For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012, 3rd Edition
For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012, 3rd Edition book cover

For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012, 3rd Edition

Paperback – September 25, 2012

Price
$17.59
Format
Paperback
Pages
752
Publisher
Free Press
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1451623536
Dimensions
6 x 1.88 x 9 inches
Weight
1.67 pounds

Description

"A work of fine research, peer review and precise, evenhanded writing that is standing the test of time." -- Kirkus Reviews Allan R. Millett is Professor of History and Director of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at the University of New Orleans. Peter Maslowski is professor of history at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. For the Common Defense Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Now fully updated and totally revised, this highly regarded classic remains the most comprehensive study available of America’s military history.
  • Called “the preeminent survey of American military history” by Russell F. Weigley, America’s foremost military historian,
  • For the Common Defense
  • is an essential contribution to the field of military history. This carefully researched third edition provides the most complete and current history of United States defense policy and military institutions and the conduct of America’s wars. Without diminishing the value of its earlier editions, authors Allan R. Millett, Peter Maslowski, and William B. Feis provide a fresh perspective on the continuing issues that characterize national security policy. They have updated the work with new material covering nearly twenty years of scholarship, including the history of the American military experience in the Balkans and Somalia, analyzing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001 to 2012, and providing two new chapters on the Vietnam War.
  • For the Common Defense
  • examines the nation’s pluralistic military institutions in both peace and war, the tangled civil-military relations that created the country’s commitment to civilian control of the military, the armed forces’ increasing nationalization and professionalization, and America’s growing reliance on sophisticated technologies spawned by the Industrial Revolution and the Computer and Information Ages. This edition is also a timely reminder that vigilance is indeed the price of liberty but that vigilance has always been—and continues to be—a costly, complex, and contentious undertaking in a world that continually tests America’s willingness and ability to provide for the common defense.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(194)
★★★★
25%
(81)
★★★
15%
(49)
★★
7%
(23)
-7%
(-23)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Warning: All recommended reading lists are missing

I have bought every edition of this book primarily for the comprehensive reading guides/bibliography found at the end of each chapter. This time, the publisher has decided to eliminate the reading lists from the book and only make them available on the Simon and Schuster webpage or on the co-author's webpage. The Simon and Schuster webpage isn't easy to use and there are far too many pages to print each reading list. The lists really should have been included at the end of each chapter; now I'm forced to run to the computer after reading each chapter to learn about other good books on the same subject. Hence, I feel as if the book I purchased provides far less value than I was expecting and I am deeply disappointed with my purchase and the practice of the publishers and/or authors to save a few cents in publishing costs by dispensing with the lists found in previous editions.
31 people found this helpful
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If you are into war this is a must have

Not many pictures fine print not for beginners
2 people found this helpful
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Does the job,

A good reference book if you are interested in Military History.
2 people found this helpful
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Interesting

Interesting
1 people found this helpful
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Excellent

Excellent
1 people found this helpful
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Great read!

Excellent book to read, especially if you are joining the army.
1 people found this helpful
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Good Military History Read

I highly recommend this book for understanding military history.
1 people found this helpful
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A detail-filled history text

A detailed examination of American military policy and actions.
1 people found this helpful
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Five Stars

Great book about the military.
1 people found this helpful
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Four Stars

Good and interesting
1 people found this helpful