Share This Article

Dogs of War: The Stories of FDR’s Fala, Patton’s Willie, and Ike’s Telek

By Kathleen Kinsolving. 64 pp. WND Books, 2012. $19.99.

 Three of the war’s most  prominent canines get their own profiles, complete with pictures, in this charming little book. FDR’s beloved Scottish terrier Fala raised funds as president of Barkers for Britain, yet couldn’t win the heart of the cat-loving Winston Churchill. General George S. Patton’s bull terrier Willie was hard-trained to live up to his master’s warrior ethos but was terrified of battle— except with other dogs. Among Willie’s four-legged foes was Telek, another Scottie who was ostensibly owned by General Dwight D. Eisenhower but really acquired for Ike’s other faithful companion, his driver Kay Summersby. Call it a dog’s-eye view of history.

 

Originally published in the April 2013 issue of World War II. To subscribe, click here.