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Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship
To those who have heard of him, Fox Conner’s name is synonymous with mentorship. He is the “grey eminence” within the Army whose influence helped to shape the careers of George Patton, George Marshall, and, most notably, President Eisenhower. What little is known about Conner comes primarily through stories about his relationship with Eisenhower, but little is known about Fox Conner himself.
After a career that spanned four decades, this master strategist ordered all of his papers and journals burned. Because of this, most of what is known about Conner is oblique, as a passing reference in the memoirs of other great men. This book combines existing scholarship with long-forgotten references and unpublished original sources to achieve a more comprehensive picture of this dedicated public servant. The portrait that emerges provides a four-step model for developing strategic leaders that still holds true today. First and foremost, Conner was a master of his craft. Secondly, he recognized and recruited talented subordinates. Then he encouraged and challenged these protégés to develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. Finally he wasn’t afraid to break the rules of the organization to do it. Here, for the first time ever, is the story of Major General Fox Conner.
After a career that spanned four decades, this master strategist ordered all of his papers and journals burned. Because of this, most of what is known about Conner is oblique, as a passing reference in the memoirs of other great men. This book combines existing scholarship with long-forgotten references and unpublished original sources to achieve a more comprehensive picture of this dedicated public servant. The portrait that emerges provides a four-step model for developing strategic leaders that still holds true today. First and foremost, Conner was a master of his craft. Secondly, he recognized and recruited talented subordinates. Then he encouraged and challenged these protégés to develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. Finally he wasn’t afraid to break the rules of the organization to do it. Here, for the first time ever, is the story of Major General Fox Conner.
142 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2010
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221 people want to read
About the author
Edward Cox
7 books1 followerEdward Cox is an author and travel writer. His works include Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship and Camping on Oahu as well as several peer-reviewed journal articles.
Ed has lectured at Virginia Tech, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. From 2008 to 2011, he taught in the Department of Social Science at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Ed graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He graduated from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 2008 with master’s degrees in public administration and international relations.
Ed currently lives in Virginia.
Ed has lectured at Virginia Tech, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center. From 2008 to 2011, he taught in the Department of Social Science at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Ed graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He graduated from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 2008 with master’s degrees in public administration and international relations.
Ed currently lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 29, 2019
A nice albeit short biography of General Fox Conner. The book centers on his military career and his relationships with Pershing, Eisenhower, and Patton. The author does touch a little on his personal life, but Conner had his papers burned after his death. If anything, the author provides a nice touch on how Conner mentored a cohort of officers who rose to national prominence during WWII.
October 24, 2017
I'm going to be honest, right off the bat, with a sub-title about "The Art of Mentorship", I really expected a lot more about the mentoring aspect of it. How MG Connor identified talent, qualities he saw / sought to improve, and the techniques he used to facilitate the mentoring relationship.
The closest the text came to that was pp. 89-93 where the discussion went to the use of fiction to slowly boost Eisenhower's interest in strategy, tactics, and military history to shape him into a capable officer and arranging for him to attend Leavenworth's Command and General Staff College (and be successful because Connor had already provided the training he would need to make it through the rigorous program through their countless discussions and joint evaluations).
The closest the text came to that was pp. 89-93 where the discussion went to the use of fiction to slowly boost Eisenhower's interest in strategy, tactics, and military history to shape him into a capable officer and arranging for him to attend Leavenworth's Command and General Staff College (and be successful because Connor had already provided the training he would need to make it through the rigorous program through their countless discussions and joint evaluations).
November 9, 2020
Major General Fox Connor is not generally a well-known name outside of the circle of military professionals. The names of General’s Eisenhower, Marshall, and Patton still carry historical significance in America. The author’s work is an account on the interwoven professional, and personal, relationships of several American Army generals identified as having Connor as a guiding figure in their careers. President Dwight Eisenhower described Conner as “the ablest man I ever knew.” (p.xv)
The author’s thesis is that Conner was a “master of his craft who recognized and recruited talented subordinates.” (p. xvii) that provided subordinates keys to success though his mentorship. He asserts that Conner’s tutelage as “a friend and father figure” (p. xix) who was willing to “provide advice, lend assistance, or call in a favor.” (p. xx) is still a model for leadership development.
