Presidents and Their Generals

An American History of Command in War

Matthew Moten

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Hardback

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English

Harvard Uni.Press Academi
05 November 2014

History; Military history; Political science & theory; Theory of warfare & military science

"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."

By: Matthew Moten
Imprint: Harvard Uni.Press Academi
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 35mm
Weight: 798g
ISBN: 9780674058149
ISBN 10: 0674058143
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 05 November 2014
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Presidents and Their Generals: An American History of Command in War

In Presidents and Their Generals, Matthew Moten sets out to provide an episodic history of what he calls American political military relations, by which he means the relationship between military leaders and their civilian overseers. He succeeds admirably, jumping from the Revolution through the War of 1812 to the Civil War, the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the 1991 Gulf War, and the Iraq war. This book is well done: Well considered, well structured, and well written. Moten, a former head of West Point s history department, is a clear and pleasant writer, with an assured style. He favors making bold statements and then backing them up with persuasive analyses Moten is sophisticated in his political analysis in a way that academics sometimes are not The most surprising thing about this book may be that no one seems to have written one like it until now. Moten has stepped up and filled the gap impressively.--Thomas E. Ricks Journal of Military History (01/01/2015)