Preparing for war : the emergence of the modern U.S. army, 1815-1917 / J.P. Clark.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clark, J. P., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Army--Officers--Attitudes--History.

United States.

United States. Army--Officers--Training of--History.

United States. Army.

Military art and science--United States--History--19th century.

Military art and science.

Military education.

History.

Military art and science--United States--History--20th century.

Military education--United States--History--19th century.

Military education--United States--History--20th century.

Armed Forces--Officers--Attitudes.

Armed Forces--Officers--Training of.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xi, 336 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2017.

Summary:

"Preparing for War examines historical changes in the ways American army officers have thought about and prepared for war. In 1815, most officers regarded innate "genius" as the paramount professional quality. So while the still new academy at West Point might impart useful technical knowledge of gunnery or engineering or drill manuals could standardize tactical commands and formations, officers felt that the most important elements of their trade were beyond the ability of formal institutions to instill or improve. By 1917, Progressive Era concepts of professionalism and organization had infiltrated the army, leading to a new way of preparing for war that included an expanded system of professional schools, realistic field training, and prescriptive tactical doctrine."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

A profession born in war

Trials on the frontier and in Mexico

The first upheaval

The Civil War's legacy

Between old and new

The second upheaval

Old soldiers in a new army

The Great War.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780674545731

0674545737

OCLC:

938708030