Pershing: General of the Armies
This book completes Smythe's biography of John J. Pershing. His first volume was Guerrilla Warrior (1973). Smythe's is the second modern two-volume biography of the general; the other is Frank E. Vandiver's Black Jack: the life and times of John J. Pershing ( LJ 10/1/77). Smythe and Vandiver agree that Pershing put his mark on the American Expeditionary Force that helped turn the tide to the Allies' favor in World War I. Smythe argues that Pershing was almost overwhelmed by his multiple jobssupervisor of logistics, field commander, and diplomat who blocked amalgamation of U.S. units with British and French divisions. While Smythe's book is more thoroughly researched in primary sources than Vandiver's, Vandiver's is the more sprightly written. General readers may prefer Vandiver; scholars may prefer Smythe. Highly recommended for all college and large public libraries. Joseph G. Dawson, History Dept., Texas A&M; Univ., College StationCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.