Book Description

There is no denying that General George S. Patton was one of the heroes of World War II and one of its deciding factors. There is also no denying that Patton's personal style of commanding troops was fueled by self-aggrandizement, pride, and a sense of entitlement as much as it was by sound strategizing. In this unflinching look at Patton's storied career, Jim Sudmeier examines both sides of him-the fearless combat leader and the egomaniac. Were they at odds during the war, or was it this combination that shaped his unique leadership style? In this extensively researched biography, Sudmeier begins where the seeds of Patton's temperament were planted. Born with every advantage, Patton was raised to believe that his mission in life was to restore the family honor by winning glory on the battlefield. Sudmeier traces the start of Patton's narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) through West Point and the Western Front. He sheds light on Patton's past, including a narrow escape from a court martial for killing one of his own men with a shovel to the head. Sudmeier also shows, however, that Patton's psyche helped produce incredible victories-triumphs that determined the destiny of the entire world.