Product Review

"the total number of copies in print... 450,000." - Ballantine Books

Whiting's portrait of General George S Patton was first published as a Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II. Its first printing sold 450,000 copies worldwide.

"In a cloud of thick dust, the convoy came to a halt. The tall immaculate general waited till the driver opened the door then descended slowly, his highly polished riding boots sinking into the Tunisian dust. For a long interval he eyed the scene around him. Then with an imperious slap of his riding switch against the calf of his boot, the general stalked towards the headquarters of the US II Corps. 'Old Blood an' Guts' had arrived to take command."

Charles Whiting (1926-2007) was one of Britain’s most prolific military writers, with over 300 books to his credit. He saw active service in the Second World War, serving in an armoured reconnaissance regiment attached to both the US and British armies. His books therefore possess the insight and authority of someone who, as a combat soldier, actually experienced the horrors of the Second World War.

Charles Whiting is the author of numerous history books on the Second World War. Under the pen name of Leo Kessler he also wrote a series of bestselling military thrillers featuring SS Assault Battalion Wotan, and the infamous "Dogs of War" Series.