Patton's Payback

The Battle of El Guettar and General Patton's Rise to Glory

By: Stephen L. Moore

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

A stirring World War II combat story of how the legendary George Patton reinvigorated a defeated and demoralized army corps, and how his men claimed victory over Germany’s most-feared general, Erwin Rommel

“Moore brings you to the battlefield and into the mind of a fearless military genius.”—Brian Kilmeade, bestselling author of The President and the Freedom Fighter

• “Essential reading.”—Kevin Maurer, #1 NYT bestselling coauthor of No Easy Day

• “[Moore] has a smooth prose style and a firm grasp of detail.”—The Wall Street Journal

In March 1943, in their first fight with the Germans, American soldiers in North Africa were pushed back 50 miles by Rommel’s Afrika Korps and nearly annihilated. Only the German decision not to pursue them allowed the Americans to maintain a foothold in the area. General Eisenhower, the supreme commander, knew he needed a new leader on the ground, one who could raise the severely damaged morale of his troops. He handed the job to a new man: Lieutenant General George Patton.

Charismatic, irreverent, impulsive, and inspiring, Patton possessed a massive ego and the ambition to match. But he could motivate men to fight. He had just 10 days to whip his dispirited troops into shape, then throw them into battle against the Wehrmacht’s terrifying Panzers, the speedy and powerful German tanks that US forces had never defeated. Patton, who believed he had fought as a Roman legionnaire in a previous life, relished the challenge to turn the tide of America’s fledgling war against Hitler—and the chance to earn a fourth star.

©2022 Stephen L. Moore (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[Stephen L.] Moore skillfully tells how the American Army turned defeat into victory under Patton… Moore interviewed several of Patton’s surviving veterans and those tales bring to life Patton’s complex character… Readers interested in World War II and the books of James Holland and Alex Kershaw will enjoy this tale of the American victory in North Africa under Patton.”—Library Journal

“President Roosevelt called George Patton America’s ‘greatest fighting general,’ but in the hands of Stephen L. Moore he is more than that. Patton’s Payback offers an intimate portrait of the general at a time when the US Army was struggling to meet the Nazi threat. An origin story and battle narrative, Patton’s Payback is essential reading for anyone looking to understand the North Africa campaign and how it forged an American army capable of defeating Nazi Germany.”—Kevin Maurer, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of No Easy Day and author of Rock Force

“A fresh interpretation of Patton’s military career… It was in North Africa that the legend of Patton as a ruthless and aggressive commander was born. Moore helps us understand how that evolution occurred.”—Army magazine

Very educational

Patton’s Payback: The Battle of El Guetter & Patton’s Rise to Glory

Stephen L. Moore

This book was very interesting; I learned several things.

I learned that the movie Patton was pretty accurate to the extent it could be in the time a movie plays. Right down to that scene where Patton empties his pistol at German planes in an air raid while arguing with British RAF gemerals about having enough air cover. Also that many of his men considered him to be an SOB. But he was a fighter so he was THEIR SOB.

I also learned many details about the men who actually fought in the battles and their courage. Also that Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr was a key player. My knowledge of him had been ancillary to his father previously. I knew Ted had fought in WWI & WWII. I knew he had gone ashore on D-Day and died within a few weeks, earning the MOH. Turns out his involvement was much more detailed. I have ordered a biography of him now.

So, this book ticked two of my favorite aspects for a book. I learned from it, and it inspired me to learn more.

nice slice of patton's career

moved along and recognized many soldiers.. has many events in movie. editing was only drawback.

Very detailed book, on topic throughout

The outstanding level of detail presented speaks of meticulous research and personal commitment by the author. Story lines from private soldiers up to the 3-star level are followed with clarity.

I appreciate the inclusion of so much of Patton in the book, unlike other authors who only use the general's name to lure the reader into a bait-and-switch for a book unrelated to its title. This one delivers.

Only Atkinson gives this much detail on the Tunisia campaign and its main players. Yet this book gives even more in its lane.

Well read, though the reader's gravely voice can sometimes be difficult to follow.

Recommended for anyone interested in the North Africa campaign or learning just a bit more about Patton.

Evan's Review

Good book I recommend it if you like World War History. Alot of people don't hear alot about Operation Torch and early days of WW2. Patton was one of the best Field Comanders in American History. Even though his tactics where harsh he commanded from the front.

Provides a good perspective on Patton and the North African campaign.

Slow to start but interesting subject and information. As much or more about the military units, the soldiers and leaders involved in the campaign in Tunisia as Patton. Unique approach in describing both the American and German soldiers experiences. Some of the descriptions of the effects and wounds are quite graphic. It is clear that the American armor was inferior to the German equipment. It seems this was especially true of the M3 tank destroyers.

Fantastic study of Patton at El Guettar

This is a fantastic study of Patton and his beginnings in WWII. The battle of El Guettar is just the start of Payton’s rise

Mainly tank destroyers

This was very detailed and perfect as an audiobook. I was surprised that most of this book was concerning the battle with tank destroyers on the American side. I was hoping for a little bit more about the Sherman tanks.
I guess the tanks were not involved in this critical battle to a great enough extent to warrant more discussion.
This gave very good detail on General Patton. I have read many other discussions about him.

too many names. consider the hard copy

Maybe just read the first 2 and last 2 chapters. The author did a fine job of documenting the battle as advertised. Unfortunately, this book was not particularly about George Patton. too many names to remember make the book more appropriate as a hard copy.

Narrator was EXCELLENT

An awful account of war !

An awful account of war. No one would ever call General Patton old blood and guts to his face. This guy did it constantly. An awful account of of war! No stars! Waste of time.