Connor’s credibility during the Interwar period is established by the author, “Connor would be called upon by the Army as their artillery expert’ (p.41) During World War I, the author provides evidence that Connor was an exceptional staff officer, and commander, for General Pershing’s American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). He emphasizes how Connor recognized the potential talents of subordinates and encourages their growth even after the war ended. When introduced to Eisenhower, Connor took interest and began a mentor relationship. After the war, ‘General Connor was not satisfied with Eisenhower’s disdain for military history,” (p.89). Connor began furthering Eisenhower’s military history education. While Connor was assigned to in Panama with Eisenhower, “He began a deliberate campaign to turn his executive officer into a military aficionado like himself.” (p. 89). The author details examples of Connor’s willingness to call in favors and provide detailed career advice to Eisenhower, Marshall, and Patton even after his own retirement from the Army.
Unfortunately, Conner had “ordered all of his papers and journals burned.” (p. xvi). The author did exceptional work on researching sources. Cox’s notes are an expansive list of public records, military archives, official reports, period relevant military journals and articles, newspapers and published biographies. (pp. 109-119) The author draws heavily from USMA records in the first two chapters to detail both Connor’s known achievements and general facts of cadet life at the USMA during that time. Cox was able to use these records to provide colorful details of Connor’s early years such as, “He earned 384 demerits in the course of four years.” (p.16). While not specifically critical to the author’s thesis on Connor’s mentoring process, the details added perspective into the subject’s life.
The book is seven chapters of a well-researched chronological narrative. The first three chapters dedicated to Connor’s early life and experiences. The next three chapters detail the interactions of Connor with Marshall, Eisenhower and Patton. The final chapter is a short synopsis of Connor’s career and retirement. The organization the book contained awkwardly repetitive jumps in the chronology. His writing style contained a mixture of personal narrative intertwined with source document excerpts. When citing United States Military Academy (USMA), and numerous official public records, the author’s narrative abruptly changed to reviewing ledger entry citations. This was awkward writing style, for myself as the reader.
The author used twenty-two photographs, one map, and an illustration dispersed thought his book. The visuals did not generally correspond with the chronological sequencing within the book beyond the subject of the photo’s inclusion in that chapter. The photo of George Patton, captioned “and his 320-pound Jew Fish.” (p. 98) was a unique inclusion decision from the author during a topic of tanks.
Cox provided a researched look at the four-decade career of Major General Fox Connor. He clearly summarized the existence of the mentoring relationships of Connor. The book did not provide expansive details on that process beyond supervision and tutelage as “a friend and father figure” (p. xix) who was willing to “provide advice, lend assistance, or call in a favor.” (p. xx). It is not an unlikely inference to make that Connor had a lifelong mentoring process with his famous protégés. The research on Connor highlights his influence on subordinates with a focus on continued education and networking skills. However, Cox does not define a functional model for subordinate mentorship.
The author’s thesis is that Conner was a “master of his craft who recognized and recruited talented subordinates.” (p. xvii) that provided subordinates keys to success though his mentorship. He asserts that Conner’s tutelage as “a friend and father figure” (p. xix) who was willing to “provide advice, lend assistance, or call in a favor.” (p. xx) is still a model for leadership development.
Connor’s credibility during the Interwar period is established by the author, “Connor would be called upon by the Army as their artillery expert’ (p.41) During World War I, the author provides evidence that Connor was an exceptional staff officer, and commander, for General Pershing’s American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). He emphasizes how Connor recognized the potential talents of subordinates and encourages their growth even after the war ended. When introduced to Eisenhower, Connor took interest and began a mentor relationship. After the war, ‘General Connor was not satisfied with Eisenhower’s disdain for military history,” (p.89). Connor began furthering Eisenhower’s military history education. While Connor was assigned to in Panama with Eisenhower, “He began a deliberate campaign to turn his executive officer into a military aficionado like himself.” (p. 89). The author details examples of Connor’s willingness to call in favors and provide detailed career advice to Eisenhower, Marshall, and Patton even after his own retirement from the Army.
