Thunderbolt: General Creighton Abrams and the Army of His Time

GEN Abrams was responsible for the quality of the Army today and since he was the Chief of Staff. His wisdom and insight into soldiering, leadership, and combat ability is what won the Gulf War. Dr. Sorley is right on the money. It is obvious that Dr. Sorley really admires GEN Abrams and he has done his homework. It's a shame that GEN Abrams died so early, he tranformed the United States Army into the force it is today, or was at the time of the Gulf War. I met GEN Abrams in 1973 in Germany as a young Corporal and he spoke with me for a few minutes, but he struck me as unpretentious and humorous. I met Captains and Majors who had a bigger ego that him.

Sir Robert Thompson, a British counter-intelligence expert, called Abrams "the best U.S. General since Grant." Reading Sorley's terrific account of Abram's life, it's hard to argue the point. Abrams was an armored warfare genius. His gruff, no-nonsense exterior masked a big heart and an abiding, deeply rooted love for his men and his country. His selfless devotion to duty is a model for us all.For a more in-depth analysis of Abrams'considerable (though largely overlooked) post-Tet, post-Westmoreland successes in Vietnam, read Sorley's "A Better War."

In this era when the entire upper class has avoided military service or arranged, Gore-like, for a safe berth, we are bombarded with stupid faux-military management books like The Marine Corps Way to Boost Sales or The Navy Seal Interview Technique. So it is strange that a book which makes no pretensions of being a business book is one of the best books on management style ever written. Creighton Abrams was one of the great military heroes in American history. If he had gotten to Vietnam three years earlier, the world would be a different place. This book brilliantly captures the General's leadership techniques, making it very clear why he was as successful as he was. Filled with perfectly chosen anecdotes within a solid and well written history, this book brings its subject to life like no other biography I've read. If you like your military history full of blood and sensation without much structure or analysis, this book is not for you. Gen. Abrams colorful WWII experience is covered in a scant 40 pages of a 400 page book. But if you want to know how to be a successful leader -whether you are a schoolteacher, a small town banker or President of the United States - this book is for you.

I was 9 years old when I first met General "Abe" in Germany in 1959. Lewis Sorley did a masterful job describing this American hero. Reading the biography, I was amazed to find out about the breadth of the impact that Gen. Abrams had on the events of modern America from World War II (liberating the 101st Airborne at Bastogne!), through the Civil Rights movement in the South (key advisor to President Kennedy insuring the peaceful implementation of desegregation at the Univ of Alabama), and finally the conclusion of the Vietnam War. Abrams' character and capability are the standards we should demand from all of our leaders. If someone is looking to find out about who was making good things happen in the second half of the 20th century and what it takes to be a truly great person, read Sorley's book. It will make you wonder why we don't have people like Abrams, not only in our highest military positions, but our highest elected offices today. It is ironic to think that cigars robbed us of this incredible person at the pinnacle of his career at the young age of 59. It was a great loss for America. You don't have to be a military buff to enjoy this book. You just have to have an interest in who shaped the 20th Century and what kind of leader you want in your company, town, or country in the 21st!

Creighton Abrams is one of the best soldiers of the American Century, perhaps ranking only behind George C. Marshall in selfless devotion to soldiering. Lewis Sorley's Thunderbolt is both thoroughly researched and well written. Abrams was a true man of virtue, and an inspiration to all who served with him and under his command. I was lead to this book by Sorley's more recent book, A Better War, which focuses more specifically on Abrams's Vietnam years. Anyone who believes that Army values of duty, honor, and country have been corrupted by 20th Century experience should read this objective tribute to a truly great man of humble origins whose tank column liberated Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge and who eventually rose to be Chief of Staff of the Army. A biography well worth reading.