George Marshall

Defender of the Republic

By: David L. Roll

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 27 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary career of George Catlett Marshall - America’s most distinguished soldier - statesman since George Washington - whose selfless leadership and moral character influenced the course of two world wars and helped define the American century.

"I’ve read several biographies of Marshall, but I think [David] Roll’s may be the best of the bunch." (Thomas E. Ricks, New York Times Book Review) • "Powerful." (The Wall Street Journal) • "Enthralling." (Andrew Roberts) • "Important." (William I. Hitchcock) • "Majestic." (Susan Page) • "Engrossing." (Andrew J. Bacevich) • "Judicious." (Walter Isaacson) • "Definitive." (Kirkus)

Winston Churchill called him World War II's "organizer of victory." Harry Truman said he was "the greatest military man that this country ever produced." Today, in our era of failed leadership, few lives are more worthy of renewed examination than Marshall and his 50 years of loyal service to the defense of his nation and its values.

Even as a young officer, he was heralded as a genius, a reputation that grew when in WWI he planned and executed a nighttime movement of more than a half million troops from one battlefield to another that led to the armistice. Between the wars he helped modernize combat training, and re-staffed the US Army's officer corps with the men who would lead in the next decades. But as WWII loomed, it was the role of army chief of staff in which Marshall's intellect and backbone were put to the test, when his blind commitment to duty would run up against the realities of Washington politics. Long seen as a stoic, almost statuesque figure, he emerges here as a man both remarkable and deeply human, thanks to newly discovered sources.

Set against the backdrop of five major conflicts - two world wars, Palestine, Korea, and the Cold War - Marshall's education in military, diplomatic, and political power, replete with their nuances and ambiguities, runs parallel with America's emergence as a global superpower. The result is a defining account of one of our most consequential leaders.

©2019 David L. Roll (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A deeply researched and masterfully written work that relies in part on never-used documents, one that should establish Marshall at the top of any list of American titans." (The Washington Times)

"David Roll has brilliantly brought George Marshall to life in a biography chock full of revealing and inspiring moments, reminding us what real leadership can be." (Evan Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of First: Sandra Day O'Connor)

"An overdue, authoritative biography of one of America's greatest soldier-statesmen...a definitive, nuanced portrait." (Kirkus starred review)

Would we allow such a man to exist in today’s world?

A great biography of a great man. If you have read the biographies of Churchill, Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower this book will give you details from THE MAN in the room with all of them. You are given a front row seat at all the great events from WW1 through the Korean War. Like most biographies the author is flattering in his depiction but there is some good counterbalancing critique.
Unfortunately the author loses credibility when he gratuitously compares Obama’s Nobel Prize to G.CM’s and compares events in the 1940’s to Trump Tweets and the Russian collusion debacle.
This was totally unnecessary as the story of GCM makes ALL our current leaders look like sniveling narcissistic fools. I am astounded that any editor let the author make these statements. Thus 4 stars rather than 5. But the Man, GCM is a 5 star!

Focused and consistent.

When completed you won't have an intimate understanding of the man, but you will understand why he was chosen to serve as Chief of staff, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense all within 10 yrs. And you will have some degree of respect. Still there are a lot of holes.

The subtitle is 100% accurate!

There is no great drama or excitement here, but there’s seldom is when you have an excellent book about an excellent human being such as General Marshall. The history of true heroes is very seldom spellbinding because that’s not the way that excellent people typically are.

The author prepared a fair and well-written history of a great man, and the narrator did an excellent job presenting the material. This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to improve how they manage people and for military training and training of executives in all fields.

A great American story, every student of US military history should read.

An incredible life, led by one uniquely blessed with the highest values and character, we need more George C Marshall’s today!

Great history...marred

Remove the anachronistic social commentary and contemporary partisan sniping and this would be a great biography.

General Marshall warned us!

So many warnings as to why we are in this geopolitical mess today 2022.
Why we don’t learn from the mistakes and lessons of history is beyond me.
The United Stated was created by a group of men that studied political history and created a constitution and republic form of government.
General George Marshall understood and appreciated the founders of this country and defended it all of his life.

awesome story

Interesting bit of history. Gen Marshall is now considered an evil white male misogynist. However, during his time he was very much considered a hero. It is funny how times change. All of us have a season and then we are no more.

Loved it, great book

great engaging history of mostly World War II great expose of the coming of George C Marshall one of the greatest men who ever lived. another one of the men who saved America during World War ii.

Great tribute to an amazing American

The author took unnecessary jabs at President Trump but then lauds Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize speech - fails to mention that he did nothing to earn it. Fails to mention that DJT did more for peace in the Middle East than the last 10 POTUS have combined. He goes to lengths to talk about how DJT had a low approval rating but fails to mention that his exceeded his predecessors on numerous occasions. The two have NOTHING to do with General Marshall.

The author points out possible errors of other well known biographers and yet cannot see that his own is not perfect.

All in all, a great listen - I just wish that the author had kept his bias out of the story.

A Soldier-Statesman indeed!

What an impressive person! An amazingly intense life defending our country. A great read. Fascinating in its detail.