I asked for this biography as a Christmas present 20 years ago. I finally got around to reading it, and I was not disappointed. Dr. Vandiver has written an first-rate biography which compares to Dumas Malone's sextet on Thomas Jefferson and Douglas S. Freeman's classic four-volume opus on Robert E. Lee. John Pershing probably has languished in obscurity in recent times because of the events which followed World War I (the Roaring Twenties, the Depression) and World War II, which resulted from, as Pershing himself warned, failing to fight World War I to a decisive finish. He is also denigrated by some as not being able to chase down Pancho Villa during the Punitive Expedition. Vandiver sets the record of history straight on Pershing, though, as nearly all biographers of great men are wont to do, he does lapse into hagiography and glosses too readily in many instances over his faults and weaknesses. Nevertheless he fairly portrays Pershing as the simple, direct, honest, energetic, efficient, and dedicated man and soldier who rose to the rank of General of the Armies, a rank attained only by George Washington before him. Vandiver traces Pershing from his youth, his sojourn as a teacher in a small school, and his cadet days at West Point, showing how his values and experiences moulded him well for the service and duty he would render his country for decades. From West Point, Pershing went west to become an Indian fighter, to Cuba in the Spanish-American War, and then to the Phillipines, where he conquered the wild Moro tribes of Mindanao. Pershing performed each of his assignments with excellence and bravery, always earning the highest praise from his superiors. He was a spit-and-polish martinet, insisting that his subordinates conform to the highest standards set at West Point. He never asked of his men anything he would not ask of himself, and he honestly believed that all that drill, efficiency, and discipline put his soldiers at the minimum risk when the tasks of campaigning and battle were at hand. He had no patience with slovenly subordinate officers who let their commands slide. Pershing did have a knack for selecting excellent subordinates, and rarely had problems getting his overall plans and objectives executed. The best part of Vandiver's work is that which describes Pershing's command of the AEF. The general did an incredible job of commanding the mobilization, buildup of troops and materiel in France, and ensuring the training of his Doughboys, all the time holding off repeated French and British attempts to siphon off and amalgamate the arriving American soldiers into their forces. Had the French and British succeeded, it is not inconceivable that they would have wasted thousands of American soldiers in the grinding, failing trench warfare the French and British were accustomed to on the Western Front. Pershing's dogged insistence on an American army angered the Allies, but proved decisive and effective in the last five months of the conflict. To their everlasting credit, both Secretary of War Newton Baker and President Wilson also never wavered from this course, and backed up Pershing fully whenever Lloyd George or Clemenceau tried to press their case over the general's head. Vandiver fully portrays the human side of General Pershing, including his marriage to Frances Warren, their brief 10 years together, and his grief at losing her and their three daughters in a fire at the Presidio in 1915. He also depicts Pershing's social circle as a young man, and the fortuitous friendships with men who became extremely influential and helpful to him later in life. Many of the subordinates he mentored and nurtured all either proved essential to the building and command of the AEF and/or became the pillars of America's armed forces in World War II (Marshall, Patton, and MacArthur, for example). This biography does have a few editorial flaws. Dr. Vandiver, who was a prodigy who never attended high school or undergraduate school, does some excellent writing for having had no formal coursework, but he does have a shocking weakness in writing subordinate clauses as separate sentences. Of which this is an example. A good editor would have caught the few dozen instances in this work and revised the grammar. Also Dr. Vandiver sometimes drops articles from a sentence, resulting in some clumsy passages. Again, good editing would have corrected these. At the end of the second volume, as Pershing's retirement approaches, Dr. Vandiver omits the necessary explanation that, in 1924, the mandatory retirement age in the armed forces was 64; the reader has to infer that from the narrative. Nevertheless Dr. Vandiver hit a home run with his biography of Pershing, and it deserved far more acclaim and exposure than it has enjoyed in the past 20 years. Reading about this genuine American hero was a breath of fresh air in these times of antiheroes. America today surely needs more men like General Pershing. Thanks to Dr. Vandiver, he will not be forgotten.

I have just finished reading this book. Hunnicutt has again provided armor enthusiasts with an excellent work covering the history and development of the Perhsing tank.

Although this is the smallest of his volumes, I found it to be just as informative as the others with the same high standards, line drawings, photographs, cut aways. All aspects of this vehicle are covered- turret, armament, hull, suspension, automotive.

I am very glad to have this volume in my collection. Highly recommended reading.

