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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power Into a Threat to America's Future Paperback - 2008

by Geoffrey Perret

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An award-winning presidential biographer and military historian explains that in choosing to fight un-winnable wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, Presidents Truman, Johnson, and George W. Bush collectively sought to establish a presidency so powerful that they have created a permanent threat to the Constitution.

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From the publisher

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.

Details

  • Title Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power Into a Threat to America's Future
  • Author Geoffrey Perret
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 1st Edition
  • Pages 448
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Gordonsville, Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 2008-01-22
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780374531270 / 0374531277
  • Weight 1.33 lbs (0.60 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.64 x 5.8 x 1.13 in (21.95 x 14.73 x 2.87 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Chronological Period: 21st Century
  • Category History - U.S.
  • Library of Congress subjects Intervention (International law), Vietnam War, 1961-1975
  • Dewey Decimal Code 355.020

About the author

Geoffrey Perret is the award-winning author of twelve previous books, including Ulysses S. Grant, Eisenhower, and Lincoln's War. He has been a consultant for PBS, C-Span, and the History Channel.

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Commander In Chief How Truman , Johnson , And Bush Turned A Presidential Power Into A Threat To...
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future

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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power Into a Threat to America's Future

by Geoffrey Perret

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