General George S. Patton

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the life of General George S. Patton based on the principles in Tom Wolfe's novel "The Right Stuff", which identifies tangible and intangible characteristics of important American leaders. In many ways, the author believes, the way that Patton lead the troops to victory in the European and North African theaters of World War II is an ideal template for possessing and demonstrating 'the right stuff.' The paper describes that General Patton's exemplary balance of leadership utilized his strong intimidating voice and yet he excelled through the power of effective delegation.

From the Paper:

"By ensuring through his own abilities that he could with confidence, allow units and individuals ranked beneath him operate independent of his immediate oversight, Patton would succeed in disseminating his own resolve and skill to those around him. Such an approach, Patton's history shows, has the capacity to magnify one's ability to serve the role of a leader, marking an interest in sharing the intangible reflection of the 'right stuff'. This type of leadership approach would require great balance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Campbell, Al. (2006). Still Secure, Patton's Christmas Day Fair Weather Prayer of '44. General George S. Patton, Jr. Online at http://www.generalpatton.com/viewheadline.php?id=4164>.
• CMG Estates. (2006); Biography of General Patton. General George S. Patton, Jr. Online at <http://www.generalpatton.com/biography.html>.
• Patton, George S.. (1947). War As I Knew It. Houghton-Mifflin.
• Wolfe, T. (1979). The Right Stuff. Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

More papers on General George S. Patton:

• Essay # 43163 : "General George S. Patton"
• Term Paper # 95850 : "General George S. Patton"
• Essay # 17475 : "General George S. Patton"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: