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

Author: Lloyd Clark

Narrator: Julian Elfer

Unabridged: 11 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/01/2022


Synopsis

From an acclaimed military historian, the interlocking lives of three of the most important and consequential generals in World War II

Born in the two decades prior to World War I, George Patton, Bernard Montgomery, and Erwin Rommel became among the most recognized and successful military leaders of the twentieth century. However, as acclaimed military historian Lloyd Clark reveals in his penetrating and insightful braided chronicle of their lives, they charted very different, often interrupted, paths to their ultimate leadership positions commanding hundreds of thousands of troops during World War II and celebrated as heroes in the United States, Britain, and Germany.

Patton was born into a military family and from an early age felt he was destined for glory; following a disjointed childhood, Montgomery found purpose and direction in a military academy; Rommel's father was a former officer, so his pursuit of a military career was logical. Having ascended to the middle ranks, each faced battle for the first time in World War I, a searing experience that greatly influenced their future approach to war and leadership. When war broke out again in 1939, Montgomery and Rommel were immediately engaged, while Patton chafed until the US joined the Allies in 1942 and the three men, by then generals, collided in North Africa in 1943, and then again, climactically, in France after D-Day in 1944.

About Lloyd Clark

Lloyd Clark is cofounder of the Centre for Army Leadership, British Army, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and professor of modern war studies, Humanities Research Institute, University of Buckingham. One of the UK's leading military historians, he is the author of several books, including Blitzkrieg, The Battle of the Tanks, Crossing the Rhine, and Anzio.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Owen

The Commanders was a very well written and detailed book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The journeys of these three WWII generals were very different, but they all led to great success for their home countries. What surprised me the most was the negative side of these leaders. It was very surprising to......more

Goodreads review by Steven

A fairly thorough exploration of the leadership "journeys" of Patton, Montgomery, and Rommel. Very detailed where it matters most, painting a picture of three leaders who traveled unique journeys to rise to the top of their respective professions. What stands out most in the telling is that the lead......more