Marshall and His Generals: U.S. Army Commanders in World War II

History professor Taaffe (Commanding Lincoln's Navy) documents the experience of George C. Marshall, chief of staff of the U.S. Army during World War II, as he chose the army's fighting leadership. Taaffe discusses the qualities Marshall looked for, as well as the compromises needed to weld an international fighting force in which British troops played a significant role. The 10.4 million men who served in the U.S. Army during WWII were organized into eight field armies and 20 corps, and Taaffe studies the 38 men who commanded them. He highlights the way Eisenhower and MacArthur differed in outlook and method as they commanded their respective European and South Western Pacific theaters. Alternating between these regions, Taaffe shows how Marshall and Eisenhower cooperated to pursue leadership staffing for their shared objectives, as well as the more turf-based approach adopted by MacArthur, who tried to maintain a leadership promotion process as a patronage type system, within his own command. Despite their differences, the common service background, education, and training which united Marshall's leaders helped address rivalries between armies%E2%80%94and allies%E2%80%94as they pursued victory. (Oct.)