Unfortunately, Conner had “ordered all of his papers and journals burned.” (p. xvi). The author did exceptional work on researching sources. Cox’s notes are an expansive list of public records, military archives, official reports, period relevant military journals and articles, newspapers and published biographies. (pp. 109-119) The author draws heavily from USMA records in the first two chapters to detail both Connor’s known achievements and general facts of cadet life at the USMA during that time. Cox was able to use these records to provide colorful details of Connor’s early years such as, “He earned 384 demerits in the course of four years.” (p.16). While not specifically critical to the author’s thesis on Connor’s mentoring process, the details added perspective into the subject’s life.
The book is seven chapters of a well-researched chronological narrative. The first three chapters dedicated to Connor’s early life and experiences. The next three chapters detail the interactions of Connor with Marshall, Eisenhower and Patton. The final chapter is a short synopsis of Connor’s career and retirement. The organization the book contained awkwardly repetitive jumps in the chronology. His writing style contained a mixture of personal narrative intertwined with source document excerpts. When citing United States Military Academy (USMA), and numerous official public records, the author’s narrative abruptly changed to reviewing ledger entry citations. This was awkward writing style, for myself as the reader.
The author used twenty-two photographs, one map, and an illustration dispersed thought his book. The visuals did not generally correspond with the chronological sequencing within the book beyond the subject of the photo’s inclusion in that chapter. The photo of George Patton, captioned “and his 320-pound Jew Fish.” (p. 98) was a unique inclusion decision from the author during a topic of tanks.
Cox provided a researched look at the four-decade career of Major General Fox Connor. He clearly summarized the existence of the mentoring relationships of Connor. The book did not provide expansive details on that process beyond supervision and tutelage as “a friend and father figure” (p. xix) who was willing to “provide advice, lend assistance, or call in a favor.” (p. xx). It is not an unlikely inference to make that Connor had a lifelong mentoring process with his famous protégés. The research on Connor highlights his influence on subordinates with a focus on continued education and networking skills. However, Cox does not define a functional model for subordinate mentorship.
April 21, 2018
This compact and easily readable account of the career of mentorship provided to the US Army by Fox Conner is a pleasure for any reader. I could not put it down and finished it in a single day!
Fox Conner is that increasingly rare type of leader who is possessed of immense talent but who also sees his duty as being larger and more important than himself. It is no accident that he is virtually unknown by most Americans while those whom he mentored are famous: Marshall, Patton, Eisenhower. The fact that he placed the development and growth of talented subordinates ahead of his own personal ambitions speaks to Conner’s strength of character.
Once he identified a talented young officer, he went to work on them. He turned Eisenhower into a lover of military history, he cultivated Patton’s warrior spirit (and pushed him to embrace a new weapon called the “tank”), and he helped place George Marshall in the right position when his blazing intellect would gain him notice for future advancement.
Fox Conner is a role model for anyone who aspires to leadership. He understood that it was about the bigger picture, not about himself. Few Americans know who Fox Conner was, but they should. We owe him a great debt.
Fox Conner is that increasingly rare type of leader who is possessed of immense talent but who also sees his duty as being larger and more important than himself. It is no accident that he is virtually unknown by most Americans while those whom he mentored are famous: Marshall, Patton, Eisenhower. The fact that he placed the development and growth of talented subordinates ahead of his own personal ambitions speaks to Conner’s strength of character.
Once he identified a talented young officer, he went to work on them. He turned Eisenhower into a lover of military history, he cultivated Patton’s warrior spirit (and pushed him to embrace a new weapon called the “tank”), and he helped place George Marshall in the right position when his blazing intellect would gain him notice for future advancement.
Fox Conner is a role model for anyone who aspires to leadership. He understood that it was about the bigger picture, not about himself. Few Americans know who Fox Conner was, but they should. We owe him a great debt.
