Synopses & Reviews
Admiral Elmo Russell Zumwalt, Jr., the charismatic chief of naval operations (CNO) and "the navy's most popular leader since WWII" (
Time), was a man who embodied honor, courage, and commitment. In a career spanning forty years, he rose to the top echelon of the U.S. Navy as a commander of all navy forces in Vietnam and then as CNO from 1970 to 1974. His tenure came at a time of scandal and tumult, from the Soviets' challenge to the U.S. for naval supremacy and a duplicitous endgame in Vietnam to Watergate and an admirals' spy ring.
Unlike many other senior naval officers, Zumwalt successfully enacted radical change, including the integration of the most racist branch of the military—an achievement that made him the target of bitter personal recriminations. His fight to modernize a technologically obsolete fleet pitted him against such formidable adversaries as Henry Kissinger and Hyman Rickover. Ultimately, Zumwalt created a more egalitarian navy as well as a smaller modernized fleet better prepared to cope with a changing world.
But Zumwalt's professional success was marred by personal loss, including the unwitting role he played in his son's death from Agent Orange. Retiring from the service in 1974, Zumwalt spearheaded a citizen education and mobilization effort that helped thousands of Vietnam veterans secure reparations. That activism earned him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Today Zumwalt's tombstone at the U.S. Naval Academy is inscribed with one word: "Reformer." Admiring yet evenhanded, Larry Berman's moving biography reminds us what leadership is and pays tribute to a man whose life reflected the best of America itself.
Review
A towering scholarly achievement; a thoroughly researched, persuasively argued, and moving biography of admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., one of America's greatest leaders of the tumultuous Vietnam era...will long stand as the premier study of this pivotal 20th century flag officer Edward J. Marolda, Ph.D, Former Senior Historian of the Navy
Review
“A splendid biography of an extraordinary leader who commanded U.S. naval forces in Vietnam and as Chief of Naval Operations dragged the Navy into the twentieth century. The chapter on Zumwalts war against the paranoiac secrecy of the Nixon White House is a gem of historical research and analysis.” George C. Herring, author of America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975
Review
“An engaging and highly readable portrait of one of the Navys truly transformative figures and arguably the most innovative and controversial CNOs of the Cold War era.” Ronald H. Spector, Professor of History and International Affairs, The George Washington University
Review
“Zumwalt was a visionary whose charismatic brand of leadership was grounded in an unflinching dedication coupled with a belief that barriers to equality and progress have no place in America. This volume is rich with moving details from countless individuals who were inspired by his integrity and courage.” Thurgood Marshall Jr.
Review
” Zumwalt was an iconic figure for generations of sailors who served under his command or who were motivated by his example. His dedication to his country and the US Navy was a model for those who want to serve.” Adm. Mike Mullen, 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Review
“ZUMWALT may be Larry Bermans best book on Vietnam. Exhaustively researched, beautifully written, here is the war through the prism of one of Americas greatest officers. I loved it and learned from it. Read it.” Marvin Kalb, Edward R. Murrow Professor Emeritus at Harvard and co-author of Haunting Legacy: Vietnam and the American Presidency from Ford to Obama.
Review
“Bud Zumwalt was a fearless leader. He was also a fascinating, thoughtful and brilliant sailor. I learned a lot about leadership from him over the years - so will you when you read ZUMWALT.” Donna E. Shalala
Review
“This is a fine tribute to a man of high achievement and character.” Booklist
Review
You cant understand todays Navy without acknowledging Zumwalts role in modernizing its technology and renewing its soul. He believed in a Navy worthy of our nation...those who chose to serve in it were deserving of respect and dignity. Zumwalt is the story of a true American hero. President Bill Clinton
Synopsis
Painstakingly researched and crafted, Larry Berman s Zumwalt is a compelling and rich portrait of one of the nation s great patriots. Walter Anderson, former editor and CEO of Parade
Zumwalt is a compelling portrait of the controversial military man who is widely regarded as the founder of the modern U.S. Navy, Admiral Elmo Russell Bud Zumwalt. Chief of Naval Operations during the decades-long Cold War crisis, Zumwalt implemented major strategic innovations that endure to this day, especially in his campaign against racism and sexism throughout the fleet. Larry Berman, the author of Perfect Spy, offers a fascinating, detailed look at an extraordinary man winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom an inspiring portrait of leadership that is essential in these troubled times. "
Synopsis
“Painstakingly researched and crafted, Larry Bermans
Zumwalt is a compelling and rich portrait of one of the nations great patriots.”
—Walter Anderson, former editor and CEO of
ParadeZumwalt is a compelling portrait of the controversial military man who is widely regarded as the founder of the modern U.S. Navy, Admiral Elmo Russell “Bud” Zumwalt. Chief of Naval Operations during the decades-long Cold War crisis, Zumwalt implemented major strategic innovations that endure to this day, especially in his campaign against racism and sexism throughout the fleet. Larry Berman, the author of Perfect Spy, offers a fascinating, detailed look at an extraordinary man—winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom—an inspiring portrait of leadership that is essential in these troubled times.
About the Author
Larry Berman has written four previous books on the war in Vietnam: Planning a Tragedy: The Americanization of the War in Vietnam; Lyndon Johnson's War: The Road To Stalemate in Vietnam; No Peace, No Honor: Nixon, Kissinger and Betrayal in Vietnam and Perfect Spy: The Incredible Double Life of Pham Xuan An, Time Magazine Reporter and Vietnamese Communist Agent. He has been featured on C-SPAN Book TV, Bill Moyers' The Public Mind and David McCullough's American Experience. He has been a Guggenheim Fellow and a Fellow in residence at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He received the Bernath Lecture Prize for contributions to our understanding of foreign relations and the Department of the Navy Vice Admiral Edwin B. Hooper Research Grant. Berman is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis and Founding Dean of the Honors College at Georgia State University. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.