In 1950; Americans expected that the United States would wage another major war in the near future. Instead; over the course of the next half-century; they fought limited wars against minor powers: North Korea; North Vietnam; and Iraq. In Presidential Decisions for War; Gary R. Hess explores the ways in which Presidents Truman; Johnson; and Bush took America into these wars. He recreates the unfolding crises in Korea; Vietnam; and the Persian Gulf; explaining why the presidents and their advisers concluded that the use of military power was ultimately necessary to uphold U.S. security. The decisions for war are then evaluated in terms of how effectively the president assessed U.S. interests; explored alternatives to war; adhered to constitutional processes; and built congressional; popular; and international support.Once at war; each president as commander in chief faced the challenge of waging a limited war; which imposes restrictions on military operations and objectives and on the extent to which popular emotions can be aroused. After tracing how Truman; Johnson; and Bush responded to unfolding military developments; Hess evaluates the wartime leadership of each president in terms of his effectiveness in coordinating political and military objectives; managing civilian-military relations; communicating objectives and sustaining popular and congressional support; gaining and sustaining international backing; and responding to diplomatic initiatives and opportunities for peace. Presidential Decisions for War concludes that the quality of presidential leadership directly affected the different outcomes of these three wars; each of which remains a topic of ongoing controversy among historians and the public.
#451390 in Books 1983-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.08 x .49 x 5.94l; .65 #File Name: 0801828724208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Worth readingBy Austen loverWhile I don't agree with everything Ms. Dinar has to say; this is a very solid book and far from being a feminist interpretation; I found it as willing to blame Irish women as to excuse them.As another reviewer pointed out; the second half is much stronger and it is fairly obvious that the writer is most comfortable once she has real numbers to theorize from.The one quibble - due to when she wrote this book (1983); Ms. Dinar feels that schizophrenia is a reaction to upbringing and blames the high rate of schizophrenia in Irish males on their mothers. Since I'm fairly certain that the new research leads to a biological inherited basis; this would be like blaming Tay Sachs on the fact that Jewish mothers made chicken soup. I think if she had the time a new look at this would update the book wonderfully and certainly make my review more positive.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy E. KolinchakWell packaged and protected.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy carol fitzpatickWELL WRITTEN HISTORICAL VIEW OF WOMEN. CONCISE DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING HOME LIFE AN WORKINGCONDITIONS
