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Crosswell's account... is detailed and well written. --- Military Review -- In this definitive biography, Crosswell shows Smith as Eisenhower's necessary junior partner and offers a view of World War II in the Mediterranean and Western Europe from teh highest operational levels. -- Military Review -- Exhaustively researched and eloquently written, Beetle provides readers with an in-depth look into the life of a man whose counsel helped determine some of the most significant events of the twentieth century. -- McCormick Messenger -- Meticulously researched and long overdue.... Beetle is the fascinating history of a soldier, diplomat, and intelligence chief who played a central role in many decisions that altered mid-twenieth-century American history. -- Book Bargains and Previews -- His story should be required reading for every business executive involved in dealing with a supply chain. -- Target Marketing -- The author has done an exemplary job of researching his book, and in telling Smith's story he leaves few stones unturned.... Beetle is a most important addition to the historiography of the European Theater of Operations in World War II. -- The Journal of America's Military Past -- Crosswell's masterfully researched volume adds an important dimension to biographical writing and significantly contributes to the literature on the U.S. involvement in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and the Cold War. -- Army History -- Smith's significant contributions to the Allied war effort receive little, if any, discussion today... Author D.K.R. Crosswell has rectified this omission in his superb biography --On Point -- There is no doubt that Beetle....will be the definitive biography of Walter Bedell Smith. It is an exhaustive and thorough study, carefully researched and well-written. --Bowling Green Daily News -- This well-researched biography moves along well and belongs on every World War II bookshelf. -- The Past in Review -- Crosswell leaves no stone unturned in recapturing the spirit of the man who stood behind Eisenhower to offer him hope and encouragement during his darkest hours in the war. -- WWII History -- Beetle is a splendid biography of one of World War II's major figures. Crosswell brilliantly recreates Walter Bedell Smith's life and role as Dwight Eisenhower's right hand man. Insightful, compassionate and a terrific read. --Carlo D'Este, author of Patton: A Genius For War and Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War -- Crosswell sketches the general intimately involved in planning and executing numerous WWII operations. -- Publisher's Weekly -- Exceptionally well researched, this comprehensive biography of Walter Bedell Smith is long overdue. Perhaps no other man played so many behind-the-scenes heavy lifter roles in so many key events in mid-twentieth century American history. -- Maj. Gen. (ret) David T. Zabecki, author of Chief of Staff: The Principal Staff Offices Behind History's Great Commanders -- 'Beetle' examines a signifcant player in American history who pretty much excelled away from the spotlight. This is the first biography of his life, one long overdue. -- Fine Books -- There have been countless biographies of the generals of World War II, and many are excellent. This biography of Walter Bedell Smith, Eisenhower's chief of staff, is one of the best. --Antony Beevor, Wall Street Journal -- Crosswell's Beetle captures the essence of Smith's fifty years in government service.... Without question, this book is required for any future study of the American military participatioon in the Second World War. -- Teaching History -- A major contribution to the history of World War II. -- Foreign Affairs -- This definitive bio of Ike's chief of staff chronicles his many pivotal (and, the author argues, vastly underrated and misunderstood) role. -- World War II -- It is a striking book. --Thomas E. Ricks, author of Best Defense Bookshelf: Meet the 'Beetle' -- A very fine book. Crosswell's impeccable scholarship and graceful narration bring to life not only Beetle Smith, among the most remarkable officers in the history of the U.S. Army, but the world and war on which he made his mark. -- Rick Atkinson, author of The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943--1944 -- This biography of Walter Bedell Smith... is one of the best. -- New York Journal of Books -- Winner of the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguised Book Award in the biography category in 2011. -- It is remarkable that the man who coordinated planning for the Operations Torch, Husky, Avalanche and Overlord; who negotiated the end of the hostilities with Italy and Germany; and whom Eisenhower, Marshall, and Churchill fought to keep for themselves, is so often overlooked among the pantheon of war heroes. Just as remarkable, however, is D.K.R. Crosswell's long-awaited work on the life of General Smith. -- Armchair General -- This mammoth, exhaustively researched biography presents... a master director of the complex machinery of the combined-arms war waged by allied forces. -- Publishers Weekly --

<p> Crosswell leaves no stone unturned in recapturing the spirit of the man who stood behind Eisenhower to offer him hope and encouragement during his darkest hours in the war. --WWII History --

<p> Winner of the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguised Book Award in the biography category in 2011. --