May 11, 2022
I read “Grey Eminence” for a book club. The subject is Maj. General Fox Connor, USA. If follows his life from home in Mississippi through West Point, his early Army career, his role on Gen. Pershing’s staff during World War I to his later postings in Panama and elsewhere into retirement.
Connor was, by accounts, a highly respected officer whose main influence was as a mentor of giants of World War II: Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall and George Patton. This work is very short and abbreviated even more by pictures. It is, nonetheless, a worthwhile read for those seeking a background stories of more prominent officers.
The book club discussion focused on Connor’s mentorship, why, how and when. Reflection turned to the mentors in our lives and our own roles as mentors. It did encourage thoughtful discussion.
Connor was, by accounts, a highly respected officer whose main influence was as a mentor of giants of World War II: Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall and George Patton. This work is very short and abbreviated even more by pictures. It is, nonetheless, a worthwhile read for those seeking a background stories of more prominent officers.
The book club discussion focused on Connor’s mentorship, why, how and when. Reflection turned to the mentors in our lives and our own roles as mentors. It did encourage thoughtful discussion.
Read
January 15, 2025Fox Connor.
If the name doesn't ring a bell, let me drop a book recommendation: 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘍𝘰𝘹 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, by Edward Cox.
The book is a compelling biography of a largely unknown leader whose influence on the development and careers of leaders such as Marshall, Eisenhower, and Patton helped shape the world as we know it today. The book is more than a biography; it is a MasterClass in leadership and mentorship, offering valuable insights into how Conner developed his charges by recognizing their strengths, challenging them to overcome their weaknesses, and even breaking the rules when necessary.
A takeaway quote that encapsulates Connor's #legacy: "𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘞𝘢𝘳, 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘯𝘢𝘮."
If the name doesn't ring a bell, let me drop a book recommendation: 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘍𝘰𝘹 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, by Edward Cox.
The book is a compelling biography of a largely unknown leader whose influence on the development and careers of leaders such as Marshall, Eisenhower, and Patton helped shape the world as we know it today. The book is more than a biography; it is a MasterClass in leadership and mentorship, offering valuable insights into how Conner developed his charges by recognizing their strengths, challenging them to overcome their weaknesses, and even breaking the rules when necessary.
A takeaway quote that encapsulates Connor's #legacy: "𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘞𝘢𝘳, 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘯𝘢𝘮."
April 8, 2020
Recommended by a senior military general as the most influential officer no one has ever heard of. And he is right, I had never heard of Fox Connor, but he shaped the lives and careers of Marshall, Eisenhower, and Patton. By this account he was not a warrior, had minimal combat experience, but he studied war in a way few people have since. I think my favorite part, and example of leadership, is that he didn’t depend on reports coming from the ground, he went out and saw for himself, and he took one of these men with him. He challenged them, taught them, and knew when to back off and let them exercise their own brilliance. A valuable addition to the military historian’s shelf.
February 4, 2017
A very brief overview. Well written, but it doesn't seem like there is enough historical evidence (in existence) to support having a book as detailed as it should be. Had the author had the materials, I have no doubt this book would be several hundred pages longer with much more informative details.
My biggest disappointment is that this book's subtitles highlights his mentorship. That part of Fox Connor's life almost seems to get a passing nod versus the biographical information. It is very limited.
My biggest disappointment is that this book's subtitles highlights his mentorship. That part of Fox Connor's life almost seems to get a passing nod versus the biographical information. It is very limited.
December 19, 2017
Short and enjoyable read about one of our least known military leaders who had, perhaps, the most significant mentorship impact on some of our greatest American, military minds. Definitely recommend this as a quick and engaging read.
March 13, 2018
I love reading about Fox Connor and I fully enjoyed learning about his story. However, I wish the book concluded with an analysis of the “Fox Connor Leader Development model” mentioned early in the book.
Great read on the history of Fox Connor, nonetheless.
Great read on the history of Fox Connor, nonetheless.
February 14, 2020
More About The Artist Than The Art
Many of the details of Fox Connor's practice of mentoring is found in separate sources (there papers of his proteges) and that material is woven into a wonderful narrative.
