The Last Days of Patton

New York, NY: Berkley Books, 1982. The end of WW II found him at the height of his glory, his tanks poised for more of the lightning thrusts that made him a legend. A year later America's greatest military hero was gone...his victories downplayed by the top brass, his life closed in an accident that is still a subject of controversy today. Ladislas Farago is Patton's supreme biographer. Patton did a horrible job after the fighting was over. He was not well liked outside of the ETO, which prevented him from finding a command in the Pacific Theatre. Therefore, he was selected by default to help run post-WWII Germany. More specifically he was given authority over Bavaria, the original area where Nazism took root. In Farago's analysis, Patton was ill suited for this job, and he did a rather poor job of executing his duties. Farago shows how Patton's professional frustration prevented his ability to get the job done, and also reveals that Patton had some rather disturbing personal beliefs about the Jews. There was a tight relationship between Ike and Patton. Their personal relationship played a key role in helping keep Patton "in the game" at several junctions, and was a definite plus for Patton. Farago explains that Patton took advantage of his friendship with Ike one too many times which resulted in his eventual demise. This book goes into great detail about the accident that resulted in Patton's eventual death. It is a tragic tale which is worth reading. I recommend it to anyone interested in General Patton, or American leadership during the war.. First Edition. Mass Market Paperback. Fine. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.