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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
ISBN: 0374102171
ISBN-13: 9780374102173
Format: Hardcover
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Summary
In this study of presidential power, Geoffrey Perret examines three "unwinnable" wars-Korea, Vietnam, Iraq-waged by three presidents-Truman, Johnson, Bush-that, in his view, were waged for the wrong reasons, and which, ultimately, ended badly for the American cause. Perret finds a list of commonalities among the three issues, including presidents who overreach and mismanage the war effort, and who circumvent the checks and balances of Congressional oversight. Perret's somewhat vitriolic argument can be filed under: Those who do not heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
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Media Reviews
"Perret's COMMANDER IN CHIEF offers an angry but highly readable account of how Lyndon Johnson in Vietnam and George W. Bush in Iraq repeated the blunders committed by Harry Truman in Korea." -- Andrew Bacevich
Bibliographic Details
Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
Published date: 2007
Edition: 1th edition
Size: 6.25 x 9.25 inches
Weight: 1.7 pounds
Pages: 436
Synopses
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. Presidential biographer and military historian 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. 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.--From publisher description.
Publisher's Notes
An award-winning presidential biographer and military historian looks at the legacy of the presidential adminstrations of Truman, Johnson, and Bush that undermined the checks and balances of the Constitution, ignored the advice of the professional military and allies, and were influenced by secret facts to undertake three unwinnable wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq.
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future (Qty: 6)
Perret, Geoffrey
Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Hardcover. 0374102171 New unread book in stock and on sale - some books may have remainder mark. We often have multiple copies per title - and have over 20,000 discounted titles available. Symposium Books is an Independent Bookstore with locations near Boston University and Brown University & RISD. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the widest selection of scholarly, literary and quality art books. Expedited shipping is available, and we include free delivery confirmation. Reliable customer service, and a no hassle return policy. . Fine. ( more information) Offered by Symposium Books (United States)
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future (Qty: 2)
Perret, Geoffrey
Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Hardcover. 0374102171 New unread book in stock and on sale - some books may have remainder mark. We often have multiple copies per title - and have over 20,000 discounted titles available. Symposium Books is an Independent Bookstore with locations near Boston University and Brown University & RISD. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the widest selection of scholarly, literary and quality art books. Expedited shipping is available, and we include free delivery confirmation. Reliable customer service, and a no hassle return policy. . Fine. ( more information) Offered by Symposium Books (United States)
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future (Qty: 9)
Perret, Geoffrey
Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Hardcover. 0374102171 New unread book in stock and on sale - some books may have remainder mark. We often have multiple copies per title - and have over 20,000 discounted titles available. Symposium Books is an Independent Bookstore with locations near Boston University and Brown University & RISD. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the widest selection of scholarly, literary and quality art books. Expedited shipping is available, and we include free delivery confirmation. Reliable customer service, and a no hassle return policy. . Fine. ( more information) Offered by Symposium Books (United States)
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Commander in Chief: How Truman, Johnson, and Bush Turned a Presidential Power into a Threat to America's Future (Qty: 5)
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Perret, Geoffrey
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