - and possibly, more admirable. It was surprising to read a biography about a celebrated military general, written by a military figure that was honest and unbiased. While d’Este had more than enough opportunity throughout the course of the book’s 974 pages to heap praise on Patton, d’Este employs the more consensus-style approach to help negotiate the greatness for which Patton is perceived, along with the inner struggles that actually were. Overall, Patton: Genius of War goes far in painting a complete, holistic portrait of this mythical general. The one flaw I encountered with this book is that d’Este does not explain or mention Patton’s military genius. While this book was a thorough and complete biography on George Patton, it did not show profound military intellect possessed by the general as the title would suggest.