U.S. Leadership in Wartime: Clashes, Controversy, and Compromise

President Harry S. Truman's 1951 firing of Douglas MacArthur ended the nation's most famous showdown between a commander in chief and a high-profile officer -- but it was far from the only time a chief executive and a general clashed. American history has been shaped by the working relationships of military and civilian leaders -- relationships that have ranged from cooperative to combative.

U.S. Leadership in Wartime focuses on ten conflicts, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan. Coverage for each conflict focuses on the dynamics of civilian-military relations and their impact on the course, outcome and perception of each war under discussion. Coverage in each chapter includes an overview essay, sidebars and detailed treatments of key engagements and battles, as well as detailed biographical essays of important figures -- not just politicians and generals, but also labor leaders, business leaders, journalists, and women.