The Mantle of Command: FDR at War, 1941-1942 - Hardcover

Hamilton, Nigel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0547775245 ISBN 13: 9780547775241

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014

Synopsis

Based on years of archival research and interviews with the last surviving aides and Roosevelt family members, Nigel Hamilton offers a definitive account of FDR s masterful and underappreciated command of the Allied war effort.Hamilton takes readers inside FDR s White House Oval Study his personal command center and into the meetings where he battled with Churchill about strategy and tactics and overrode the near mutinies of his own generals and secretary of war.

Time and again, FDR was proven right and his allies and generals were wrong.When the generals wanted to attack the Nazi-fortified coast of France, FDR knew the Allied forces weren t ready.When Churchill insisted his Far East colonies were loyal and would resist the Japanese, Roosevelt knew it was a fantasy.As Hamilton s account reaches its climax with the Torch landings in North Africa in late 1942, the tide of war turns in the Allies favor and FDR s genius for psychology and military affairs is clear.This intimate, sweeping look at a great president in history s greatest conflict is must reading."

About this title

Product Description:

Title: The Mantle of Command( FDR at War 1941-1942) <>Binding: Hardcover <>Author: NigelHamilton <>Publisher: HoughtonMifflin

Review:

Franklin D. Roosevelt's role as commander in chief of the military during World War II has not been covered as much as other aspects of his presidency. Hamilton (senior fellow, McCormack Graduate Sch., Univ. of Massachusetts-Boston; JFK: Reckess Youth) is well qualified to remedy that, showing how FDR worked with individuals and nations. He blasts Winston Churchill's colonialist values, poor selection of military leaders, and constant meddling in their tactical plans, as well as Douglas MacArthur's vanity and failure to prepare for a Japanese attack, but shows that FDR appreciated both men as fighters. Hamilton presents FDR as a serious student of world affairs who learned from his six years as assistant secretary of the navy. Unlike most books on Henry Stimson, FDR's secretary of war, and George C. Marshall, his chief of staff of the army, Hamilton's work critiques them for their opposition to Operation Torch in French North Africa in 1942, opposition that was near mutiny against the president. Marshall's disagreement, Hamilton charges, cost him command of the Normandy invasion: FDR brought Adm. William Leahy out of retirement to be chairman of the combined chiefs of staff, putting the Pentagon in its place just as he did the Axis powers. VERDICT This convincingly written and gripping volume is essential for historians, political scientists, and history buffs, for a deeper understanding of the principle of civilian supremacy of the military in the U.S. political system.--Library Journal, STARRED review

"Franklin D. Roosevelt's role as commander in chief of the military during World War II has not been covered as much as other aspects of his presidency. Hamilton (senior fellow, McCormack Graduate Sch., Univ. of Massachusetts-Boston; JFK: Reckess Youth) is well qualified to remedy that, showing how FDR worked with individuals and nations. He blasts Winston Churchill's colonialist values, poor selection of military leaders, and constant meddling in their tactical plans, as well as Douglas MacArthur's vanity and failure to prepare for a Japanese attack, but shows that FDR appreciated both men as fighters. Hamilton presents FDR as a serious student of world affairs who learned from his six years as assistant secretary of the navy. Unlike most books on Henry Stimson, FDR's secretary of war, and George C. Marshall, his chief of staff of the army, Hamilton's work critiques them for their opposition to Operation Torch in French North Africa in 1942, opposition that was near mutiny against the president. Marshall's disagreement, Hamilton charges, cost him command of the Normandy invasion: FDR brought Adm. William Leahy out of retirement to be chairman of the combined chiefs of staff, putting the Pentagon in its place just as he did the Axis powers. VERDICT This convincingly written and gripping volume is essential for historians, political scientists, and history buffs, for a deeper understanding of the principle of civilian supremacy of the military in the U.S. political system." --"Library Journal," STARRED review

"Accomplished biographer Hamilton (Biography: A Brief History) delivers an analysis of President Franklin Roosevelt in the role of Commander-in-Chief through the first two years of WWII. The author follows his subject through 14 pivotal periods of the early war years and demonstrates that F.D.R. frequently trusted his own judgment over the advice of the military professionals who surrounded him. Central to the book and its thesis is the contest of willsf

