There's a War to Be Won: The United States Army in World War II

by Geoffrey Perrett and Geoffrey Perret

Book Overview

THERE'S A WAR TO BE WON is the landmark story of one of the greatest armies in history, a conscript force of amateur soldiers who had an unparalleled record of combat success. Here -- for the first time in one volume -- is the chronicle of the United States Army's dramatic mobilization and stunning march to victory in World War II. In a lively and engrossing narrative that spans theaters of operations around the world, Geoffrey Perret tells how the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394578317
• ISBN13: 9780394578316
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 623 Pages
• Weight: 2.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Best One Volume History of WWII

This is the best one volume history of WWII written. Geoffrey Perret writes the book from the perspective of the US Army. He really dives into the story like few other authors. Some of his conclusions are different than most, but he explains his reasoning very well. So many authors try to explain military battles like they were sports games. Battles are far more complex than a simple football game. Mr. Perret does a great job of walking the reader through some of the complexities of battle. He covers things that few authors takes time to cover. He talks about how what was talked about in the classrooms of CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth shaped the commanders that fought the war. Mr. Perret takes time to explain how Marshall set up a system to crank out divisions off of the training line much like Ford created cars. Almost every battle the Army fought is covered by the author, some in great detail, some battles were covered in passing. He naturally covers the big battles like D-Day but also gives good coverage of the campaign in Italy, Sicily, North Africa, and with McArthur's troops in the Pacific. He even talks about the forgotten men McArthur left in 42 who were seemingly forgotten by history after that. Mr Perrret does a good job to explain the tactics, and strategy of the war. He doesn't forget the ever important logistics of the war from the war production board in Washington down to the supply Sgt. on the battlefield. The author also gives the reader a little color with the story. He does mention the unique personalities at various levels that helped bring about the victory. This book is a great book to make a novice into a history expert in short time.

A Great Book for an overview of the WWII US Army

If you want a good well written book about the rise of Americas Army from a basically small constabulary to one of the great fighting machines. Which then went out to detroy one of the greatest threats to the Republic then you have come to the right place. I especially like how the Author has rightfully laid the credit to one of Americas unsung heros George C. Marshall. An outstanding job as far as I am concerned.

How the U.S. Army fought and won WWII

An overstatement? Possibly. I won't debate whether the U.S. or Soviet Union won the War. What I will do is give Mr. Perret allocades for the best single volume treatment of how the US Army prepared and won a two front war on the ground and in the air.While others might quibble that he does not take to task the organizations and personalities sufficiently for their failures, I do not. I see this book as cutting though all the "fog" and presenting the non-historian with an entertaining and well organized presentation of the years leading up to and during the war. I have read the book several times....The reader will come away with a greater appreciation of just how lucky the U.S. was to have done as well as we did. In large measure the Army's success was a result of retaining the best and the brightest leaders and strategists at a time they were needed.Shrewd choices in weapons development, and program management also paved the way to victory by allowing the US Army to become the only truly mechanized army in the world (despite what the popular history books would tell you about the Wehrmacht), possess the largest air force ever in existence, develop the nuclear bomb, and supply and maintain 93 divisions (larger and better equiped than the brigade sized divisions fielded by both the Soviets and Germans) on two fronts on separate sides of the globe.This book is a great introduction to the history of the US Army in WWII. I recomend this book and two others by Mr. Perret: A Country Build by War and Winged Victory: The US Army Air Corp in WWII

The American Way of War

This book reveals in wonderful detail the unique nature of the U.S. Army in WWII. The army that won the WWII was the creation George C. Marshall. Marshall never once forgot that the American solider was first and formost a citizen solider. The mindset of the"greatest generation" was lets do the job & go home, hence the title.What is unique about this book is that portrays the creation and combat effectiveness of the U.S. Army in WWII. Perret has done a masterful job of explaining the creation, the training, the organization and combat skill of the US Army. Esienhower, Patton, Bradley, Arnold & McArthur took Marshall's brilliant creation and utilized to not only win the war, but change the world. If you liked "The Greatest Generation" & like Stephen Ambrose's work, you'll love Perret's book. It really is the single best history of the WWII U.S.Army ever written.

Superb . Best one volume history of the U.S. Army in WW II

Geoffrey Perret has done an excellent job of explaining how the U.S. Army trained for, equipped, and subsequently fought the key campaigns of WW II. Lots of interesting detail. Highly recommended