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The Weight of Command by J.L. Granatstein
$34.95
The Weight of Command : Voices of Canada’s Second World War Generals and Those Who Knew Them by J.L. Granatstein
This book features interviews conducted by military historian J.L. Granatstein with surviving Canadian generals from World War II. The discussions provide revealing insights into their wartime experiences, successes, and challenges. The book highlights Canada’s impressive military transformation during the war and explores the human cost, acknowledging mistakes and sacrifices.
Description
This book delves into the experiences of Canadian generals who led troops during World War II, offering interviews conducted by J.L. Granatstein, a prominent military historian. With a focus on figures like McNaughton, Crerar, Simonds, Foulkes, and Burns, the collection sheds light on their wartime roles and personal reflections. The interviews, derived from extensive conversations with surviving generals, staff officers, and those under their command, provide revealing insights. The book explores Canada’s remarkable military transformation from 1939 to 1945, highlighting achievements, on-the-job training challenges, and the harsh judgments faced by key commanders. The narrative also addresses the high human cost, acknowledging mistakes and the sacrifices made during the war.
“The ultimate compliment is to tell someone, ‘As usual you have nailed it!’ That’s what J.L. Granatstein has done in his presentation and analysis of the intimate, often colourful, interviews he conducted with generals and their staff – both the good and not so good – who led Canada’s efforts during the Second World War.” – Lewis Mackenzie, Major General (ret’d), Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and author of the bestseller, Peacekeeper: The Road to Sarajevo
“Histories of the Second World War Canadian Army have largely been based on personality-driven evaluations, usually by British officers. The Weight of Command will exhilarate readers with the discovery of something new. J.L. Granatstein weaves together interviews with commanders and fighters, as well as behind-the-scenes staff, providing an unparalleled record of the personal memories of those closest to the war.” – Stephen Harris, co-editor of Warrior Chiefs: Perspectives on Senior Canadian Military Leaders
“The attitudes and experiences of the Canadian senior officer cohort were strikingly similar to other Dominion armies during the war: the feuds, jealousies, and occasional hatreds; insufficient capacity to wage war during the early years; and ambivalent relations with the British. J.L. Granatstein’s 360-degree appraisal’ – gained from conversations with commanders, subordinates, and staff – creates a riveting portrait.” – Jeffrey Grey, author of The War with the Ottoman Empire
