Synopses & Reviews
The true story of the friendship-and rivalry-among the greatest American generals of World War II. Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, and General Omar N. Bradley engineered the Allied conquest that shattered Hitler's hold over Europe. But they also shared an intricate web of relationships going back decades. In the cauldron of World War II, they found their prewar friendships complicated by shifting allegiances, jealousy, insecurity, patriotism, and ambition.
Meticulously researched and vividly written, Jonathan W. Jordan's Brothers Rivals, Victors recounts the battle for Europe through the eyes of these three legendary generals who fought to liberate two continents. For the first time in such detail, the bonds between these battle captains are explored, and readers are treated to a rare insider's view of life at the summit of raw, violent power. Throughout three years of hard, bloody warfare, Eisenhower, the Alliance's great diplomat, sought victory in the fighting qualities and tactical genius of his most trusted subordinates, Bradley and Patton. Bradley and Patton, in turn, owed their careers to Eisenhower, who protected them from the slings and arrows of politicians, rival generals, their allies, and the U.S. Navy. The twin pillars of their working relationships were duty and trust. Yet their friendship, so genuine and unalloyed before the war, would be put to the ultimate test as life-and-death decisions were thrust upon them, and honor and duty conflicted with personal loyalty.
Brothers Rivals Victors is drawn from the candid accounts of its main characters, and strips away much of the public image of "Ike" (Eisenhower), the "G.I.'s General" (Bradley), and "Old Blood and Guts" (Patton) to reveal the men lurking beneath the legend. Adding richness to this insider's story are the words and observations of a supporting cast of generals, staff officers, secretaries, aides, politicians, and wives, whose close proximity to Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton in times of stress and tranquility are brought together to produce a uniquely intimate account of a relationship that influenced a war. The story of how these three great strategists pulled together to wage the deadliest conflict in history, despite their differences and rivalries, is marvelously told in this eye-opening narrative, sure to become a classic of military history.
Review
"A fascinating triple biography. Jordan elegantly describes the ever-changing relationship between America's three most important European ground commanders. His detailed account shows how the responsibilities, and politics, of high command can test even the best of friends."
-Jonathan Parshall, co-author Shattered Sword: The Untold Battle of Midway
"Finally, a major work that examines and highlights the most important American military triumvirate of World War II... General readers will appreciate the fast pace and descriptive prose, while historians and specialists will be impressed by the depth and breadth of research. Jordan's work will put the war into a new perspective for many readers... a must-read for anyone interested in World War II, or who wants to know something about how command decisions are actually made."
-Jim DeFelice, author of Rangers at Dieppe and Omar Bradley: General at War
"This is one of the great stories of the American military, of how Patton, Eisenhower and Bradley, three very different men, came together to change the world. It is told here by Jonathan Jordan with insight and compassion, relish and vigor. I read it in two sittings."
-Thomas E. Ricks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Fiasco, Making the Corps and The Gamble
"An intimate, well-researched and gracefully-written portrait of three important generals-Jordan succeeds in bringing Patton, Brad and Ike to life once again. Brothers, Rivals, Victors is full of fresh insight and compelling drama. You will have trouble putting this book down."
-John C. McManus, author of Grunts and Alamo in the Ardennes
"Jonathan Jordan uses the intertwined lives of three great soldiers to tell the story of America's supreme military achievement: the campaign that destroyed Hitler's tyranny and freed a continent. The writing is vivid, the admiring portraits of these friends-and rivals-are carefully crafted, and Jordan has a fine eye for the telling detail. A fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable read."
-William I. Hitchcock, author of The Bitter Road to Freedom: A New History of the Liberation of Europe
"The standard line among historians is that there's nothing new to be said about World War II... Jonathan Jordan shows us just how wrong that is... Fastidiously researched and deftly written, Jordan's work is compellingly authoritative and adds to our knowledge something that we have not had-a tale of the intertwined and sometimes discomforting relationships of three American heroes. There is no such thing as the last word on any part of our history, but Brothers, Rivals, Victors comes close."
-Mark Perry, author of Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace
Review
Praise for
No Silent Night: The Christmas Battle for Bastogne
“An exciting chronicle of the one day that changed the course of the war and the world…based on some extraordinary research and extensive interviews.”—Bookviews by Alan Caruba
“Leo Barron and Don Cygan have shed new light on the crucial siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. No Silent Night is the product of in-depth research and a strong commitment to historical accuracy. Whether you are new to the topic or a confirmed expert, you will learn much from this book.”—John C. McManus, author of The Dead and Those About to Die and September Hope
“Bastogne has always figured large in any account of the Battle of the Bulge. In No Silent Night, Leo Barron and Don Cygan provide new insight into the climactic battle that raged for that small Ardennes market town on Christmas Day 1944. New sources, interviews, and thorough documentation grace this book, which will be a boon for those seeking to understand how Americans prevailed in one of their most famous World War II victories.”—Danny S. Parker, author of Fatal Crossroads
Synopsis
The true story of the friendship-and rivalry-among the greatest American generals of World War II.
Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, and General Omar Bradley engineered Allied victory in Europe. But they also shared an intricate web of relationships going back decades, complicated by shifting allegiances, jealousy, insecurity, and ambition.
For the first time in such detail, the relationships between these three legendary fighting men are explored, showcasing the personal side of life at the summit of raw, violent power during World War II.
Synopsis
Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, and General Omar N. Bradley engineered the Allied conquest that shattered Hitler's hold over Europe. But they also shared intricate connections going back decades, and in the Second World War, they found their prewar friendships complicated by shifting allegiances, jealousy, insecurity, patriotism, and ambition.
Drawn from the candid accounts of its main characters, this New York Times bestselling book reveals the real men beneath the legends.
Synopsis
December 1944. For the besieged American defenders of Bastogne, time was running out.... Hitlers forces had pressed in on the small Belgian town in a desperate offensive designed to push back the Allies, starting the Battle of the Bulge. So far the U.S. soldiers had managed to repel waves of attackers and even a panzer onslaught. But as their ammunition dwindled, the weary paratroopers of the 101st Airborne could only hope for a miraclea miracle in the form of General George S. Patton and his Third Army.
More than a hundred miles away, Patton, ordered to race his men to Bastogne, was already putting in motion the most crucial charge of his career. Tapped to spearhead his counterstrike against the Wehrmacht was the 4th Armored Division, a bloodied but experienced unit that had fought and slogged its way across France. But blazing a trail into Belgium meant going up against some of the best infantry and tank units in the German Army. Failure to reach Bastogne in time could result in the overrunning of the 101sta catastrophic defeat that could turn the tide of the war and secure victory for the Nazis.
In Patton at the Battle of the Bulge, Army veteran and historian Leo Barron explores one of the most famous yet little told clashes of the war, a vitally important chapter in one of historys most legendary battles.
About the Author
Leo Barron works for General Dynamics as an instructor of military intelligence officers for the U.S. Army. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history and has served with the 101st Airborne. Barron has seen two tours of active duty in Iraq as an infantry and intelligence officer. His articles about Bastogne and other WWII-related military topics have appeared in Infantry Magazine, Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, WWII History Magazine, and WWII Magazine. He has used some of his research on Bastogne and the Christmas battle to teach his students about intelligence preparation of the battlefield. He is also the author of No Silent Night: The Christmas Battle for Bastogne.