Crosswell's account... is detailed and well written. --- Military Review -- In this definitive biography, Crosswell shows Smith as Eisenhower's necessary junior partner and offers a view of World War II in the Mediterranean and Western Europe from teh highest operational levels. -- Military Review -- His story should be required reading for every business executive involved in dealing with a supply chain. -- Target Marketing -- Crosswell's masterfully researched volume adds an important dimension to biographical writing and significantly contributes to the literature on the U.S. involvement in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and the Cold War. -- Army History -- There is no doubt that Beetle....will be the definitive biography of Walter Bedell Smith. It is an exhaustive and thorough study, carefully researched and well-written. --Bowling Green Daily News -- This well-researched biography moves along well and belongs on every World War II bookshelf. -- The Past in Review -- This definitive bio of Ike's chief of staff chronicles his many pivotal (and, the author argues, vastly underrated and misunderstood) role. -- World War II -- It is a striking book. --Thomas E. Ricks, author of Best Defense Bookshelf: Meet the 'Beetle' -- A very fine book. Crosswell's impeccable scholarship and graceful narration bring to life not only Beetle Smith, among the most remarkable officers in the history of the U.S. Army, but the world and war on which he made his mark. -- Rick Atkinson, author of The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943--1944 -- This biography of Walter Bedell Smith... is one of the best. -- New York Journal of Books -- Winner of the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguised Book Award in the biography category in 2011. -- It is remarkable that the man who coordinated planning for the Operations Torch, Husky, Avalanche and Overlord; who negotiated the end of the hostilities with Italy and Germany; and whom Eisenhower, Marshall, and Churchill fought to keep for themselves, is so often overlooked among the pantheon of war heroes. Just as remarkable, however, is D.K.R. Crosswell's long-awaited work on the life of General Smith. -- Armchair General -- There have been countless biographies of the generals of World War II, and many are excellent. This biography of Walter Bedell Smith, Eisenhower's chief of staff, is one of the best. --Antony Beevor, Wall Street Journal -- Exhaustively researched and eloquently written, Beetle provides readers with an in-depth look into the life of a man whose counsel helped determine some of the most significant events of the twentieth century. -- McCormick Messenger -- Meticulously researched and long overdue.... Beetle is the fascinating history of a soldier, diplomat, and intelligence chief who played a central role in many decisions that altered mid-twenieth-century American history. -- Book Bargains and Previews -- The author has done an exemplary job of researching his book, and in telling Smith's story he leaves few stones unturned.... Beetle is a most important addition to the historiography of the European Theater of Operations in World War II. -- The Journal of America's Military Past -- Smith's significant contributions to the Allied war effort receive little, if any, discussion today... Author D.K.R. Crosswell has rectified this omission in his superb biography --On Point -- Crosswell's Beetle captures the essence of Smith's fifty years in government service.... Without question, this book is required for any future study of the American military participatioon in the Second World War. -- Teaching History -- A major contribution to the history of World War II. -- Foreign Affairs -- Crosswell leaves no stone unturned in recapturing the spirit of the man who stood behind Eisenhower to offer him hope and encouragement during his darkest hours in the war. -- WWII History -- Beetle is a splendid biography of one of World War II's major figures. Crosswell brilliantly recreates Walter Bedell Smith's life and role as Dwight Eisenhower's right hand man. Insightful, compassionate and a terrific read. --Carlo D'Este, author of Patton: A Genius For War and Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War -- Crosswell sketches the general intimately involved in planning and executing numerous WWII operations. -- Publisher's Weekly -- Exceptionally well researched, this comprehensive biography of Walter Bedell Smith is long overdue. Perhaps no other man played so many behind-the-scenes heavy lifter roles in so many key events in mid-twentieth century American history. -- Maj. Gen. (ret) David T. Zabecki, author of Chief of Staff: The Principal Staff Offices Behind History's Great Commanders -- 'Beetle' examines a signifcant player in American history who pretty much excelled away from the spotlight. This is the first biography of his life, one long overdue. -- Fine Books -- This mammoth, exhaustively researched biography presents... a master director of the complex machinery of the combined-arms war waged by allied forces. -- Publishers Weekly --

Author Information

D. K. R. Crosswell is Richard R. Hallock Distinguished University Chair in Military History at Columbus State University, Georgia. He is the author of The Chief of Staff: The Military Career of General Walter Bedell Smith.

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