Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer

by Michael Keane

Overview

Known for his rousing speeches and military triumphs, General George S. Patton, Jr. is one of the most famous military figures in U.S. history. Yet, he is better known for his profanity than his prayers. Until now. In his new bookPatton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer, author Michael Keane takes readers on a journey through Patton's career in three parts: his military prowess, his inspirational bravery, and his faith. Using Patton's own diaries, speeches, and personal papers, Keane examines the general's actions and personality to shed light on his unique and paradoxical persona. From his miraculous near-death experience to his famous prayer for fair weather, Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer recounts the seminal events that contributed to Patton's personal and religious beliefs. Comprehensive and inspiring, Patton: Blood, Guts, and Prayer is an extraordinary look at the public and private life of one of World War II's most storied generals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596988002
Publisher:	Regnery History
Publication date:	10/15/2012
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	300
File size:	830 KB

About the Author

The list of Regnery authors reads like a "who's who" of conservative thought, action, and history.

Table of Contents

Timeline ix

Prologue 1

Part I Blood

Chapter 1 Ghosts of the Confederacy 7

Chapter 2 Benjamin Davis Wilson 19

Chapter 3 Papa 25

Chapter 4 Dearest Bea 41

Part II Guts

Chapter 5 Pancho Villa 67

Chapter 6 World War I 81

Chapter 7 Tanks 87

Chapter 8 Teaching Courage 103

Chapter 9 Task Force Baum 119

Chapter 10 Saving the Lipizzaners 133

Part III Prayer

Chapter 11 Growing Up 149

Chapter 12 God of Battles 155

Chapter 13 Saving a Soul 179

Chapter 14 Patton's Prayer 203

Chapter 15 The Last Enemy 221

Appendices

Appendix 1 Patton's Obituary 229

Appendix 2 Patton's Prayer for Courage 231

Appendix 3 Patton's Letter to Headquarters, Third United States Army 233

Acknowledgments 235

Notes 237

Index 251

Editorial Reviews

Kean (national security fellow, Pacific Council on International Policy) reveals the World War II general as a man of faith who believed he was favored by God for an important destiny, a soldier deeply familiar with the Bible who considered fear of death an enemy to be conquered to achieve eternal salvation. After surviving close calls in combat in both world wars as well as negative publicity as a result of having slapped a shell-shocked soldier in 1943, Patton grew increasingly confident in his sense of himself. He believed that "wars are fought with weapons but won by men" and that only through prayer would men find the courage and the strength to win on the battlefield. Keane includes passages from Patton's papers, including deeply religious poetry that he wrote. He read widely in religion, across faiths, and believed in reincarnation. VERDICT An accessible read for armchair readers of military biography, especially for those of faith.—PM

Library Journal