Team America

Patton, MacArthur, Marshall, Eisenhower, and the World They Forged

By: Robert L. O'Connell

Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner

“A delicious blend of insight, wit and history, Team America is a punch-packed introduction to four great military minds and the zeitgeist that produced them.”—Wall Street Journal

“Robert O’Connell has written a rollicking, insightful story of some particularly American heroes.”—Evan Thomas, author of Ike’s Bluff: President Eisenhower’s Secret Battle to Save the World

From national bestselling author and acclaimed military historian Robert L. O’Connell, a dynamic history of four military leaders whose extraordinary leadership and strategy led the United States to success during World War I and beyond.

By the first half of the twentieth century, technology had transformed warfare into a series of intense bloodbaths in which the line between soldiers and civilians was obliterated, resulting in the deaths of one hundred million people. During this period, four men exhibited unparalleled military leadership that led the United States victoriously through two World Wars: Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, George Marshall, and Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower; or, as bestselling author Robert O’Connell calls them, Team America.

O’Connell captures these men’s unique charisma as he chronicles the path each forged—from their upbringings to their educational experiences to their storied military careers—experiences that shaped them into majestic leaders who would play major roles in saving the free world and preserving the security of the United States in times of unparalleled danger. O’Connell shows how the lives of these men—all born within the span of a decade—twisted around each other like a giant braid in time. Throughout their careers, they would use each other brilliantly in a series of symbiotic relationships that would hold increasingly greater consequences.

At the end of their star-studded careers (twenty-four out of a possible twenty-five), O’Connell concludes that what set Team America apart was not their ability to wield the proverbial sword, but rather their ability to plot strategy, give orders, and inspire others. The key ingredients to their success was mental agility, a gravitas that masked their intensity, and an almost intuitive understanding of how armies in the millions actually functioned and fought. Without the leadership of these men, O’Connell makes clear, the world we know would be vastly different.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

It really was “Team” America

A fantastic was to learn history. While having read the long books about each one of these Titans, this abbreviated version of their impacts on history - and their connections between each other is astounding. Phenomenal read. Great refresher.

The very best

Robert O’Connell is the best military historian you’ve never heard of. His biography of General Sherman was excellent and Team America is another book that will keep you listening and listening and listening.

Outstanding

Very well-done, especially given it ambitiously tries to cover three icons. Only complaint is there may be a little to much emphasis on their sex lives. Disregard the review that implies it is somehow negative about them and the USA. It is very balanced. A good history doesn't require "The Star-Spangled Banner" playing in the background. Well worth a credit.

Insight to our greatest general

I liked seeing how they thought. Behind-the-scenes was an interesting listen. Separated truth from myth.

4 horseman of victory for 'merica

Great insights. I understand them better, the clay feet of heros on display, but I'm OK with it