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About the Book
Self-doubt so plagued him that he suffered a nervous breakdown even before fighting his first combat action. But, by the end of the Second World War, Bert Hoffmeister had exorcised his anxieties, risen from Captain to Major-General, and won more awards than any Canadian officer in the war. Fighting from the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 to the final victory in Europe in May 1945, this native Vancouverite earned a reputation as a fearless commander on the battlefield – one who led from the front, one well loved by those he led. How did he do it?
The Soldiers’ General explains, in eloquent and accessible prose, how Hoffmeister conducted his business as a military commander. With an astute analytical eye, Delaney carefully dissects Hoffmeister’s numerous battles to reveal how he managed and how he led, how he directed and how he inspired. An exemplary leader, Hoffmeister stood out among his contemporaries, not so much for his technical ability to move the chess pieces well; there were plenty who could do that. Rather, Bert Hoffmeister was exceptional for his ability to get the chess pieces to move themselves.
The most comprehensive and easy-to-understand study of any Canadian military commander to date, The Soldiers’ General will appeal as much to the student of military history as it will to anyone in search of a good story.
- Winner, 2007 C.P. Stacey Award, The Canadian Historical Committee for the History of the Second World War and for Military History
Published in association with the Canadian War Museum.
About the Author(s)
Douglas E. Delaney is Associate Professor of History at the Royal Military College of Canada, and Infantry Officer (Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry).
Table of Contents
Maps, Figures, Photographs
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1. Looking at Command
2. A Young Man before the War
3. The Years of Company Command and Personal Turmoil
4. Battalion Command: Training For War
5. Battalion Command: The Battlefield Test
6. Brigade Command
7. Division Command and the Liri Valley
8. The Lessons From Liri
9. Gothic Line to the End in Italy
10. Northwest Europe and After
11. Hoffmeister and Command
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Reviews
“I’ve been asked to host a TV documentary on outstanding, unconventional leader-generals from around the world. My choice for Canada? Bert Hoffmeister! Read The Soldiers’ General and you will understand why.”
– Lewis MacKenzie, Oont, MSC,CD, Major-General (ret’d)
“Canadian military historians have been waiting for someone to do this study – and they will be well satisfied with the results. Delaney is intuitively, intellectually, and experientially comfortable with his subject, and I would not consider my personal library complete without this book.”
– Stephen Harris, co-editor of Warrior Chiefs: Perspectives on Senior Canadian Military Leaders
“This biography is outstanding, and will set the standard for future studies. It should be read by all those interested in Canadian military history, but will have an especially strong appeal to serving and recently retired members of the Canadian Forces because of the discussion of leadership and command issues.”
–Terry Copp, author of Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy
"This book is a significant addition to Canadian military historiography…In essence, Delaney’s book focuses on how Hoffmeister commanded – what he did, how he did it, and significantly, how he learned to do it. This is why this volume is such an important and welcome addition to Canadian military history literature. It provides a window on the development of a senior wartime commander and how he actually made his decision.
"This book is clearly well researched and superbly written. The text is succinct and clear and flows with a rapid rhythm. What resonates throughout is the author’s obvious understanding and deep knowledge of military art and science. Delaney, an infantry officer with operational experience, clearly understands the material and, importantly, the context of operational decision making…In sum, this excellent book is a must read for military personnel, scholars, and history buffs. It is well researched and written in a crisp, easy flowing manner. Most importantly, Dr. Delaney’s handling of Hoffmeister’s command and leadership abilities, in training and battle, provides a valuable education to the reader on many of the principles and nuances of preparing troops for, and leading them in, battle."
– Bernd Horn, Royal Military College of Canada, Canadian Historical Review, vol. 82, no. 2, June 2006
"Doug Delaney has written a compelling and scholarly military biography…[this] is the most important biography of a Canadian field commander yet to appear, and one that can be read with enjoyment and profit by all historians of the Second World War."
– Marc Milner, University of New Brunswick, The Journal of Military History, Vol. 71, No. 2, April 2007
"Delaney offers a highly critical picture of the Canadian army's time in England, arguing that it was saved by the steadying influence of British General Bernard Law Montgomery.
Delaney's military and academic credentials make this work a keen tactical study. Unlike many military historians, Delaney has trained soldiers so his extensive discussions here on these matters are important additions to our understanding of how the Canadian army actually worked….Finally, Delaney's clear prose does not become bogged down in the annoying details of the military archive. This is a book that non-specialists will find accessible and interesting.
Delaney's final assessment of Hoffmeister's command style is an especially fine study of military leadership.
The strength of this work comes in what it says about military leadership and the little-known details that go into the workings of a division.
… this is a first-rate account of a remarkable commander who seemingly found the right balance between tactical skill and personal charisma.
- Geoffrey Hayes, H-Canada, February 2008
This book is an important contribution to Canadian military historiography, providing insight and analyses across a range of related historical topics.
...this book provides additional analysis of Canadian operations in Sicily, Italy and in the western Netherlands - areas of historical interest that have generally escaped the attentions of the majority of Canadian Second World War historians.
...Delaney’s discussion of Hoffmeister’s actions in the battle for Agira is excellent, giving a real sense of his growing tactical expertise, leadership and confidence.
I fully enjoyed Delaney’s book, and consider it a very significant addition to any Canadian military library. I strongly recommend The Soldier’s General to all serious students of the Canadian military experience....
- Colonel Michael Cessford, Canadian Military Journal, Autumn 2005
Sample Chapter
Chapter One
Related Topics
Biography/Autobiography
History > Military
Other Ways To Order
In Canada, order your copy of The Soldiers' General from UTP Distribution at:
UTP Distribution
5201 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3H 5T8
Phone orders: 1(800)565-9523 or (416)667-7791
Fax orders: 1(800)221-9985 or (416)667-7832
Email: utpbooks@utpress.utoronto.ca
Ordering information for customers outside Canada
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