The Great War found the United States unprepared, as is our custom. Excluding the Spanish American War debacle, we had never really fought overseas, and there was no one in the American military in 1917with any experience in the command or management of large formations. Fortunately there was John J. Pershing, who not only had the organizational skills but the political strength to build and hold together the new armies. Pershing's Herculean tasks of finding new leadership and eliminating deadwood, training the troops (and their leaders!), tapping civilian talent for special skills, organizing new staff functions and assimilating new technologies, so reminiscent of World War II, are well described here in Cooke's usual clear and workmanlike narrative; in a work essential for the World War I bookshelf and of interest to the general reader as well.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

it still takes a back-seat to R. P. Hunnicut's exhaustive and complete book, "Pershing: a History of the Medium Tank".

What this slender book does have is some good info (little of which is new) and a lot of excellent, clear pictures. It's an excellent reference on the tank and a worthy addition to the series.

The M26 Pershing was the US Army's belated answer to the German Panther and Tiger tanks. Until the invasion of France the US thought their "Tank Destroyer" arm would defend against Nazi armor while the obsolescent Sherman tank would be used to exploit breakthroughs. The close fighting in the hedgerow country of Normandy showed the flaws in this policy and urgent requests went out for a better armed and better protected tank. The Ordnance dDepartment's answer was the T26E3 (later M26) which had been in development. The tank, nicknamed "Pershing", was rushed into production and early examples arrived in Europe late in the war. The Pershing also proved to be a powerful asset in Korea when facing the Soviet T34 tanks used by North Korea.

The recent release of a model of America's M26 Pershing tank led to several new books coming out on this little-know armored vehicle. If I have to choose only one of the new crop I would pick this one. Mr. Zaloga is a dedicated researcher and is very knowledgeable on combat vehicles and their histories. In a thumbnail Zaloga traces development of the new tank and then looks at how the Pershing was used in WW2 and Korea.

For a modest price the reader gets a history of the tank and color scheme information. The Osprey Vanguards are not meant to be the "final word" on any vehicle, but serve as modestly priced, readily available references. This is one of the best in that series.

This tank could have made a great diferens in een early ending of the war. This book makes this statement.
The pictures are of an high detail.

General Pershing was, perhaps, the best person to be the Commander-In-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I. He did an excellent job of co-ordinating the American forces.

I have a problem in understanding his logic when it comes to the Black Americans Soldiers which he controlled. The General states that he was not a predjudist person and was in charge of the 24th Infantry (black) during the Mexican-American war. He praises their work, yet, when the 93rd Division (black), American,arrived in France; Pershing assigned them to the French Army.

Pershing made the statement that Americans will not fight under another countries Flag but then gave the 93rd Division (provisional) to the French.

Further on, General Pershing makes the statement that Black Americans are good soldiers as long as their are white officers leading them. There is no mention of visiting the Regiments (369th, 370th, 371st, and 372nd) during his tours of the regiments.

The Generals attitude towards black officers resulted in an open field-day on all black american officers.

The 92nd Division, a complete black-american division was not given its rightful respect, due awards, and training while in france.

In this two volume set, America's only, "General of the Armies," John J., "Blackjack," Pershing narrates the United States' role in World War I (WWI) from his vantage point as the Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He recounts what it was like to create an army from scratch, then equip, train, transport it overseas, and fight it in a global conflict against a battle-hardened enemy. Pershing provides insight into the difficulties of mobilizing a nation for war that are as valid today as in 1917... Historians desiring insights into the war will find Pershing a treasure trove of information...

Have you ever wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes? General John Joseph Pershing, arguably the most important figure in Europe during the later part of WWI, lets the reader get inside his head and see just that. Through his eyes we see the almost insurmountable problems that plagued the French, American, and British forces in 1917-1918 France. We feel the emotions he felt bleeding through the pages as we absorb his every thought of every battle. We see his life and times as no other writer could possible tell us. Black Jack Pershing could afford no shortcuts to victory, and he demanded perfection....when you read this book you will know, fear, and respect the man that carried the burden and hope of the world on his shoulders, and won.

I love a romance with amnesia. The mystery makes the tale. This is a very good one.

This book was an utter delight from start to finish. Highly recommended!

This is the tale of Cassie Nevins, struggling writer, and her love for her fictional creation Cowboy Charlie.
When Nevins, an aspiring children's author, puts on a pair of enchanted glasses and makes a wish she is unprepared for the result: her storybook creation Cowboy Charlie comes "to life!"

