John J. Pershing (1860–1948)

4635. My Experiences in the World War Volume II, by John J. Pershing (read 28 Oct 2009) (Pulitzer history prize in 1932) This second volume of Pershing's Pulitzer-prize-winning account of his time in the First World War covers the period from July 1918 to the Armistice. It tells of successful American fighting, and is pretty heavy on identifying the units involved in each action, which I am sure was what the people who read it in 1931 were much interested in. Pershing does not remark on the fact that fighting by some American units continued right up to 11 AM on Nov 11, even though such fighting was unnecessary. But I am glad I read this account. I have now read 50 of the books which won the Pulitzer prize for history.… (més)

4634. My Experiences in the World War Volume I, by John J. Pershing (read 26 Oct 2009) This first volume of the History Pulitzer Prize winner for 1932 turns out to be very readable and is a straight-forward workmanlike account of Pershing's time from May 1917 when he was named commander-in-chief of the A.E.F up to April 1918. He does a good job showing what an extraordinarily tough job he had, and one is struck anew how close the Allies came to losing World War I. One is convinced they would have lost except that the U.S. entered. I am looking forward to the account of the time in the next volume when the war proceeds to victory.… (més)