"Masterly."
--"Wall Street Journal
""This is revisionist history in the best sense of the word -- it forces us to rethink assumptions and to reconsider the way that history unfolded ... This bold argument is extensively researched, well-stated, and will undoubtedly change the way we see Franklin Roosevelt."
"--Christian Science Monitor
"
"A definitive volume on this aspect of Roosevelt's career and essential reading for anyone interested in WWII, the Roosevelt Presidency, and presidential leadership."
--"Publishers Weekly
""This convincingly written and gripping volume is essential for historians, political scientists, and history buffs, for a deeper understanding of the principle of civilian supremacy of the military in the U.S. political system."
--"Library Journal, STARRED
""A deeply engrossing study of the first year of Franklin Roosevelt's prescient military leadership in World War II...Lively, elucidating, elegant and highly knowledgeable."
--"Kirkus," STARRED
"Hamilton is tantamount to the amanuensis for the memoir FDR never wrote...well researched and confident in its conclusions, Hamilton's study ably augments the gallery of WWII leaders."
--"Booklist
""FDR has frequently been underestimated as a military leader, yielding, in the historical imagination, to George Marshall and Winston Churchill, among others. Nigel Hamilton attacks this view with his characteristic verve, portraying a president with the reins of war fully, if often subtly, in his hands. The conventional wisdom will never be the same."
--H.W. Brands, author of "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
""Nigel Hamilton's "Mantle of Command "is a stirring and noteworthy book about Roosevelt's crucial role as commander-in-chief during World War II. Hamilton writes with insight, passion, and a great grasp of history. I believe this book will become the standard by which otherp
""The Mantle of Command "is splendid: It's the memoir Roosevelt didn't get to write."
--"New York Times Book Review" "Masterly."
--"Wall Street Journal" "FDR has frequently been underestimated as a military leader, yielding, in the historical imagination, to George Marshall and Winston Churchill, among others. Nigel Hamilton attacks this view with his characteristic verve, portraying a president with the reins of war fully, if often subtly, in his hands. The conventional wisdom will never be the same."
--H.W. Brands, author of "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt"
"Nigel Hamilton's "Mantle of Command "is a stirring and noteworthy book about Roosevelt's crucial role as commander-in-chief during World War II. Hamilton writes with insight, passion, and a great grasp of history. I believe this book will become the standard by which other books about FDR's role in World War II will be measured." -- Carlo D'Este, author of "Patton: A Genius for War" and "Warlord: A Life of Churchill at War, 1874-1945"
"This is not the Roosevelt (or Churchill) you'd expect. From the start, an aggressive, in-charge FDR emerges from a wonderful weaving of established scholarship and the fascinating bits and pieces that make history live. Churchill is an inspirational nag, with a busy, unfocused strategic vision. A key entry into the ongoing debate over who made grand strategy in the early war years -- Roosevelt or Churchill?" -- Warren F. Kimball, author of "Forged in War: Roosevelt, Churchill, and the Second World War"
"Nigel Hamilton in "Mantle of Command" presents a very different wartime Franklin Delano Roosevelt than the one we are used to seeing. Whether or not one agrees with all his conclusions, Hamilton clearly shows that FDR was an extremely strong and effective commander-in-chief. This volume should go a long way to dispelling popular myths about Roosevelt as a naIve and weak war leader."
-- Mark Stoler, editor of the George C. Marshall Papers & Professor Emeritus of History, University of Vermont
"Nigel Hamilton has written a spirited and thoughtful 'revisionist' study of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as commander-in-chief during the first phase of U.S. involvement in the Second World War. Hamilton's narrative skill brings alive the human dramas, logistic hurdles, and strategic debates to show how FDR's indispensable drive and forward-looking leadership tamed his own 'team of rivals' and set the United States and its Allies on the road to victory over the Axis. The books enlivens the often murky worlds of bureaucratic struggle and military detail to demonstrate how important it was for the United States to 'get it right' early in the war and how FDR accomplished this."
--Michael Schaller, author of "Douglas MacArthur" & Regents Professor of History, University of Arizona
""The Mantle of Command "is splendid: It s the memoir Roosevelt didn t get to write."
"New York Times Book Review""Masterly."
"Wall Street Journal""FDR has frequently been underestimated as a military leader, yielding, in the historical imagination, to George Marshall and Winston Churchill, among others. Nigel Hamilton attacks this view with his characteristic verve, portraying a president with the reins of war fully, if often subtly, in his hands. The conventional wisdom will never be the same."
H.W. Brands, author of "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt"
"Nigel Hamilton s "Mantle of Command "is a stirring and noteworthy book about Roosevelt s crucial role as commander-in-chief during World War II. Hamilton writes with insight, passion, and a great grasp of history. I believe this book will become the standard by which other books about FDR s role in World War II will be measured." Carlo D Este, author of "Patton: A Genius for War" and "Warlord: A Life of Churchill at War, 1874 1945"
"This is not the Roosevelt (or Churchill) you'd expect. From the start, an aggressive, in-charge FDR emerges from a wonderful weaving of established scholarship and the fascinating bits and pieces that make history live. Churchill is an inspirational nag, with a busy, unfocused strategic vision. A key entry into the ongoing debate over who made grand strategy in the early war years Roosevelt or Churchill?" Warren F. Kimball, author of "Forged in War: Roosevelt, Churchill, and the Second World War"
"Nigel Hamilton in "Mantle of Command" presents a very different wartime Franklin Delano Roosevelt than the one we are used to seeing. Whether or not one agrees with all his conclusions, Hamilton clearly shows that FDR was an extremely strong and effective commander-in-chief. This volume should go a long way to dispelling popular myths about Roosevelt as a naive and weak war leader."
Mark Stoler, editor of the George C. Marshall Papers & Professor Emeritus of History, University of Vermont
"Nigel Hamilton has written a spirited and thoughtful revisionist study of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as commander-in-chief during the first phase of U.S. involvement in the Second World War. Hamilton s narrative skill brings alive the human dramas, logistic hurdles, and strategic debates to show how FDR s indispensable drive and forward-looking leadership tamed his own team of rivals and set the United States and its Allies on the road to victory over the Axis. The books enlivens the often murky worlds of bureaucratic struggle and military detail to demonstrate how important it was for the United States to get it right early in the war and how FDR accomplished this."
Michael Schaller, author of "Douglas MacArthur" & Regents Professor of History, University of Arizona"

