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THE GENERALS: American Military Command From World War II to Today. By Thomas E. Ricks. Published by The Penguin Press. 576 pages. Stock #1594204047. $29.66 MCA Members. $32.95 Regular Price.
As good as it is, Thomas E. Ricks' latest book, "The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today," falls short of expectations. The title clearly defines the period, and the "Prologue" demonstrates a U.S. Army-centric publication; however, knowing of Ricks' reputation, one expects a broader appreciation of noteworthy military commanders.
As a Marine veteran, there "may" be bias on my part, but how on earth can a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, preeminent military historian and respected author like Ricks write a book about generals and not include a single profile of a World War II-era Marine Corps general officer? Ricks, except for a short chapter on General Douglas MacArthur, virtually ignores the war in the Pacific. He wrote nothing about the generals who commanded the six Marine divisions during World War II who led the bloody islandhopping campaigns of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa,...