Brothers Rivals Victors: Eisenhower Patton Bradley and the Partnership that Drove the Allied Conquest i n Europe

About this book

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 Hitlers 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. Jordans 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 insiders view of life at the summit of raw violent power. Throughout three years of hard bloody warfare Eisenhower the Alliances 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 insiders 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.