Patton, Montgomery, Rommel

The three best-known generals of WWII are the subjects of this fascinating comparative biography. Mel Foster narrates the stories of these three men, who were amazingly alike, with an energetic performance that is quite nuanced and expressive. His deep voice goes well with the subject of this work, and he gives a separate voice to each of the three generals, affecting German, American, and British accents credibly. His pace is easy to follow and allows the listener to completely enjoy the accounts of these amazing warriors. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 7, 2009
In WWII the U.S., Great Britain and Germany each produced a ground commander who stood out from the rest and who has come to define their countries' respective ways of war. Brighton combines archival and published sources with his experience as curator of the Queen's Royal Lancers Museum to compare these three men of war: George Patton, Bernard Law Montgomery and Erwin Rommel. All were showmen. All had “wollen egos... easily bruised.” And all possessed “an unrivaled enthusiasm for combat.” Montgomery emerges as not only a battle manager but a battle captain ready to stay the course and accept the accompanying losses. Rommel's will took a different form, responding directly to the new demands of armored warfare. He took chances against odds and against orders—and his willpower overcame the risks from the enemy and the inertia imposed from his superiors. The “rollicking, mocking” Patton epitomized the dash of the cavalry in his willingness to dare, then dare again, pursuing outcomes that could not be calculated in advance. Clausewitz called audacity essential for greatness. Brighton demonstrates it in action, moving into the top rank of general audience military writers with this effervescent, perceptive triple biography. 4 maps.