The Generals
American Military Command from World War II to Today
by Thomas E. Ricks
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Author Thomas E. Ricks is a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
The Generals is a collection of biographical sketches of general-grade officers stretching from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His assessment of the general’s performance is centered on how well the men have led their forces, and whether they won or lost battles.
Ricks’ theme is the development over time of the Army’s attitude towards and approach to generalship. While the cowboy or maverick personality is praised in popular entertainment, the Army prefers leaders who are team players. The problem is that the ‘team player’ mentality can and does encourage cautious and career-protecting behavior; and the retention in command of those who objectively are not successful. This, Ricks argues, has a strong negative effect on a general’s ability to accomplish the main objective which is to win battles. Ricks advocates a return to the Marshall-era practice of relief; removing officers from command when they can’t get the job done. He cites the neglect of this practice as responsible for the overall poor performance of the Army leadership from the Vietnam era to the present day.
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Subjects
Command of troops, Military History, History, Generals, Case studies, nyt:combined-print-and-e-book-nonfiction=2012-11-18, New York Times bestseller, New York Times reviewed, Large type books, United states, history, military, Military art and science, history, Generals--history, Generals--united states--history--20th century, Command of troops--history, Command of troops--history--20th century--case studies, History, military, E745 .r53 2012, 355.0092/2 bPlaces
United StatesTimes
20th century| Edition | Availability |
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1
The generals: American military command from World War II to today
2013, Thorndike Press
in English
- Large print ed.
1410454703 9781410454706
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2
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
October 30, 2012, The Penguin Press
Hardocver
in English
- First edition
1594204047 9781594204043
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3
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Pub
preloaded digital audio player
1470817306 9781470817305
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The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Audio, Inc.
mp3 cd
1470817284 9781470817282
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5
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Audio, Inc.
audio cd
1470817268 9781470817268
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Book Details
First Sentence
"Captain William DePuy of the 90th Division saw it all in northwestern France in the summer of 1944."
Edition Notes
Includes bibliographical references and index.
$32.95; C$35.00
Printing statement: 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
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| January 21, 2024 | Edited by SFJuggler | better cover, publication info, contributors, physical description, notes, first sentence. |
| December 20, 2023 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| November 18, 2022 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| December 23, 2021 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
| April 25, 2012 | Created by LC Bot | import new book |