The generals

American military command from World War II to today

Large print ed.
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Last edited by SFJuggler
January 21, 2024 | History

The generals

American military command from World War II to today

Large print ed.
  • 5.0 (1 rating) ·
  • 4 Want to read
  • 2 Have read

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.

Publish Date
Publisher
Thorndike Press
Language
English
Pages
861

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Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: The generals
The generals: American military command from World War II to today
2013, Thorndike Press
in English - Large print ed.
Cover of: The Generals
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Audio, Inc.
mp3 cd
Cover of: The Generals
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Pub
preloaded digital audio player
Cover of: The Generals
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
October 30, 2012, The Penguin Press
Hardocver in English - First edition
Cover of: The Generals
The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today
Oct 30, 2012, Blackstone Audio, Inc.
audio cd

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Book Details


Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references.

Published in
Waterville, ME
Series
Thorndike Press large print nonfiction

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
355.0092, B
Library of Congress
E745 .R47 2013, E745.R53b 2012

The Physical Object

Pagination
861 p. (large print)
Number of pages
861

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL30661505M
Internet Archive
generalsamerican0000rick_x0l1
ISBN 10
1410454703
ISBN 13
9781410454706
LCCN
2012041296

Links outside Open Library

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History

Download catalog record: RDF / JSON
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