Presidents & Their Generals: An American History of Command in War

A military historian traces the long struggle of American presidents to assert their power over uncooperative generals.

Since World War II, the United States has been engaged in near-constant military conflict abroad, often with ill-defined objectives, ineffectual strategy, and uncertain benefits. In this era of limited congressional oversight and "wars of choice," the executive and the armed services have shared the primary responsibility for making war. The negotiations between presidents...