George S Patton

This post is strictly for World War II buffs. One of the most interesting characters of that war was the US General George S Patton. I have read articles about him, his obsession with warriors of earlier era, his relationship with General Omar Bradley (who was his junior officer before becoming his senior officer), his one-upmanship games with the British General Field Marshall Montgomery and his lightning marches across Europe. Everything I read about him portrayed him in good light.

Then I read this WW II thriller, The Runner by Christopher Reich. It is a predictable thriller, set in post WW II Germany. Any one who has read the entire Ludlum series of novels can unravel the plot halfway through. It is an average book, what is called time pass material.

But the novel stood out in one aspect, for me atleast. This was the first time I read something portraying George S Patton in negative light. I thought may be Reich took paper back licence in order to make the novel work. However, in the author's note at the end of the book, Reich claims that his portrayal of Patton is close to reality and Patton indeed was pro Nazi after the end of the war. At its best, the novel portrays Patton as hating the Russians more than the Nazis.

Is there any fellow WW II buff out there who can throw light on this unheard (by me) side of Patton?