Charlie claims to be from a world where all 'fictional' characters are real. He is sweet, charming, funny, and entertaining. Initially, believing the man is an actor, she soon, comes to realize he is the real thing and unwittingly falls in love with him.

I really liked Cassie's Cowboy, so its hard for me to give it a less than glowing review. But here it is in a nutshell: I HATED the ending. There, I said it. The ending was awful. Ech! Bleh! Argh. The ending cost the book a star for me.

Other than that. A great book. Cute premise, with some excellent writing by Pershing, but a very disappointing ending - at least for this reader, which is to bad... This could have been a keeper.

If Cassie Nevins does not find a miracle by the fourth of July, she and daughter Trish will loose their tiny home. When her husband died, his foolish get rich quick schemes left his tiny family nearly bankrupt. Now Cassie struggles to make ends meet with her tiny salary at a dress shop and entertains her child at night with stories of her own creation. Indeed, her Cowboy Charlie tales have virtually taken on a life of their own as she draws her illustrations and weaves her tales for her daughter's, and her own private and not so innocent, entertainment.

Then one night after a particularly desperate wish for a hero to save the day, Cassie opens the door to find a real life Cowboy Charlie standing on her doorstep complete with hat and spurs. Stunned at his resemblance to her fantasy hero, it still takes a bit of time and charm for Charlie to convince her of his authenticity. As they spend time together, they find themselves increasingly drawn together emotionally as well. Charlie struggles to find the solution to fill Cassie's dreams, but he worries about what will happen to him afterward.

Author Diane Pershing achieves an amazingly convincing fantasy come to life tale of romance and happily-ever-after endings with CASSIE'S COWBOY. Perishing gathers all the elements of the traditional fairy tale, including the widowed mother about to loose her home to foreclosure, a touch of magic, and a wish. This result is fantasy come true for Cassie, but true love and commitment arrive with an unexpected twist that left this reviewer first with tears of sadness then tears of joy. This whimsical and beautiful tale reveals Pershing's mastery of storytelling and touching characterization. CASSIE'S COWBOY earns the Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence with flair.

Pipe Clay and Drill: John J. Pershing, the Classic American Soldier by Richard Goldhurst is an interesting and informative biography of John J. Pershing. In general this text provides and accurate and objective account on Pershing's life and the changing world around him but in some areas I was disappointed. To say that this book is purely a biography would be misleading. I was hoping to read a book that would focus on Pershing as a person but this book was more about the political situations and wars that Pershing had taken part in. My disappointment does not reflect poorly on the author but it should be stated that this account is less about Pershing's humanity than I had hoped. Still a very good and informative read.

The book is written in a very unorganized manner. The author constantly throughout the book skips from one time period to another in Pershing's life, which leaves the reader the task of connecting the various points together.
An historian reading this book will understand the material, and put it to use. A Non-historian will get lost in all the material,and the manner it was written.

This book was facinating, it was a mix of battle tatics and of what goes on behind the man making the decisions. It gave you a different point of view of Pershing from the man of steel to a man with deep feelings and emotions. This book was well wrote and Smythe deserves a pat on the back. He uncovers the true side of Pershing and why dicipline was so important to Pershing himself. I loved the book it made me laugh, cry, and appreciate history.

This is neither a history of the period nor a biography. It is a collection of quotations and anecdotes, that appear to have been taken from the personal papers of John J. Pershing, that are on file at the Library of Congress, not an unbiased source. I got as far as through the period on Pershing's frontier and Philippine service and put it down. It is a shallow treatment that reads like a history for young children. If someone is really interested in the era and the man, read Frank Vandiver's book " Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing" in two volumes, published in 1977. A book Smith cites, Donald Smythe's "Guerilla Warrior: The Early Life of John J. Pershing" (1973) is not too bad, nor is "Black Jack Pershing" by Richard O'Connor (1961). None of these are hostile treatments, and all are well written. Pershing was an able and brave Army officer, but so were many others of the era. But Pershing was the only one to go from Captain to Brigadier General despite opposition of the Army command, and this was not solely due to his ability. His smartest move was marrying the daughter of Senator Warren, one of the shrewder political operators of the time, and one who, although a Republican, had equal entree with Wilson as well as Roosevelt and Taft. Warren was Pershing's guardian angel. If you are older than 12, pass this book up and read one of the others.

