Eric Larrabee, a World War II army veteran, is the author of several books. He has taught at Columbia, among other New York universities, and served on the National Endowment for the Arts and New York City Council on the Arts.
Offers a well-drawn, concise portrait of a host of leaders with the human qualities we could use...." --First Things "Larrabee here assembles what, essentially, is a collection of short biographies of four army generals (George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Joseph Stilwell); two air force generals ("Hap" Arnold, Curtis LeMay); one marine general (A. A. Vandegrift); and two admirals (Ernest King, Chester Nimitz)all of whom oversaw the execution of Roosevelt's strategic directives during World War II. The emphasis throughout is on the relationships, direct and indirect, these officers had with the president, illustrating the premise that "more than any man FDR ran the war, and ran it well enough to deserve the gratitude of his countrymen then and since, and of those from whom he lifted the yoke of the Axis tyrannies." The book is well researched and superbly writtenand studded with the author's blunt opinions. Criticizing Roosevelt's China policy ("bad in conception, bad in execution"), Larrabee calls the president's treatment of Stilwell the darkest blot on his record as commander in chief. The chapter on MacArthur and his staff is especially scathing: 'A false giant among real pygmies.' " -- Publishers Weekly "A delight to read, this book is as fluidly written as it is sophisticated." -- Library Journal
Larrabee (The Self-Conscious Society, etc.) here assembles what, essentially, is a collection of short biographies of four army generals (George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Joseph Stilwell); two air force generals (``Hap'' Arnold, Curtis LeMay); one marine general (A. A. Vandegrift); and two admirals (Ernest King, Chester Nimitz)all of whom oversaw the execution of Roosevelt's strategic directives during World War II. The emphasis throughout is on the relationships, direct and indirect, these officers had with the president, illustrating the premise that ``more than any man FDR ran the war, and ran it well enough to deserve the gratitude of his countrymen then and since, and of those from whom he lifted the yoke of the Axis tyrannies.'' The book is well researched and superbly writtenand studded with the author's blunt opinions. Criticizing Roosevelt's China policy (``bad in conception, bad in execution''), Larrabee calls the president's treatment of Stilwell the darkest blot on his record as commander in chief. The chapter on MacArthur and his staff is especially scathing: ``A false giant among real pygmies.'' Illustrations. (May 13)
A delight to read, this book is as fluidly written as it is
sophisticated. -- Library Journal
Larrabee here assembles what, essentially, is a collection of short
biographies of four army generals (George Marshall, Douglas
MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Joseph Stilwell); two air force
generals (Hap Arnold, Curtis LeMay); one marine general (A. A.
Vandegrift); and two admirals (Ernest King, Chester Nimitz)all of
whom oversaw the execution of Roosevelt's strategic directives
during World War II. The emphasis throughout is on the
relationships, direct and indirect, these officers had with the
president, illustrating the premise that more than any man FDR ran
the war, and ran it well enough to deserve the gratitude of his
countrymen then and since, and of those from whom he lifted the
yoke of the Axis tyrannies. The book is well researched and
superbly writtenand studded with the author's blunt opinions.
Criticizing Roosevelt's China policy (bad in conception, bad in
execution), Larrabee calls the president's treatment of Stilwell
the darkest blot on his record as commander in chief. The chapter
on MacArthur and his staff is especially scathing: 'A false giant
among real pygmies.' -- Publishers Weekly
Offers a well-drawn, concise portrait of a host of leaders with the
human qualities we could use.... --First Things
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