The Last Days of Patton is the story of General George S. Patton's final battle -- the Allied victory over Germany in the spring of 1945 and the ensuing nine months of his life, with particular attention given to his fatal automobile accident in December. Ladislas Fargo chronicles the postwar adventures and misfortunes that ultimately deprived Patton of the glory and victory he had earned in his career as military strategist, leader, and hero. - Jacket flap.

Includes index.

Introduction : Years of the jackals : the mysteries of General Patton's death -- Book one : A war too late, a peace too soon. Prologue : Encounter in the haymarket -- "What a war!" -- Leaps over the hedges -- Sloughs of despond -- From "Overlord" to "Eclipse" -- Keegan's heroes -- Conquering hero with foot in mouth -- Tempest in a clouded crystal ball -- Book two : The lord of St. Querin. Return of the proconsul -- More gold, more mysteries -- The specter of Streicher -- The month of the stag -- The crisis at Camp Number 8 -- The shadow of Ike -- Snares and pitfalls -- Down to the wire -- The professor versus the general -- Out of the fog -- Book three : Whiplash. Into the valley of the bug -- Ward A-1, Room 101 -- "Hooray for Colonel Spurling" -- The countdown -- Zero hour zero -- So may he rest -- Epilogue : The limited assembly.