Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime

From back cover:

The orthodoxy regarding the relationship between politicians and military leaders in wartime democracies contends that politicians should declare a military operation's objectives and then step aside and leave the business of war to the military. In this timely and controversial examination of civilian--military relations, Eliot A. Cohen chips away at this time-honored belief with case studies of statesmen who dared to push, provoke, and even defy their military officers to great effect.

Using the experiences of Abraham Lincoln, Georges Clemenceau, Winston Churchill, and David Ben-Gurion to build his case, Cohen offers compelling proof that, as Clemenceau put it, "War is too important to be left to the generals." By examining the shared leadership traits of four politicians who triumphed in extraordinarily varied military campaigns, Cohen contends thast active statesmen make the best wartime leaders, pushing their military subordinates to succeed where they might have failed if left to their own devices. Thought provoking and soundly argued, Supreme Command is essential reading not only for military and political players, but also for informed citizens and anyone interested in leadership.

Very Good condition. Slight corner wear. Soft bottom corner crease on front. Clean and tight.

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Pages 304 including index and bibliographical references.