Patton and Rommel: Men of War in the Twentieth Century

by Dennis E. Showalter

Book Overview

A dual biography of the two World War II generals who changed warfare--and history--forever. General George S. Patton and General Erwin Rommel- They served their countries through two World Wars. Their temperaments, both on and off the battlefield, were overwhelmingly contrary-but their approach to modern warfare was remarkably similar. Written by a prominent military historian, Patton and Rommel takes a provocative look at both figures, intertwining...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425193462
• ISBN13: 9780425193464
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Nice summary of the careers of two major WWII generals

I bought this book at an airport bookstore, and really enjoyed it. For those that don't have the time to read full biographies of Patton and Rommell, this is the book for you. If you've already read separate biographies of the two, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book.

Light Reading

This is not a bad book if you realize what it really is: a nice light-reading history. This is not for those who already have dozens of books about these two men. It is a book for those who haven't read much history, but would like to get a nice introduction to these two great generals. For that, it's a really good book. I found that the author of this book seems to favor Rommel over Patton. Whereas Rommel is depicted as a competent professional soldier, Patton is often depicted as someone who is more concerned with his career and rank rather than military issues. The author paints Patton as a man on the verge of mental breakdown, and as a bit of a whiner. If you're a Patton fan, you might want to avoid this book.

Patton and Rommel

A great,well written book and well descibes the two men.The only mistake I know of in the book was where the author,Shoemaker,gives the date of the invasion at Salerno,Italy as Sept 8th 1943.It was Sept 9th 1943.I know I was there.You do not forget those dates.I also believe more could have been said about the battle at El Guettar,the only time Patton engaged Rommel.The author only gave it several lines and felt it was not important.Patton's aide was killed there.A very bloody affair.I know. I was also there.

Very Good Book

I read this book last night and I think that this is a well-researched book about two of the Second World War's famous commanders, George Patton and Erwin Rommel. I really like the fact that the book explores thier similarities and their diffrences in personality, command style, and circumstances in which they found themselves under. The one weakness that the book has is that I couldn't use the bibliography all that much in looking up instances and I found myself somewhat frustrated. Despite this flaw, I think that this is a very good book about Patton and Rommel which should be read.

Book Review

Yeah before I start, this was for English class so if anything is incorrect, bare with me, and I also didn't finish this book so... The beginning of this book talked the childhood of both Patton and Rommel. It then explained about Rommel's military career before and during World War 1. I learned that Rommel was a very well respected man even in War World 1. He earned First and Second Iron Cross and some other award. Then the book moved onto George Patton. It talked about him in World War 1 and prior to it. After this I didn't read any farther not because it was a bad book, but because I didn't have time. But I'm guessing that it talked about after World War 1 then into World War 2 where George Patton and Rommel became Generals. It also probably talked about Rommel in the African Campaign and how he was called the "desert fox". Yeah, overall this was a sweet book because I enjoy World War 1 and 2 histories. I wish I finished it but whatever.