Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the book and integrates it with information from "The Second World War" by John Keegan, and "The Second World War" by Thomas Griess. It discusses how Patton was a complex man, more than just a brilliant military leader, as his memoir shows. He was part historian, part barbarian and part connoisseur, all blended into a tough fighting man who knew how to lead troops and plan brilliant campaigns, but did not have the diplomatic skills to get along with his commanders. His memoir is surprising, illuminating and disturbing, all at the same time and perfectly describes the man that was Patton.

From the Paper:

"Patton's book opens with some background on the African Campaign in North Africa in 1942. Patton writes in journal form, taking the reader along on all the action of his campaigns as they happen. Some of the entires are short and choppy, dealing only with the fighting action, and others, obviously when Patton had more time to write and collect his thoughts, are long and rambling, and discuss not only the fighting tactics, but day to day life on the fighting front.

Patton is a true paradox, a fighting man who lived to fight, but also loved to learn, and could write detailed and vivid descriptions of everything he saw, from beautiful Persian rugs to the worst carnage of battle. He read the Koran, "a good book and interesting," and then rapidly turns around and reports, "To me it seems certain that the fatalistic teachings of Mohammed and the utter degradation of women is the outstanding cause for the arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly as he was around the year 700, while we have kept on developing." Patton can see the good in something, and turn right around and see the worst of something almost in the same breath."

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