Just a day before it was to cross the Rhine into Germany, the Sixth Army Group, led by General Jacob Devers, was halted in its tracks by General Dwight Eisenhower. Standing with General George Patton were many who believed General Eisenhower's decision extended the war in Europe by as many as three-to-five months. Here historian Colley reopens this little-known episode of 1944, asserting that interviews with many high-ranking officers indicate Devers's entry into Germany would have been successful and saved thousands of American lives. However, although Colley and his sources respect Eisenhower's cautious leadership in most cases, they indicate Eisenhower's personal dislike of Devers may have affected his better judgment. Further, Colley finds that the matter was complicated by Ike's desire to satisfy old comrades and British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, all of whom wanted to be first across the Rhine. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)