George Marshall: A Biography

A major historical biography of George C. Marshall—the general who ran the U.S. campaign during the Second World War, the Secretary of State who oversaw the successful rebuilding of post-war Europe, and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize—and the first to offer a complete picture of his life.

While Eisenhower Patton, Bradley, Montgomery, MacArthur, Nimitz, and Leahy waged battles in Europe and the Pacific, one military leader actually ran World War II for America, overseeing personnel and logistics: Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1939 to 1945, George C. Marshall.

This interpretive biography of George C. Marshall follows his life from his childhood in Western Pennsylvania and his military training at the Virginia Military Institute to his role during and after World War II and his death in 1959 at the age of seventy-eight. It brings to light the virtuous historical role models who inspired him, including George Washington and Robert E. Lee, and his relationships with the Washington political establishment, military brass, and foreign leaders, from Harry Truman to Chiang Kai-shek. It explores Marshall’s successes and failures during World War II, and his contributions through two critical years of the emerging Cold War—including the transformative Marshall Plan, which saved Western Europe from Soviet domination, and the failed attempt to unite China’s nationalists and communists.

Based on breathtaking research and filled with rich detail, George Marshall is sure to be hailed as the definitive work on one of the most influential figures in American history.

“Elegant and iconoclastic . . . refreshing . . . persuasive.”—NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Here is the first biography to offer a complete picture of the life of George C. Marshall, chief of staff of the U.S. Army from 1939 to 1945 and the military leader who actually ran World War II for America as he oversaw all personnel and logistics.

Following Marshall from his childhood in western Pennsylvania and his training at the Virginia Military Institute to his role during and after World War II and his death in 1959 at the age of seventy-eight, this biography casts light on the inspiration he took from historical role models, such as George Washington and Robert E. Lee, and his relationships with military brass, the Washington political establishment, and world leaders, from Harry Truman to Chiang Kai-shek. It also explores Marshall’s triumphs and defeats during World War II, and his contributions through two critical years of the emerging Cold War—including the transformative Marshall Plan, which saved Western Europe from Soviet domination, and his failed attempt to unite China’s Nationalists and Communists.

Based on exhaustive research and filled with rich detail, George Marshall is sure to be hailed as the definitive work on one of the most influential figures in American history.

“A grand but judicious biography of a fascinating man.”—Evan Thomas, author of Ike’s Bluff

“By any standard, George C. Marshall looms large over the twentieth century. Debi and Irwin Unger’s in-depth biography will raise an eyebrow or two over the man we thought we knew and provide an intriguing look at Marshall’s guarded personality, his complicated relationships, and his turbulent times.” - Walter R. Borneman, author of THE ADMIRALS and AMERICAN SPRING

“Integrity, honor, humility-how quaint, and how sorely missed, these virtues seem today. They were embodied in George Marshall, the great World War II army chief of staff and Cold War secretary of state. Marshall’s leadership style drives this grand but judicious biography of a fascinating man.” - Evan Thomas, author of IKE'S BLUFF

“Elegant and iconoclastic… refreshing… persuasive.” - New York Times Book Review

“A full-scale biography of this great soldier-statesman that is both comprehensively researched and highly readable.” - Publishers Weekly

“This biography provides an excellent overview of one of the 20th century’s most influential soldiers and statesmen… Strongly recommended for those interested in military and war history.” - Library Journal

“An excellent reexamination of Marshall’s career that is ideal for general readers.” - Booklist