‘Rescuing General Patton’ by Curtis Stephen Burdick is a historical fiction with mystery at it’s heart. As stated in the prologue, General George S. Patton, renowned for his strategy during the course of the second world war, is reassigned without post, a cover-up for other action, but whether it is for an undercover command or something else? This plot reveals everything. I liked the concept of the novel, akin in nature but not necessarily in topic to 'A Room Made of Leaves' by Kate Grenville, this book takes a historical figure and embellishes history in order to create an enticing and engrossing read with a believable feel. At 197 pages, I enjoyed this book in a single sitting, immersed in the storyline and eager to learn whether General Patton would be successfully rescued. I feel ‘Rescuing General Patton’ would appeal to historical fiction fans broadly, and fans of WW2 fiction specifically. A very well-written and well researched book, as you need to know your history to adapt it in this way, I found that this book was an engrossing read full of twists, thrills, tension and action. Highly entertaining for those who are familiar with General Patton, or those who, like myself, were introduced to him for the first time here.
General George Patton, a brilliant military strategist who revolutionized the aggressive use of the tank as an attack weapon and the most successful combat commander in US history, had millions of admirers in the summer of 1943. He also had enemies, including a muck-raking newspaper columnist who leaked information about a slapping incident. Soon after, in a stunning announcement by General Dwight Eisenhower, Commanding General, US Expeditionary Forces, Patton was ordered to apologize to the entire Seventh Army Group, with as many of the men as possible assembled in the main square in Messina, Sicily. Immediately afterward, he was ‘reassigned’ to England without a command; all taking place, incredibly, on the eve of the invasion of Italy. German intelligence believed this was a ruse, certain he was preparing to lead the invasion of Europe. They were partially right. It was a ruse. But the American people, Allies, Army Chief-of-Staff, George Marshall, even President Franklin Roosevelt himself, never knew what really happened...
