ISBN: 9780674745322

A military historian traces the long struggle of American presidents to assert their power over uncooperative generals.Since World War II, the United States has been engaged in near-const… More...

A military historian traces the long struggle of American presidents to assert their power over uncooperative generals.Since World War II, the United States has been engaged in near-constant military conflict abroad, often with ill-defined objectives, ineffectual strategy, and uncertain benefits. In this era of limited congressional oversight and "wars of choice," the executive and the armed services have shared the primary responsibility for making war. The negotiations between presidents and their generals thus grow ever more significant, and understanding them becomes essential.Matthew Moten traces a sweeping history of the evolving roles of civilian and military leaders in conducting war, demonstrating how war strategy and national security policy shifted as political and military institutions developed, and how they were shaped by leaders' personalities. Early presidents established the principle of military subordination to civil government, and from the Civil War to World War II the president's role as commander-in-chief solidified, with an increasingly professionalized military offering its counsel. But General Douglas MacArthur's insubordination to President Harry Truman during the Korean War put political-military tensions on public view. Subsequent presidents selected generals who would ally themselves with administration priorities. Military commanders in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan did just that-and the results were poorly conceived policy and badly executed strategy.The most effective historical collaborations between presidents and their generals were built on mutual respect for military expertise and civilian authority, and a willingness to negotiate with candor and competence. Upon these foundations, future soldiers and statesmen can ensure effective decision-making in the event of war and bring us closer to the possibility of peace.Praise for Presidents and Their Generals"This highly readable book, impressive in scope, is a major contribution to understanding the important yet often-shifting dynamics of civil-military relations in the U.S.?past, present, and future." -W. A. Taylor, Choice"The author's opinions are precise and witty and based on comprehensive knowledge of his subject, as he clearly demonstrates how wars are lost by the arrogant and/or incompetent. A brilliant, fascinating picture of how wars badly begun and poorly run can affect an entire country?usually at the hands of just a few men." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review); EPUB; History & Transport > Humanities > Military history, Harvard University Press<

ISBN: 9780674745322

Since 1945, as the U.S. has engaged in near-constant "wars of choice" with limited congressional oversight, the executive and armed services have shared primary responsibility for often i… More...

Since 1945, as the U.S. has engaged in near-constant "wars of choice" with limited congressional oversight, the executive and armed services have shared primary responsibility for often ill-defined objectives, strategies, and benefits.Matthew Moten shows the significance of negotiations between presidents and the generals allied with them.; PDF; History & Transport > Humamities > Regional & national history > History of the Americas, The Lutterworth Press<

ISBN: 9780674745322

Presidents and Their Generals Presidents-and-Their-Generals~~Matthew-Moten Military History>Military History>Military Hist NOOK Book (eBook), Harvard University Press

2014, ISBN: 9780674745322

An American History of Command in War, eBooks, eBook Download (EPUB), [PU: Harvard University Press], Harvard University Press, 2014

2014, ISBN: 9780674745322

An American History of Command in War, eBook Download (EPUB), eBooks, [PU: Harvard University Press]