Patton's Prayer

A True Story of Courage, Faith, and Victory in World War II

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

From Alex Kershaw, author of the New York Times bestseller Against All Odds, comes an epic story of courage, resilience, and faith during the Second World War

General George Patton needed a miracle. In December 1944, the Allies found themselves stuck. Rain had plagued the troops daily since September, turning roads into rivers of muck, slowing trucks and tanks to a crawl. A thick ceiling of clouds had grounded American warplanes, allowing the Germans to reinforce. The sprint to Berlin had become a muddy, bloody stalemate, costing thousands of American lives.

Patton seethed, desperate for some change, any change, in the weather. A devout Christian, he telephoned his head chaplain. “Do you have a good prayer for the weather?” he asked. The resulting prayer was soon printed and distributed to the 250,000 men under Patton’s command. “Pray when driving,” the men were told. “Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle. . . . Pray for victory. . . . Pray for Peace.”

Then came the Battle of the Bulge. Amid frigid temperatures and heavy snow, 200,000 German troops overwhelmed the meager American lines in Belgium’s Ardennes Forest, massacring thousands of soldiers as the attack converged on a vital crossroads town called Bastogne. There, the 101st Airborne was dug in, but the enemy were lurking, hidden in the thick blanket of fog that seemed to never dissipate. A hundred miles of frozen roads to the south, Patton needed an answer to his prayer, fast, before it was too late.

©2024 Alex Kershaw (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"With careful research, Kershaw tells an engaging story, blending Patton’s virtues and flaws into a well-drawn portrait."—Kirkus

"Kershaw’s novelistic rendering of Patton’s exploits amuses with its punchy dialogue and propulsive action. WWII buffs will want to check this out."—Publishers Weekly

“Alex Kershaw . . . displays his admiration for Patton, especially in his and his army’s exploits during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944–January 1945.”—New York Journal of Books

Well done!

Great book on the General! There are few better a none as consise! You'll enjoy it!

The Patton story you need to hear.

I've seen the movie serval times. Lost count how many and the Chaplain's prayer always is a great scene. This is the story of the prayer, Patton and the Bulge. It's worth your time.

Great story

I loved the story, narration, use of diary notes. Very interested in learning more now.

A Different Side

This narrative presents a deeper side to General Patton. Having only been familiar with the “George C. Scott” version Patton, this version showed the deep humanity he gave to his soldiers. I can only imagine what it would have been like to have been in that war and under his leadership.

Another Payton book but different

Despite another biography of the greatest combat leader in US history, the focus of this book is on the human side of George S Patton. The genesis of the famous prayer is developed and provides a theme for this account. Overall, you will receive new insights into this World War III leader and it makes for a most enjoyable read and reflection on this great man.

quick pace

relatively short in concise history that was very enjoyable and fast-paced, just the right amount of information to tell the story

Sooo Good!!

You know the question “ if you could spend a day with anyone in history, who would it be?”
After reading this, my answer would most certainly be General Patton. This book was fantastic. What a leader he was….!

Insight

The commentary broadens the understanding of a complex man who was in the right places at the right time.

Incredible

One of the most entertaining yet informative books I’ve ever read! Full of amazing stories.

Wonderful bio of Patton’s final year

Not so much a story of the famous prayer, though that plays an important part, but a thorough biography of Patton’s final year. Contains new material not in any other Patton book I’ve read. The idea of the famous prayer and Patton’s relationship with the chaplain corps at large run in and out of the story, but the main effort is focused on Patton’s wartime activities in the final year of his life. Highly recommended as is any Kershaw work.