The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel

Military historian Clark (modern war studies, Univ. of Buckingham; Blitzkrieg) intertwines the lives on Erwin Rommel, George Patton, and Bernard Montgomery in this engaging book. The overarching theme is an examination of the leadership styles, including the similarities and differences, of the three men. Told in chronological order, the book builds from Patton to Montgomery to Rommel in each chapter. The early lives of each man are covered from how they became military officers to their experiences in battle during World War I. Their lives are also examined thoroughly through stories of World War II, their time spent simultaneously in North Africa and then France, to the end of their lives. Clark uses letters, diary passages, and official reports to gain insight into how the men handled stress, training, tactics, and difficult decisions for their soldiers during the heat of battle. The book also includes a list of maps and an impressive bibliography for other researchers.