Many of the details of Fox Connor's practice of mentoring is found in separate sources (there papers of his proteges) and that material is woven into a wonderful narrative.
March 2, 2021
An interesting history of an often-overlooked US Army leader. Connor supreme skill was as a talent scout and talent developer. He played a key role in preparing George C. Marshall, George Patton Jr., and especially Dwight Eisenhower. Connor was the mentor extraordinaire.
March 24, 2024
Nepotism might be frowned upon, but the General obviously knew what he was doing. A mostly forgotten leader, by design, but there’s still a lot to be learned from his life. I hope more comes out about his life with more research.
April 1, 2019
3,5 it contains no more than a listing of meeting points between Connor, Patton, Marshall and Eisenhower. In fact, it's an elaborate CV. Interesting, but nothing special.
March 1, 2021
Really good read and very interesting. Never heard of Fox Conner before this and not sure how he isn't more prominent. Wish the book was longer.
August 1, 2021
It was ok
September 17, 2023
It was ok.
I had high hopes to get insight in what I understood was a great leader and mentor. Instead it was a fine introduction to the man.
I had high hopes to get insight in what I understood was a great leader and mentor. Instead it was a fine introduction to the man.
April 27, 2012
Grey Eminence does a great job describing Fox Connor's mentorship of Generals Marshall, Patton, and Eisenhower. Ed Cox lays out several key interactions that were instrumental in moving the career's of these men forward.
What is truly great about the book is its unbiased look at a brand of mentorship that could be construed as nepotism. Arguably, it was Marshall's, Patton's and Eisenhower's competence that brought them to Conner's attention but Conner cut bureaucratic corners to ensure his men were taken care of.
Our Army today is a meritocracy based on an egalitarian model. It is certainly not perfect but in most cases, everyone gets a chance to succeed. Is that the right course? Do Conner's actions fit within that model? If they do not, then what of the outstanding success of Marshall, Patton and Eisenhower? I think this book begins an important debate about mentorship and success in a business where failure is at the cost of lives.
What is truly great about the book is its unbiased look at a brand of mentorship that could be construed as nepotism. Arguably, it was Marshall's, Patton's and Eisenhower's competence that brought them to Conner's attention but Conner cut bureaucratic corners to ensure his men were taken care of.
Our Army today is a meritocracy based on an egalitarian model. It is certainly not perfect but in most cases, everyone gets a chance to succeed. Is that the right course? Do Conner's actions fit within that model? If they do not, then what of the outstanding success of Marshall, Patton and Eisenhower? I think this book begins an important debate about mentorship and success in a business where failure is at the cost of lives.
May 25, 2015
Good, quick overview of Fox Conner's life and career but spoke very little to his mentorship of Patton, Marshall, and Eisenhower. Though the chapter on Conner's mentorship with Ike was useful, I expected more of the same throughout the book. I took away two main points regarding leadership and mentorship. First, learning is not bounded by your school experiences; it is a lifelong journey. Although Fox was not a top student at West Point, his appetite for learning was never quenched. Second and although typically frowned upon, Fox called in favors at key points in Ike and others career to get them into key assignments to further their development as officers and leaders. I would recommend this anyone wanting a quick look at Fox's life and his role in the lives of key WWII generals.
October 25, 2020
Edward Cox's short but excellent book captures the importance of mentoring and leader development by profiling the life of MG Fox Conner, a humble but consequential officer who shaped the careers of much better-known officers such as Eisenhower, Marshall, and Patton. Conner was unconcerned with preserving his own legacy, burning his personal files late in life; however, he clearly recognized his most important legacy would be the gifted officers that he helped to shape and develop who would lead America and her Allies to success in the most consequential test of the 20th Century -- World War II.
February 24, 2015
This was a very short book. Perhaps too short to really be of great assistance in teaching the art of mentorship. It's hard to argue with results. The general first did ever in his power to develop himself as a model. He was very good at identify leaders with potential. He found ways to work with them directly to shape their development. Pulled strings to ensure they got the opportunities they need to further develop. Finally, he continued to make himself available to them.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews