Brothers, Rivals, Victors

The true story of the friendship-and rivalry-among the greatest American generals of World War II. Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton, and General Omar N. Bradley engineered the Allied conquest that shattered Hitler's hold over Europe. But they also shared an intricate web of relationships going back decades. In the cauldron of World War II, they found their prewar friendships complicated by shifting allegiances, jealousy, insecurity, patriotism, and ambition.

Meticulously researched and vividly written, Jonathan W. Jordan's Brothers Rivals, Victors recounts the battle for Europe through the eyes of these three legendary generals who fought to liberate two continents. For the first time in such detail, the bonds between these battle captains are explored, and readers are treated to a rare insider's view of life at the summit of raw, violent power. Throughout three years of hard, bloody warfare, Eisenhower, the Alliance's great diplomat, sought victory in the fighting qualities and tactical genius of his most trusted subordinates, Bradley and Patton. Bradley and Patton, in turn, owed their careers to Eisenhower, who protected them from the slings and arrows of politicians, rival generals, their allies, and the U.S. Navy. The twin pillars of their working relationships were duty and trust. Yet their friendship, so genuine and unalloyed before the war, would be put to the ultimate test as life-and-death decisions were thrust upon them, and honor and duty conflicted with personal loyalty.

Brothers Rivals Victors is drawn from the candid accounts of its main characters, and strips away much of the public image of "Ike" (Eisenhower), the "G.I.'s General" (Bradley), and "Old Blood and Guts" (Patton) to reveal the men lurking beneath the legend. Adding richness to this insider's story are the words and observations of a supporting cast of generals, staff officers, secretaries, aides, politicians, and wives, whose close proximity to Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton in times of stress and tranquility are brought together to produce a uniquely intimate account of a relationship that influenced a war. The story of how these three great strategists pulled together to wage the deadliest conflict in history, despite their differences and rivalries, is marvelously told in this eye-opening narrative, sure to become a classic of military history.

ISBN-13: 9780451232120
Publication date: 04/05/2011
Author : Jonathan W. Jordan
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Editorial Reviews - AMERICA IN WWII

Jonathan W. Jordan explores the relationships of the three most famous US Army generals in World War II—Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, and the volatile George S. Patton—from the post–World War I era to the end of the Second World War. This trio of generals helped lead US forces from the dark early days of World War II to ultimate triumph in Europe, battling Nazi Germany, its allies, and quite often each other. Jordan successfully manages to balance good history with a very accessible narrative—not always an easy task…Rather than patch together a Frankenstein-style narrative from secondary sources, Jordan uses his primary sources effectively to provide solid insight into the lives of his three subjects. All of these West Point graduates lived under pressures that few can understand, and they were not always on the best terms with one another. Jordan has written a good book in a style that keeps the reader informed and involved. Although he omits the losses incurred during the D-Day rehearsal codenamed Operation Tiger, he remains on target with the big three without letting any one overwhelm the other two.Michael Edwards University of New Orleans

Meet the Author

Jonathan W. Jordan is the author of the award-winning book Lone Star Navy: Texas, the Fight for the Gulf of Mexico, and the Shaping of the American West (Potomac Books: 2007), a contributing author to The Armchair Reader: World War II and The Armchair Reader: The Amazing Book of World History, and the editor of the Library of Texas edition of To the People of Texas. His writing has appeared in World War II magazine, Armchair General, Military History, World War II History, and MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History. A practicing attorney in Atlanta, Mr. Jordan lives in Marietta, Georgia.