Review of Rescuing General Patton
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Susan Gibbs
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Review of Rescuing General Patton
[Following is a volunteer review of "Rescuing General Patton" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]
As per Curtis Stephen Burdick‘s explanation, General George. S. Patton was a successful American military leader who promoted the use of tanks in World War Two. Although brilliant, he was temperamental and unpredictable. A newspaper leaked dishonourable information about him slapping someone. Patton was forced to apologize to his men. He was then ‘reassigned’ to England in August 1943. Burdick suggests that Patton was relieved of his command in Sicily to cover up the fact that he had been captured by the Germans. What if a dangerous secret mission was arranged to rescue Patton? Burdick's Rescuing General Patton blends historical fact and fiction. It is a story within a story. Burdick begins his 191-page book with General Patton’s granddaughter giving an envelope to military historian author John Harding. It contains information given to her by her mother. Harding is excited to investigate and verify the information given to him. He writes a book detailing what happened in Sicily in August 1943. This is the story Burdick presents us with. There also is an unexpected love story in the book.
Burdick has created an action-packed narrative that entertains whilst also painting a vivid picture of war times. I loved the characters in the book. They were very believable and easy to imagine, without being stereotypical. Burdick has an admirable way of describing events and people, resulting in his characters being well-developed. He gives just enough information, not too much and not too little. Author John Harding is a believable military author. He is endearing with has “wispy strands of greying hair” and a bald spot. He wears “half-glasses, perched low on his narrow nose”. Being a retired US army major, he is neat, tidy, precise, and genuine. Burdick mentions how he hates non-denomination Christmas decorations as they don’t have a deeper meaning. General Patton is quick-tempered and brave, just as one imagines a general would be. He swore a lot as illustrated by Burdick describing him as “unleashing a string of profanities.” Burdick uses words that entertain and amuse his readers like Patton “slamming” his helmet into the platform. We can picture this scene unfolding. He knows just how to describe something e.g. an army jeep “barrelling and bouncing” down the road. The hero and leader of the rescue mission,Peter Pizzio, is also a likable character. He is young, made older by the war, war-weary, hard to control, outspoken, and duty-driven. Burdick has accurately recreated scenes from the war. I also liked the fact he included an epilogue. This gives information on what happened to the real-life characters that are mentioned in the book.
There was nothing I particularly disliked about the book. It was enjoyable to read. I learned more about famous personalities in World War Two. Perhaps the only aspect I could mention is that it can be slightly confusing at first because it is a story within a story. Burdick’s book is about how military history author John Harding writes the story of General Patton, but this makes it interesting, so it’s not a negative. There is some minor profanity and some gruesome scenes when the parachuters land on mines, but this is all to be expected in a story of this kind and I am mentioning it only so that readers will know exactly what to expect.
The book was professionally edited. I did not notice any errors. It deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.
I recommend this book to readers interested in history, particularly the Second World War, fans of action stories, and military enthusiasts.
******
Rescuing General Patton
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
As per Curtis Stephen Burdick‘s explanation, General George. S. Patton was a successful American military leader who promoted the use of tanks in World War Two. Although brilliant, he was temperamental and unpredictable. A newspaper leaked dishonourable information about him slapping someone. Patton was forced to apologize to his men. He was then ‘reassigned’ to England in August 1943. Burdick suggests that Patton was relieved of his command in Sicily to cover up the fact that he had been captured by the Germans. What if a dangerous secret mission was arranged to rescue Patton? Burdick's Rescuing General Patton blends historical fact and fiction. It is a story within a story. Burdick begins his 191-page book with General Patton’s granddaughter giving an envelope to military historian author John Harding. It contains information given to her by her mother. Harding is excited to investigate and verify the information given to him. He writes a book detailing what happened in Sicily in August 1943. This is the story Burdick presents us with. There also is an unexpected love story in the book.
Burdick has created an action-packed narrative that entertains whilst also painting a vivid picture of war times. I loved the characters in the book. They were very believable and easy to imagine, without being stereotypical. Burdick has an admirable way of describing events and people, resulting in his characters being well-developed. He gives just enough information, not too much and not too little. Author John Harding is a believable military author. He is endearing with has “wispy strands of greying hair” and a bald spot. He wears “half-glasses, perched low on his narrow nose”. Being a retired US army major, he is neat, tidy, precise, and genuine. Burdick mentions how he hates non-denomination Christmas decorations as they don’t have a deeper meaning. General Patton is quick-tempered and brave, just as one imagines a general would be. He swore a lot as illustrated by Burdick describing him as “unleashing a string of profanities.” Burdick uses words that entertain and amuse his readers like Patton “slamming” his helmet into the platform. We can picture this scene unfolding. He knows just how to describe something e.g. an army jeep “barrelling and bouncing” down the road. The hero and leader of the rescue mission,Peter Pizzio, is also a likable character. He is young, made older by the war, war-weary, hard to control, outspoken, and duty-driven. Burdick has accurately recreated scenes from the war. I also liked the fact he included an epilogue. This gives information on what happened to the real-life characters that are mentioned in the book.
There was nothing I particularly disliked about the book. It was enjoyable to read. I learned more about famous personalities in World War Two. Perhaps the only aspect I could mention is that it can be slightly confusing at first because it is a story within a story. Burdick’s book is about how military history author John Harding writes the story of General Patton, but this makes it interesting, so it’s not a negative. There is some minor profanity and some gruesome scenes when the parachuters land on mines, but this is all to be expected in a story of this kind and I am mentioning it only so that readers will know exactly what to expect.
The book was professionally edited. I did not notice any errors. It deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.
I recommend this book to readers interested in history, particularly the Second World War, fans of action stories, and military enthusiasts.
******
Rescuing General Patton
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Wisdom by Arun mago
