Pershing: Commander of the Great War by John Perry

“No other American military leader is so important and yet so little known as John J. Pershing.”

Those interested in leadership and military history will find this book about “Black Jack” Pershing to be a quick and informative read. At one time, over a million men followed this man into battle, but yet he is not a major figure in contemporary discussions of history. However, he was highly regarded in his own time, and was discussed as a potential candidate for President following the “Great War.”

This book on John J. Pershing (1860-1948) is part of a series called “The Generals.”

Pershing was born in 1860, and his Missouri hometown of Laclede was subject to a Confederate raid in 1864. At times his family struggled financially, because of war damage, and subsequent economic conditions.

Later, Pershing taught black students in grade school, and eventually sought an appointment to West Point because it provided a free college education. His early Army career saw him commanding a black cavalry unit of “Buffalo Soldiers” fame. Critics of Pershing tagged him with a derogatory nickname from this experience, which newspaper editors later softened into “Black Jack.”

The book is a short, easy to read, overview of the life of John J. Pershing. In fact, most of the book centers on his family, and early career prior to World War I. Because of this, most readers will be intrigued by information that is not generally taught in U.S. History classes in our schools.

Pershing was renowned for his attention to detail, tough enforcement of regulations, and organizational leadership skills. Presidents McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman all had complimentary things to say about him.

Future Army officers of note such as Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, and George Patton all credited Pershing with being a significant influence on their leadership development.

His leadership legacy includes creation of the Military Police, Pershing Rifles, and significant influence over teaching Army leaders through a formal education system within the military. Lessons learned during the European conflict are still taught to junior military officers today.

For a short introductory biography of a man somewhat neglected in teaching of history, I highly recommend this book. For serious students of history, this book will serve as a good primer for detailed study of Pershing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pershing: Commander of the Great War by John Perry

ISBN 978-1-59555-355-3

224 Pages

Published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2011

List Price: $19.99

Author: John Perry, Series Editor: Stephen Mansfield