Synopses & Reviews
Acclaimed military historian Bevin Alexander offers a fresh and cogent analysis of Stonewall Jacksons military genius and reveals how the Civil War might have ended differently if Jacksons strategies had been adopted. The Civil War of 186165 pitted the industrial North against the agricultural South, and remains the most catastrophic conflict in terms of loss of life in American history. With triple the population and eleven times the industry, the Union had a decided advantage over the Confederacy in terms of direct conflict and conventional warfare. One general had the vision of an alternative approach that could win the War for the Southhis name was Thomas J. Stonewall” Jackson.
It was Jacksons strategy to always strike at the Unions vulnerabilities, not to challenge its power directly. He won a campaign against the North with a force only a quarter of the size of the Union army, and he was the first commander to recognize the overwhelming defensive power of the new rifles and cannons. With most of its military forces on the offensive in the South, the North was left virtually undefended on its own turf. Jackson believed invading the eastern states along the great industrial corridor from Baltimore to Maine could divide and cripple the Union, forcing surrender. But he failed to convince Confederate president Jefferson Davis or General Robert E. Lee of the viability of his plan.
In Such Troops as These, Bevin Alexander presents a compelling case for Stonewall Jackson as a supreme military strategist and the greatest general in American history. Fiercely dedicated to the cause of Southern independence, Jackson would not live to see the end of the War. But his military legacy lives on and finds fitting tribute in this book.
Review
"Bevin Alexander has superbly chronicled one of World War II's most dramatic events.
Inside the Nazi War Machine vividly recounts how Rommel, von Manstein and Guderian turned the Blitzkrieg into a fearsome weapon of war in France in 1940, and how Hitler botched his best opportunity to have defeated the BEF, and perhaps defeated Britain."
-Carlo D'Este, author of Patton: A Genius For War and Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War, 1874-1945
"Bevin Alexander proves once again that he is a consummate master of historical analysis. This is the best single-volume examination to date of the new kind of 'lightning warfare' unleashed on the battlefield by the genius of Guderian, Manstein and Rommel. Armchair General magazine gives this must read book five stars, our very highest rating."
-Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, Col. U.S. Army, (Ret.), and Editor in Chief of Armchair General
"Bevin Alexander guides us from Nazi staff meetings to the tanks on the front lines, from generals to corporals, presenting in suspenseful detail the brilliance and blunders of army field commanders during those early, terrifying days of World War II. His descriptions of tactical situations are masterful, almost as if he himself had been present at the conflict."
-Forrest Bryant Johnson, author of Phantom Warrior
"A thought-provoking study of a thinker, Manstein, a doer, Rommel, and a combination of both, Guderian, who together conceived, pursued and achieved a momentous victory despite the reticence, fears and obstructions of the German General Staff and Adolf Hitler himself. Bevin Alexander has compiled a telling testimonial to audacity, perspicacity and perseverance in the conduct of military operations that provides excellent lessons for the now and future leaders contemplating military action."
-General Frederick J. Kroesen, former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army and Commander in Chief of U.S. Army Europe
Review
andldquo;Bevin Alexanderandrsquo;s
Macarthurandrsquo;s War is a superbly written, blow-by-blow account of the most controversial civil-military clash in American history. His riveting narrative pulls no punches as it reveals how the feisty U.S. president confronted Americaandrsquo;s most revered military hero against the backdrop of brutal Korean War combat.andrdquo;andmdash;Colonel Jerry D. Morelock, Ph.D., U.S. Army (ret.), and editor in chief of
Armchair Generalandnbsp;andldquo;When President Harry Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of all his military commands at the height of the Korean War, it was a seminal moment in American historyandhellip;Bevin Alexanderandrsquo;s hard-hitting nararative captures in vivid detail the elements of that contest, as well as the chain of significant events that produced itandhellip;MacArthurandrsquo;s War is a valuable account of a chapter in the Cold War that we must never forget.andrdquo;andmdash;Harry J. Middleton, founding director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library at the University of Texas, and author of LBJ: The White House Years
Review
and#8220;A very interesting account of Douglas MacArthurand#8217;s initial brilliant Inchon assault, his strategy and tactics that led to rapid advances before his concepts for capturing and freeing North Korea collapsed in defeat, and finally his resort to political confrontation with the president...fascinating, factual, and well-documentedand#8230;overall, a fair portrayal of history.and#8221;and#8212;General Frederick J. Kroesen, former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army and commander in chief, U.S. Army Europe
and#8220;Bevin Alexander has written a stirring and insightful account of General Douglas MacArthurand#8217;s controversial role in the Korean War that culminated . . . in one of the most dramatic incidents in American military history.and#8221;and#8212;Carlo Dand#8217;Este, author of Patton: A Genius for War
and#8220;Bevin Alexanderand#8217;s Macarthurand#8217;s War is a superbly written, blow-by-blow account of the most controversial civil-military clash in American history. His riveting narrative pulls no punches as it reveals how the feisty U.S. president confronted Americaand#8217;s most revered military hero against the backdrop of brutal Korean War combat.and#8221;and#8212;Colonel Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, U.S. Army (ret.), and editor in chief of Armchair General