""The Mantle of Command "is splendid: It s the memoir Roosevelt didn t get to write." "New York Times Book Review"

"Masterly." "Wall Street Journal""FDR has frequently been underestimated as a military leader, yielding, in the historical imagination, to George Marshall and Winston Churchill, among others. Nigel Hamilton attacks this view with his characteristic verve, portraying a president with the reins of war fully, if often subtly, in his hands. The conventional wisdom will never be the same." H.W. Brands, author of "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt" "Nigel Hamilton s "Mantle of Command "is a stirring and noteworthy book about Roosevelt s crucial role as commander-in-chief during World War II. Hamilton writes with insight, passion, and a great grasp of history. I believe this book will become the standard by which other books about FDR s role in World War II will be measured." Carlo D Este, author of "Patton: A Genius for War" and "Warlord: A Life of Churchill at War, 1874 1945""This is not the Roosevelt (or Churchill) you'd expect. From the start, an aggressive, in-charge FDR emerges from a wonderful weaving of established scholarship and the fascinating bits and pieces that make history live. Churchill is an inspirational nag, with a busy, unfocused strategic vision. A key entry into the ongoing debate over who made grand strategy in the early war years Roosevelt or Churchill?" Warren F. Kimball, author of "Forged in War: Roosevelt, Churchill, and the Second World War" "Nigel Hamilton in "Mantle of Command" presents a very different wartime Franklin Delano Roosevelt than the one we are used to seeing. Whether or not one agrees with all his conclusions, Hamilton clearly shows that FDR was an extremely strong and effective commander-in-chief. This volume should go a long way to dispelling popular myths about Roosevelt as a naive and weak war leader." Mark Stoler, editor of the George C. Marshall Papers & Professor Emeritus of History, University of Vermont "Nigel Hamilton has written a spirited and thoughtful revisionist study of Franklin Delano Roosevelt as commander-in-chief during the first phase of U.S. involvement in the Second World War. Hamilton s narrative skill brings alive the human dramas, logistic hurdles, and strategic debates to show how FDR s indispensable drive and forward-looking leadership tamed his own team of rivals and set the United States and its Allies on the road to victory over the Axis. The books enlivens the often murky worlds of bureaucratic struggle and military detail to demonstrate how important it was for the United States to get it right early in the war and how FDR accomplished this." Michael Schaller, author of "Douglas MacArthur" & Regents Professor of History, University of Arizona"

About this edition

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0547775245
• ISBN 13: 9780547775241
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 514