Truman and MacArthur offers an objective and comprehensive account of the very public confrontation between a sitting president and a well-known general over the military's role in the conduct of foreign policy. In November 1950; with the army of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea mostly destroyed; Chinese military forces crossed the Yalu River. They routed the combined United Nations forces and pushed them on a long retreat down the Korean peninsula. Hoping to strike a decisive blow that would collapse the Chinese communist regime in Beijing; General Douglas MacArthur; the commander of the Far East Theater; pressed the administration of President Harry S. Truman for authorization to launch an invasion of China across the Taiwan straits. Truman refused; MacArthur began to argue his case in the press; a challenge to the tradition of civilian control of the military. He moved his protest into the partisan political arena by supporting the Republican opposition to Truman in Congress. This violated the President's fundamental tenet that war and warriors should be kept separate from politicians and electioneering. On April 11; 1951 he finally removed MacArthur from command.Viewing these events through the eyes of the participants; this book explores partisan politics in Washington and addresses the issues of the political power of military officers in an administration too weak to carry national policy on its own accord. It also discusses America's relations with European allies and its position toward Formosa (Taiwan); the long-standing root of the dispute between Truman and MacArthur.
#5401369 in Books 1990-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.75 x 6.50 x 1.00l; #File Name: 0253319463304 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Wende Cookperfect condition; this book is eye-opening and a lot of wisdom packed in it!10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Illluminating and provocativeBy A CustomerInterdisciplinary studies are exciting because they hold the promise of radically new insights into familiar subjects. This book lives up to this promise in every way; in fact; it ranks as one of the most thought-provoking and enlightening books I have read in years. Applying anthropology to the study of Judaism; the author argues persuasively that circumcision among the ancient Israelites; as indeed among many other people; originated as a symbol of kinship and as a means of cementing solidarity between father and son and all male cohorts. Only later; as Judaism evolved in the direction of ethicizing and historicizing all human experience; did the circumcision rite become invested with distinctively Judaic religious significance. Many other provocative insights await readers of this book. Admittedly; anthropological studies into worlds now vanished can rarely provide conclusive evidence for their theses. Still; this author's approach deserves serious attention by anthropologists; historians; and the general public.3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating!By A CustomerInterdisciplinary studies are exciting because they hold the promise of radically new insights into familiar subjects. This book lives up to this promise in every way; in fact; it ranks as one of the most thought-provoking and enlightening books I have read in years. Applying anthropology to the historical study of Judaism; the author argues persuasively that circumcision among the ancient Israelites; as indeed among many other people; originated as a symbol of kinship and as a means of cementing solidarity between father and son and all male cohorts. Only later; as Judaism evolved in the directing of ethicizing and historicizing all human experience; did the circumcision rite become invested with distinctively Judaic religious significance. Many other provocative insights await readers of this book. Admittedly; anthropological studies into worlds now vanished can rarely provide conclusive evidence for their theses. Still; this author's approach deserves serious attention from anthropologists; historians; and the general public.
