Monty and Patton: Two Paths to Victory

Of all the Allied generals in the Middle East and Europe in World War II, Bernard Montgomery and George Patton stand out. Neither held supreme command, but both had a magnetism and flair that set them apart from their contemporaries.  Each had successes on the battlefield, went out of their way to court the headlines, and made serious mistakes that attracted adverse publicity. They demonstrated similar traits—a total dedication to their careers, professionalism, selfishness, arrogance, a desire for the limelight, and an unhesitating use of friends in high places to further their careers or achieve their aims. Neither was particularly pleasant—but then generals are not meant to be in war. Needless to say, they did not like each other. Michael Reynolds compares the lives of that "little fart" Monty and that "foul mouthed lover of war" Patton. He shows their greatness as commanders and how they both made essential contributions to victory in North Africa and Europe in World War II.