Description:

GEORGE S. PATTON
(1885 - 1945) "Old Blood and Guts" was one of the finest tank commanders in history, rolling his forces through Tunesia, Sicily, France and Germany until halted at the Rhine. PATTON SIGNS AND ANNOTATES HIS BOOK ON THE SOVIET ARMY A most insightful signed book from Patton''s pre-war library: "Red Russia Arms" by John Baker White (London: Burrup, Mathieson & Co.), 1932. First edition, 144pp. 8vo. in carmine cloth with gilt title on spine. As was his custom in the Thirties, Patton has signed his name across the front cover of the book, and has written "Patton R" upon the spine as well. "G.S.P. Jr." appears in thick pencil above Patton''s signature on the cover, although this may be in another hand. The book is extensively annotated in Patton''s hand in pencil throughout. He is particularly fond of placing one or two vertical lines beside passages of particular interest oF importance to him. It is clear throughout that Patton is concerned with Russian military strength, as he totals various numbers of men in arms in machine gun units, cavalry, etc. and examines dozens of aspects of Russian military strength. Some of the Russian tanks are listed - Patton comments: "None of these are very much good". He further notes: "Armies should be measured less by size and more by the ability of the officers. By this standard Russia is not too bad...A revolt of this class [armed OGPU units] of troops may possibly destroy the present gov''t...[Russian officers have] Low mentality...poor officers...". Patton notes "Yes" in agreeing that a war in the near future could see then end of the Soviet Union, and interestingly indicates that his wife Beatrice was a friend of reporter John Reed. One bit of humor: where the text indicates that younger Soviet women now desire to carry weapons and learn the science of war, he notes: "We may have a pleasant time in the next war". Many "hash marks" and other annotations throughout. Overall very good condition. In custom clamshell box. The book is an analysis of the "Bolshevik" threat to world peace and disarmament which the author perceived in Soviet Russia in the early 1930s. Author John Baker White (1902-1988) started his career as a political activist, later becoming a director of a private organization dedicated to fighting left-wing subversion. He was an amateur spy in Nazi Germany before becoming a propaganda agent during World War II. In 1945, he was elected a Conservative policitian. He was also a journalist and author and his work reveals a colorful, possibly eccentric, personality...much like his admirer, General Patton.

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April 17, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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