BOOK REVIEWS FOR GENERAL FOX CONNER
"General Fox Conner is a figure from American military history that more people ought to know. I encourage anyone with an interest in well written (and thoroughly researched) works of history to read Steven Rabalais' new book on General Conner."
- Winston Groom is the author of Forrest Gump and numerous works of history including The Generals: Patton, MacArthur, Marshall, and the Winning of World War II and A Storm in Flanders: The Ypres Salient, 1914-1918 Tragedy and Triumph on the Western Front.
- Winston Groom is the author of Forrest Gump and numerous works of history including The Generals: Patton, MacArthur, Marshall, and the Winning of World War II and A Storm in Flanders: The Ypres Salient, 1914-1918 Tragedy and Triumph on the Western Front.
"Author and historian Steven Rabalais provides a compelling narrative account of the life of General Fox Conner, one of the most influential, but least known, figures in American military history. Conner was not only one of the leading combat planners and leaders in World War One, he insightfully identified the young talent that would lead the nation on the battlefields of Europe in World War Two. Rabalais finally gives Conner his due, in a biography that is both dramatic and compelling. This biography not only puts Conner on the map, it highlights Rabalais as one of the truly gifted historians of the American military."
- Mark Perry is a journalist and author of nine books. His latest work is The Most Dangerous Man In America, a biography of General Douglas MacArthur.
- Mark Perry is a journalist and author of nine books. His latest work is The Most Dangerous Man In America, a biography of General Douglas MacArthur.
“Steven Rabalais’ biography of Fox Conner is an excellent piece of historical writing. Conner was a great behind-the-scenes general who served as General Black Jack Pershing's chief of operations in the First World War and was the mentor and tutor of George C. Marshall, George S. Patton, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. In 1964 Eisenhower told an interviewer that "in sheer ability and character, [Fox Conner] was the outstanding soldier of my time." Rabalais tells the story of General Conner's professional and personal life exceptionally well. . . . This is a ripping tale, and anyone interested in American military history will find it a treasure.”
- Karl Roider, Alumni Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University
- Karl Roider, Alumni Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University
“Not only superbly written, but remarkably educational. A welcome addition to my military history library (though I'll never come close to the collection that General Conner did). I'd make it required reading at Command and Staff level, at least for the Army. Thanks again."
- Dave Haulman, PE, Colonel, USAFR, Ret.
- Dave Haulman, PE, Colonel, USAFR, Ret.
"Fox Conner is largely unknown today, yet he was one of General Pershing’s top advisors during World War I. Steve Rabalais rescues General Conner from obscurity and shows how his impact as a military leader extended beyond the Great War, and influenced future commanders like Dwight D. Eisenhower. A well-written and important book."
- Mitchell Yockelson is the author of Forty-Seven Days: How Pershing’s Warriors Came of Age to Defeat the German Army in World War I, and Borrowed Soldiers: Americans under British Command
- Mitchell Yockelson is the author of Forty-Seven Days: How Pershing’s Warriors Came of Age to Defeat the German Army in World War I, and Borrowed Soldiers: Americans under British Command
“What a great book that covers a great soldier and general. I read it in a weekend, as once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down! General Fox Conner should be on the recommended reading list for all military officers and, more particularly, a “must-read” for those destined for a staff assignment in a multi-national command or headquarters. We learn from history, and if we forget the history, we lose.”
- Huntington B. “Hunt” Downer, Jr., Major General, USA, Retired.
- Huntington B. “Hunt” Downer, Jr., Major General, USA, Retired.
Those who have read the book might remember the passage about Sam Black, who as a young man in 1942 used to take General Conner fishing. Sam, who is now in his 90s, recently left a nice message about the book. Please have a listen below: