Book Description

“This [volume] covers the Allied shift to the offensive in early 1943 to the defeat of Germany in May 1945. During this period, the indomitable Chief of Staff gained growing respect and trust from Roosevelt and Churchill and unparalleled respect from Congress and the country. The profound differences with our British Allies, the selection of Eisenhower to command the invasion force, the Mac-Arthur-Nimitz feud in the Pacific, the machinations at Yalta, the decision not to try to beat the Russians to Berlin, and the establishment of the occupation zones are covered in detail.” — The Military Engineer “The years 1943-45 were years of fulfillment, during which the greatest of American Chiefs of Staff saw the army that he had raised committed to the struggle against the Axis, in accordance with the strategical plan that he had devised and persuaded his allies to accept... there is little doubt that the decision [to keep Marshall in Washington and send Eisenhower to command the 1944 Normandy invasion] was fortunate for the nation, and Mr. Pogue’s substantial volume is filled with material to show why this was so... [a] rewarding volume.” — Gordon A. Craig, The New York Times “For those who wish to understand the American war effort, this is the place to begin... Also the book for those who want to meet an old-fashioned hero... In sum, a magnificent book about a magnificent man.” — Stephen E. Ambrose, Washington Post “An outstanding example of modern biography.” — Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles Times “This book is a careful, sensitive evaluation of an individual whose contribution to the Allied victory in World War II was unsurpassed. In addition, it is a fine description of the events and personalities of that conflict. As such, this book is a valuable addition to the literature of recent military history.” — David J. Alvarez, Military Affairs “In this [volume], scholars see Marshall at his best as soldier and statesman and Pogue at his best as biographer and historian. The product of this happy combination is a basic and indispensable work on World War II... It will be difficult to equal, let alone surpass, the excellence of this volume.” — Harry L. Coles, The Journal of American History “The best volume of biography I have ever been privileged to read... If any student of the future, or any citizen for that matter, can read but one book in his effort to get a clear understanding of the most climactic period in our history, this is the one.” — Ira Eaker, Aerospace Historian “This is biography at its best... A first-rate history of the two climactic years of the war... One of the best works yet written about the war. It is global in scope, deeply researched, thorough, written with clarity and forcefulness...” — Louis Morton, The American Historical Review “Pogue provides a well-documented and readable account of [Marshall’s] career from 1943-45... Pogue makes an important contribution to World War II historiography.” — John M. Carroll, The Review of Politics “For understanding the great decisions and personalities of the war that began the Cold War, this may be the most stimulating and the most indispensable book. Marshall would be proud of what Pogue has written, not because it is favorable but because it is fair.” — Noel F. Parrish, The Journal of Southern History “[An] excellent account... Pogue does [Marshall] justice.” — Willard F. Barber, Military Affairs “The... surely definitive George C. Marshall biography... a heavily documented text which incorporates or quotes from the Marshall papers and related material... the emphasis on the professional career continues while still attempting to build a portrait of the human being behind the braid... this continues the detailed, stately march through that calm, dedicated, supersubstantial call to national service which here ends with the German surrender in May of 1945 but is to be continued on the diplomatic shoals.” — Kirkus Reviews “Military historian Pogue... tops his previous fine efforts... with this superb study of his subject at the turning point of humankind’s greatest armed conflict... This is biography at its best... Pogue’s talent is exceeded only by his ability to write as forcefully and interestingly as any first-ranked novelist. The result is a biography which crackles with exciting drama and makes reading it not only an intellectually profitable experience but one that is also pleasurable... An epochal mural of a world at war... An outstanding and eminently readable biography...” — Princeton Alumni Weekly “Pogue is to be applauded. The book is indispensable to an understanding of the war and to an appreciation of the part played by Marshall and others in the unfolding drama.” — Armin Rappaport, Pacific Historical Review “Splendid... A superb biography.” — John F. Melby, Pacific Affairs “This is really the record not just of one great war but of an infinity of little wars.” — New York Post