and#8220;When President Harry Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of all his military commands at the height of the Korean War, it was a seminal moment in American historyand#8230;Bevin Alexanderand#8217;s hard-hitting narrative captures in vivid detail the elements of that contest, as well as the chain of significant events that produced itand#8230;MacArthurand#8217;s War is a valuable account of a chapter in the Cold War that we must never forget.and#8221;and#8212;Harry J. Middleton, founding director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library at the University of Texas, and author of LBJ: The White House Years
and#160;
Review
“In his superb new book, Bevin Alexander continues to demonstrate the breadth of his historical knowledge, the keenness of his insight and his outstanding capacity to write a compelling and engaging narrative. This is the best book on Stonewall Jacksons unique military genius and unmatched leadership published in many years. Alexander cuts through a century and a half of mythmaking about the Confederate high command to reveal not only Jacksons true genius, but to also expose the failures of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis that cost the South any chance of victory.” —Colonel Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, U.S. Army, ret., Editor in Chief, Armchair General Magazine Praise for MacArthurs War “Fascinating, factual, and well-documented . . . Overall, a fair portrayal of history.”—General Frederick J. Kroesen, former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army and commander in chief, U.S. Army Europe “A stirring and insightful account of General Douglas MacArthurs controversial role in the Korean War that culminated . . . in one of the most dramatic incidents in American military history.”—Carlo DEste, author of Patton: A Genius for War “When President Harry Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of all his military commands at the height of the Korean War, it was a seminal moment in American history . . . Bevin Alexanders hard-hitting narrative captures in vivid detail the elements of that contest.”—Harry J. Middleton, founding director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library at the University of Texas, and author of LBJ: The White House Years
Synopsis
The men, the minds, and the military tactics of Nazi Germany that would challenge the world to war. In 1940, as Nazi Germany spread its wings of war, France stood secure in the knowledge that they possessed the largest, most formidable, and best-equipped army in Europe. France also had a stalwart ally in Britain and the support of Holland and Belgium. But they were all about to face a new kind of enemy who fought a new kind of war.
In this book, expert military strategist Bevin Alexander examines the groundbreaking martial concepts developed by three brilliant generals- Erwin Rommel, Erich von Manstein, and Heinz Guderian. Their plan was to unleash the power of the tank, grouping them into juggernauts that would slam into-and through-enemy lines, as aircraft supported them and ground forces swept in behind them. It was the Blitzkrieg. And it alerted the world that the deadly might of Germany could no longer be ignored...
Synopsis
Expert military strategist Alexander examines the groundbreaking martial concepts developed by brilliant generals Erwin Rommel, Erich von Manstein, and Heinz Guderian, whose plan was to unleash the power of the tank, creating juggernauts that would slam into and through enemy lines--the Blitzkrieg.
Synopsis
In 1940, as Hitler plotted to conquer Europe, only one nation posed a serious threat to the Third Reich's domination: France. The German command was wary of taking on the most powerful armed force on the continent. But three low-ranking generals-Eric von Manstein, Heinz Guderian, and Erwin Rommel-were about to change the face of modern warfare.
By grouping tanks into juggernauts to slam through enemy lines, the blitzkrieg was born. With this aggressive, single-minded plan, the Nazis bypassed the supposedly impenetrable Maginot Line, charged into the heart of France, and alerted the world that the deadly might of Germany could no longer be ignored.
Synopsis
Douglas MacArthur famously said there is no substitute for victoryand#160;.and#160;.and#160;.and#160;As a United States general, he had an unparalleled genius for military strategy, and it was under his leadership that Japan was rebuilt into a democratic ally after World War II. But MacArthur carried out his zero-sum philosophy both on and off the battlefield. During the Korean War, in defiance of President Harry S. Truman and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he pushed for an aggressive confrontation with Communist Chinaandmdash;a position intended to provoke a wider war, regardless of the cost or consequences.and#160;MacArthurandrsquo;s ambition to stamp out Communism across the globe was in direct opposition to President Truman, who was much more concerned with containing the Soviet Union than confronting Red China. The infamous clash between the two leaders was not only an epic turning point in history, but the ultimate struggle between civil and military power in the United States. While other U.S. generals have challenged presidential authorityandmdash;from Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War and George B. McClellan in the Civil War to General Stanley A. McChrystal in Afghanistanandmdash;no other military leader has ever so brazenly attempted to dictate national policy.and#160;In
MacArthurandrsquo;s War, Bevin Alexander details MacArthurandrsquo;s military and political battles, from the alliances he made with Republican leaders to the threatening ultimatum he delivered to China against ordersandmdash;the action that directly led to his dismissal on April 11, 1951.
INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
About the Author
Bevin Alexander has published numerous works of military history, including the international bestseller How Hitler Could Have Won World War II. With honor degrees from The Citadel and Northwestern University, Alexander was awarded the Commendation Medal for his service as a combat historian in the Korean War, where he also won three battle stars for action at the front. He has appeared often on special programs on the History, Discovery, and Military channels. He has provided testimony before the House Committee on International Relations, advised the Rand Corporation on military strategy, and taken part in a war game at the Army War College.and#160;