Wow, the book ‘‘Patton’s Photographs: War as He Saw It” is a unique book. I have read many books about Patton but never had he taken pictures to document his war time experiences. I thought I knew Patton but I did not realize how much I did not know about him. Patton’s photographs tell his story from his campaigns in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany.

At a recent Association of the United States Army meeting, I was fortunate to hear Kevin Hymel speak about his book and show some of the photos he used in illustrate the book. Hymel spent seven years researching this. It is not just only just photo book but descriptions of the photos and the events that they represent. Hymel tells how he stumbled on some of Patton’s photographs while researching another project. He was surprised at the amount of previously unpublished photos available.

The author used a collection of 15 volumes of Patton’s photographs. The reader learns that Patton refused to take pictures of deceased American GIs, but would take pictures of the dead German soldiers and their blown up equipment. Patton often took photos of enemy tanks and make notes about their armor and their ability to withstand a hit from a weapon system. He forwarded the photos and notes to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland so they could make improvements on our tanks.

If you have read Patton’s history take a look at this book. Descriptions of campaigns and battle maps that Patton participated in will give you a good over view. The photos in this book bring Patton to life. Patton will always be remembered for his good and bad actions. I just hope the good outweighs the bad.

Patton’s was a front line soldier and if you look at the pictures you will see him in the thick of things. ‘‘Patton’s Photographs War as He Saw It” worth taking the time to read and discover a Patton that we did not know.