While Tom Ricks is away from his blog, he has selected a few of his favorite posts to re-run. We will be posting a few every day until he returns. This originally ran on June 16, 2010.

Patton's diary, July 5, 1944: "Why an American Army has to go with Montgomery, I do not see, except to save the face of the little monkey."

December 27, 1944: "I wish Ike were more of a gambler, but he is certainly a lion compared to Montgomery ... Monty is a tired little fart. War requires the taking of risks and he won't take them."