George C. Marshall: A General for Peace - Biography of the American Statesman & Military Leader | Perfect for History Buffs, Students & WWII Enthusiasts

For a relatively short book at 134 pages, I found this book packed. George Marshall is one of the more impressive generals to have served in the US Army. What I learned about him was that while he was very capable, a strong leader and an excellent problem solver, he was not one to toot his own horn. For all of his career he stayed a dedicated soldier. While he yearned for advancement like his peers, he swallowed his pride if his seniors had other things in mind for him. In the end, his capabilities would shine through.There was one paragraph in this book that I have not seen an equivalent of in any other books. It encapsulates Marshall to a tee. The best way to describe this book's contents is to reproduce it below (from Page 23 just after Marshal was promoted to Captain in 1916 when he was assigned to Monterey, CA to train volunteer officers for the expanding Army):Marshall had already had experience with this type of crew before, in his days with the Pennsylvania National Guard, so he knew how to handle them. So deftly did he do so that they dubbed him "Dynamite" Marshall. From California he went to Utah for a similar tour. While there he received in his efficiency report just about the highest praise another officer can give. To the question, "would you like to have him under your command?" Colonel Hagood wrote "yes" and added, "but I would prefer to serve under his command." Hagood went on to recommend that he be made a brigadier general: "He is of the proper age, has had the training and experience and possesses the ability to command large bodies of troops in the field." The proposal was not as far afield as one might think. After all, only a few years earlier Captain Pershing overnight had become Brigadier General Pershing at the stroke of the president's pen.A book this short can not cover all detail of a general with the background and experiences of Marshall, but it is an excellent start. Compliment it with other biographies such as, Marshall, Hero For Our Times by Leonard Mosley. Marshall sets the standard.