I wanted to learn more about the forgotten WWI. I wanted to know why and how Gen. Pershing earned 6 stars! This book is really not a good read. Perhaps it is because I had just finished reading Robert Asprey's Napoleon, volumes I & II, that Gene Smith's book did not compare in quality, research and information, in my eyes. It is a quick read, but it miserably fails to live up to a great beginning chapter and a wonderful title.

Many factoids are told all over the book, seemingly out of place, when they would have been most appropriately placed at the time of the event. For example, we learn in a parenthetical sidebar to a later period in his life, that Pershing had two bouts of a venerial disease while he was in the Phillipenes earlier. Given that there were controversial news stories at that time, about his having kept a Filipeno woman or having kids who called him 'father,' that factoid was appropriate at the earlier time when he arrived in the Phillipenes with his new wife and that particular controversy exploded, not years afterwards.

I am especially vexed at the air-brushing of his time as commander of the all Black 10th Cavalry. The 'norm' of racist thought that pervaded white males of Pershing's era and social/economic class is well-documented. Yet, we read very little direct writings of Pershing's opinions on race. We read about one of his friends who wrote racist things alluding to the usual put-downs about blacks and their capabilities as soldiers and human beings. We also get a feel for the social put-down of Pershing being set as commander of the Black cavalry troops; the 'N_ _ _ _ _ Jack Pershing' nickname as case-in-point. But, what about himself? Where are in his letters during that time? We hear that he physically abused a Black soldier (with no apparent punishment forthcoming)in a temporary fit of anger, demonstrating his obsession about strict military form, order and dress rather than his feelings about Blacks. In later chapters of the book, we read more about some fiance of one of Pershings'grandsons, than about the 10th Cav and Pershings' role!!! What about the historically brave, courageous performance of the 10th Cav in the Spanish American War? What was Pershings' leadership role? His feelings? Nada. Once again a page in Black history, brushed aside. Could it be because no one wants to admit the 'great' general disdained his black command? It seems to me, that just like only a few want to talk about Thomas Jefferson's decades-long love affair with a slave woman, this yet another written historical text that wants to ignore something that in modern times would be perceived as negative concerning an American Historical figure. Mr. Smith is this so?

Basically, I see Pershings' rise to 6 stars as an adventure in the men's club of back-slapping buddies, rather than exceptional military achievement. OK.. he subjegated the people of the Phillipenes and became the great white father to many. OK.. he chased a Mexican bandit across the country (never caught him) and ended cross-border raids. OK... he withstood French and British pressure to use American bodies as cannon fodder in that bloody 'great' war. But America came to that War late and Pershing's role was limited in the overall picture. But, compared to the great Civil War Generals, George Washington, the exceptional WWII Generals like MacArthur, Patton or Eisenhower.. how in heavens' name did Pershing earn 6 stars? The first star was given because he was a buddy of Teddy Roosevelt. His battle commission in the Spanish American war was granted because he 'knew somebody' to give him a waver out of his West Point teaching post where everyone seemed to loathe him anyway. The command in WWI was under a pacifist Secretary of War and a peace-desiring academic Commander-in-Chief that knew nothing of war.

For me, this book is a sub-standard written text, too short, without more analysis of major historical issues -- coupled with a subject matter that cannot be apologized for (the man didn't seem to have earned 6 stars in my view).. Still, it made an interesting read in very few parts (the stories of his family's Civil War past, his historic/artistic friends, the sadness of the fire at the Presidio) and silly reading in other parts (the exploits of some Pershing off-spring as rich, alcoholic jet-setters with a famous name.) Generally, the book was a disapointment all around.

Until the Last Trumpet Sounds is a fine book. Gene Smith has written an interesting, fast-paced narrative of the life of John J. Pershing. This reader, however, upon finishing the book, was left a bit unfulfilled. At 337 pages, a full 50 of which are devoted exclusively to the lives of Pershing's grandsons, Smith simply cannot do full justice to the highest ranking military officer in US history. Smith merely alights upon a peak of Pershing's career and then sets off for another before the meat of the story is told. What results, nevertheless, is a highly interesting read, but not half of what it could be.

Pershing, born in 1860, rose from obscurity to the General of US Armies garnering an unprecedented sixth star. He went from fighting Indians of the American West on horseback to leading mechanized battles of World War I. Gene Smith's Until the Last Trumpet Sounds has only scratched the surface of a truly remarkable life and, therefore, leaves the reader feeling he could have done quite a bit more. Even so, what he has completed merits a solid 4 stars.