Introduction: Naval Incidents and the Decision for War
Part 1: The Maine Incident
Part 2: The Lusitania Crisis
Part 3: The Panay Incident
Conclusion: Naval Incidents and the Primacy of Context. Typologies,
Theories, and the Historical Mindset
Bibliography
Index
Douglas Carl Peifer is a Professor of History and Strategy at the US Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama.
"This work is very valuable to aspiring historians in its
discussion of the uses of history....With at-sea incidents between
U.S. and Iranian and Chinese ships on the rise, this book should be
required reading for policymakers and national security
professionals alike."--Robert M. Brown, Military Review
"[A]n excellent example of how historically informed comparative
analysis can create a framework for our understanding of the uses
of force and war-making....The gripping prose style and narrative
detail in each episode are impressive....[O]ne can only
hope--likely in vain--that current policymakers will read this
excellent study."--Stephen R. Ortiz, Passport
"[T]his book could appeal to someone who knows little about the
three naval incidents and wants to get a relatively quick lesson on
the historical background and the military and political
considerations of each. It should also appeal to the enthusiast who
really wants to get into the weeds of diplomacy with Peifer."--Dave
Page, The Journal of America's Military Past
"Peifer's insightful analysis in Choosing War is as useful as it is
timely....Peifer makes a unique contribution to our understanding
of how an American administration makes that most important of
decisions--whether or not to go to war. Students of diplomatic,
naval, and military history and those interested in the national
security decision-making process will find Choosing War a valuable
endeavor and a worthwhile addition to their
professional libraries. Well researched and with extensive notes,
Choosing War hits the mark."--Mark Montesclaros, H-War
"Choosing War is an excellent dissection of the decisions made by
American presidents in the wake of the Maine, Lusitania, and Panay
incidents. Choosing War, in great detail, shows that naval
incidents are very often a precursor to greater conflicts on land,
on sea, and in the air....It is a unique book that is written
clearly enough to serve as popular history, yet Choosing War will
also serve as a great reference
to American military figures, geopolitical strategists, and their
publicly elected leaders."--Larry Provost, MCU Journal
"Well-reasoned and convincing, Choosing War makes an important
contribution to the fields of presidential studies and decision
making. It also provides excellent examinations of three naval
events and their link to foreign relations. Thus it will be of
interest and value to both diplomatic and naval historians. There
exists no similar study."--James C. Bradford, Texas A&M
University, editor of America, Sea Power, and the World
"Americans can choose their wars, or blunder into them. Douglas
Peifer's insights into three moments of crisis and decision from
the high seas--the Maine, the Lusitania, and the Panay--eloquently
explain the difference. A must-read for anyone interested in naval
history, or in how the most difficult decisions that cross a
president's desk often come from unexpected times and
places."--Jeffrey A. Engel, Director, Center for
Presidential History, Southern Methodist University
"Presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to poor Barack Obama today have
luxuriated in the certainty that we could project American force
anywhere to solve any conflict that collided with our national
interests. Mr. Peifer argues naval and air power no longer are
adequate shortcuts to diplomacy."--Washington Times
"A compelling illustration of the sort of insights that political
scientists and practitioners routinely miss...Peifer's wonderfully
clear prose makes the volume a page-turner."--H-Net, H-Diplo
"[An] exemplary feat of historical interpretation."--Naval
Historical Foundation
"This is a valuable work...[Choosing War] is worth a place on the
reader's list and is highly recommended."--Northern Mariner
"In Choosing War, historian Douglas Carl Peifer has written a book
that can help tomorrow's policymakers anticipate the kinds of
predicaments that may confront them...Anyone interested in
improving critical thinking during future maritime emergencies will
find Choosing War to be provocative [and] rewarding."--Michigan War
Studies Review
"Articulate, well organized, and highly readable... Peifer makes a
unique contribution to our understanding of how an American
administration makes that most important of decisions-whether or
not to go to war... Choosing War hits the mark."--H-Net, H-War
"Choosing War, in great detail, shows that naval incidents are very
often a precursor to
greater conflicts on land, on sea, and in the air. Douglas Carl
Peifer also reaffirms a need for the historical perspective, short
and long term, in regard to contemporary matters. These
contemporary matters are often thought to be the exclusive domain
of political scientists and policy analysts, but Choosing War shows
that historians can add just as much, if not more, to current
policy debates."--Marine Corps University Journal
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