Summary Of Andrew Carroll's My Fellow Soldiers?

In his book, My Fellow Soldiers, Andrew Carroll tells the story of World War I through the eyes of the American participants. He uses quotes, personal letters and diaries, from an array of characters, to depict a day in the life of a WWI warrior. Though, he narrows his focus on the untold story of General John J. Pershing, a US army leader. He uniquely talks about the General's vulnerable and emotional side. "Pershing was notoriously strong-willed, to the point of seeming cold, rigid, and humorless, almost more machine than man" (p.XVIII). Pershing is commonly recognized for his accomplishments during the war and remembered for his sternness. He was "…especially unforgiving when it came to matters of discipline" (p. XVIII). Nicknamed "Black Jack" due to his mercilessness towards his soldiers, in this book, Pershing is portrayed as a General with much determination and devotion to his troops, family, and close friends.

He enjoyed traveling with his family and with their support, had high expectations for his success. While on an assignment in Texas, Pershing received news that his wife and three daughters had died in a fire. The only survivor of the family was Warren, his six-year-old son. Letters he wrote to close friends and family depict a devastated, mournful General. "His friends would later say that … Warren's survival was all that kept Pershing from going mad with grief" (p.10). Pershing only opened up to people he fully trusted, it was not publicly known the deep depression he went through after the tragedy. He left his sister to care for his son and decided to fixate on his work. He was later selected to lead a small expedition into Mexico to capture the Mexican Revolutionary General, "Pancho" Villa. "Pancho" was wanted after his lead role in an attack on New Mexico. Although, the hunt for "Pancho" was not successful, it did show promise and persistence from Pershing as a