I am thankful that I read this book because before I did, the only thing I knew about General Pershing was that he was a general (obviously), and that the Pershing missile, at least I surmised, was named after him. I didn't even know his first name or what wars he fought in. It just goes to show that what I learned in school was but a brief summary of American history.
Now war is a dirty word. With it, thousands of people die. And much to my dismay, humankind cannot seem to live without it. Therefore, the military is in a strange position. When war is imminent, the Armed Forces are built up and soldiers and sailors are sent to do their duty. At the time, they are rewarded and often glorified. However, when America is at peace, her citizens often forget the relevance and importance of her men and women in uniform.
This book is not only about the military career of John Pershing, it is also about the making of the United States of America in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is also heartening to catch more than a glimpse of Pershing's private life. Pershing's most conspicuous attainment was to be named General of the Armies, a rank only achieved by George Washington, and posthumously at that. He was a decisive factor in winning World War I and was steadfast in not allowing the French Army to use US soldiers in a joint effort, but rather stuck to his guns and fought as a separate, distinct American army.
To show you how times change, I am going to quote a passage from the book that would be outlandish and grounds for court marshaling if it happened in Afghanistan today: "Lieutenant Patton led a squad of ten men who killed two Mexicans leaders including Julio Cárdenas, commander of Villa's personal bodyguard. Patton delivered the bodies to Pershing's headquarters lashed to a car fender like deer, which brought him wide renown in the American press". I can just see the photo plastered all over the Internet and evening news and people up in arms about it.
I was very sad about the death of Pershing's wife and children except for one. It was a tragedy that occurred because the newly varnished floor of the Pershing residence caught fire. I cannot see how anyone could live, much less rise to greatness after such an event. I would give him an extra star just for sticking in there.
I would definitely recommend this book to any reader wishing to become familiar with Pershing's life as well as the US military. It is written in a very readable style and does not dwell too long on the actual battles themselves. You will be delighted by the tidbits of US history you probably didn't know, either because of classroom curriculum restraints or political correctness. I am sure that it is not desirable to teach how the United States colonized the Philippines with its military might and treated the natives with condescension. Yet it happened, and it deserves to be known.
I was given this book by Boooksneeze in exchange for an honest review, good or bad, of this book.
