Killing Patton (O'Reilly)

Discussion Questions
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1. O'Reilly's subtitle to this book refers to Patton as "audacious." Talk about Patton, the kind of man he was and his style of leadership. What was he like? What other adjectives might be used to describe the man and the general?

2. What evidence does O'Reilly present that suggests Patton's death was more sinister than accidental? Is the evidence cited credible? Why, after all these years, does Reilly believe the controversy has never been brought out into the open and resolved?

3. Follow-up to Question 2: Who would have benefited most from Patton's death?

5. This book, as well as the other three in "The Killing" series (Jesus, Kennedy, Lincoln), use a popular, hyped-up narrative style, creating what some reviewers refer to as "you-are-there thrillers." O'Reilly says that he believes that "people who do not necessarily like history will enjoy" his books. And with regards to the titles, O'Reilly refers to himself as "a snappy guy." "I do things," he says," in a flamboyant way. I want to get your attention." Does the O'Reilly style add to, or detract from, the underlying history of this work. Does it engage people who otherwise would not read about Patton and World War II? Or does it's easy-going style leave out, or gloss over, more complex historical facts that may not be as interesting or easy to follw? What do you think?

6. Talk about the numerous world leaders and other less well-known characters, found in Killing Patton. Are there any you find particularly interesting...or admirable...or disagreeable? If so, in what way? Consider (among others) Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower, as well as lesser known individuals like PFC Robert Holmund or Horace Woodring, Patton's driver.

7. Talk about Patton's greatest military achievements, in particular his race to relieve the siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. What other military (or personal) accomplishments have led to his reputation as one of the great World War II heroes.

8. In your opinion, was Eisenhower wrong to have prevented Patton from reaching Berlin before the Soviet forces? Should Patton have been permitted to close the Falaise Gap in the Fall of 1944? Have you read other sources else on this controversial topic that might shed some light on the issue?

9. What new understanding have you gained—about World War II and General Patton—from reading this book? What did you find most surprising?...or most disturbing? 

10. O'Reilly has been accused of inaccuracies and of cherry picking his facts in Killing Patton. Do these charges have any basis in fact that you're aware of? Do the charges make any difference to your reading of this book...or affect its validity as a work of history?

11. Consider watching, as a group, clips from the 1970 film Patton with George C. Scott. Talk about how the movie's portrayal of Patton dovetails with, or diverges from, your understanding of O'Reilly's book. (If you have time, why not watch the entire film!)
 
12. Have you read the other three books in "The Killing" series? If so, how does this one compare? If you haven't read the others, does Killing Patton inspire you to do so?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online or off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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