Pattons Prayer, Alex Kershaw
Pattons Prayer, Alex Kershaw
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Patton's Prayer
A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II

Bestseller

Author: Alex Kershaw

Narrator: Rob Shapiro

Unabridged: 7 hr 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 05/21/2024


Synopsis

From Alex Kershaw, author of the New York Times bestseller Against All Odds, comes an epic story of courage, resilience, and faith during the Second World War

General George Patton needed a miracle. In December 1944, the Allies found themselves stuck. Rain had plagued the troops daily since September, turning roads into rivers of muck, slowing trucks and tanks to a crawl. A thick ceiling of clouds had grounded American warplanes, allowing the Germans to reinforce. The sprint to Berlin had become a muddy, bloody stalemate, costing thousands of American lives.

Patton seethed, desperate for some change, any change, in the weather. A devout Christian, he telephoned his head chaplain. “Do you have a good prayer for the weather?” he asked. The resulting prayer was soon printed and distributed to the 250,000 men under Patton’s command. “Pray when driving,” the men were told. “Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle. . . . Pray for victory. . . . Pray for Peace.”

Then came the Battle of the Bulge. Amid frigid temperatures and heavy snow, 200,000 German troops overwhelmed the meager American lines in Belgium’s Ardennes Forest, massacring thousands of soldiers as the attack converged on a vital crossroads town called Bastogne. There, the 101st Airborne was dug in, but the enemy were lurking, hidden in the thick blanket of fog that seemed to never dissipate. A hundred miles of frozen roads to the south, Patton needed an answer to his prayer, fast, before it was too late.

About The Author

Alex Kershaw is a journalist and a New York Times bestselling author of books on World War II, including Against All Odds and The First Wave. Born in York, England, he is a graduate of Oxford University and has lived in the United States since 1994.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brendan on April 24, 2024

When you name your book, "Patton's Prayer," it will inherently be seen as controversial. To put a finer point on it, this title suggests General George Patton did not believe himself to be God. I kid. MacArthur thought he was God. Patton just thought they were besties. Alex Kershaw's new book looks ma......more

Goodreads review by Ben on September 08, 2024

I absolutely loved this book. Detailing the final events of WWII focusing on the Battle of the Bulge and General Patton’s prayer that he sent to the whole 3rd Army. The first thing I loved about this book is, unlike MANY history books, it didn’t bog itself down with details and a holier-than-thou wr......more

Goodreads review by Dee on November 07, 2024

Audible Credit 7 hours 49 min. Narrated by Rob Shapiro (B) I purchased PATTON'S PRAYER soon after it was released on Audible early this year. I am a great admirer of Alex Kershaw's writing style. I knew this story centered on General Patton's leadership of the 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge......more

Goodreads review by Keith on December 06, 2024

Very easy read about Patton, and the Battle of the Bulge. Well written. Timeline is November 1944 to his death in December of 1945. Amazing man who many credit with shortening the war because of his constant push to give the Germans no time to do anything but fight his 3 army. He pushed himself, his......more

Goodreads review by Steven on January 23, 2025

Outstanding book of Patton’s leadership of the third Army from the right before the Battle of Bulge in December 1944 to his death in December 1945. As expected Kershaw delivers and an engaging narrative that brings the personal perspective to the historical events and facts.......more


Quotes

Praise for Patton's Prayer:

"There is also no dearth of books on George Patton . . . But Mr. Kershaw has a way of digging out gripping individual stories in the context of larger drama and bringing pace and suspense to the telling." Wall Street Journal

"With careful research, Kershaw tells an engaging story, blending Patton’s virtues and flaws into a well-drawn portrait." Kirkus

"Kershaw’s novelistic rendering of Patton’s exploits amuses with its punchy dialogue and propulsive action. WWII buffs will want to check this out."  Publishers Weekly

“Scintillating. . . . Kershaw writes . . . with verve, energy, and insight on every page of this book.” New York Journal of Books

“Readers interested in World War II history, and Patton specifically, will enjoy.—Library Journal
 
"Readers of all stripes will find something to enjoy in Patton’s Prayer. The faithful will love its religious overtones; military buffs will appreciate the vivid combat scenes and stories of weatherworn GIs; and lay readers will revel in a tale well told. For his efforts, Father O’Neill was rewarded by Patton with a medal. For his, Kershaw, too, deserves an award. This is a superlative contribution to World War II literature." Washington Independent Review of Books