Nineteen months after Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor and forced the United States to enter World War II, boats carrying the 7th US Army landed on the shores of southern Sicily. Dubbed Operation Husky, the campaign to establish an Allied foothold in Sicily was led by two of the most noted American tacticians of the twentieth century: George S. Patton Jr. and Geoffrey Keyes.
While Patton is the subject of numerous books and films, Keyes's life and achievements have gone unrecognized, but his anonymity is by no means an accurate reflection of the value of his contributions and dedicated service in World War II and the succeeding cold war.
Patton's Tactician: The War Diary of Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes is the first transcribed edition of Keyes's personal diary to be published. Edited by James W. Holsinger Jr., the diary begins in October 1942, prior to the invasion of French Morocco and Keyes's engagement in World War II and the Cold War. Holsinger has integrated a variety of related sources, including correspondence between Keyes, Patton, and Eisenhower. A day-to-day chronicle of Keyes's experiences in the World War II Mediterranean Theater and the early days of the Cold War in occupied Germany and Austria, Patton's Tactician is an invaluable primary source that offers readers a glimpse into the mind of one of America's most important World War II corps commanders.
"This book is an extremely insightful way to better understand the inner workings between several important leaders both military and civilian during and after WWII. Holsinger filled in the blank spaces by providing additional documented information allowing the diary writings by Lieutenant General Keyes to come to life. Additionally, he provides the reader a chance to follow the events that led t
Major General Robert L. Ruth
"Of the thirty-four American officers who commanded corps in active operations in WWII, none did so as long and few as successfully as Lieutenant General Keyes; yet his role in securing Allied victories in Sicily and Italy went ignored until now. The author's excellent edited and annotated rendering of Keyes' diaries fill that void. Of equal importance, Keyes' observations as military governor in
Daniel K. R. Crosswell, author of Beetle: The Life of General Walter Bedell Smith
"World War II scholars and history buffs alike will find Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes wartime diary a fascinating read. James Holsinger provides historical context as the reader follows General Keyes wartime experience from North Africa, to Sicily, and throughout the Italian Campaign. The diary captures the many challenges Keyes faced serving under General George Patton and General Mark Clark
Steve R. Waddell, author of United States Army Logistics: From the American Revolution to
