Commander in Chief

How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future

Nonfiction, History, Americas, United States, 20th Century, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government
Cover of the book Commander in Chief by Geoffrey Perret, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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Author: Geoffrey Perret ISBN: 9781429923088
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: January 22, 2008
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Language: English
Author: Geoffrey Perret
ISBN: 9781429923088
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: January 22, 2008
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Language: English

How Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq Made The Commander In Chief and Foretell the Future of America

This is a story of ever-expanding presidential powers in an age of unwinnable wars. Harry Truman and Korea, Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam, George W. Bush and Iraq: three presidents, three ever broader interpretations of the commander in chief clause of the Constitution, three unwinnable wars, and three presidential secrets. Award-winning presidential biographer and military historian Geoffrey Perret places these men and events in the larger context of the post-World War II world to establish their collective legacy: a presidency so powerful it undermines the checks and balances built into the Constitution, thereby creating a permanent threat to the Constitution itself.

In choosing to fight in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, Truman, Johnson, and Bush alike took counsel of their fears, ignored the advice of the professional military and major allies, and were influenced by facts kept from public view. Convinced that an ever-more powerful commander in chief was the key to victory, they misread the moment. Since World War II wars have become tests of stamina rather than strength, and more likely than not they sow the seeds of future wars. Yet recent American presidents have chosen to place their country in the forefront of fighting them. In the course of doing so, however, they gave away the secret of American power—for all its might, the United States can be defeated by chaos and anarchy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq Made The Commander In Chief and Foretell the Future of America

This is a story of ever-expanding presidential powers in an age of unwinnable wars. Harry Truman and Korea, Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam, George W. Bush and Iraq: three presidents, three ever broader interpretations of the commander in chief clause of the Constitution, three unwinnable wars, and three presidential secrets. Award-winning presidential biographer and military historian Geoffrey Perret places these men and events in the larger context of the post-World War II world to establish their collective legacy: a presidency so powerful it undermines the checks and balances built into the Constitution, thereby creating a permanent threat to the Constitution itself.

In choosing to fight in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, Truman, Johnson, and Bush alike took counsel of their fears, ignored the advice of the professional military and major allies, and were influenced by facts kept from public view. Convinced that an ever-more powerful commander in chief was the key to victory, they misread the moment. Since World War II wars have become tests of stamina rather than strength, and more likely than not they sow the seeds of future wars. Yet recent American presidents have chosen to place their country in the forefront of fighting them. In the course of doing so, however, they gave away the secret of American power—for all its might, the United States can be defeated by chaos and anarchy.

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