Synopses & Reviews
In the first full biography of Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906), Donald Connelly examines the career of one of the leading commanders in the western theater during the Civil War and the role of politics in the formulation of military policy during both war and peace in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Connelly relates how Schofield, as a department commander during the war, had to cope with contending political factions that sought to shape military and civil policies. Following the war, Schofield occupied every senior position in the army--including secretary of war and commanding general of the army--and became a leading champion of army reform and professionalism. He was the first senior officer to recognize that professionalism would come not from the separation of politics and the military but from the army's accommodation of politics and the often contentious American constitutional system.
Seen through the lens of Schofield's extensive military career, the history of American civil-military relations has seldom involved conflict between the military and civil authority, Connelly argues. The central question has never been whether to have civilian control but rather which civilians have a say in the formulation and execution of policy.
Review
"Donald B. Connelly has combined thoroughness with balance to produce an excellent biography."
Steven E. Woodworth, Texas Christian University
Review
"Connelly's study of Schofield and the politics of generalship offers pertinent, unforced lessons and insights to anyone interested in the current relationship between the Army and its civilian overseers. On the whole, this work will go a long way towards better informing uniformed professionals about the important links between the military and its civilian leaders."
Military Review
Review
"Provides a comprehensive look not only at Schofield's wartime career, but also his rather distinguished post-war service. . . . An excellent account of the life and work of a rather over-looked officer."
The NYMAS Review
Synopsis
In the first full biography of Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906), Connelly examines the career of one of the leading commanders in the western theater during the Civil War and the role of politics in the formulation of military policy during both war and peace in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Following the war, Schofield occupied every senior position in the army--including secretary of war and commanding general of the army--and became a leading champion of army reform and professionalism.
Synopsis
"Provides both range and depth to every major facet of Schofield's military career. . . . The strengths of this book are many and include solid scholarship and a clear writing style."
-Army History "Connelly's study of Schofield and the politics of generalship offers pertinent, unforced lessons and insights to anyone interested in the current relationship between the Army and its civilian overseers. On the whole, this work will go a long way towards better informing uniformed professionals about the important links between the military and its civilian leaders."
Military Review "Provides a comprehensive look not only at Schofield's wartime career, but also his rather distinguished post-war service. . . . An excellent account of the life and work of a rather over-looked officer."
The NYMAS Review "Donald B. Connelly has combined thoroughness with balance to produce an excellent biography."
Steven E. Woodworth, Texas Christian University
About the Author
Donald B. Connelly is associate professor of joint and multinational operations at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. A retired U.S. Army military intelligence officer, he has also served as historian at U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.